The opening post in this thread seems to be a testimonial for Desteni, perhaps as an attempt to counter critcisms levelled at that group in previous dicussions on this forum at [
forum.culteducation.com]
All of the following words and phrases have been invented or appropriated by Bernard Poolman of Desteni to describe the Desteni 'process':
'common sense', 'support', 'structural resonance alignment', 'points of suppression', 'mind consciousness system', 'assist', 'applying self forgiveness', 'self honesty', 'applying self forgiveness within self honesty', 'principle of equality'.
There are more, but these are the ones used in the post in question.
While these words and phrases may have ordinary meanings or applications, in the context of Desteni they are pure jargon serving as emotive signifiers pertaining to active involvement in the Desteni group, and little else.
The article, 'Warning Signs' at [
www.culteducation.com] begins with a quote from Margaret Singer, Ph.D, author of 'Cults in Our Midst'. She explains that potentially unsafe groups or leaders 'come off very nice at first, they go for vulnerable people who are looking for answers, lonely, what you'd call 'normal people.' They're very good at what they do and can get people to believe anything. You might think you'd never get taken in, but don't bet on it.'
Under the list of 'Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader' point 4 mentions 'Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior'.
Repetition of the group/leader's jargon would come into this category.
It is well known that cults target people with social problems. In some cases they can actually help. However, they ultimately replace them with a different set of problems brought about by the social conditioning of the cult.
Information available on the web suggests that other points on the list of warning signs which stand out as typical of Desteni include:
No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.
Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as "persecution".
Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.
Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2010 08:00PM by Sandman.