HAI
Posted by:
effort32refuse
()
Date: October 03, 2008 12:41AM
I have to admit that I joined this site as I had met a woman who wanted me to attend a HAI Level 1 workshop - I was sceptical and wanted to know more before committing myself more.
I have since done Levels 1 and 2 and the most "sexual" thing I have been asked to do in a workshop is kiss the genitals of my workshop partner (same sex, and later, different sex).
I guess (and I have read the thread which confirms my guess) that things would get more genitally-focused at higher levels - certainly Level 4.
I have decided not to proceed with HAI for two real reasons. Firstly, I am uncomfortable with the same sex work, (and never got the impression any of the other men welcomed it either). Secondly, I don't have a female partner so have done other-sex exercises at the workshops with women I haven't had any particular emotional resonance with (though 3 have become friends) and I have found that experience generally unexciting and occasionally a bit sordid.
But I think HAI is getting a worse press than it deserves on this site. There's a lot of bleating that someone from HAI poached my partner - can I point out without fear of retribution that this could even happen in the Catholic Church? I think of HAI as a cult (the addicts don't) and I sense the pressure to conform just by being in a room with 39 other people who are being invited to touch each other up, and not wanting to be the one to spoil the party.
As one of the earlier posts states, HAI intends to help its participants be more natural with their own sexuality, and make choices which work for them rather than being ones derived from wider society (either a nunnery or Internet porn). It DOES advertise itself as being about Intimacy, Relationships and Sexuality and I would imagine there are some punters feeling a little short-changed by the lack of sexual contact in the programme up to Level 2. There are organisations/cults out there running workshops with a lot more overt sexual content - and at least 1 I know of isn't even on the Rick Ross radar!
But in my experience, it is not a cult which exhibits most of the characteristics described in the moderator's recent posts. A lot of participants could not cope with my Level 2 for instance, and everyone who wanted to leave was allowed to do so. One feisty participant who stayed the course had a public half-hour argument with a facilitator (Chip August) during one break and she was not put down or told to shut up. I have never heard any criticism of any participant who decided to keep their clothes on.
I have since done Levels 1 and 2 and the most "sexual" thing I have been asked to do in a workshop is kiss the genitals of my workshop partner (same sex, and later, different sex).
I guess (and I have read the thread which confirms my guess) that things would get more genitally-focused at higher levels - certainly Level 4.
I have decided not to proceed with HAI for two real reasons. Firstly, I am uncomfortable with the same sex work, (and never got the impression any of the other men welcomed it either). Secondly, I don't have a female partner so have done other-sex exercises at the workshops with women I haven't had any particular emotional resonance with (though 3 have become friends) and I have found that experience generally unexciting and occasionally a bit sordid.
But I think HAI is getting a worse press than it deserves on this site. There's a lot of bleating that someone from HAI poached my partner - can I point out without fear of retribution that this could even happen in the Catholic Church? I think of HAI as a cult (the addicts don't) and I sense the pressure to conform just by being in a room with 39 other people who are being invited to touch each other up, and not wanting to be the one to spoil the party.
As one of the earlier posts states, HAI intends to help its participants be more natural with their own sexuality, and make choices which work for them rather than being ones derived from wider society (either a nunnery or Internet porn). It DOES advertise itself as being about Intimacy, Relationships and Sexuality and I would imagine there are some punters feeling a little short-changed by the lack of sexual contact in the programme up to Level 2. There are organisations/cults out there running workshops with a lot more overt sexual content - and at least 1 I know of isn't even on the Rick Ross radar!
But in my experience, it is not a cult which exhibits most of the characteristics described in the moderator's recent posts. A lot of participants could not cope with my Level 2 for instance, and everyone who wanted to leave was allowed to do so. One feisty participant who stayed the course had a public half-hour argument with a facilitator (Chip August) during one break and she was not put down or told to shut up. I have never heard any criticism of any participant who decided to keep their clothes on.
Re: HAI
Posted by:
rrmoderator
()
Date: October 03, 2008 01:15AM
effort32refuse:
Why did you start a new HAI thread?
Please stay with the original HAI thread.
See [forum.culteducation.com]
HAI is "on the Rick Ross radar" as evidenced by the thread linked above.
HAI appears to be an LGAT (large group awareness training), a category that includes such groups as est, Landmark Education, Lifespring and Sterling Institute of Relationship.
LGATs have a history of serious complaints, personal injury lawsuits, bad press and controversy regarding their basic methods and dynamics.
FYI--"the Catholic Church" doesn't sponsor retreats that encourage the sexual exercises as you have described within HAI programs. Your attempt to compare HAI to the Catholic Church is ridiculous.
The idea that the explicit sexual practices within HAI might disrupt a marriage or relationship seems reasonable.
This thread has now been closed.
If you wish to discuss HAI further go to thread for this discussion.
Why did you start a new HAI thread?
Please stay with the original HAI thread.
See [forum.culteducation.com]
HAI is "on the Rick Ross radar" as evidenced by the thread linked above.
HAI appears to be an LGAT (large group awareness training), a category that includes such groups as est, Landmark Education, Lifespring and Sterling Institute of Relationship.
LGATs have a history of serious complaints, personal injury lawsuits, bad press and controversy regarding their basic methods and dynamics.
FYI--"the Catholic Church" doesn't sponsor retreats that encourage the sexual exercises as you have described within HAI programs. Your attempt to compare HAI to the Catholic Church is ridiculous.
The idea that the explicit sexual practices within HAI might disrupt a marriage or relationship seems reasonable.
This thread has now been closed.
If you wish to discuss HAI further go to thread for this discussion.
Sorry, you can't reply to this topic. It has been closed.