Narcissists have an instinct for detecting who has power and is worth cultivating. They are always nice to people who have what they want - or can take away what the narcissist wants. . A list of people the narcissists are nice to: * Anyone with money, useful social connections, ties to the media, politics * Anyone who is famous and who can give the narcissist credibility * Narsos
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Has anyone been shunned or 'ghosted' by their sect, their healing group or church? How was it done? How did you get through it? What helped the most? There is a variety of this that I term "strategic rejection". Your guru or master or whatever picks up that you've lost enthusiasm or are no longer malleable. Instead of just kicking you out, the guru pro
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Liminal wrote: (Quote)Sometimes he cuts followers off for no apparent reason. They are shunned and never told what they supposedly did wrong.(Unquote) This is an excellent strategy to keep a group fearful and docile. *Those who remain in the group will feel afraid to be kicked out when they see someone else booted with no explanation. *Those who remain feel superior to the ones who a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here is page 118 of the pages that were lost from this thread since the domain name was changed. Some links might be out of date but links to this forum have been updated. ............................................................................................................................................................................................... December 08, 2011 01:50AM
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Third installment of Steven Hassan’s trilogy adds little understanding Cult News/August 28, 2012 By Cathleen A. Mann, PhD Introduction Steven Hassan’s latest book, Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs, just released in summer, 2012, is the latest in what can be seen as a trilogy of sorts, starting with Combatting Mind Control in 1988 and the
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

Third installment of Steven Hassan’s trilogy adds little understanding Cult News/August 28, 2012 By Cathleen A. Mann, PhD Introduction Steven Hassan’s latest book, Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs, just released in summer, 2012, is the latest in what can be seen as a trilogy of sorts, starting with Combatting Mind Control in 1988 and the
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Third installment of Steven Hassan’s trilogy adds little understanding Cult News/August 28, 2012 By Cathleen A. Mann, PhD Introduction Steven Hassan’s latest book, Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs, just released in summer, 2012, is the latest in what can be seen as a trilogy of sorts, starting with Combatting Mind Control in 1988 and the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Third installment of Steven Hassan’s trilogy adds little understanding Cult News/August 28, 2012 By Cathleen A. Mann, PhD Introduction Steven Hassan’s latest book, Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs, just released in summer, 2012, is the latest in what can be seen as a trilogy of sorts, starting with Combatting Mind Control in 1988 and the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Fascinating...This 'strategic rejection' is exactly what happened to me in landmark. I had an older woman there who declared herself my 'mentor' (a label which I did not accept). She even declared herself to be a new type of 'mother' to me - which I also did not accept since I already have a mother who is alive and well and who I'm close to, and I have no nee
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Strategic Rejection Strategic Selection I was reading some material on a thread dedicated to faux Gurdjieff groups and began to suspect that some small group leaders enhance their power just as much by knowing whom to kick out from the group, as whom to recruit into the group. First, an I am speaking of persons skillful at identifying people who are in adult bodies, who are intellectually
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

See Steve Hassan has been mentioned on this thread and others regarding his work. Interesting review of Steven Hassan's latest book by a well-known cult expert and psychologist. Third installment of Steven Hassan’s trilogy adds little understanding August 28, 2012 By Cathleen A. Mann, PhD Introduction Steven Hassan’s latest book, Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Lea
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

See Interesting review of Steven Hassan's latest book by a well-known cult expert and psychologist. Third installment of Steven Hassan’s trilogy adds little understanding August 28, 2012 By Cathleen A. Mann, PhD Introduction Steven Hassan’s latest book, Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs, just released in summer, 2012, is t
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

See Interesting review of Steven Hassan's latest book by a well-known cult expert and psychologist. Third installment of Steven Hassan’s trilogy adds little understanding August 28, 2012 By Cathleen A. Mann, PhD Introduction Steven Hassan’s latest book, Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs, just released in summer, 2012, is t
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

See Interesting review of Steven Hassan's latest book by a well-known cult expert and psychologist. Third installment of Steven Hassan’s trilogy adds little understanding August 28, 2012 By Cathleen A. Mann, PhD Introduction Steven Hassan’s latest book, Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs, just released in summer, 2012, is t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

See Interesting review of Steven Hassan's latest book by a well-known cult expert and psychologist. Third installment of Steven Hassan’s trilogy adds little understanding August 28, 2012 By Cathleen A. Mann, PhD Introduction Steven Hassan’s latest book, Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs, just released in summer, 2012, is t
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

When responsibly used, twinship transferance can create a productive and quite nurturing corporate culture, create great teams that do magnificent work in science, art projects, newspapers, and create great universities and when necessary orchestrate first rate civil response to social crises in which people come together in the finest ways. Alas, we are examining where twinship transferance i
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

A very juicy article...finger licking, page turning good QuoteThis is not to say that such personal endeavors are worthless, as the article which prompted this post states bluntly. It is a delusion though to think that major change in the world will come about by sipping a particular coffee or that chanting mantras in front of the UN building will get a treaty passed. This is magic thi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecorboyI dont know how much of this applies, but long ago, we came up with a term 'strategic rejection'. Am not sure how much this older entry matches up with what you have seen. But that after so very many years people feel afraid to exercise their first amendment rights to discuss an important part of their lives, even with the protection of a computer handle, signals
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I dont know how much of this applies, but long ago, we came up with a term 'strategic rejection'. Am not sure how much this older entry matches up with what you have seen. But that after so very many years people feel afraid to exercise their first amendment rights to discuss an important part of their lives, even with the protection of a computer handle, signals that a huge
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I "did" a number of Lifespring and also Bayard Hora courses a number of years ago. Both groups were extremely traumatic for me, but fifteen years after my last participation, I'm still wondering about some things: What is the relationship between the values of such groups and real, healthy values and growth? I took part in the groups because they promised to help me be a more ef
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Simon writes: "What do people think about the idea of pacifisim as it relates to violence used by words?" It seems Dave is happy to equate literal violence with the war of words he indulges in, as he replies with military references from the Bible and describes "the truth" as his "weapon" for "pulling down strongholds". Dave replies: "
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

To be blunt, I just find it curious that someone who claims to be an "outsider", watching from the fringes, would use that particular work, "rascal", when it is so rarely heard among the general populace and seems to me to be so specifically used by Bhaktivedanta and the J.G. teachers. I'd like to post this excerpt from a post by Corboy. It seems to me to fit in well w
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

IMO cults are like Roach Motels. Once you check in, you cannot check out. In a healthy, group or relationship people are upfront about their hopes, dreams and values. In relation to such a group or relationship a decision to leave can be sad and quite painful, but you can leave without feeling damaged, not feel afraid and depart with your dignity intact. And...(very important) you can still r
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Glam : Interesting r.e the Strategic Rejection. From what I've read, and corboy's postings above, high demand groups will reject individuals just as they are beginning to think for themselves.. e.g. becoming healthy, and thus a threat to the groupthink conformity. A healthy link is the biggest threat to a dysfunctional controlling chain. To be rejected as such is incredibly pain
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks, Corboy, for these posts. So much good information! I've experienced lots of outrage and anger when I've tried to warn/inform people about these groups -- even when I'm warning people on sites that have nothing to do with cults. Also, I've noticed that many of the people I chat with online -- who are clinging to old beliefs about the LGATs they were involved in ye
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

We have found and posted two articles from the psychological/psychiatric literature on the dynamics of psychotherapy cults. Persons who wish to evaluate the health of their groups, (whether Fourth Way or some other tradition) or who want to keep their group in a good place may find the articles a helpful resource. (Note, some links had to be cut in half to keep the page readable and within ma
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Selective Recruitment, Gaslighting and Strategic Rejection as Mental Manipulation A discussion of this subject developed on this thread entitled 'Do Not Expect Gratitude and several correspondants began describing their experiences of this form of abuse. Access the thread here scroll down to the post by 'Leopardgirl'spost dated 7-12-04. Starting with that post and the o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The guru of the group that I was in practiced this "strategic rejection" with cunning and precision. Not only that, but she spent obsessive amounts of time lambasting and criticizing those who left, holding them up as examples of spiritual degeneracy, failures in life and love, lonely, miserable and "attached to their victimhood." This is another thing that always bothered me
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It may be that Selective Recruitment (when child molesters do it, its called 'grooming the victim') and Strategic Rejection are often perpetrated in tandem. In certain cultic relationships and groups, they fit together, like a pair of clam shells. And form an airtight seal when they snap shut. Strategic rejection can range from amateurish to fiendish. Amateurish strategic rej
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi LG: I was reading some material on a thread dedicated to faux Gurdjieff groups and began to suspect that certain small group leaders enhance their power just as much by knowing whom to kick out from the group, as whom to recruit into the group. First, an adroit spiritual counterfeiter may operate in a manner similar to serial pedophiles. THere are people who are very skillful at identif
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"