Gail Tredwell

Since the publication of "Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness," numerous sources alleging to have been personally familiar with Tredwell during her time with Amritanandamayi have come forward and described her deportment during her stay as emotionally unstable.[1] Followers of Mata Amritanandamayi present in Amritapuri at the same time as Tredwell have asserted and maintained that she often behaved erratically; becoming increasingly possessive of the guru, displaying paranoid tendencies, and experiencing episodes of severe agitation and uncontrollable anger. It has been additionally asserted that Tredwell was, in fact, abusive herself, and known to inflict verbal abuse, psychological manipulation, and physical violence upon those around her, despite the repeated attempts of fellow devotees to placate her.[2] Individuals allegedly familiar with Tredwell have expressed concerns regarding the motivations behind her claims as well, alleging that, along with ongoing tensions within the Ashram regarding her behavior, the major factors that led to Tredwell’s cessation from the spiritual community were an incompatibility with a monastic lifestyle and her having fallen in love with an American devotee of Amma’s who did not ultimately return her feelings.[3] [4] These same individuals contend that a mixture of bitterness, shame, financial drive, and her own struggles with mental health form the motivational basis for Tredwell’s claims of abuse. Despite these allegations, Gail Tredwell stands by the veracity of her claims and continues to speak on the matter. Amma has consistently expressed sympathy for Tredwell, saying during an interview in 2014 "Even now, Amma is only filled with love for that daughter. I am praying that virtue and goodness come. Time will shine forth the truth."[5]

Gail Tredwell's biography led to a huge controversy during February to March 2014 in Kerala where the Mata Amritanandmayi Ashram is located. The book alleges that a senior follower of the ashram, Balu, had a forced sexual relationship with the author for many years. It also alleges that Amritanandamayi behaved in a very rude and aggressive manner and abused the author for many years.

In accordance with an order from Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, on 11 March 2014, Kerala Police registered a case against Gail Tredwell along with media organizations who reported the news, in response to a petition. The case was booked under Sections 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration), 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 298 (uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

Gail Tredwell (born 1958) is an Australian author. She was born in Queensland, Australia. Tredwell served Mata Amritanandamayi, known more frequently as simply Amma, for 20 years (from 1980 to 1999) as a disciple. Her autobiography, Holy Hell: A Memoir of Faith, Devotion, and Pure Madness, was published in November 2013 by Wattle Tree Press, Maui, Hawai'i.