That's great, Anticult, because after posting what I did about the Catholic ("catholoid?") elements I went and explored their Youtube channel and of course, they have a smorgasbord designed to attract members from every other persuasion out there. "Indigo" for example, and the reptilians will pull the scientologists, and the political stuff for the materialists.

Anyone who is being attracted to Desteni from another background will find this thread and hopefully find some description of which elements have been exploited in their case. You can more easily forgive yourself and back away from a cult if you can have a small "aha!" experience.

I don't dismiss the foggy confusion of their speeches so lightly, myself, because I see it as part of an effective strategy. There is a process of "implantation" going on and it requires that confusion. What happens is that while the confusion causes most people to dismiss Poolman as a harmless kook, the vulnerable ones who keep listening go through another process.

Certain ideas and phrases are repeated at key moments in the confusion, as in the example I posted of the criminal law video. When the mind cannot make sense of a long string of language, it seeks "islands" of meaning and builds on them. Anyone who is motivated to listen to long strings of such confusion as desteny produces is likely to be seeking islands of meaning. Desteny structures those islands with key phrases that it can exploit in other settings. The Destenites learn to use the "rape-horror" distraction to derail critics into an emotional paralysis, it is a thought-stopping process. So they go from being somewhat hypnotized in a crude way by the videos to a form of self-hypnosis. "Don't question this" comes up at precisely the points that emotions and a desire for answers should kick in, as in the crime video. If you call my attention to the horror of rape, then it is natural for me to expect you are going to suggest we do something about it and so a question is raised in my mind, but the "don't question" message throws a dissonant signal that messes with anxiety that is raised by the question implicit in the subject.

It is a deliberate short-circuit. A cheap trick, but an effective one. No one should feel embarrassed if they fell for it for a little while, just go "aha!" and move on.

Quote
dsm
I noticed that Desteny is promoting a twisted version of some peculiarly Catholic ideas about masturbation as sin.

According to Desteni, masturbation that employs mental or visual stimulus is virtual "rape" of whoever is being fantasized about and there is not only the risk of turning into a rapist and child abuser but contributing to a situation where rapists and child abusers are free to continue their crimes. So to be relieved of their guilt, the Destenites who desire to masturbate do so according to Bernard Poolman's instructions, lie down in a dark room, don't think about anyone else, etc.

Ultimately, what this leads to is that those who participate in the Desteni process have their personal identity placed under the auspices of the Desteni organization, as when at the Desteni Farm they will have every aspect of their emotional/sexual experience, their character, facial expressions and body language written down, analysed, videoed and deconstructed by "the resonances" (Sunette Spies).

Before that occurs, however, they will have already practised "self-forgiveness" and engaged in constant self-analysis and a morbid preoccupation with past personal history and probably written it all down on the Desteni forum as well as having released some very boring and self-indulgent videos about it on YouTube and elsewhere.

For an organization that claims to be about principles rather than personality there is a massive emphasis placed on personality.

All of it is carried out on the premise that it will make for authentic self-expression, but the imposed need to supply information about actions, thoughts and feelings that are recorded by the Desteni organization is a ploy used to manufacture guilt and to discourage the individual from thinking or acting as an individual, so that their personal identity and modes of expression are owned and controlled by the Desteni organization.

All of it is decidedly unprincipled and thoroughly exploitative, but this, along with the obligation to engage in generating propaganda helps to perpetuate an us and them situation, where anyone who does not follow Desteni doctrines is viewed by those who participate in the process as being "self-dishonest" and unwittingly duped by the corrupt forces of consumerist society, supporting war, economic exploitation etc. As though having a social conscience or being a non-conformist was solely the province of Desteni.

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Sandman
Before that occurs, however, they will have already practised "self-forgiveness" and engaged in constant self-analysis and a morbid preoccupation with past personal history and probably written it all down on the Desteni forum as well as having released some very boring and self-indulgent videos about it on YouTube and elsewhere.

I want to add and emphasize a little more here concerning something related by a member. Also, by this time, the person has probably already undergone some sort of emotional breakdown. Issues involving great shame are openly revealed to the group. These shameful acts could have been things of a criminal or sexual nature. But either way, the release of such tremendous shame before others who don't "judge" is a powerful tool for ensuring loyalty, solidarity and blind acceptance of Poolman's guidance.

Too early stages yet to ascertain whether Desteni has a Scientological "Fair Game" policy but if so then any dissenter who tries to break away could end up in a lot of trouble.

I think their exploitation of demon imagery or even identity is their form of the "fair game" policy.

Think about it: they claim to be helping "demons", therefore anyone who is in a receptive position of supposedly "needing" their help is a "demon".

Demonization is a basic human tactic of total war. It is universal. Whenever you see it used in any form, the people being "demonized" will get hurt.

To return to my concern over their perversion of some Catholic elements, consider what happens in the more extreme pentecostal cults that spill over into demon-casting, what is going on in parts of Africa right now with children being identified as witches.

I don't think we have to look very deep into Desteny to discover their version of "fair game". The masturbation element is also part of that. During the Inquisition it became an excuse for torture, with the concept of spirits appearing to invade either the masturbator or some other person who was an object of fantasy.

Poolman clearly is involved in sex with his initiates in that dark-room scenario, kind of the ultimate cyber-rape thing going on.

That kind of abuse will result in some terribly damaged people, and a lot of rage.

Poolman of course is the one whose voice is implanted in those people as the voice they must obey, because how much deeper into full obedience can anyone go than to enact the masturbatory fantasies to another? That is in fact far worse than the Catholic principle of simply suppressing or avoiding such fantasies.

That is an extremely diabolical technique being used by Bernard Poolman on his followers to manipulate and distort human sexuality, like many other sects and cults.
Its an attempt to induce shame and guilt in people.
Its the same pattern when Poolman tries to make people feel guilty for using soap, which he has reframed as Shame-Poo [forum.culteducation.com]

Desteni and Poolman want to take normal human behaviors, like heathy hygeine, and make the followers feel guilt and shame.
In regards to Shame-Poo (shampoo), in fact there is biodegradeable soap that can be used. But instead of doing that, Bernard Poolman wants them to shave their heads using aluminum razors, which are about a million times more harmful to the environment in their production and waste.

So he is using the same patterns over and over.
Pathologizing normal, healthy human behavior, and then making perverse Desteni behaviors appear to be normal.

By getting deep into his followers sexualities, Bernard Poolman knows he can exercise great power over the person. He knows that by trying to repress their thoughts, they are going to get more confused and disturbed. They will also start to think about Desteni and even their Arian Poolman during those times.

One would be certain that the strongman Arian Leader also provides "private sexual coaching" for followers of his choice.
Again, the typical pattern for these groups and sects.

Don't let Desteni and Bernard Poolman mess around with your mind, emotions, body, or sexuality. They have no idea of what they are doing, other than using techniques to manipulate.
If a person had some emotional or sexual problems, they should seek the assistance of trained professionals in that field, who are registered, and who know what they are doing.

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Sandman

According to Desteni, masturbation that employs mental or visual stimulus is virtual "rape" of whoever is being fantasized about and there is not only the risk of turning into a rapist and child abuser but contributing to a situation where rapists and child abusers are free to continue their crimes. So to be relieved of their guilt, the Destenites who desire to masturbate do so according to Bernard Poolman's instructions, lie down in a dark room, don't think about anyone else, etc.

Ultimately, what this leads to is that those who participate in the Desteni process have their personal identity placed under the auspices of the Desteni organization, as when at the Desteni Farm they will have every aspect of their emotional/sexual experience, their character, facial expressions and body language written down, analysed, videoed and deconstructed by "the resonances" (Sunette Spies).

For former member of Desteni, and current members with doubts, don't have to open themselves up to personal retaliation by Bernard Poolman by speaking out using their surname.

They can just post in this thread using a pseudonym, and not give away any personal identifying information. They could just post about what is going on with Desteni.

That can be of great help to other young people who may be getting tricked by the manipulations and systems of Desteni.

On one hand, what Bernard Poolman is doing is very obvious, but on the other hand, he is also using some very advanced persuasion techniques he's picked up over the years from other sects and cults.
Poolman is literally trying to reprogram how people think, and the meaning of their language. That can be very powerful.

So former and current Desteni members with doubts and questions, can speak out using a pseudonym, and let the public really know what is going on, without personal risk.

Desteni Education is doing more PR on the Desteni website.
They are really trying to build up an Org like Scientology.

[desteni.co.za]

----------quote-------------------
cameroncope Post subject: Re: Desteni Education
Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 3:05 am
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:53 am
Posts: 337
Location: Houston, Texas [equalityeducation.wordpress.com]

will be placing articles here on education and our role within equalizing education.

there are already 2 articles posted

www.destenieducation.com
www.equalityeducation.wordpress.com

-------------------------
www.responsibilityandequality.blogspot.com
www.katieprocess.blogspot.com/
www.destenieducation.com

www.Equal-Money-for-All.ning.com
www.youtube.com/BellaBargilly
www.facebook.com/bella.bargilly
www.bellaLIVE.multiply.com
www.processLIFE.ning.com

Quote
Sandman
Too early stages yet to ascertain whether Desteni has a Scientological "Fair Game" policy but if so then any dissenter who tries to break away could end up in a lot of trouble.

This man here seems to lend evidence towards that end:

[www.youtube.com]

Quote
ThomDarc

Quote
Sandman
Too early stages yet to ascertain whether Desteni has a Scientological "Fair Game" policy but if so then any dissenter who tries to break away could end up in a lot of trouble.

This man here seems to lend evidence towards that end:

[www.youtube.com]

Possibly. He implies his house was broken into, he was harassed by people from Desteni and had to relocate, but does not explain anything much else about it.

He says that Bernard Poolman is connected to the Maitreya, meaning the "World Teacher" promoted by Benjamin Creme and Share International -- [www.share-international.org]. If there is any connection he doesn't say what it is, other than that these names crop up side by side in web searches, which proves nothing.

I'm willing to be proven wrong, but there is no evidence that Poolman actively supports the work of Benjamin Creme, Share International or the Maitreya. The only thing that connects Desteni to the Maitreya is the fact that Benjamin Creme's Maitreya project is inspired by the works of Alice A. Bailey -- [www.lucistrust.org] -- and Bernard Poolman was also inspired by her writings. He wrote:

"I had some interesting experiences that started to change my perspective while studying Alice Bailey and I started to consider that there is a definite technology involved within the spirit world and Alice Bailey’s work very clearly indicate the technology, and when I applied it I had experiences that indicate that it actually had an impact on the reality, as we perceive it." -- The History of Desteni Session 1 -- [desteni.co.za]

The books of Alice A. Bailey helped popularize the term, "the New Age". Poolman is broadly influenced by all manner of New Ageism. He criticizes it, yet most of the Desteni output has been influenced by and/or adapted from the New Age Movement; an obvious example being the Desteni strap line, "Oneness and Equality".

The Desteni recommended reading list -- [desteni.co.za] -- contains the New Age classic, "Life and Teachings of the Masters of the Far East" by Baird L. Spalding, which is a work of fiction, several titles by notorious cult leader, Osho AKA Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, who mixed Eastern spiritual philosophy with Western psychotherapy -- [www.culteducation.com] -- and books on the Tao and Buddha (again, favorites to be found on any self-respecting New Ager's bookshelf).

Oddly, these few titles repeat throughout the Desteni reading list with little else added, although there is one by ancient astronaut theorist, Zecharia Sitchin, where Poolman got the absurd notion that "Originally when man was created, we were solely created for the purpose of enslavement by a race of beings called the Annunaki" -- [web.archive.org].

Poolman and cohorts produce countless videos and writings on New Age and related subjects. They denounce New Ageism, yet most of the Desteni material refers to subjects such as Metaphysics, Alice A. Bailey, Nostradamus, Kryon, the Mayan Calendar, Edgar Cayce, 2012, Christ consciousness, the Galactic Federation of Light, Swami Muktananda, the Law of Attraction, Karma, Sacred Geometry, DNA Activiation, Paramahansa Yogananda, interdimensionality, Atlantis, the Hollow Earth etc etc, all of which are New Age concerns.

Although Poolman regards "channeling" as redundant (See: Bernard Poolman - The History and purpose of channeling -- [desteni.co.za]), everything he has done to establish Desteni in the first place is to appeal to an audience with interests in "channeling", a central tenet of the New Age belief system. This began in 2007 with videos of the so-called "upgraded channel" or "interdimensional portal" AKA Sunette Spies.

In "DESTENI reveals interdimensional PORTAL activities" -- [www.youtube.com] -- New Age-style music plays in the background as words and images in the slideshow portray Sunette Spies in an idealized fashion reminiscent of another peddler of New Age mumbo jumbo, Anastasia of the Ringing Cedars -- [www.ringingcedars.com] -- (a fantasy character dreamed up by Russian entrepreneur Vladimir Megre). It is claimed that Sunette

Leaves her body and visits HEAVEN
Visits Viruses and Bacteria
Visits the Dolphins and Whales and swims with them
Visits Planets and Galaxies
Meets the DEAD at the moment of DEATH and ASSISTS them in leaving the body
Visits TREES and speaks with them
Visits Fairies and SPEAKS with them
visits Atoms, Molecules and Nano Fractions
Goes inside the EARTH to INVESTIGATE (finds out about the core of the earth, cities under the sea and how they work)

In 2007, one could be forgiven for thinking that Desteni was a new form of Spiritualism (which along with Theosophy was another major influence on the New Age Movement). Under "MESSAGES FROM RECENTLY DEPARTED" -- [web.archive.org] -- it states:

"We allow messages from the recently departed to communicate to the beings on earth through the interdimentional portal"

and goes on to list various messages said to have been received from dead people.

New Age groups always promise salvation in the form of a future paradisal time of "oneness". The New Age of Desteni is prophesied by Poolman as the time when "oneness" through "Equal Money" is established in 2020 making for "Heaven on Earth".

Heaven on Earth Predicted through EqualMoney2020 -- [www.youtube.com]

In 2007, Poolman also made the failed prophecy that

"Heaven will withdraw World Leaders, Political Leaders, Religious Leaders, Corporate Leaders and Crime Leaders in months to come. This will Rock the World and shake the foundations of consciousness – Primary cause of death – Heart attacks."
[web.archive.org]

Bernard Poolman's Desteni is a crude attempt to revise, transform and revolutionize the New Age Movement.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2010 07:05AM by Sandman.