When I read the name 'Tarspiel' I free associate to the figure of the tar-baby from the Brer Rabbit story. The more you try to struggle with the tar baby the more entrapped you get. 'Spiel' is just a line of verbal patter, seemingly triviel, but its what sales people use. It is a perjorative term because the person is not emtionally invested in his or her 'spiel�
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

New Book about Cohen by Former Student Who Is Free From Guru Imposed Silence QuoteAmerican Guru: A Story of Love Betrayal and Healing: Former Students of Andrew Cohen Speak Out by William Yenne,r forward by Stephen Batchelor. (Batchelor is one of the best regarded authors and teachers in the Western Buddhist Dharma world. His willingness to write a forward speaks volumes) Information a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Caligari provided this link: Deconstructing Landmark
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It is bleakness spiced with adrenaline. My time ran out at the library computer terminal before I could finish the sentence.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

More insights from The Last Psychiatrist Here it is--anyone who looks at dating and relationships as strategy is already set up for misery, even if fleetingly, their seduction routines provide fleeting success. The strategic mindset is bleakness, spiced with . QuoteConsider the "pick up women" books and courses. He looked at dating as a strategy; he needed to learn the tricks
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Read the comments here. All of 'em. QuoteI would encourage all who are reading this site to decide for yourselves, with full awareness, what positive practices to incorporate in your life, and I challenge you all to be brave enough to recognize when something is no longer working and kick it to the curb. Love and Blessings, A humble witness.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Lanmark tried to sue Rick Ross out of existence and the suit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning LEC cannot ever sue Rick again. LEC has tried suing others, as well. When a private citizen sues a large and secretive group for damages incurred, this is apparently considered a 'frivolous lawsuit' by your standards. When something like LEC sues, its noble human potential activi
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

And, whoever deals with that form is in a catch 22. To state they shouldnt take Landmark, they'd have to violate thier own privacy at work in this case the CG restaurant and disclose information about themselves that they already have a right to keep to themselves. Remember too, the article mentioned employess having to take that daffy Holotrophic breathwork class in the CG warehouse.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

'thotcontrol' wrote: Quote I am not in favor of broad sweeping waivers where one sign away one rights Well, Landmark Education is in favor of 'broad sweeping waivers where one must sign away one's rights' and, reportedly, anyone who works at CG who wants to be considered for promotion as manager has to take Landmark and sign that sort of form. Here is the infor
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

A well run corporate culture, whether a small business or a big one, keeps the unspoken rules to a minimum and the onus on the potential employer is to make actual prerequisites for job advancement up front at the time of the interview. Mention Landmark as part of the info packet given to people who are interested in applying for jobs at the restaurant. That way, you get applicants who are a
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Sounds like the issue is informed consent. Did CG make it clear, as a matter of promotion to management that taking Landmark would be part of the deal? Someone wrote this concerning a quite different group and context--a group that was not a paying job, on which one depended for income: QuoteWhen I was talking with the man who was my first contact with the Gurdjieff Work, I remember aski
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

What is not a cult--my personal list * The group generates courteous behavior and does not produce a high percentage of trolls. Discussion venues that are independent of the group are left unmolested. *If people complain about incurring harm, the group uses this as a sign to clean up its own act, not vilify and shame the people reporting this information. *You do not sign any document
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

(excerpt) QuoteCocolat. In 1991, an investment firm owned by Joel Feshbach, an acknowledged Scientologist, purchased Cocolat, a West Coast candy company that was having some financial troubles. Then, in early 1993, thirteen management and administrative employees told local newspapers that they had quit their jobs at Cocolat because their employer was using management techniques based on t
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Do be sure to check and read all the comments in the East Bay Express following the article. You can readily tell who the Lekkies are. They claim the article is slanderous, is badmouthing a wonderful, visionary community project. That if you dont like it, dont work there. Well..this economy creates a climate of duress. Many HAVE to work. Sounds more that a private batch of dirt
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Put 'cafe gratitude' in the exact phrase slot in Google Put 'landmark' in the all words slot. See what comes up. For giggles, there is this: [74.125.155.132]
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Landmark is all about taking responsiblity for oneself. But..they dont take responsiblity for the impact they may have on subjects--or on persons taking it under pressure from employers. What is not fully appreciated is that Landmark wants you to sign away your right to sue or mediate with Landmark for damages you might incur while being processed during one of thier seminars. No licen
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Its not enough to have Guru Purinima Day--the day when Hindus honor their gurus. They should add a Caregiver-of-the-Guru Day, too. We make the mistake of focusing on the glamourous enlightenment stories, and forget that often, the people who 'woke up' went through a phase, sometimes temporary, sometimes permanent, of needing care providers. Jean Bolte-Taylor was reportedly c
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"A True Sadhu Does Not Touch Money" These two shares from India Mike illustrate that religious mendicants do not ASK for money. Food yes, money, never. That alone shows how, if the report 'Dude Beggars' is true, Sri Sri and his Bangalore crew are perverting the tradition they claim to be part of. This is true. In his memoir, Ochre Robe, Bharati described how he wa
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Giving Food, Not Money is the Tradition Key statement: QuoteIf I remember rightly, the sadhus are not supposed to ask. Traditionally, they would be given food, not money. Also, if I remember rightly, they are not supposed to take more than they need for that day only. from 'Saffron Clad Beggars' on the India Mike Travel Forum This post from India Mike validates Ageh
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

What angered me in reading about wealthy AOL ashramites reportedly being sent out into the streets of Bangalore to do some play begging is that this greatly confuses matters and may make it that much harder for those who are destitute and actually do need alms. Given the above report that Sri Sri did not himself grow up in povertly it is all the more repugnant that he is reportedly turning men
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

India Mike's Travel Forum is an excellent resource. "The Sudarshan Kriya, a cornerstone of the attraction of Sri Sri, is almost identical to several of the cleansing kriyas found in Vivekananda Yoga." There was some discussion of Sri Sri here. Many liked him. But one person who served time in AOL had this to say. He noted that he didnt see anything unique about the Sudarshan
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

From a thread on Sedona Release technique. 'epyx' wrote this: QuoteQuoteQuote:formerreleaser had written: After releasing for so long, I feel like a woolen cloth has been pulled over my awareness and that the better parts of me have been grayed out. From epyx: FormerReleaser: This is exactly the long-term outcome I would expect for Releasers. In my understanding, SM/
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A story from my college days: One of the professors in the psychology department made us laugh. He told us what happened when, one day, he failed to screen his phone calls. The incident happened the very early 1970s. The office phone rang. Professor X picked it up. Someone who said he was a journalist was on the other end. The reporter wanted Professor X, to explain why all those
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteI take it this Ravi Shankar has nothing to do with his namesake the sitar player? Zero. The sitar player is Ravi Shankar. The guru, who is a spin off of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi of TM, engaged in title inflation and has awarded himself the double dose title of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, as if one 'Shri' was not enough.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

(note: If anyone has a friend or relative in Bangalore, feel free to contact RR.com if you have seen this for yourself) QuoteDude beggars By: Team Midday Date: 2009-08-04 Place: Bangalore Men and women trying to camouflage their affluent breeding and chic clothes are going about begging in south Bangalore. People at signals were startled yesterday to find smart, English-spea
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If any readers have friends or relatives in this part of India, let us know if this report sounds accurate or not. Dude Beggars Quote Dude beggars By: Team Midday Date: 2009-08-04 Place: Bangalore Men and women trying to camouflage their affluent breeding and chic clothes are going about begging in south Bangalore. People at signals were startled yesterday to find smart, En
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This press release, published in 1996 mentions a 'libretto' by Shirley Luthman. ; Quote Subject: Don't Quit Your Day Job Dancers Upcoming Concerts July 12/13 Reply to author | Forward | Print | Individual message | Show original | Report this message | Find messages by this author PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 19, 1996 THE DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY J
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I like looking at artwork from Central Asia and the former Ottoman territories. (Groan and dont have the money to take any of it home, alas) That is one reason why Ive been interested in looking at items for sale on various and sundry Sufi sites. The impression I take away is that when looking at sites geared to Western Sufis, it seems to take a lot of money to supply oneself with the n
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Freud said something about converting "neurotic misery into ordinary unhappiness."
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Tsukimoto wrote: Quote--"In the guru and in the community at Kripalu, thousands of seekers sought the perfect Dad and Mom." --"Orphans bring a tremendous amount of idealization and projection into their relationships with their teachers. We fall in love with our teachers and with our communities, and as a result, we do not see them at all clearly." --"With our
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"