Artificial Intimacy
Date: August 12, 2004 12:11AM
Gi, Yes, I have heard of MOL, based in Hawaii, San Diego, near San Fran., and Germany (and who knows where else). My son has recently been "hijacked" by this group. Long story short: he wanted to borrow $$, so MOL made it "easy" to borrow: no terms of repayment, no interest, no IOU etc. He's now indebted to them but they convinced him they're all 'just friends'.
This group fits right in w/ the 'artifical intimacy' aspect.
For benefit of others, here's a rundown I what I've found out; please add to/correct!!
"Guru" was David Swanson aka Lord Gourasa, his widow Kalindi and a woman called "The Lady" (Gayle) now run the group. Nearly all the writings and quotations are from Kalindi, not much (a book of manuscripts) from Swanson.
There is a daughter, about 24 yr, who is variously described as a former EMT, stripper, bar worker. She has not attended college She is supposedly a native of San Diego; trying to verify all that. We were able to find out some other details re daughter.
The group is very wealthy; young adult members are to give $$ (abstract, undisclosed amount or percent at first, the purpose of which is vague($50++++ for a college student is a lot of $). altho they usually target wealthy folks, it seems they think he'll be potential for earning the kind of $$ they want (and gullible to give it to them).
Cannot find out any info on Swanson, Kalindi, Kalindi's first husband, and The Lady; it seems they changed names but still trying to find out. Don't know which STATE of the US to loook in; the time frame would be 1995 anyway.
In the past, the have recruited members in adulthood; they recently changed marketing strategies to target young adults (18-29 yr) *AND* also disturbing, are developing a program to target younger children.
Their philosopy is that one can only get closer to God via Kalindi, being 'open' to God, learning always more about all that, etc. Amazon.com and www.miracleoflove.com have details of their philosophy.
Their first outreach appears to be their "intenstive" which is very stern at first, including an 11 page disclosure of intimate, personal info (past hurts, abuses, anger, family info), AND several pages of confidentiality agreements. Yet, pre-members also are made to sign a statement that they agree the MOL can use the member's personal info in any way it chooses.
They start with just "being friends," doing group activities i.e. beach, which seems to evolve into group sex, encouraged by Kalindi's philosophy. Each new member is given a "helper/friend" after the Intensive to assist w/ transition to new life etc., and to keep the newbie from bolting.
They have occasional nationa-wide conference calls inwhich members give testimonials; members had to be prodded into giving testimonials, which seemed rehearsed and awkward. I wish I knew when the next one would be; I read a posting by a woman dated *two years ago.* She said they were made to wait 20-30 minutes; we waited 35 min. She said the MOL people were disorganized; we could hear them whispering on their speakerphone about who would answer which question etc. Very amaturish. One prospective member, at the end, asked which form of meditation does MOL use; the reply was "It depends on what you want" The lady persisted, but after several tries, never did get a reasonable answer.
Again, this is part of what I've been able to find out; Like Gi, I would appreciate knowing anything else.
Thanks --s.