Disclaimer:
Renée uses 12 criteria with ratings of 0-3 to assess groups and provide an overall ranking out of 10 that reflects levels of coercive control. These assessments are based upon media reports, personal testimonies, and other research. The findings reflect her personal opinions which may differ to others. She is mindful that groups can change over time, for the better or worst, and that the experiences of individuals may vary within any group. Renée is open to respectful discussions and encourages diverse perspectives to foster a better understanding of matters raised.
New Age
Sphinx Spiritual School of Learning
-
Founded by lan and Pearl Rogers
1992/2008 -
The school is headquartered in Mornington, Victoria, with additional events often held in a pyramid-like building on a property in South Gippsland.
Estimated followers: Unknown
Summary of Beliefs
Sphinx Spiritual School of Learning presents itself as a spiritual education and human development organisation offering training in mediumship, "spiritual counselling," and healing modalities such as "Hahnemann Healing." The group teaches that spiritual knowledge is transmitted through its leaders, lan and Pearl Rogers, who claim continuity with ancient Egyptian "Schools of Learning" and past-life authority.
Practices include deep trance mediumship, communication with spiritual guides (including historical figures), and the belief that spiritual ability can be developed through structured training programs.
However, the group has been the subject of recent controversy. A former member publicly alleged psychological manipulation, social isolation, and public shaming within the organisation, including pressure to sever family ties and adopt a new identity aligned with the group's teachings. The leadership denies coercion, stating participation is voluntary and framed within counselling contexts. These conflicting accounts raise concerns about influence, vulnerability, and the boundary between spiritual guidance and control.
Analysis Using Renée's Cult Ranking
1. Authoritative Leadership
Score: 2
Leadership is clearly centralised in Ian and Pearl Rogers, who serve as “Principal Mediums and Directors.” Their claims of past-life authority and spiritual channeling elevate them beyond typical educators. Allegations suggest they exert strong personal influence over members’ decisions. Overall, the group demonstrates significant authority with limited evidence of shared governance.
2. Control Over Information
Score: 2
The school frames its teachings as advanced spiritual knowledge accessible only through its programs. Members rely heavily on internal teachings and leader-mediated spiritual insights. Allegations indicate that leaders influence how members interpret relationships and reality. While knowledge is selectively framed, it does not appear to involve total censorship.
3. Deception
Score: 2
The group presents claims of past-life identities and channeling of historical figures as factual. Critics argue that these claims may mislead vulnerable individuals, although this remains unproven. This represents potential misleading metaphysical claims presented as truth.
4. Exclusive Knowledge
Score: 3
Knowledge is described as originating from the “Spiritual World” and ancient Egypt. Leaders are positioned as the unique conduits of this information, framing themselves as the sole sources of divinely sourced truth.
5. Exploitation
Score: 2
Members are encouraged to participate in paid courses, events, and long-term training programs, such as a 15-month course. Allegations suggest financial and emotional exploitation of vulnerable individuals, creating pathways of dependence.
6. Fear, Guilt, & Intimidation
Score: 2
Public shaming and harsh “honesty” practices have been reported. Emotional pressure is framed as a means of spiritual growth, indicating the use of guilt and shame as behavioural control mechanisms.
7. Isolation
Score: 2
Former members report being guided to sever family connections for years. This direct encouragement of social disconnection represents a high-risk indicator of coercive control.
8. Micro-Management of Daily Tasks
Score: 1
Members attend regular classes, workshops, and structured programs, but there is no evidence of full lifestyle control or communal living. While some structured involvement exists, overall control is limited.
9. Monitoring Thoughts & Behaviours
Score: 1
There is no evidence of formal surveillance. However, intrusive questioning and demands for personal disclosures have been reported, indicating mild psychological monitoring without systematic oversight.
10. Punishment & Discipline
Score: 2
Reports describe public humiliation and harsh criticism of members. These represent psychological punishment rather than physical enforcement.
11. Thought Reform
Score: 2
Teachings encourage members to reinterpret their personal identity, relationships, and life events through spiritual doctrine. Alleged gradual reshaping of beliefs and self-concept suggests systematic ideological reframing.
12. Us vs. Them Mentality
Score: 2
Insiders are implicitly framed as spiritually advanced, while outsiders are portrayed as lacking knowledge. Allegations indicate that family and other outsiders may be negatively reframed, demonstrating moderate ideological separation.
Total Score: 23/36
Overall Cult Ranking: 6. Cult
The Sphinx Spiritual School falls within a high-control group range. While it does not exhibit extreme coercive control across all domains, it shows multiple strong cultic indicators, particularly in areas such as exclusive knowledge, isolation, leadership authority, and emotional control mechanisms.
Further Reading
Inside the controversial spiritual school run by former detectives
Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups
IS IT A CULT?: Response from
Sphinx Spiritual School of Learning
No known response.
Online Counselling Available for Cult and Coercive Control Recovery
Recover From Coercive Control offers online counselling for individuals and families impacted by cults, high-control groups, or coercive relationships. Whether you’re currently entangled, recently exited, or supporting a loved one through their recovery, this space is for you. Sessions are trauma-informed, grounded in psychological research and lived experience, and tailored to help you rebuild autonomy, process grief, and make sense of what happened.