Disaffiliation Trajectories

This chapter explores (1) drifters in samsara and (2) pursuers of the gateless gate as two common Vipassana disaffiliation trajectories. The chapter argues that deconversion or migration outside of the movement’s universe of discourse is a rare exit pattern in this movement. It shows that in the vast majority of cases the participants’ search for an alternative universe of discourse post exit did not land them outside the Buddhist tradition; that, in fact, the language and reasoning of most participants remained close to that of the movement. The chapter contextualises this claim by borrowing from Bromley’s (1998a; 1998b) tripartite typology, which asserts that organisations that occupy a low-tension position in their host environment are likely to exert control over the exit process and its narrative and consequently the departing members tend to reaffirm the goals and values of the group.