Re: IMPACT Trainings
Date: March 19, 2009 04:21PM
jk.genesis: I think I met you in IRL at the 08 exmo conference. Please don't take offense at what I have to say.
You said it is just this kind of thinking that get's people sucked in in the first place. That is narrow minded and you are generalizing. New Age philosophy runs a wide continuum, and there are almost as many different opinions as there are people who dig some of this stuff. Here is what 'New Age' is, from "BeliefOMatic"
An umbrella term for a wide range of personal and individual beliefs and practices influenced primarily by Eastern religions, paganism, and spiritism.
• Belief in Deity
God is the impersonal life force, consciousness, ultimate truth and reality, the incorporeal, formless cosmic order personified within all people and matter. God is all and all are God.
• Incarnations
Most believe there are no particular incarnations to worship, as all in the universe are embodiments of God.
• Origin of Universe and Life
The universe, life, and matter were not created by God but "are" God. The universe and life emerged out of the creative power of the eternal universal life force.
• After Death
Some believe in continual rebirth--no death--as life is spirit. Some believe that our souls rest for a time before deciding on a new body (or bodies). Heaven and hell are states of consciousness, self-imposed, due to ignorance of God as all.
• Why Evil?
No original sin, no Satan, and no evil. Most believe people make "mistakes" when they are ignorant of the power of goodness, which is God, within themselves and others. Some believe evil is perpetuated through accumulation of past-life wrongs and spiritual ignorance.
• Salvation
Salvation lies in the realization of oneness with the impersonal life force. Awareness can be heightened through methods that induce altered states of consciousness, e.g., hypnosis, meditation, music, drugs. Spiritual "tools" include crystals, tarot cards, amulets, channeling, fortunetellers and psychics. Some believe the salvation of humanity will occur when a critical mass is reached, when people converge in experiencing their oneness with God and with each other. This will bring a New World Order or new Planetary Order, resulting in oneness of civilization and one-world government, peace, and harmony.
• Undeserved Suffering
Suffering is the result of greed, hatred, and spiritual ignorance in a person's, or humanity's, past lifetimes, which returns as suffering (karma). Suffering is sometimes viewed as occurring for a specific purpose, to further spiritual growth and learn a life lesson. Suffering is also seen as illusory, in that it results from attachment to bodily pleasure and pain, and only the universal life force within, God, truly exists.
• Contemporary Issues
Abortion is not condemned, as there is no official doctrine. Generally, adherents are supportive of a woman's right to choose abortion.
Now, how is this philosophy being pandered and promoted here on this board? Are we, who left Impact, telling you this system is IT, the Super way, the one true system? We are not dominating the tone of the conversation with it. The main focus is and remains: Impact. There have been 147 pages and many personal experiences relayed in the hope that it might save someone else. It is ok to empathize with someone else who just posted their story for the first time. Emotional Intelligence is a known force. It is ok to feel along with critical thinking.
Also, are you implying that it is not appropriate to vent on this forum? In order to educate oneself, you first have to understand the trauma, abuse, and mindjob you've endured and then you are sufficiently motivated to try and figure out how not to let this happen to you again. I am insulted by your comments that infer that this would not be the place to vent. In fact, it takes a lot of courage for former members to speak out here about their negative experiences, because I know for a fact that leaders eyeball this arena. How many places on the internet do you see that tells anything about the abuses of impact? That's right, just this one and a couple others. The rest of the sites are all put up by Hans's minions, and there's a ton lately. Can you be tolerant that it takes a long time to sort through WTH you believe after you've put all your energy and life into that cult and isolated yourself from your family and friends? Wouldn't you want to vent? Couldn't your coping skills be just a little underdeveloped? I am grateful this place even exists. Existential Crises have even lead some former cult members in general to end their lives, so try to be more understanding and tolerant that some of us are sorting through what we believe. Just like in leaving Mormonism, I had to go through a process of asking myself, "well, do I still believe in Jesus?" Trust me, I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to educate myself. I have read all 147 pages of this thread now. I have read Hassan's mind control book.
American society itself, would fall prey to what you call exactly 'this kind of thinking.' Belief in the supernatural is everywhere, and there are some rather nasty examples of extremism that you and I could converse about. I don't think cutting off emotions is healthy In figuring out what I believe, cutting my feelings off isn't healthy. We humans are all wired to search for meaning in our lives. The mysteries of the human mind extend far beyond what you, are I, or anyone can be certain about. Logic and scientific, left brain thinking is useful, but it is not the answer to everything, nor could it be. While I believe that a religious framework has its downfalls (um, dueling religious wars, intolerance in God's name) belief in the supernatural isn't always dangerous. It can be comforting and peace-promoting. So basically a balanced body, mind, and soul connection is what I seek in my pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.