Yes...like many people, he believed est helped him at first, but perhaps came to realize what it was actually about later.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

The cuddle party site sounds very much like LEC-speak. Cuddle Parties were started by an LEC grad, so that's no surprise. It seems he simply found synonyms for many LEC words and phrases to pretend he's created something himself. But then, LEC is a synonym-copy of $cientology, which is undoubtedly cobbled together from somewhere else...after a while I guess it's impossible to keep
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi Klaus! You came to the right place. There's lots of information here about est. For people more familiar with Denver's history than I am: Didn't he denounce est? -Glam
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Honestly, if it gets to the point where you're being ostracized or held back because you refuse to attend the Forum, I think it's time to start looking for another job. Forum grads do tend to cut off people who won't join them, unfortunately. But it's soooo not worth the risk to your mental health to attend a potentially dangerous seminar. Psychological damage is worse t
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

:D :D :D :D :D
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Sorry, but I still don't understand what you mean by "sex-negative programming." Are you saying that society programs us to be negative about sex? And that "cuddle parties" may sort of release us from that programming?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Sex-negative programming?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Rick Ross is quoted in the July 18 issue of People magazine, in an article about The Family.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

So sorry to hear about how they closed ranks around your poor brother. I hope Katie Holmes escapes Cruise's clutches, as his ex-wives and girlfriends have eventually.
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

From The Age: QuoteSince Katie Holmes hooked up with Tom Cruise and the Scientologists, she's not allowed to be alone - ever. When Holmes accompanied Cruise to a recent taping of The View, eyebrows were raised when she wasn't allowed to go to the bathroom alone. At one point, Cruise asked where the bathroom was and "took Katie with him into the men's room," an
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

QuoteBalkanBoy I have to make some distinctions before we move on: So your _story_ about stepping in dog poop (an actual physical event) is one filled with disgust, based on "trauma" (mom/dad reprimanding you for stepping in it), and you _decide_/_choose_/_elect_/what have you the _EXPERIENCE_ is now _bad_, without ever knowing so. I know, I'd do the same if I wasn't
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteBalkanBoyElena - are you talking from personal experience about the forum or is it all stuff you've just heard? I am sorry, but I can not make an informed opinion about something only by reading about it. That's like saying you can learn how to ride a bike just by watching people or hearing about people riding them. Martin After three decades in business, they can't come
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I'm reading "The Gift of Fear," By Gavin DeBecker. Has anyone else read it? It's a fascinating look at intuition, what it really consists of (basically, the mind paying attention to little clues and putting them together at high speeds to warn us of dangerous situations) and how we talk ourselves into ignoring red flags or "gut feelings" and end up in potentially dan
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

What's with this "take what you need/enjoy and leave the rest" sales pitch? It seems to be spreading outside Landmark now. Along with all the usual arguments that marketing/persuasion is all the same, so someone who uses hypnosis and "peak states" to hook people is the same as the people who market something like Beanie Babies. It's always the follower's faul
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Quoteroveberg but overall what I'm getting is that people feel really burned in some way! Especially the former Staff. Hey, look again. Some of us have never even been to a Landmark meeting. So how'd we get burned? Quote my listening of Staff is pretty high. That's some purty garbled English right there. QuoteClearly somewhere along the way something took a left turn, yo
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Quoteroveberg I will state my case against others' backed by the stand that I am. I have a suspicion that anyone who's really PISSED OFF with Landmark Education really needs to look at who they were being in the matter that they allowed themselves to be so irresponsible. Your newly garbled language reflects your newly garbled thought process. Welcome to Landmark Land. Glam
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

One good thing that's coming out of this is that more writers are pointing out the strangeness of Scientology, even talking about the beliefs about aliens and clams. It's time more people started hearing what this group is about.
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

QuotejsllimI don't watch Dr. Phil, but just because Dr. Phil uses psychological tools and methods to make people's lives better doesn't mean he is a cult figure. Maybe you should read what the definitions of destructive cults are and how they differ from other groups and mindsets. They are on the culteducation.com website. Every group or person that offers a way of making life b
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It's amazing to witness the level of arrogance he projects (is it really him? or the result of too much $cientology?). To slam Brooke Shields and basically blame psychiatry for ruining her career (who says her career is down thw tubes? As far as I know she's performing onstage) is kinda insane. Celebrity comes and goes, it's completely fickle. Yet Cruise seems to believe his will l
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

Hi Amy, and welcome! QuoteI'm a little nervous writing this because of my experience with LE has led me to believe that I will be "out of integrity" by not confronting the people/organization directly with this issue. But here I go. No need to feel nervous. Try to recognize that this "out of integrity" concept is a form of manipulation, more subtle than the outright
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Well, I just happened to catch tonight's episode of Access Hollywood. Tonight's subject: "Tom Cruise: Man on a Mission." It was 1/2 hour of Tom being gently questioned about $cientology and him railing against psychology, psychiatry, drug therapy, Brooke Shields and how "irresponsible" she is to be "promoting" psychotropic drugs (she used Paxil when she had
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

I think so. Certainly her jump-starting Dr. Phil's showbiz career is telling.
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

He's really out there, hitting the talk shows and screaming about his love for his new gf, while she remains quiet and scurries away when he tries to drag her onstage on Oprah (Oprah sees nothing odd about his behavior, BTW). From a recent article: QuoteMay 23, 2005 Has Tom Cruise received a medical degree in his spare time? The megastar is openly questioning the treatment Brooke S
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

QuoteThanks...I've picked up the books Cults in Our Midst and Outrageous Betrayal. Any other recommendations on books? I also found "Battle for the Mind," by William Sargant, very enlightening. And as Rick has referred to, much of the info is available here -- check out the link he offered. Glam
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

There's no easy answer to that question...but the best thing to do right now is educate yourself as much as possible about cults, and try to stay on good terms with your family members until you decide what action to take (if any). There's tons of material available at this site and several book you can read, as well. Glam
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

IMO, Lifespring and Landmark are pretty much identical twins separated at birth. Both very similar and both very dangerous. There's info here about Lifespring:
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Quote While physical conditions are significant, they are imposed through ideas like "integrity". The ideas put the values such as "keeping your agreement" above your rational determination to not sit in a uncomfortable chair, sleep sufficiently, etc. The concepts enforce the physical conditions and if properly questioned will eliminate them. Since the person would figure out
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Your post is no more absurd than any of the others from Landmark "believers" who come here with the same old line: "I've taken what I need from Landmark and discarded the rest! I'm not brainwashed!" Of course, it's absurd that Landmark would come up with such a cockamamie sales pitch to begin with, and even more absurd that you would post here and give it yet
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteIts interesting that the girls saw Dr Phil on TV and were attracted to him, as he is male authority figure. And he no doubt sounds a lot like all other cult leaders, which would explain even more why cult victims are attracted to him. QuoteThey had Steve Hassan on as the expert. Darn. Sorry I missed it. Did Steve offer to help Dr. Phil out of his own cultic way of thinking and habit
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I just happened to catch the coming attractions for May on the Dr. Phil show, and it seems he's doing a show called "inside a cult" -- he'll be "coaching" former cult members (they didn't mention which cult) to help keep them from returning to their cult! So how odd is this scenario?A disgraced psychologist who uses cultlike tactics himself to "help" p
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"