Free_Thinker:
You say, "I can't help but notice a prejudice against the MKP. Would you be willing/able to look at it unbiased?"
My opinion regarding MKP is based upon the historical facts, both regarding MKP and other LGATs.
The evidence concerning the systemic problems with LGATs like MKP is overwhelming. For example, James Arthur Ray, an LGAT leader, is currently doing time in prison after his criminal conviction for negligent homicide, which was linked to an LGAT weekend. Ray incorporated supposed "Native American" themes that included a "sweat lodge" where four participants died. Like MKP Ray was also sued. He settled out of court too, or rather his insurance carriers decided to settle rather than go to trial.
For more details about the Ray disaster read [
www.culteducation.com]
Another LGAT called NXIVM was also reportedly linked to a sucide.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
Landmark Education has been linked to bizarre behavior as well.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
Historically, mental health professionals have raised questions concerning EST (Erhard Seminars Training) the predecessor of Landmark Education.
See their report here [
www.culteducation.com]
Other LGATs like MKP have rather dodgy histories such as Sterling Institute of Relationship, Impact Trainings and Lifespring. Note that they have similar pattern of bad press and complaints. Both Impact and Lifespring have also been sued.
Sterling see [
www.culteducation.com]
Lifespring see [
www.culteducation.com]
Impact Trainings See [
www.culteducation.com]
So rather than reflecting "prejudice" or "bias" the complaints and litigation regarding MKP fit well within the existing historical pattern of problematic LGATs.
FYI -- According to a previous entry on this thread, "Kauth, Tosi, and Hering attended a workshop called Men, Sex, and Power in California offered by Justin Sterling...The techniques learned there are a major part of the NWTA. Sterling was an early disciple of Werner Erhard who founded what was then known as Erhard Seminars Training (EST). Today, EST has transformed itself into the Landmark Forum. Men, Sex, and Power (Sterling Seminars) was the outgrowth of Sterling’s training with EST".
See [
forum.culteducation.com]
"I'm not sure if you understand the term 'belief system'"
When people don't agree with you it doesn't mean they don't "understand". It just means that they think you are wrong.
MKP is based upon accepting a belief system, which includes both "concepts" and its "process". And as you freely admit, "It takes time and continuous attention. Like playing the piano". You said, "This is where the I-Group helps a lot". Of course, because it is reinforces both the concepts and process. As you say this is "the process of becoming aware".
Bill Kauth the co-founder of MKP stated in an interview, "My mission is ‘I create a safe planet through empowering a balance of spirit and soul.’ I’ve been living it largely in the creation of the Warrior Monk Training Intensive, in which people learn experientially to embrace both spirit and soul and take that energy out in to the world through a very clear life mission and goal which will manifest itself without doubt." Kauth further explains, " I make a clear distinction between spirit and soul. Spirit is about assent, going up, looking for the light, the right answer, perfection and cosmic truth. Soul is about descent, going down into the mystery—the not knowing; confusion; darkness; material. I got this distinction from Thomas Moore and Richard Rohr who suggest we as a culture are drowning in spirit and desperately hungry for soul. I believe this explains why the NWTA keeps spreading as it’s 95% soul work. It’s what men need to feel whole and balanced beings."
Kauth is outlining his belief system based upon his concepts about "spirit and sou", which is "experientially" learned or accepted by faith. Kauth cites Moore and Rohr, who are both religious figures. Kauth's talk about "looking for the light" and seeking "cosmic truth" is religious jargon. The MKP weekend seminars are the process Bill Kauth uses to indoctrinate others in his belief system to become what he calls "balanced beings" or true believers.
See [
www.selfgrowth.com]
You say, "Just to be clear; I'm no spokesman for the MKP. I have my own ideas/concepts".
But your analogy specifically using the Matix is interesting. In the interview MKP co-founder Bill Kauth says, " I’ve appreciated The Matrix films and have some growing urgency to develop trainings on how to live outside 'the machine'. This ties in with what I said above about the pervasive, highly intentional media bombardment such that most of us don’t know just what is real anymore, as in the Matrix."
Again see [
www.selfgrowth.com]
Your analogy comes from Kauth and MKP. This is proof that the indoctrination process has worked and your I-group "helps a lot".
Your link is very telling. It is not to a scientific study specifically focused on objective measurable results produced by any LGAT. Instead you linked to a paper titled "Characteristics of Participants in a Large Group Awareness".
The study is described as follows:
"...conducted to assess the psychosocial characteristics of individuals who become involved in large group awareness training (LGAT) programs. Prospective participants in The Forum [Landmark Education previously known as est], which has been classified as an LGAT, were compared with nonparticipating peers and with available normative samples on measures of well-being, negative life events, social support, and philosophical orientation. Results revealed that prospective participants were significantly more distressed than peer and normative samples of community residents and had a higher level of impact of recent negative life events compared with peer (but not normative) samples. Prospective participants also held preparticipation values more similar to those espoused by the LGAT than peer or normative samples, and the three groups failed to be distinguished by their levels of social support. The implications of the findings are considered for understanding participation in LGATs and other self-change promoting activities."
Not at all a study about scientigically measurable objective results producted by an LGAT. But rather about the apparent vulnerabilities of LGAT recruits and how they might be seen as predisposed to LGAT involvement due to their background.
There is no scientific study, that I am aware of, which proves any meaningful objective positive results are produced by LGAT training, e.g. higher grades in school, increased income, lower divorce rate, etc.
What LGATs do effectively is produce subjective feelings as Kauth says "experientially". Groups like MKP are adept at influencing people's feelings within a controlled environment. But LGATs do not produce objectively measurable results. My guess is if they thought that there were such results they would be anxious to fund a scientific study to prove their effectiveness. LGATs like Landmark/est and Sterling certainly have been around for a long time and could easily find the money to do this. But they have chosen not to do such a study.
BTW -- Note the words "philosophical orientation" in the study you linked to, which rflects a philosophy or belief system. There is a subsection within the study with this subheading.
MKP is apparently how Bill Kauth makes a living. In the same interview previously linked Kauth says, "I receive enough money to live adequately. I feel very blessed". He calls himself "a social entrepreneur".
Seems like Kauth is doing well selling his "cosmic truth".
Thanks again for demonstrating many of these points through your posts. It's helpful for people to see how MKP affects people. Rather than being a "free thinker" your comments appear to reflect Kauth's thinking.