QuoteEverVigilantI wanted to post this here because I heard something yesterday that made me so angry, and I don't know whom else to talk to about this. I want to get it off my chest. I was talking with a lady friend of mine, and she was telling me about her past, including one incident when she was drugged and raped. At first I didn't ask anything about this because I didn't
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoterrmoderatorThe thing to look for is meaningful financial transparency through annually audited and published reports, which detail all salaries, compensation and expenses taken out of organizational funds. Without that kind of regular and verifiable transparency you really don't know where the money is going. Another thing would be organizational bylaws that provide for accountabilit
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotecorboy"A man's gotta eat!" Yep. And get the money and labor to build that ashram in Portugal. I do reckon that would require some money. Any knowledge that he is taking advantage of anybody would be greatly appreciated.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoterrmoderatorNad: Despite what "left_of_the_dial" said, in many groups the "thoughtless state" is essentially self-hypnosis or trance induction through some sort of group practice. Of course those involved in reaching such disassociated states don't recognize that it is a hypnotic state. They prefer to characterize it otherwise. For example, some might say that o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This sounds complicated, it's probably best that you left. Real Vedanta should be simple and direct. A real teacher doesn't engage a student in 'poor behavior' under the assumption that it will help them eventually 'grow out of it'. Rather, it is important to simply point out the behavior and the causes of the behavior. There is also no 'left han
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes, I would be willing to talk with you about the 'thoughtless state'. There is absolutely no 'hypnosis' involved...it's simply not necessary and serves no practical value.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Gangaji seems seems like a decent lady but I wouldn't really get too close. Association w/ Andrew Cohen and a number of other questionable characters. Mooji, on the other hand, is great. Highly Recommended. He charges for certain things but basically offers the same material for free on 'youtube' and his website. A man's gotta eat!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I know who his is but don't really have an opinion. People seem to like him but I've never been particularly drawn to Parsons or his work. That being said...I'm not aware of anyone having been 'harmed' by him in any way.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecspTolle, and others promoting mindfulness, are not advocating killing the ego. It is our identification as "being" our ego that he and others are speaking about. Identifying only with the ego and not the ground of being behind the ego. As he would put it ... identifying with the "form" or "dream". Identifying too strongly (or at all) with the form means that we
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Well, it's very difficult to find any testimonials about how "ego death" leading anyone to disaster or sending people with mental health issues over the edge. May I ask why I should take your word, without any evidence to support your theory, over those people with mental health issue who claim that "ego destroying" activities have likely saved their lives? Maybe you c
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just because you don't like the guy and/or what he has to say doesn't make him a cult leader or even a fraud. -So anyone who refers to Jesus or tries to interpret what the saying some people attribute to him mean is also a fraud? -Tolle is fraud because he claims that the 'ego' cause illness? If the 'ego' causes stress, which it probably does, then it also ca
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Other than than the statements that Tolle is the most authentic spiritual teacher since Krishnamurti, I tend to agree with the above poster's statements. There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding over Tolle's teachings and philosophy. My guess is that a lot of people here seem to WANT to dislike Tolle and have skewed what he says and claims in order to reach their preconceived notion
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Actually, I think it's fairly obvious to the rational person that there IS a conspiracy going on. The question comes down to the degree of complexity to which the conspiracy operates. Is it simply a few loosely connected wealthy people using their power and influence to manipulate government agencies into making decisions that favor and increase their current wealth and/or growth? The proble
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

SuzyQ, I appreciate the clarification. I suppose we just might have to agree to disagree about Eckhart Tolle though. All he teaches, as far as I can tell, is the importance of quieting the mind and being aware of the present moment. I don't know if the guy is enlightened or simply deluded but I haven't seen any evidence that he has tried taking advantage of anyone. The Oprah followers t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Oh well Suzy, I suppose we'll have to disagree. Maybe you, Mr. Tolle, and Osho did suffer some kind of identity crisis that you've all mistaken for some state of enlightenment. I have also suffered from depression, been diagnosed by a doctor and given prescription medication. I took the medication for two days and quit because I had a deep sense that medication was only masking a solvab
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The guy wrote a pretty good book that seems to have helped a lot of people. Seven pages into the thread and no one has presented any evidence that what he teaches poses any harm or danger to anyone or has caused any harm or danger to anyone. Lots of irrational fear about his writings causing "cognitive suicide" even though no examples or well thought out explanations are given. When you
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I support this thread and think it belongs here. This is supposed to be a cult information based website that is telling someone that it's in bad taste to discuss what appears to be groups with powerful members acting in cult-like behavior. Whether you believe the conspiracy theories or not is one thing but, as far as I can tell, no information has been posted that would indicate that groups
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I picked up the book "I" by David Hawkings a couple weeks ago and it actually only calibrates at 470 - even lower than 'The Power of Now', which calibrates at 620. I just wrote a new song called 'Drunk On A Monday Night', which totally rocks and calibrates at 999.99. It's on myspace and eveyone should check it out when they get a chance.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"