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automaticftp
Well. Interestingly enough, the "ultimatum" has been softened considerably. There is now no timeframe, a development I find interesting, to say the least. Apparently the "no timeframe" approach was coached by another seminar leader.
Nutrino--I think you hit the nail on the head when you talk about their love of dominance. I've seen a few hints of that already. And I think I've gotten the "enrollment conversation," to which I replied that I've "chosen" not to enroll. Also, I've met some of her friends, many of whom seem to be Landmarkians, and I always get this mad inclination to yell out "Stepford wives! Stepford wives!"
Ellen--I'm ahead of the power curve! I've already started to sow some deprogramming seeds, beginning with "Surely you're not telling me that Landmark is the ONLY way to develop these skills?" and to "consider that there might well be other ways that work even better for others." As far as professional persuaders--I'm a lawyer in both trial and appellate practice--persuasion is, quite literally, my life. And I have to say that some of what this woman (who, I must confess, I like very much) has said is straight out of routine sales training, mixed with a dollop of warmed-over Heidegger. And I have to say--"the possibility of nothingness?" Please. I nearly ROFLMAO.
There do appear to be a couple of cracks in the armor--she has talked about Landmark has helped give her the skills to "deal with" her father's abandonment, but at other times she clearly has not processed it despite her claims to the contrary.
If I had to guess, I'd say she's betting I'll fall for her first and will then do whatever it takes to keep her, which would quickly, I'm sure, lead to the re-introduction of the original ultimatum.
All that said, it has been fun so far! Details as they occur.....
Bob
I've been through this before. Like you say, she was coached about the "no timeframe". This is the "ultimate" tactic to enroll the reluctant ones. Just wait, keep talking about Landmark "I just want to be able to share with you what it does for me ..." and eventually win. This is because, since the direct pressure is gone, your critical view about the hard sells pitch will vanish, as if your first impression about this whole thing was wrong (have you been running a racket?).
My ex used to tell me "I will not ask you to do the Landmark forum ... for 3 months" !!! After I told her that wasn't enough, she came up (after being coached) with the "no timeframe" approach. She then told me "I will never ask you to do the Landmark forum again" ... "I just want to be able to share with you ...". Then, one day, after that last promise, she came up with this: "Landmark is the best thing that ever happened to your life ... You just don't know it yet"!
I could smell how manipulative she was being ... and the subtle coaching behind her well tuned rethoric.