Sofia May's traumatic upbringing left her desperate for love and validation, making her vulnerable to Buddhism's teachings on suffering and self-erasure. She found initial solace at Tara Mandala, a retreat center led by Lama Tsultrim Allione, where the peaceful environment and supportive community felt like an escape. However, the culture gradually encouraged submission and guru worship, mirroring the dysfunctional dynamics of her childhood. As she rose through the ranks to become the guru's personal assistant, Sofia experienced isolation, shunning, and emotional collapse under a 16-hour on-call schedule and food restrictions. She ultimately confronted the guru, who admitted to triggering her breakdown. Sofia now warns that Tibetan Buddhism's guru dynamics can enable narcissistic abuse, and she shares her story through her comedy show 'The Buddha Wears Prada'.