From an article on yoga Quotemeditating is like running, or any sport or form of training – injuries happen. And injuries are to be avoided if possible! They ruin the fun. But the denial system in meditators is so intense they can't stand ANY hint that their practice may be less than perfect. And this denial, of course, is one of the hidden dangers of meditation. Go figure.
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

When I was a teenager, some distant relatives visited. The man had been born in Austria and left shortly after the Nazis took over. I asked him how he'd left. Mr. X told us the he was arrested in mass round up--the police detained everyone whose ID papers indicated they were Jewish. He was led with other Jews, to a large building. Then, Mr X told us he and other young men were give
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

A Library of URL links Problems and Pitfalls for Small Groups
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Everything a researcher would need--there are even articles on research methodology, laws governing the ethical practice of psychotherapy, informed consent, and a large section of URLs. Just a few choice URLs—go the the main site and see what's there for you: Psychology from undergranduate work to becoming licensed to practice The Ethics of Psychological Testing
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Everything a researcher would need--there are even articles on research methodology, laws governing the ethical practice of psychotherapy, informed consent, and a large section of URLs. Just a few choice URLs—go the the main site and see what's there for you: Psychology from undergranduate work to becoming licensed to practice The Ethics of Psychological Testing
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

This article is especially good: The author speaks of bridging the chasm between rational/scientific thinking and New Age. She ended up changing careers as a result. Characterization of Quack Theories Constructing a Logical Argument
Forum: Destructive Churches

Any time I hear it mentioned outside of the domain of physics or any related discipline such as lasers or radiation, I smell a rat. Ive seen advertisements for quantum this, quantum that on fliers for shamanic stuff and even a Sufi conference. Most people dont know much about physics, and 'quantum' is now a word that has a vast, gooey mystique about it. If you utter the word '
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

This assertion that there is no right and wrong It is a distortion of Eastern teachings on nondual reality. Properly understood, there are three types of reality and they remain equally valid. * Conventional dualistic reality *Nondual reality *The level of skillful means in which someone who understands both levels of reality continues to function in society in a manner and does
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

'Creating Your Own Reality' This is a belief that will initially make people feel good, especially if inculcated in an exciting crowd setting. However, one may not even need to be in a group or influenced by a teacher. This notion has taken on a life of its own. If you hang around in certain social scenes, this 'create your own reality' is part of the soup of unex
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Cyberspace is like potato chips or ice cream, only worse. In the case of potato chips or the ice cream, you at least run out eventually. Not cyberspace. Its boundless. So good luck finding your personal off switch..and thanks for helping out around here. C
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

See if this article rings any bells. The person who wrote it was dealing with problems that come up with certain kinds of problematic personalities in high school settings. What follows is a small selection. Quote The charismatic teacher (the ‘Pied-Piper”) is one of the most difficult situations for a Principal to deal with. A charismatic teacher will de
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

(note: Am not currently moderator. Retired a year ago) Very informative article that can be read, here: What follows is a small selection to. The entire thing is an eye opener. Quote The Charismatic Teacher by Paul Shaviv The charismatic teacher (the ‘Pied-Piper”) is one of the most difficult situations for a Principal to deal with. A charismatic teacher
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

**Note I am not at this time one of the moderators..I retired from the job last year but the title still shows up on my posts. To the current moderators..thanks for all your hard work.) (Reader Michael Hopkins shares this with us. He was not raised as an Indigo, but had been brought up to believe he had psychic capacities.) 'I grew up in a house where people claimed to see disembodied
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Did Carlos Santana Require Employee to Change 'Evil Ways'? Mike McKee The Recorder April 5, 2006 'A ruling in The New Santana Band v. Kuhlman, A111428, is due any day. The case was argued before the 1st District on March 23.' This will an interesting case to monitor. The discussion on the David Hawkins thread brings to mind this pending lawsuit in relation t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

full article cited here: (quote) '…these were not and still are not just ordinary schools. Once based in north London and Kensington, they were founded by the School of Economic Science, a little-known organisation, described by its proponents as an educational charity, and by its detractors, as a cult. The school uses a mixture of eastern and western scriptures as part
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This is speculative but see if it applies to your situation: Another tip--based on what others have reported here on the message board: In addition to the advice offered by nettie and Sonnie (no contact for 3 months and then a firm requirement that all conversation is strictly social with no agenda related to the organization)-- Beware of sharing any of your personal hardships or vulnera
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

(Bonnie offered some observations about the social scene in Sedona (and by extension other places like it—readers are invited to fill in the blanks): Quote Sadness is politically incorrect. Anger is very, very politically incorrect. These are negative emotions which will result in drawing in bad events by creating an energy vortex. Another risk factor is being socialized to consid
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This first one is a checklist of manifestations of repressed anger. It may be an interesting read for those persons who have been in groups that repress anger and other forms of 'negativity'. This article is one writer's view on the very early stages in which a partnered relationship is allowed to unravel. One begins by with-holding and segregating a portion of one's
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

This is from a survival guide website for persons affected by infidelity. But this anger checklist seems applicable to persons who have been in abusive organizations, too. It may be especially interesting reading for persons who have been in organizations that teach people to repress anger and other manifestations of 'negativity'.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A conscientious journalist and/or artist can give a convincing depiction of a situation without having personally participated. Tolstoy himself did participate in any battles of the Napoleonic invasion of Russia, yet did a remarkable job evoking the entire period in his novel, War and Peace. The artist who designed the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC was not a combat veteran and had never l
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Lawsuit claims Santana and his wife asked worker to "calibrate consciousness" read the rest here:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

(excerpt) 'Although we can never decipher everything that lurks in the minds our offspring, we must be alert to any tell-tale signs of extremism. If my son, for instance, were to display a sudden obsession with religion to the exclusion of almost everything else that used to interest him, I would be concerned. If he were to turn his back on his multicultural friends and started associatin
Forum: Terrorist and Extremist Groups

It is ultimately impossible to know what someone's intentions are. The best use of our time and energy is to study this information compare it with what you've observed of a group or relationship that concerns you and draw your own conclusions.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

IMO cults are like Roach Motels. Once you check in, you cannot check out. In a healthy, group or relationship people are upfront about their hopes, dreams and values. In relation to such a group or relationship a decision to leave can be sad and quite painful, but you can leave without feeling damaged, not feel afraid and depart with your dignity intact. And...(very important) you can still r
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

someone told me about a parade that happens every April Fool day in their city. It is sponsored by something called The First Church of the Last Laugh. The mission is to be ridiculous in public. Anyone can join. One parade participant decided to be stupid in public by looking for Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. And there's no way, anyone can make a mistake or
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

'mdinov's advice is excellent! If you are a yoga teacher, hair stylist, physical trainer, interior decorator, real estate agent, or work on people's fingernails, you're in a position of trust. Anyone in these occupations is a high-value chess piece for someone who is recruiting on behalf of a spiritual or human potential entrepreneur. Someone who works at a nearby nai
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Persons who are trying to make sense of their time in a Fourth Way group may be interested in a new book by Gary Lachman entitled 'In Search of PD Ouspensky' Lachman spent some time studying Fourth Way, then decided to leave. He was 'inside' just long enough to get exposure, but left before becoming trapped and converted into psychic property of the Fourth Way and its
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

You mention having clients... if you're a health care professional, a teacher, an attorney or a mental health professional, it may actually be against the codes of ethics that govern your profession to invite clients to get involved with a human potential project or religion- even when you're sincerely convinced that you have benefitted. Depending on the nature of your profession
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Human minds are housed in hardware--that is, physical bodies. A speculation: Computers often crash when their physical components overheat. The adult level of mind that supports tolerance for ambiguity, humor, empathy and critical thinking can be disrupted if one is subjected to disruption of daily routine, runs short on sleep, ridiculed or sees others ridiculed in public, encounters
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

only works if they're capable of listening and respecting your concerns even if you do not share their belief system. The problems reported most frequently on the RR.com board are from partners and roomates dealing with someone who has returned 'high' and indoctrinated from mass marathon trainings, who proslytizes aggressively, becomes rude and aggressive when people refuse to j
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"