Wow, those are excellent points, Wendy. I particularly agree with this: "there may be individuals whose psychological needs are too involved for this type of therapy." I feel that I am one of those people and would not participate in John's group. I work with a whole "treatment team" at a major hospital to deal with my various issues. Some years ago I wanted to attend
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I've recently come upon yet another book to recommend, as an alternative to getting help from Byron Katie et al. It's a very short and to the point book called "Stress Free For Good: 10 Scientifically Proven Life Skills for Health and Happiness" by Dr. Fred Luskin and Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier. I love it!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi again John, and thank you for answering my post. Yes, "RandomStu" is the author of "My So-Called Spiritual Life". He visited the thread on Byron Katie, which I've been active in, not so long ago. Several of us, including the moderator of this board, quickly found him to be rather disruptive to the thread - and to the healing process. So I was very concerned if you
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi John, I want to say that I feel some concern about your post here. Mainly because I happened to visit your website not long ago, after someone participating in this forum gave a link to his own site (My So-Called Spiritual Life) and on it he referenced your site. I do wonder if you are friends with "RandomStu", and if so, I feel concerned. Imo he acted in a rather troll-like mann
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe AnticultBascially, self-obsessed narcissists seem to get attracted to all of these ME ME ME ME New Agey things. I dunno (pardon the pun given our recent visitor) if it's just that. Maybe in some cases. I think there are a lot of suffering people looking for a cure who fall for the likes of Tolle and BK. (Both Tolle and BK emphasize that they'd been suicidal for a long time &quo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteIdunnoCorboy: "Well, you're very invested in defending BK here." No. I am not. So far, I've just been defending myself to you. If BK is a cult guru, then she's a cult guru. If she's not, she's not. Whatever her truth is at the core, I can't know. It still doesn't take away the fact I did highly benefit from The Work. Why exactly I did wherea
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Word on the street was, Eli Jaxon-Bear had stepped away the Leela Foundation shortly after his affair with a student came to light. However, he's back in action again: [Leela Foundation]
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe AnticultBut for those who stay inside the Byron Katie system for more than a year or two, or who are involved with BKI or with BK Coaching...watch out. They have no regard for telling the truth. For them, the ends justify the means, so they will say anything to bring you in. Regarding that, here is one of Carol Skolnick's recent blog entries: [A Katie-ism and Your Response is..
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecorboyTroll Count as of September 8th 2008 Daphne, Anticultist, ralpher, Randomstu, prsp (or something like that) Ex Scientology Kid, cultcity and Idunno. I found more trolls in this thread (may have missed some): golfer6716 eduardo Jon Willis al3r Gee screddy57 Daphne Remi douglas_goodall
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotecorboy And it is interesting that in the one tiny corner of cyberspace where this question is asked---we get demands to justify our 'illogic'. A curative fantasy has to be a very fragile thing if it cannot permit one tiny corner of disagreement to exist anywhere in cyberspace. Milllions of devotees are blogging BK's praises. Isnt that enough to prop her curative fan
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotesolea13helpme2times: I just watched the youtube video of Byron Katie with the man with terminal cancer. It was so painful to watch the whole way through. In fact I had to stop the video a couple of times. I made myself watch the whole thing because I wanted to witness her in action right to the bitter end. I have reflected on what I saw and I can think of no reason whatsoever to force som
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"Idunno", I don't see how you can say" I never 'guru-ized' BK" when you also say "I more or less revere her as a teacher" (gurus are revered, after all) and "I was hooked after the very first worksheet and have been doing The Work since then". Methinks you are lying to yourself. But then Byron Katie is alleged to have said, "Everythin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I agree that Myss can be very abusive. In addition, she has promoted Sai Baba, who has been accused of molesting young boys and also has been caught using sleight of hand for his "materializations". One look at Myss's website says a lot. There's a page, "Caroline's Shop", which contains A LOT of items for sale, including workshops and trips, e.g. "Travel
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecorboyDear H, your mail box is full. Get the Drano. C Done! God that thing fills up fast!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Alas, Byron Katie's work is spreading: [The Work on the Web of Byron Katie] "The Work on the Web is a unique, innovative online coaching tool that gives you everything you need in order to do The Work: materials, videos, support, and examples. It's designed to inspire you to deepen your inquiries and get powerful – even life-changing – results." "Special launch o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteSparkyAnd of course, Eckhart Tolle and "The Power of Now" is mentioned this week in Newsweek....It seems that Rielle Hunter, the mistress of the failed presidential hopeful John Edwards, is big into Eckart Tolle and thinks it is her mission to spread the word. Here's the story link: Wow, very interesting. Thank you, Sparky!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Corboy, you've reminded me of something I read a while back at Guruphiliac's blog on Byron Katie. A commenter had this to say about the Turnaround Houses (it's dated 4/5/08): I have always wondered what other info about Byron Kaite was out there. I just Googled "Byron Katie and Cult" ... wow I have been very close to the situation for some time now. I was a caregiv
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteJBQuotehelpme2timesAnd collect $20,000 a head for the Turnaround House. It should be called the "Turn Around and Run For Your Life House". LOL! I heartily agree!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteI watched the video again, Byron Katie re Money, and wooo, I can totally see through her now. Thank goodness. I just watched a minute or two of this. My favorite bile inducing quip from BK: "motivation is fear". She expertly creates so much confusion in her interviewee/victim. Sigh. Oh God, I remember that part now. That statement really jolted me. How sick to equate motivati
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecorboyMeditation Upon a Vase of Flowers QuoteThe Anticult she coaches people to be like a vase of flowers, passive and accepting, and this allows Byron Katie to move into your mind. Lets look at what happens with 'a vase of flowers.' The flowers are cut off from their roots before being inserted into that vase and water. Once in the vase, the flowers can last only a ce
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe AnticultThere is a video of Byron Katie I have not watched, but have seen advertised a lot. Its about some guy who is "uptight about money issues". I chuckled when I saw that, as you know what THAT video is going to be REALLY about. Opening up your wallet to the Roach-lady, that's what. So I'll check out that video at some point, but I literally cannot stand Byron
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotesolea13helpme2times - I am also reading this book and enjoying its sane, logical approach very much. Yay Dr. Burns! FYI, I've also gotten hold of another of David Burns' books. It's about relationships and is entlted, "Intimate Connections". Great stuff and very practical. Imo the Burns info is excellent for counteracting a culty mindset.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteJBAs long as we're collecting names of people who are liberally spreading Byron Katie crapola around I'd like to throw this link out for addition to the long list previously posted. Oy vay, this one really is a Piece of "Work"!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe AnticultThere is a video of Byron Katie I have not watched, but have seen advertised a lot. Its about some guy who is "uptight about money issues". I chuckled when I saw that, as you know what THAT video is going to be REALLY about. Opening up your wallet to the Roach-lady, that's what. So I'll check out that video at some point, but I literally cannot stand Byron
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes, it's been noted at least once before that Byron Katie may have done EST and/or Landmark, and used that to formulate her method. I am still in the midst of reading Dr. David D. Burns' "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" and was struck by something recently because it sounded AN AWFUL LOT like something Byron Katie does. It involves her "turnaround" techniq
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe Anticultyes, Stories appear to be the foundation of the human psyche, and Byron Katie knows this of course. She even mentioned in some of her material how ancient the STORY of Gilgamesh was. (its more than 4000 years) Byron Katie loves to say "Not possible!" and that is the answer to her oft-asked question, "Who would you be without your story?"
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Ye godz, Corboy, that is quite a story! "Who would you be without your story?" I dare to say that you wouldn't be you. Our stories (aka our histories) like it or not are a large part of who we are.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe AnticultByron Katie is a very slick operator. Its all just word games. So she can say...I can cry and have tears, but not feel sad. Maybe that is just a silly word game. Or maybe she is a psychopath? Psychopath's can cry crocodile tears to manipulate people and feel no sadness, even when their own mother dies. Clearly even Oprah can see this woman is full of hot-gas, when sh
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecorboyI want to meet that cockroach. Okey dokey! [Cockroach]
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Oprah Winfrey and Byron Katie have continued their talk. Here is a partial transcription of part 2, "Learning The Work"... BK: "It's just four questions and a turnaround. It's nothing without your answers." Oprah: "The Work is merely four questions. It's not even a thing. It has no motives, no strings. It's nothing without your answers. These
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"