QuoteskepticQuotequestion ladyThanks for posting the link Anticult. QuoteThe AnticultWow, look at the 'teachers' (cons) The Secret people are referring us to! I see that "The Sedona Method" guy, Hale Dwoskin, is there. My husband got sucked into the other strain of the Lester Levinson following called "The Release Technique" marketed by Larry Crane. But I
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I find this interesting article about the role of the spouse who is not in the destructive group. Unfortunately, I probably handled the situation poorly with "information onslaught". :? I would be interested in input from spouses from either side of the experience.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Quotevaidyavigilant i guess it is pretty good that you are in counseling because with a hostile and antagonstic attitude like you have display i can see why your wife went looking for an "alternative" - hopefully the therapist will reflect this back to you vaidya, Do you practice EFT? I gotta say. your above comment to Vigilant comes across as pretty mean to me. The man is trying t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

vaidya, I agree that the medical establishment has made, and continues to be fallible. That does not mean that all things "new age" are infallible. It is a question of discerning what works and what doesn't, whether traditional or non-traditional. When my husband tried EFT, I tried it a bit too. It didn't work for either of us. Then he went on to something else which doe
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Now Larry Crane's Release Technique website says: "The Abundance Course teaches the Secret as seen on Oprah" I guess spirituality is quite a cut-throat business. It has been 6 weeks since my (now estranged ) husband went to this mind control camp. That must be about how long it takes for people to start questioning whether it is working because today came a newsletter abou
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

The hook is perhaps the truth in these types of things. Our thoughts are powerful. A positive outlook is helpful. The part that troubles me is the idea that it is all under our control. This philosophy is becoming increasingly popular at a time when the world situation is frightening. It comes when the distribution of wealth in the U.S. has shifted dramatically over the past two decades towa
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I'll try again: If the link doesn't work, the posts are under Cults, Sects, and New Age, rather than LGAT's. The topic is "new cult called Avatar". The posts were from March 2005 & appear to contain some links. You can also find by searching the board with the term 'avatar" Good luck to you.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

See also on these boards under cults, sects and new religious movements:
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Your book title sounds like real self help. You've already inspired me to manifest good things in my life, by getting up off my b*tt and doing something.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

That appears to be correct. Mr. Ross has been sued by Landmark also. I'm not suggesting calling these seminars "cults", but rather a more accurate name than "awareness trainings".
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

The use of the term "Large Group Awareness Trainings" appears to be a misnomer. It makes it sound like a good thing. Calling these seminars "awareness trainings" is rather like calling a lobotomy a "mental enhancement procedure". In order to bring true awareness to this problem, we need to name it accurately. The masters of manipulation are experts in using langu
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Vigilant, Thanks for your understanding. Sorry to hear you are still having troubles. I hope your wife found a good psychologist. As you know, even the licensed folks vary widely in quality. Remember to take good care of yourself.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have used David Burn's "Feeling Good Handbook" for many years & find it very helpful. As I see it, LGAT's use a lot of "black or white" or absolutist thinking. They may say all of your problems are caused by your cognitive distortions, (or "programs" of whatever). This would be an example of black or white thinking. I think Burns would say th
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Thanks for posting the link Anticult. QuoteThe AnticultWow, look at the 'teachers' (cons) The Secret people are referring us to! I see that "The Sedona Method" guy, Hale Dwoskin, is there. My husband got sucked into the other strain of the Lester Levinson following called "The Release Technique" marketed by Larry Crane. But I do have to admit they sometim
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Dear Sris, I was raised mormon and lived in Utah for many years. Most of my family is still mormon. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have based on my own experience and understanding. Whether it is a "cult" I suppose depends on how one defines that term. The LDS church definitely discourages critical thinking. I recall hearing many times "When the pro
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm confused about what terminology to use when talking with people about these types of seminars. The term "Large Group Awareness Training" sounds rather positive. The term "cult" may be too extreme for some of these, and could undermine credibility when trying to educate people about the dangers of these types of "trainings". Any ideas about a good wor
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I was struck by this post in the PSI forum: "One reason people stay in cults even when the experience is deeply painful is that it can be far more psychologically painful to admit to being unreasonable and wrong. For me, throwing off mind control was a matter of education and time. I learned that what keeps people in difficult and painful situations is an unwillingness to admit that they
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Oist, Thanks for the tip on the book. I'll check it out. I can understand that people might feel pressured to appear more happy than they really are. Although part of the method says to accept your feelings without judgment, there is the AGFLAP heirarchy which clear ranks certain feelings as superior to others. Also, the goal of imperturbability is pretty lofty. (And not even desireabl
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Perhaps someone famous has said this before me, but I always say: Follow principles, not people.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Oist, Thank you for your input. I agree with you that some of the tools can be helpful. However, I don't think a good therapist would teach a client to "release" feelings without identifying them and dealing with any underlying issues. I share your concerns about some of the philosophy. (And I realize that Sedona Method may differ from the Release Technique.) One thing I rea
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I almost forgot to mention that my husband also purchased an "iCAP" meter for about $800 last fall. There is some relationship between Larry Crane's company and the folks who sell these. Anyone know anything about these devices?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Thanks for the heads up. Do some of these groups sell a "sucker list" to other kinds of businesses?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Dear AntiCult - you mentioned that there is a book out there critiquing the Sedona Method. Do you know the name? I know that the "Harvard Medical School proven effective" claim on the websites is vastly overstated. It wasn't the medical school, but rather an unpublished, non-peer reviewed, non-replicated study of a small number of people using the technique in limited situation. Ha
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I can understand your puzzlement about my financial status. We live in a community property state. My husband inherited his money. I did not inherit money. Under the law, if we divorce, all is his money remains his, and one-half of all money I earn while we are married is also his. I have student loans to pay and I haven't' yet put away anthing for retirement. My husband provides me wit
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Ellen, Your comment makes me wonder whether some sort of licensing and regulation is needed, just as for counselors. How do they get around it? These people are clearly dealing with people's emotions and thoughts. Perhaps it is difficult to draw a bright line between what is and is not psychological counseling. Maybe selling books & CD's isn't counseling, but person
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Dear Jon, I was raised mormon, in Provo, Utah. Although there are many positives about the culture, especially the emphasis on family, being raised mormon was mostly very, very bad for me. Please don't put your kids through that. If you aren't honest with them about your beliefs, you are modeling hypocrisy for them. Please don't fake it. I know there may be job and social rep
Forum: Destructive Churches

I was concerned when my husband started reading The Sedona Method and listening to Larry Crane's Release Technique tapes last fall. It sounded like they were teaching people how to dissociate. My husband is generally very uncomfortable with "negative" feelings so I could understand the lure of something that promises to get rid of them quickly and easily. He wanted me to list
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"