Here is a link to a TedTalk by Dawn Smith. She was raised in a cult and talks about her experiences and how she left. One thing she said during the talk was: "The hardest day of freedom is better than the best day in a cult". That really resonated with me.

Even though we may feel like we are starting over much later in life than we would like, it's still better than living in the bondage and torment of a cult for the rest of our lives. I would also like to encourage us all to speak to a professional therapist about our experiences. Get help.

[103.48.190.25]



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2019 05:18AM by Reepicheep.

Reepicheep Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wondering how to help people who are still stuck
> in an oppressive group? Or how the current
> political situation might be related? Here is a
> link to a very insightful interview with Rick
> Ross.
>
> [stateofbelief.com]

I just started listening to it--thanks.

"Cult leaders are insistent they are always correct (the "word" is perfect) and have the solution for every problem (more submission, more dedication etc.).

I learned something beneficial from my therapist yesterday. We went back over the notes of my very first meeting with her. At that time, I was nervous that I would not be able to stay in therapy long enough to achieve the result I was looking for, which was to dig deeply into 40 years of conditioning by a destructive cult.

At our first meeting, she said, no to my idea of therapy. We don't have to spend all of our time on what took place in the past. Instead, we will set goals on what you want to have in the new life you are creating. As you take steps into your new life, triggers from the past will come up, and we will deal with them as they come up. You may find fewer triggers coming up the further you go into the steps into your new life.

And that is happening. I still have work to do on exposing the past of the walk cult, especially in the financial areas and areas of lies and deception, but less and less does that history define me. I'm so thankful.

Onion said:
Instead, we will set goals on what you want to have in the new life you are creating. As you take steps into your new life, triggers from the past will come up, and we will deal with them as they come up. You may find fewer triggers coming up the further you go into the steps into your new life.

Me:
I have found this to be true for me as well. I am defining and planning my new life right now. Actually just recently I was triggered by something that made me start thinking about my time in Oregon.

I’ll keep doing this one day at a time.

Reepicheep Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here is a link to a TedTalk by Dawn Smith. She was
> raised in a cult and talks about her experiences
> and how she left. One thing she said during the
> talk was: "The hardest day of freedom is better
> than the best day in a cult". That really
> resonated with me.
>
> Even though we may feel like we are starting over
> much later in life than we would like, it's still
> better than living in the bondage and torment of a
> cult for the rest of our lives. I would also like
> to encourage us all to speak to a professional
> therapist about our experiences. Get help.
>
> [103.48.190.25]

How interesting. My story is so similar. What I can’t figure out is where my dad learned his behavior. I wish I could say I had a better sense of humor. instead, I write fiction and put bits and pieces of my story in. I’ve been humiliated and embarrassed so many times.

Thanks for the link.

Northerngate, I thought of your family cult story as I was listening to Dawn Smith. And our old RR Forum friend TKNC, too. If you're still reading TKNC, hope you're getting better every day.

Onion, finding fewer triggers coming up and going on with your life sounds awesome. I'm going to work on that too.

As I was listening to the Rick Ross interview I posted earlier, I realized that the Cult Education Institute is on FB and Twitter. Lots of good stuff on there. Link for FB: [www.facebook.com]

I may have mentioned this here before, but I also like to follow Safe Sheep: Church Abuse Awareness on FB. Here's the link: [www.facebook.com]

Northerngate Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------
What I can’t figure out is where my dad learned his
behavior. I wish I could say I had a better sense
of humor. instead, I write fiction and put bits
and pieces of my story in. I’ve been humiliated
and embarrassed so many times.

I think people obsessed with controlling and/or dominating others find pleasure in acts meant to humiliate others, yet deeply fear being humiliated themselves. Hence, the demand they always be treated reverentially.
Glad to hear you have a creative outlet (fiction writing), which I hope is cathartic for you.

Very insightful Changedagain. Thanks for sharing your insight with me!

Northerngate Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Very insightful Changedagain. Thanks for sharing
> your insight with me!

thanks and likewise :)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2019 11:12AM by changedagain.

Imapurple Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was standing outside with JRS one late night at
> Shiloh and he was looking at the water tower and
> he said , one day lightning is going to hit that
> thing and this whole damn place is going to burn
> down.

At the time, your reaction to what John said (internalized, of course) could not have been positive, given how much time you spent there in sacrificial service.
#understatement

"Hey, could at least get a refund of my tithes and offerings then?"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2019 11:22PM by changedagain.