I also don't subscribe to the idea that just because you think something, it makes it true. Or that not thinking it makes your suffering go away. That just sounds to me like more positive thinking hype veiled under another cloak.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Byron Katie has been on Oprah - and seems to be even partnered with her, that must say something about her caliber. Correct if I am wrong....but I think that Oprah is fairly selective about who she teams up with. She probably has an entire research department that vets people.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I've just been newly introduced to Byron Katie by a friend. Her idea seems good about not believing everything your mind brings up (we all know how our minds can change) but I'm not sure what else she teaches and don't want to get sucked in if it's just a huge money-making operation. Also, I don't really know what's behind her philosophy. Reading these posts is h
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It appears that BK is the one who puts lots of obsessive planning into her methods. This first thread contains some material with one persons description of working for BK in the early days. More material here. And in its heyday, this thread attracted a lot of disruptors. and here.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

My sense is that both of these people started with something legitimate, but have gotten swept up in the money game. When it comes to accusations of being cults, there's always a question as to how much of it is coming from the leader, how much from the organizers of their groups, and how much from obsessive followers. Katie and Tolle have both attracted people with obsessive qualities (they
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Giving away a scholarship in public is one of BK's favorite tricks. It costs her nothing, and you still have to pay for the accommodation in a luxureous hotel. The next step is the Turnaround house ($ 20.000) for one month and then the certification program, which costs at least $ 40.000, if you add up all the mandatory programs you need to attend. So the work is free? I hardly think so.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Friends, a well run Alanon, AA, Overeater's Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous etc meeting must never be a place where one is pressured by any one member or by the entire group to get involved with a guru, or political movement or and LGAT. Among the Three Obstacles to Success in Alanon, there is this: Quote1. Discussions of Religion: Al?Anon is not allied with any sect or denomination.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThis organization advertises itself as a 12-step recovery program to the public, but in reality, it is a 'deliverance ministry' based on Peter Wagners NAR agenda. Dear AtLast: You are so lucky you're out. One thing that you will be told in legitimate 12 Step groups, whether Alanon, Coda, AA, etc is, to go to as many different meetings as you can. That way, you ca
Forum: Destructive Churches

Friends, notice how complex the sentences are. THis entire document is so lengthy that it could not be fitted into a single post. Notice your state of mind as you read through this. If by any chance, you feel rather dizzy while reading this in the privacy of your own home, imagine the impact if you are seated in a room full of people listening to this same thing. (
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A discussion of a related phenom: Eat Pr*Y Love Never take a story for granted. When your idealism, hope, attention and money are being pulled at--- ask if the story is actually serving a concealed business model. It is control of the business model and the room set up and the control of the script that empower you. A mere 'story' will not by itself empower you if it
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

For persons new to this message thread, here is a list of important posts Wedding rings. This will not happen at a one day event. But if you are beguiled to go to longer events, this is discussed on earlier posts made to this thread. Analysis of 'A Thousand Names for Joy' (Scroll down list and read) Mind Cleanse Turnaround House Confidentiality Agreements
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Data lost through a backup failure some months ago has now been restored to this message board. This board is also now open for indexing by search engines such as Google. Information posted on the board should soon be appearing in searches as this is a public resource. The data recovered and restored included many individual posts and some threads. Lost membership registratio was not
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

To test this, just take any unique phrase from any forum post, the older the better, and put it into quotes, and you will see they are not in Google. Example, search Google for this string "Byron Katie (the Work) and Eckhart Tolle Legit??" You will see that phrase appears in many other websites, that linked to the old thread, but does not appear from these forums. According to
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Back in 2005, Tolle's book The Power of New was the big thing. One person wrote this on Craigslist and had much to say about the accumulation mentality. Perhaps Mr Tolle's fees and seating arrangements have changed since that time. ---------- (quote)Eckhart Tolle is a hypocrite (bayview) Reply to: comm-110451599
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A golden oldie on this page
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If anyone suggests that care and concern about sources and your determination to fact check means you are negative and cynical -- Take such as response as a signal to be alert. Skepticism does not equal cynicism. And being skeptical does not make you 'negative minded' and does not make you a 'hater'. Skepticism is the fart in the mist of New Age incense. It kills t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

bump
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

My last post for the day. More scrambling people seeking ‘mindfulness’ December 10, 2009. 5:54 pm • Section: The Search Posted by: Douglas Todd Avoid traffic jam on way to work. News says two more Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan. Forty-four e-mails in my inbox. Make that “To-go.” What was the score in the game? Send text message. The chit-chat is boring. Need to catch my
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Nice to see a piece acknowledging the need to deal with narcissism, as I find that narcissism is becoming the new norm. The original post also includes links to related articles. Meditation: The darker side of a good thing By Douglas Todd August 7, 2009. 10:35 pm • Section: The Search Tens of millions of North Americans are now into meditation; practising stillness to deal with t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

See The Rick A. Ross Institute for the Study of Destructive Cults, Controversial Groups, and Movements has officially changed its name to The Cult Education Institute for the Study of Destructive Cults, Controversial Groups and Movements. The new domain name entry point and gateway to the Internet archives of the institute will soon be culteducation.com. The Cult Education Institute arc
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

See The Rick A. Ross Institute for the Study of Destructive Cults, Controversial Groups, and Movements has officially changed its name to The Cult Education Institute for the Study of Destructive Cults, Controversial Groups and Movements. The new domain name entry point and gateway to the Internet archives of the institute will soon be culteducation.com. The Cult Education Institute arc
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Something Tolle says at the beginning of one of his books, I think it's A New Earth, seemed like an innocuous sentence until I started seeing it elsewhere and noticing a pattern: "If you are you will these words as true." Like "the emperor's new clothes"? If you're one of the cool kids you'll be able to see them? So we have not only social pre
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Quote Events :: The Work of Byron KatieSpirit Rock Meditation Center—Woodacre, California and live webcast. Saturday, 17 August 2013. Loving What Is: A Day with Byron Katie A Benefit for the Spirit ... thework.com/events.php?eid=1000016 - 47k - Cached - Similar pages Events - :: The Work of Byron KatieSpirit Rock Meditation Center—Woodacre, California and live webcast. Saturday, 17 Aug
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Exceprts from the memoir "A Heart Blown Open". Quote Kelly paused for a moment. "In my experience, there's nothing crazy about wisdom.” Back in his room, Kelly slept soundly with the knowledge he would leave in the morning and never return to study under Trungpa. He had finally gotten the man, finally understood his teaching methods and how effective they were at b
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

1 - When Swami G has referred to the guru who "commissioned" her a guru, she speaks in what I've considered to be very veiled and hazy terms, not identifying the guru, claiming that he wants to remain anonymous, etc. I've always found that a bit fishy. Do you know some of the details? How did Swami G become a guru? Was it after a long period of discernment and training? Or is
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Holly -- Your posts are interesting, enlightening and thought-provoking. I'd meant to say in my earlier reply that I thought it unfair for another commenter here to criticize you for the detail and length in your posts. For heaven's sake. You went through a very difficult 7 years and were an eloquent and very public defender for this teacher. That you are now being so open and trans
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Women freed from captivity as sex slaves "for people victimized by monstrous criminals, guilt is a common reaction." A BK 'Turnaround' is TOXIC when used by or on persons who have been molested. QuoteAnother step toward normalcy for the three women will be accepting something that seems obvious to the rest of the world: They have no reason to feel guilty. &quo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The after affects of being involved in aggressive positivity-like cults, has left me numb and lacking motivation for growth. I am turning to therapy for help in some areas, which books can not help with. However, I was wondering if there were any legit self-help books. I read some anthony robbins, eckhart tolle, and some other spiritual self-helpy stuff, but it lead to many problems, and create a
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

How to evaluate Buddhist writing. Can, with slight adjustments, be applied to other, more New Age material as well. A WONDERFUL, belly laugh filled post at Nella Lou's Madhushala Blog -- The Buddhist Blogger's Crackpot Scale ... ... pot-scale/ (http://) Here is part of it, but the whole list is priceless! Funny and oh so true! (I think I get 10 points for the capitalized &
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"