On the advice of a friend, years ago, I picked up a copy of I Am That, by/with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. It seemed logical to me at the time, that suffering could be attenuated by getting further 'behind my own eyes', so to speak. This man's point of view (if accurately described in the literature) seemed to be along those lines. So, I continued to read, search and Google about Adv
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Man, I'm only gone for a weekend and I come back and this thread is JAM PACKED with great new information. Good job, everyone. This is the lively intercourse that I just love about this thread. I'll say one thing about the 12-step groups (which saved my life about 12 years ago and started the freeing process I'm involved in right now) and that is to quote: QuoteTaken from a 1
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotefreedom fighterI have a theory why people don't understand or don't want to understand cult brainwashing. It's exhausting. It's a long drawn out process to brainwash a group of people and it's about as long and drawn out to undo what has been done. It's been over 15 years since I've gotten away from the group that screwed my family. I am still exhau
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotehelpme2times Was this blog referenced yet? [Critique of Byron Katie] The individual who critiques Katie on this blog, says this when told about this thread: Quote Hi student, I read that Rick Ross thread and, like I wrote to Zentient, they got some paranoid, over-reactive people over there. I want nothing to do with the ad hominem attacks against Katie. I think she’s a fine person,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe Anticult One wonders, are there other blogs out there, which are telling the truth about Byron Katie that have not been mentioned? For example, there is this one.. IGOTSCHOOLED Thanks, TAC. That's some very interesting, and heartening, reading. It appears that there are some folks out there who are being careful about their identity, but telling their story boldly. Did you
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Golly gee whiz! I'm sure glad I got some sleep last night; this homework takes a lot out of you. I was just doing some of my (getting to be) habitual due diligence, when I discovered this post from about 8 pages ago. Some poster with the handle geokosmos came in a moment after this information. I'm noting that it is about Katie and her NLP hypnotherapy, Stever Robbins, and Paul Hessinge
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Times like this I just get so exhausted. I note that The Anticult uses the word 'comical' about some pretty serious stuff, involving the Katie bunch and her ilk. I've known comedy, in my life, to be quite invigorating. I've been so close to chuckling at some of the disruptions over the last couple months, since the pattern has actually become quite transparent and predictable.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As much as I hated doing my homework when I was a kid, I love it now. Particularly when it pertains to serious subjects such as mind control and manipulation. That being said: Perhaps folks remember a poster with the handle blue sky; this poster was banned on Feb. 18th after becoming more and more intense with the exact same rhetoric as Pilot. Interestingly, blue sky came into this forum with
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It's great for me to see this particular thread still very active. Great to read Christa's post, since I was involved VERY early with the other cult in question. The Internet was still so young, at the time, that the correspondence I got from that "other" organization was actually by USPS Mail! They finally gave up on me after a long period of non-response on my part. I think
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

My personal experience, of over 3 years, is that it could be called Evangelical Materialism, with the insertion of Bible verses throughout. I can think of three reasons to steer clear of them: Evangelical Materialism Bible
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think it's entirely possible that Jon Willis actually could have been doing the bidding of the Katie/Mitchell bunch, without realizing it. If there are 'no rules', i.e. no Reality, then you can lie to yourself or others and it's no big deal. So the whole mess could actually have been the programming at work through an individual who wasn't even aware of what he was acco
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotehelpme2timesGiving it up for JJ... and Anticult and YOU! *thunderous applause* First, I have to say 'AMEN' to that. jj52's contributions helped me considerably when I first came around, although it was actually my reading of her posts, since I really came around some 9 months later after she had been long gone from this thread. Strangely and coincidentally, I have been t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As I continue to follow this thread, I am amazed at how sickening and diabolical this whole organization of Byron Katie's is turning out to be. Fortunately for me, I found this thread about 30 or so pages ago and it saved me untold money, aggravation and probably heartache. It's heartening to see folks like Pilot venture in to this thread with gems such as the three criteria for 'p
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Since spam or unsolicited email is one thing that seems to be monitored and taken seriously, in a legal sense, I think unsubscribing to unwanted emails and notifications from sources that still have one's address would be prudent. Heck, if there's 'no hard feelings', I'd say good deal! Bye, bye. I've done it and it works, in cases like this, where you know the source
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I've done a little studying about the trolling techniques, both in a forum such as this and regarding the broader internet trolling problem. There were some great links offered, a number of pages ago, and I am recalling some of the interesting things I read, when I followed those links. Apparently, trolls can actually spend a lot of time (not unlike some of the undercover work in the &quo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

After re-reading the waiver, and the postings regarding the content, I visualized how it might be regarding just the coffee angle. Having only been on one-day seminars and a couple week-end retreats, I had trouble imagining something 9 days long, with all those restrictions. For me, it would actually be something like torture. With all the restrictions, and I am sure sleep-deprivation, induced co
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That waiver looks like it could cover most any contingency, in the hands of a savvy lawyer. Knowing the tactics being used, and the dangers thereof, I don't see where anyone should ever sign it.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Some excellent points there, corboy; summed up particularly by the last one, for me. The unspeakable, despicable, inhumane and very UN-Christian acts, that have been done by "The Churches" (run by their sexually uptight, male-dominated hierarchy) over the centuries, are pretty well documented. I can barely be civil when I speak of it. Carl Sagan , in his book The Demon Haunted World, re
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Below is a verbatim PM message, that I received from a person who had one post on this entire forum, and that being about a year before, on a totally different thread. Note that he/she claims to have read this forum, but ignores the fact that there is plenty of first hand information and experience on this thread, regarding BKI. I am posting it on the recommendation of another person from this fo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Anticult: Thank you for being the voice of reason, in an otherwise emotion-charged forum subject such as the Amazon book review removals. Your posting of the rules for reviewing on Amazon, should help one come up with a review that is defendable, should it become necessary to defend against the organized complaining that perhaps causes the negative reviews to be removed. Your perspective is ap
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

HOLY S***, Anticult! That is EXACTLY what Byron Katie is doing. I have yet to read the content of the link, but what you have posted is right on the money. Sadly, as you mentioned, the masses are not aware of what is being done to them. Equally unfortunately, our whole society (in the US, anyway) seems to be leaning toward the "try it and see if you like it" scenario. Does that go for d
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

blue sky: Very interesting that you mention that Reiki is not truly "massage", which is what I also believe. The flyer that I was referring to, actually used the term 'massage' and was selling their services as 'Reiki Massage', which pretty much makes them fibbers (maybe I should just say outright liars) right from the start, doesn't it?! I guess that would b
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe most basic level is to use the same level of critical thinking for a new age idea, as buying a used car. Are you going to believe what the used car dealer tells you, or bring your own mechanic to check under the hood to verify his claims?/quote] Appropriate metaphor, Anticult. I just recently received a brochure, in the mail, that was designed to sell me on the benefits of therapeutic
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quoteblue sky The scary thing is that this mumbo jumbo or balderdash is seeping into so many areas of our lives. People we depend upon most when we are our most vulnerable are spouting this stuff -- including therapists and physicians. Listening to one's intuition, common sense (or BS detector) is vital. So is having a sense of humour. That BS detector is a very necessary tool (or wea
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm laughing out loud! That is so funny, to visualize Jesus taking out a manila envelope and having folks sign his disclaimer. "Should salmonella result, from the eating of any fish or loaves of bread, the undersigned...." I like Anticult's advice: The only logical conclusion is to have nothing to do with them. NOTHING! I also like the idea of requesting copies of the discl
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

You know, Anticult, that's a great idea! Maybe she's ready to do some talking about her experience, but in a format that stays kind of "under the radar" in a way that protects her from recrimination. Her silence, for all this time, might indicate that involvement with Byron Katie's Organization wasn't the stellar experience she first thought it would be. One can only
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Interestingly, I was just doing a web search for things "missing" regarding Carol Skolnick's essay on Going to Work Naked, and found myself reading the disclaimer today. (my searching for the missing stuff was at the 'Way Back Machine' site at www.archive.org; it may prove useful to someone, but I've had no luck so far locating the essay) It's almost unbelievabl
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks, corboy; I suspect you're right. I just shared in that depth for the benefit of others in the same boat. I've had that sort of thing in this forum help me, although it is risky. Because of my recent experience, I suppose I should err more on the side of caution, though, so I appreciate your candor. Thanks, also, for the technique at jettisoning some of the flotsam. I see the pote
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks again, everyone. Actually, I felt that my flippancy about the four questions was a little arrogant...I didn't mean Neale D Walsch, although his little "glitch" made him look like the emperor stripped of his clothing. Also, I think I ran into some strong emotional reaction at the attempt on my well being, as I perceived it. It led to some temporary self-loathing. As far
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks, everyone. Believe me, corboy, sending the copied and pasted PM to RR was the first thing I did. I'm still awaiting reply. What's interesting to me, is that my immediate reaction was anger and an urge to fight with words, even NLP type responses using what I've learned and mocking the tone of the PM, and the author's credibility. I thought better about engaging some
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"