[traditionalistblog.blogspot.com]

Note; 'egregore' is a term from esotericism that could, from
a secular standpoint, be regarded as the unspoken and unconscious
rules, views and taboos that form the flavor of a group.

Some definitions in a footnote here:

[books.google.com]

If someone in a group calling itself sufi but which is actually
influenced by Western esotericism were to order members to decorate their houses, offices and classrooms so as to create an optimal karmic, astral
atmospheres, and taught that non members would get a karmic benefit
from being invited into such spaces without their knowledge, this
is going onto dodgy ground.

If one believes one's ritual enironment carries that kind of influenceis that one is being unethical to bring non members into such an environment without the non member's full awareness and consent.

[forum.culteducation.com]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/2015 04:58AM by corboy.

[books.google.com]

[books.google.com]


[books.google.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/2015 06:37AM by corboy.

Coolhermit Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As John Paul Sartre said, "Hell is other people"
>
> As Jeremiah chapter 17 says, "cursed is the man
> who trusts in man."
>
> Never let spiritual pirates board the ship of your
> life.

But you are not saying that there is such thing as a real spiritual teacher, such as Jesus was, and many others. How can people tell, a spiritual pirate from a real spiritual teacher without any sort of basic knowledge to go on?

Otto Wagner:

There are some basic warning signs based upon behavior and the structure of a group and its leadership.

See [www.culteducation.com]

Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader.

1. Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.

2. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.

3. No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.

4. Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.

5. There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.

6. Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.

7. There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.

8. Followers feel they can never be "good enough".

9. The group/leader is always right.

10. The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.

Thank you moderator. I think this will be something I need to research more on....finding legitimate articles, etc..

See [www.culteducation.com]

This is an article published by Harvard University and written by an MD that once was a professor at Harvard Medical School--Robert Jay Lifton.

Lifton explains, "Certain psychological themes which recur in these various historical contexts also arise in the study of cults. Cults can be identified by three characteristics:

1. A charismatic leader who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose their power;

2. A process I call coercive persuasion or thought reform;

3. economic, sexual, and other exploitation of group members by the leader and the ruling coterie."



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2015 04:24AM by rrmoderator.

Thank you, rrmoderator.

As we're seeing all the crazy stuff going on in the news about ISIS, all these characteristics certainly are exhibited in a loud and noxious way.

Do you have any discussion regarding ISIS and maybe ways to prevent their influence on young people?

Otto Wagner:

Yes.

There is a subsection about ISIS.

See [www.culteducation.com]

There is also a section on "mind control."

See [www.culteducation.com]

My new book discusses this issue in-depth, i.e. how to recognize a destructive and how to identify "cult brainwashing."

See [www.amazon.com]

Cool...wow, even Paul Morantz is giving you the hands down in his review..

I was curious what brought you to be so dedicated in this cult education. Have you any personal experience of cults? If so, is it mentioned in the book? I'm always interested in people's first hand experiences...

Thanks so much, really appreciate it.

Otto Wagner:

See [www.culteducation.com]