QuoteStoic wrote: The confidence actually refers to the amount of confidence the 'mark' has to place in the conman for the trick to have any chance at all of being pulled successfully. Confidence in these cases means trust and it is the betrayal of trust that is so painful when anyone falls for these tricks. Knowing that their trust has been so comprehensively and cynically abu
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If you want to talk about enlightenment, go to venues where that is the topic of discussion, such as non duality salon. We are not equipped to discuss enlightenment on RR.com. What RR.com is set up for is to investigate ego driven activities such as concealing methods of covert influence and high pressure sales are the language of enlightenment, that is, to say, poisoning a well. We dont ta
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteJupiter wrote But what REALLY bugs me is this concept of 'Crisis' - a psychological breakdown, which cult researchers routinely call a 'breaking point,' is promoted as the piercing arrow of spiritual enlightenment. Crisis = very good; rational thought = very very very bad. In EST and its later versions Forum and (currently) Landmark Education, Werner put a lot of
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

"The new method seems to be to try to totally conceal the techniques inside a "spiritual" system, on an audience with no experience in these areas. " This is the Real Secret, folks. Cynical marketeers are perverting mysticism by slipping anti-mystical manipulative SHIT into a candy coating of spirituality and transformation--the domain in life to which to which people co
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Final note: QuoteI've made a lifelong study of the mystics, and it seems to me that Byron Katie's message is consistent with what sages have been saying for millennia. BK is no mystic. She's an advertising celebrity merely using the language of mysticism. Anyone can learn to patter the language of mysticism. Someone said the devil can quote the Bible to suit his own purpos
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteI've made a lifelong study of the mystics, and it seems to me that Byron Katie's message is consistent with what sages have been saying for millennia. In fact, our word mysticism derives from the Greek word mystikos Quotehttp://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mystic (mystikos), “‘secret, mystic’”) < (mystes), “‘one who has been initiated’”). The American Heritage Dictio
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A lot of these fringe types LOVE to rent rooms from hospitals, universities and Buddhist centers that have an honored name, because these settings give 'derivative legitimacy' to the entity renting the room. The entity merely rents space from the aforesaid instition and *allows* those who attend to assume that the event or guru is endorsed by the institution, when its merely just ren
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi Sparrow, to get to the juicy stuff, do a search of the message board and run searches for 'all dates'. Use 'continuing education module' and that will give you some stuff Do a search on 'fiduciary' Do a search on 'confidentiality'--on Guruphiliac there is a worrisome report by Arienariadne who attended a BK 9 day event that raises concerns
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

In case this has not yet been posted, here is some information--a LOT of information [4d-don.blogspot.com] one can compare this to a paper published by one of the Western Sufi centers derived from some of the folks itemized in this research paper.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Look for the entry titled 'My EBE Experience' Just in case this has not been posted, here is a new blog
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Ingredients of the cultic milieu--and I have probably not covered them all. Note--none of these by itself is necessarily a cult. But these form boundary markers for a social scene in which recruiters can fish and media types can advertise any product, whether its a food or a vitamin, body care product or a guru. First, magazines serving the Buddhist and yogista communities. Look at the ad
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

'Take what you like and leave the rest' was part of the 12 Step lingo years before Cockroach Lady ever arrived on the scene. Its a phrase that has reassuring implications because it clicks right in with 12 step groups which is where many people do start out and then look for resources to continue healing themselves. It should be noted that part of the 12 step traditions is that on
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

An Educational Article on How DDos Attacks are Perpetrated QuoteTech 101: How a denial-of-service attack works By JORDAN ROBERTSON, AP Technology Writer - Wed Jul 8, 2009 3:53PM EDT How does this type of cyber attack work? And how can people make sure their computers are safe? Here are some questions and answers about the attack. Q: What is a "denial-of-service" attac
Forum: Tech support for this board

Be very careful with that book, Halfway Up the Mountain. By the time you finish it, you may risk feeling as though your life is going to go down the drain and you're an ego driven self indulgent worm unless you submit yourself to a guru who will pound you into submission. Now, you wont read that in the book. But...if you do read the book through, monitor your states of mind and emo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Carlos, there is also a concept, 'cultic milieu' which may be a good model for what you are trying to grasp. This denizens of this milieu think themselves as 'cultural creatives' and as part of a liberating alternative to mainstream society. The ironiy is they are still very much part of mainstream culture, and have been identified as a lucrative niche market. Denizens
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

You can learn to do cold reading without even knowing you have learned to do it. Read what this person has said and read the whole article. She said she had actually picked up the cold reading technque through cultural osmosis. (google cold reading to learn more. Also google 'yes set' its a common sales technique to break down resistance and it can be done to you over the phone. Also g
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

And it may be that many who have been or are celebrated as Jnanis may have actually been suffering from solipsistic syndrome. And its possible that some are fascinated by reading about such persons, thinking its their wisdom teachings that are fascinating, when perhaps subconsciously, the actual fascinating for some readers is that these persons weresocially inept and withdrawn yet by speaking
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteSolipsism syndrome has been postulated as a danger which may be faced by those living in space or on another planet for extended periods of time. It may also become a hazard now that more and more of us are interacting with computers rather than living breathing present persons, and plugging into iPods. I met a fellow yesterday whose iPod earpieces were decorated as jewelry with tiny
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Christa, thanks for correcting me on my TV trivia. Good old Hawaii-Five-O. Am hearing the theme music in my head, right now.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Ignore the hecklers. Dont stop the music. Here's another Golden Oldie--the Aikido Handshake
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Some discussion about Jaggi the capitalist guru and former chicken feather-plucker here. (Page 5 of a 5 page article) According to the dicussion on page 5 Banya-Jaggi is now selling products via the Isha Shoppe. I looked up the incense, as incense is usually the cheapest thing in a gift shop. Price is Rs.208.00--208 Indian Rupees According to the currency exchange table
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That is a very interesting question, Carlos. An LGAT without boundaries. My hunch is there are large swathes of the New Age scene where one is socialized into a set of assumptions that can compromise boundaries and critical thinking and make it easier for someone to be pulled in to a harmful group. Its like being in a situation where you're undernourished, your immune function is co
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"Book him, Danno". (From Dragnet) Message to The Anticult: Your mailbox is full, homie.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Actually, he seems a producer rather than a musician. But still... Here is some information. And, everything on this page, starting at the top is a good Golden Oldies selection. A lot of fine stuff is buried in this thread and we shouldnt let the troll static distract from it. Let's toss this puppy onto the turntable.....
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Kassy wrote: ]QuoteAnother reason that I'm not interested in large group things such as the so called, "LGATS" (which I've just heard of from you guys)-lol is I was deeply involved in the punk/anarchist subculture I'm not a big fan of mob mentality or large groups or authority. Being in the punk scene is no insurance against getting into an LGAT. Isnt one of BK&#
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I may have mentione this before, but will do so again. Joyce Collin Smith, in her book Call No Man Master may be a good resource if you have not already found it. Her book gives a description of Pak Subhud and her experiences of the Latihan. She recalled smelling what seemed like incense, and her daughter did, too. But, later, Joyce had grave misgivings. People, including personsl like her
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

What Janaki described being done to her in the BK organization fits the profile of witch hunting very much more closely. BK now has access to Twitter. She can do a continual IV drip to keep her 'Tweeties' attentive. Rick Ross and Anticult dont have Twitter. If you dislike what is written here, you dont even have to log on and read it. All RR.com is is just ONE, repeat O
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This may not have taken place in New York City, but this post by Leo2 on June 10, 2009 01:12PMis as follows: QuoteI remember people were really pushed around, marriages were wrecked, careers and jobs were belittled, in the cause of the Great Maclaren's controlling excesses. At least one person died. People with medical conditions were taken off their medicines, and I was forced to tr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Newer articles from an Irish site:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Some newer articles about this group:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"