Hi vlinden, I am breaking my own rule for myself, as I don't want to distract this thread, or any thread by going off-topic. Someone would have to make a new thread in the context of cult-abuse to explore the subject of the "paranormal" and cults. It also does not appear that selling Supernatural Powers is part of the Byron Katie salespitch, maybe she gets into it later, they
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

ok, just for my own dis-entertainment, I just read a bunch more Byron Katie interviews and writings. This woman is NOT "crazy". She is a highly-manipulative, highly-savvy, highly-aggressive. She admits she has always been great at making lots of money, and also controlling people, even controlling them from her bedroom over the phone! I believe she could sit in her bedroom, and con
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It sounds like Byron Katie is also using techniques from NLP, one called Matching-Mirroring to gain Rapport, which gives the illusion of being able to "read" someone's thoughts and feelings. Notice that when BK turned off her technique, the feelings went away? That sounds like NLP based hypnotic induction. Also, she sounds skilled at doing Cold Reading. As far as the ESP
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

By the way, if one looks down the Google search list for The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan from above, around #12 and #17, there are torrent audiobook entries on Mininova and Piratebay, but they are different in size. The smaller one might be the shorter version? I listened to the audio cassette recording from when it came out, and its Carl Sagan himself reading the book in his unique styl
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

yeah, that steps away from Byron Katie Inc, and even outside the issues of LGAT and cults. There have been other threads on these issues. Jamed Randi I am going to stick to BK...she's a real Whopper of a topic as it is...
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi vlinden, I don't want to take the thread off-topic about Kundalini, so I'll just make a quick clarification. In the context of cults, I have seen Kundalini constantly abused for 1) pretending to have Supernatural Powers like Sri Chinmoy. (fraud and lies) 2) sex, an excuse to have sex with young acolytes of either gender. So Kundalini in the context of cults is constantly abu
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

for anyone left wondering about the true "intent" of Byron Katie & Co, one key point is completely revealing. Most of these LGAT's use 'volunteers' as free labor at their seminars. Why? To save money! Why hire a staff, when you can get acolytes to work for free 18 hrs a day? (no overtime, no taxes, no insurance, no nothing). But even that level of exploitation i
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

by the way, what are prices for this School, and her other seminars? It seems to be listed at about $5,000 for... April 4 - 13, 2008 The School for The Work Los Angeles. Plus of course, they hit people up for possibly thousands more in sales of DVD's and other materials, they probably have "coaching contracts" and everything else under the sun. Am I right? Are my Psychic M
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

jj, we have all been there. And its possible to get out, and stay out. Byron Katie is very bad news. The deeper one looks, the more rats you see sneaking around. Its no accident they slam that legal disclaimer and waiver in front of people, and get people to SIGN IT without even reading it. Its all on file in their lawyers offices, and will be forever. She is doing the same thing as all these
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi vlinden, this is about the post above. I agree this stuff can be very complex and subtle. But on the other hand, by using basic techniques like the ones from Carl Sagan, we can cut through the BS pretty damn quick. CARL SAGAN'S BALONEY DETECTION KIT Carl Sagan gives the metaphor of buying a used car. Now, do you BELIEVE what the salesman is telling you on the used car lot, w
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

by the way, I just want to make clear, that I am in no way criticizing people for getting sucked into the Byron Katie vortex. That is the exact point I am making, that BK and her Crew are VERY CRAFTY people. They are running all of these covert techniques on people. And of course they target people who are good decent folks. So people get victimized by groups like the BK organization, and its no
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

jj: writing all that stuff out is going to help BIG TIME in dealing with it. It takes it out of the realm of confusion, and begins to put it back into context, that is into the context of...gimme a freaking break Byron Katie! Byron Katie might be a blend of crazy, and just crazy enough to make a ton of cash acting wacky. She seems to be just pitching a version of the old silly SOLIPSISM.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Zentient: Great points. I am in a rush, but we most certainly do NOT need to question ALL of our thoughts. That is just a crackpot technique from Byron Katie to destabilize your sense of Self. Its vicious. In cognitive therapy, we do question SOME of our thoughts, to see if they are really incorrect, etc. But its done in a moderate way,quite carefully. Even in Zen, you are not to question
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

more interesting all the time. by the way, as mentioned, since 'ralpher' did not 'commit' to the program 100%, then obviously 'ralpher' doesn't know what the program REALLY is about, right? If 'ralpher' is telling the truth, then ralpher is not qualified to comment on the Mind-Control aspects of it, on a personal level. (but its clear Ralpher is doi
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

whoops, my quote above should say.... "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is". (not isn't!) ------------ its true we can never really know if they really believe their own lies. Of course its always possible they are in their own little delusional world, and someone else is running the business, like a Svengali behind the scenes. Maybe Stephen Mitchell is run
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

jj, thx for the fascinating info. for what its worth, often just posting/writing can help a person get their own thoughts-voice back, over time. I think you are right on the money when you say Byron Katie gets people to doubt all of their own thinking, so then she can take over. Its very dangerous to start doubting all of your own thinking. What else do we have in life? I can't express
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

jj, thx for the great info. Even the 'outsider' perspective of someone like myself can have value, as I have not been sucked into the vortex of Byron Katie mind-distortion. I can look at it with fresh eyes, and when you do, its clear they are just running the same type of business operation as are hundreds of others. Its great you could see how hubby Stephen Mitchell is also an e
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It just occurred to me to wonder about the origin of the phrase "crazy like a fox". It seems that even in ancient times, people noticed that certain people seemed to act "crazy" yet somehow came away with the chickens! So even in ancient times, people noticed that some folks pretended to be a bit "crazy" but were actually very crafty and smart, like a fox, who out
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Here is the direct link to the other Byron Katie thread. Byron Katie (the Work) and Eckhart Tolle Legit?? and here is a search of this forum for Byron Katie to catch any other posts and threads. Thanks for bringing this thread up, as I had not seen it. The weird thing about these groups, is that even though the Leader may appear to be a flake, someone very very sane and savvy is r
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

These guys never provide any proof for anything...they are too smart for that. That could get them in trouble. What they do is tell vague STORIES. They all do the same thing. Eckhart Tolle: says he was miserable, then became Enlightened, so BUY his products to be Happy like him. Byron Katie: miserable and depressed, attained Enlightenment, BUY her stuff to be happy like she is now 24/7.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Ralpher has shown the logical-fallacies and methods of those who are shilling for Byron Katie. Ralpher is following the Byron Katie internet playbook, so it does show how they operate, so does that have some value? ----------------------- Looking more into Byron Katie, its actually more disturbing than at first glance. What moves her from simply a New Age money-maker into a type of culty-G
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here's the deal with Byron Katie. She is a businesswoman and entrepreneur, in partnership with the hubby co-writer. She is a very good salesperson, and manipulative persuader. She claims to have be suicidal for years, and then one day attained Enlightenment by her Magic Technique. that's her STORY. Her technique is exactly the false ideas being thrown around in this thread, based
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Our local Byron Katie promoter's comments about 'science' are totally false. One does wonder if that disinformation come right from Byron Katie herself? But the only thing our Byron Katie promoter said about the world of the New Age Teachers that I agree with was this... _________________________ 1. Keep the money you have. 2. Take others' away. ___________________
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

yes vlinden, all the analysis really comes down to basics. In terms of the Big Name New Agers, without exception its about the money. They may delude themselves on some-level, but most of them know what they are doing is a con-game. Its about the money. Money is very important, it pays their bills, mortgage, cars, trips, islands, planes, jewels... They freaking love that Big Easy Money.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Actually, that is Epistemology. It is correct that in philosophy of science nothing can be known to be 100% true with Certitude. But its false to say we can't verify, and only refute. That is a mental-con and false-statement. Is that from Byron Katie? Science is based on both falsification and verification. Einstein's Relativity has been VERIFIED thousands of times, and NEVER
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"