The Wright Institute for Lifelong Learning?
Date: August 28, 2007 01:22PM
Hi,
I apologize for the delay in responding with more details; real life got in the way, and also I wanted to wait until everyone involved with the Wrights left for the annual “spiritual pilgrimage” before responding so there would be a bit of time between when I posted and when someone from WI read the posts and started to play detective and figured out who I am. However, it appears that this year the sacred pilgrimage is going to be much later than normal, so I am going to begin to share what I know.
I know several people who have been involved with the Wrights for a very long time. I am amazed at how much they have changed throughout the years and how much their lives have become intermeshed with B&J. What I write is what I know, and what I would feel comfortable in sharing if I was dragged into court.
A few years ago B&J gave up their therapist licenses as part of a confidential agreement to forego an investigation and disciplinarily action on charges which stem from something that went on during one of the weekends. I was not privy to more information, all I do know is that during the time this happened, many followers/employees were involved in late night high-level secret meetings to discuss what happened and how to best avoid letting the scandal out into the public. I was not paying too close attention to the situation as it unfolded, as I was trying to keep my personal relationships as far removed from B&J as possible. I do strongly believe that someone might have been injured physically or suffered some great harm that lead to the initial investigation of the Wrights. Again, I don’t remember the exact details, only that there was great concern that the State was going to investigate and that B&J were scared to let this happen; this in turned cause great worry amongst their followers (who are employees). I do know that whatever happened caused B&J to be the most scared they have ever been to losing everything.
B&J do live the high life. Even as the company struggled on the brink of bankruptcy, many times, they continue to live like millionaires. Of course they can do this because their followers, many of whom own their own businesses, support B&J. Huge checks, in the low six figures, find their way to B&J when they need a little cash infusion, which is often. Several of the followers write these checks from their companies, not to mention personal funds. Bob certainly is tied into many businesses as well, often under the guise of “professional consultant”. Of course it is a joke, and anyone who has worked for these companies has been witness to Bob berating and yelling at the company owner about how much they suck (in front of said owner’s employees). Followers who have businesses that supply product/services that the Wright’s need also give this to them at no charge (I’m talking to you web designers—nice site Cathrien (?) and Colin, too bad you were never paid, but I hope you made it up by charging an excess amount to the other members who used your services for their web needs).
During the scared pilgrimage there is very little sleep. For some odd reason people are conditioned to believe and to see Judith as a goddess (and no, I could not make up something so utterly ridiculous). Her women followers worship the ground she walks on, and it is scary. Three is a reason that they take followers half way around the world and sleep deprive them on top of the time change. Long-time followers and employees have less than hour of sleep most nights, as they must work around the clock to prepare for the next day. As the years progress you see the newbies end up in that role, as they continually try to recruit new people to join them on this life changing event. I have seen the followers come home and are so exhausted and damaged that it takes months for them to regain a sense of nominally. I don’t know what else goes on, but I did come across some private writings of the followers and was appalled at the whole “Judith is goddess” crap.
B&J love fine things, houses, cars, furniture. Christie and Sotheby’s catalogues come to them regularly and they do buy things, along with art galleries. If they don’t want too or can’t shell the money out, a follower or two will “pitch” in and buy things as a “partnership” with them. Guess who holds unto the antiques?
Several members have “company” partnerships with Bob. Bob pays none of the carrying costs, while his members pay things like the tax bill, property tax bills, professional fees, etc. Many members have purchased land around their Wisconsin retreat and have “loan” (aka given) it to B&J for their express use. If you checked some of the property records on some townships in Wisconsin you would be surprised to see what is owned. Oh, and how many members have gun permits? To me that is an odd combination. Not sure what excessive gun ownership has with spiritual growth.
I promise I will write more later, and it will be before the end of the week as well. I have to finish gathering my thoughts for more insights. Does anyone have any questions I can try to answer for them? If I don’t know the answer, I will tell you so, but if I do have an answer I am happy to share.
And on a side note if you go to their employment page you will notice the job openings (gee, they aren’t posting listings on Craigslist anymore, I wonder why????). I laughed when I saw the accountant position, “….Seeking unique accountant for a fun, fast paced environment…Institute needs a gregarious, bright, quick study, accountant/bookkeeper to maintain and develop highly dynamic set of profit and cost centers and all areas of finance…”