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I’m also not sure how your questions relate to this forum which is exploring organizations from the perspective of whether they are toxic cults. Whether a sexuality workshop explores aspects of sexuality A, C & E or aspects B, D & F doesn’t really matter. If one is going to a sexuality workshop, one expects some of these things to be covered and most would feel gypped (legitimately so) if they didn’t learn more about sexuality before they left.
Well, the last few questions that I had weren't necessarily to identify it as a cult, it was more to put all the facts and/or opinions on the table, so that anyone searching for information on this particular organization could see what potentially does or does not happen.
As far as being a cult.. well.. many people in cults (as have been previously discussed) dont associate with those that are not "into it" with them. To me, thats no different than someone saying they wont date outside their religion, or in broader terms, their race. There's always something in a core belief, a physical attribute, or a previous predjudice that immediately disallows consideration for one particular "type" of person.
I'm reasonably certain that the HAI facilitators dont make a mandate of "Thou must not date anyone who has not been to at least Level 1".. however it's a common theme that i've heard from this thread and some of the others that I've spoken to.
This, in and of itself, goes against one of (what i feel) is the basic tenets of the organization: To open one's mind to possibilities of love outside normal boundaries.
As an example, DayDreamr and I have been dating for over a year now, and when we first started seeing eachother, she really really wanted me to go to a Level 1. As I started learning more and more about the organization, and I continued to ask questions, she began to doubt the real reasons behind what she was convinced (at first) was a hard fought lesson, but well worth it. Had I not continued to ask logical, deduce-able questions, my gut tells me that the relationship would not have made it this far, because she would have evangalized me straight out of her life.
By anyone saying "I wont date anyone who isn't in HAI", they're essentially cutting off a very large portion of the "pond", for lack of a better term. Granted, some people NEED an organization similar to this to get their self-esteem in check and get themselves back on solid emotional ground. The key word in that particular sentance is "some people".
In many ways, I equate HAI with a nudie version of the Jehova's Witnesses. The couple people that i've had conversations with are more than happy to tell me of the benifits of HAI.. but are completely put off when I tell them that I feel that I've got everything I need as far as emotional and sexual support... to the point that they even seem surprised that anyone would be able to reach that point withOUT HAI.
The few people who have been to HAI and decided it's not for them (including DayDreamr) are under constant pressure (indirectly in some cases, directly in some others) to rejoin and come back "into the fold". I wouldn't be surprised if more people had bad experiences with the organization, and were just afraid of reprocussions, because they didnt want to make all these other people feel bad that they didnt believe what they were "taught" at the seminars.
I wish i had more time, i would elaborate on this further, as I wanted to reply to more of what you said. Thanks again for providing more information than what's readily available elsewhere.