And some participant observations here.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Abstract philosophy has never been my strong point. But this item was an interesting read. The author works from a perspective totally different from my own and through his own line of reasoning within that perspective, concludes that Ken Wilber and Andrew Cohens project cprobably doomed to failure. QuotePolitics and the Occult Written by Duncan Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

(if the image doesnt come through, click this URL) I read this from another source and it was incisive enough to be worth posting here. Again, this validates how wise it is for a person who has left a shame-based group and who wishes to write a book or article about it, to avoid giving prior notice of his or her plans to do so. Otherwise shame trippers who are still inmates of t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Brian Hines Church of the Churchless article on this whole Cohen-Wilber shebang
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

whole page of items is fun to read. [74.125.93.132] In the middle of it, Hines has a question. QuoteMaybe I have a "self." Maybe I don't. There doesn't seem to be any way to tell. Which makes me wonder, who the heck cares, if there's no evident difference between self and no-self? I've enjoyed the comment conversation between Manjit and me on this blo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

One key safeguard for 12 step groups is they are supposed to follow the 12 traditions. See here: One entity that was listed as a 12 Step group in our area was not actually a 12 step group. Word got around that all the members were actually alumni of a yoga cult that is on the Ross Archive list. This kind of situation is a violation of the Traditions. Some old timers in our 12 step
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Here is another way to test if a relationship or group is clean or not: Is your loyalty reciprocated? When you have given years of your life and vitality to serve the relationship or organization, does that other person or group remember Buddha's awareness of sickness, old age, and death? After you have nurtured and cared for this relationship or for your guru, will YOU be cared fo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"...most of us are also missing a sense of true community, which we instead seek to fill in with affinity." Food for thought from two other persons websitses. QuoteVia Rev Max, here’s a really interesting website with tips about spotting people with fraudulent claims to shamanism. It’s written from the perspective of Native American shamanism, but I wonder how much of it could we
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If a group is deceptive and abusive, and adroit at PR image management, daring to go public with abuse reports is a tough thing to do. The first persons who dare to break the code of silence often get horrible flak. The more abusive a group is, the deeper the shame implants installed in members, and the longer it takes for people to find their voices and speak up. It can take years. So
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Read this. and, further discussion at the NDM (Native American) discussion forum between November 21st and the 23rd or so. Educational information on the legal issues, too. and, thanks to the website above is THIS specimen of....I am struggling to stay polite here....apologetics.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

More Advice--Beware of Sabotage Attempts if You Give Public Readings If you have written a book about getting free from a guru, bear in mind that the Guru Apologists Brigade will begrudge you your First Amendment rights as an American. Their mindset, sincere in its way, probably, probably functions this way. (I am only guessing--Corboy) The Guru Apologists Possible(?) Mindset The
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A link to yet another line of stuff.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

We saw this happen on other threads, Bill. And it appears what Cohen & his devotees have mastered is not enlightenment but mere PR and pushing shame buttons. That 'skill'nothing to be proud of.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The article by psychoanalyst Stanley Rosenman may give insight into this dreadful situation. Rosenman actually addressed the situation in which a violently assaulted and shocked person is impregnated with shards from the assailant's own self. Rosenman examined drastic situations such as torture, rape, imprisonment. Because all human beings begin life as powerless infants and require a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

(quote from article above) "Oprah Winfrey was set to announce Friday that her powerhouse daytime television show, the foundation of a multibillion-dollar media empire with legions of fans, will end its run in 2011 after 25 seasons on the air. Winfrey planned to announce the final date for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" during a live broadcast, according to her production company,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

(Ophrah news -Old show ending, new show, 'Own' projected for 2011) End of an era: Winfrey ending show after 25 years - QuoteBy CARYN ROUSSEAU, Associated Press Writer Caryn Rousseau, Associated Press Writer – 7 mins ago CHICAGO – Oprah Winfrey was set to announce Friday that her powerhouse daytime television show, the foundation of a multibillion-dollar media empire with le
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

- QuoteBy CARYN ROUSSEAU, Associated Press Writer Caryn Rousseau, Associated Press Writer – 7 mins ago CHICAGO – Oprah Winfrey was set to announce Friday that her powerhouse daytime television show, the foundation of a multibillion-dollar media empire with legions of fans, will end its run in 2011 after 25 seasons on the air. Winfrey planned to announce the final date for "The Oprah
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

Key words now are evolutionary spirituality.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If bored, do a Google search on evolutionary spirituality.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

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

QuoteJohnTI spent some time with Sunbear back around 1984 or so where sweatlodges were done. I remember him saying about sweat lodge that people shouldn't stay in too long, and that if anyone felt overtired or like they wanted to go out they should. He also shocked some folks who were heavy into being all-natural when he said to come to a place he had they had to bring penicillin. When asked
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

(Disclaimer--The following suggestions are mine and do not in any way represent the opinion of Ross Institute and are no substitute for legal advice from a professional in good standing. I am not a legal professional. The presence of the following URLs does not constitute RR.com or my personal endorsement of these websites or the firms mentioned. Corboy) Before getting involved with any attorn
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A report by William Yenner QuoteIt seems that even after a period of years outside of Cohen's physical orbit, his influence remains a powerful factor in (former disciples) assessment of their own motivations and general unworthiness as spiritual practitioners, and though my sympathy is neither solicited nor appreciated, I can't help but extend it. This is, after all, a tragic
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

First there were Hunza Superfoods--Heres the Inside Dope on Tibetan Gojiberry . Regarding Hunza apricots and raisins and other such imports--I'd say, by all means if you want to support NGOs fostering local projects in Hunza, thats a fine reason to buy and eat them. Or if you have an interest in Pakistani mountain people's cuisine, using Hunza grown dried fruits and nuts would le
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Lets not turn this into a dogfight on vaccines. The Wired article deals with Offits business ties. Rick has had to close some excellent threads when someone did that. As for what I quoted on Hunza...it was a total fricking accident that I found that information the night before I posted it. Some friends of mine had the great good fortune to go on a 9 month long journey in 1998. Their
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A post script: Larree, I did some reading just last night. I discovered that news we were given about the claims that the diet of Hunza confers special health priviliges, and the media stories, including a National Geographic article-- We were misled by Shangri-la romanticism or Himalyan Hype. Folks wanted their beliefs confirmed that 1) Vegetarianism is best 2) There still exist u
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Larree, I cannot even remember what pattern of internet searching led me to Mr Shepherds site. Yeah, its a gold mine. He provides yet more information on how Esalen was a very important venue during which many people touched contact. It all fits in with that sociologists concept of 'cultic milieu'--a social venue in which people explore alternatives to mainstream ideas and treatm
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is a thread here with info. Note how very many times it has been subjected to troll disruption. Its interesting that you mentioned your employer paid for this. Participant reports A very big concern is that stuff offered by unlicensed people is infiltrating the ranks of professional therapists, who are supposed to protect the public from untested modalities that are the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Expose of Satya Sai Baba (the one with the weird hairdo who lives in bloated luxury) Political Bedfellows of Satya Sai Baba MENU - SAI DECEPTIONS FRAUD, LEGERDEMAIN, RUMOUR-SPREADING AND LIES BY SATHYA SAI BABA Homepage BBC Documentary 'The Secret Swami' and
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Additional link for a further discussion One can, for fun, just put myss and sai baba into the slot on Google and get a current update.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"