This is the most difficult area of all of these LGAT seminars. The LGAT gurus like James Ray know the PRECISE techniques to use extreme influence techniques on people, to get them to do what the Guru wants them to do, without them knowing it. Its called many things, one of the names is unconscious influence. At the most extreme levels its thought reform, mind control, and brainwashing. The LG
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Some here have taken some heat for being so BLUNT in the language they use. But blunt, direct, honest language is essential. These LGAT and cultish groups use language as a weapon, to gently and powerfully shape people's perceptions. To counteract that, can take a glass of cold water. This is why the LGAT Gurus like James Ray, and like Byron Katie, are so TERRIFIED of knowledge and cr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Some interesting comments on the article below. Notice that the James Ray seminar system copies many others. He has a $20,000 seminar package, with multiple events. Several big LGAT companies do that, as its a higher ticket item, with no refunds, and they have several seminars over a year or so to really brainwash the hell out of you and bilk you of more money at multiple locations. So its
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The idea should get out into the public that what James Ray was doing was not a "sweat lodge" and has nothing to do with actual sweat lodges. If anything, what he was doing is the precise opposite to a sweat lodge. And its not because James Ray is stupid. Its very obvious that he was using this "hot-house" as a method of doing extreme indoctrination on his followers. Th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Another thing that has become abundantly clear with James Arthur Ray, is the incredible influence and power he has over those who have attended many of his seminars. His "advanced students", as the lingo goes. Like most other LGAT seminars, the seminar guru makes his followers SWEAR TO SECRECY the things that go on behind closed doors in the seminar. They tell their followers this i
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This thread has a lot of information about the James Ray deaths and homicide investigations. James Ray Death Lodge These are all very similar LGAT seminars, PSI, James Arthur Ray, Landmark, Byron Katie, the list goes on and on. What is needed is some investigative news TV program, doing at least a 2 hour special, full of experts, carefully explaining how the LGAT seminar works. They don&
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

bump
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Another death is being reported at a James Ray LGAT seminar in a comment from the CBS news website. Notice the "field trips", sleep deprivation, food deprivation, breaking down people psychologically, acting "homeless", and other precise techniques also used at the Byron Katie LGAT seminars. Byron Katie and "The Work" Participant Reports Contrary to what o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Another death is being reported at a James Ray LGAT seminar in a comment from the CBS news website. Notice the "field trips", sleep deprivation, food deprivation, breaking down people psychologically, acting "homeless", and other precise techniques also used at the Byron Katie LGAT seminars. Byron Katie and "The Work" Participant Reports Contrary to what o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

swampseer: Your insight and analysis is very valuable and can help a lot of people. Even just having a rough idea of what goes on in these seminars can help people. This is why the LGAT Guru's are so hysterical about analysis of their methods of persuasion. They know that just being AWARE of the techniques, can ruin most of them. This is why they try to push people away from any knowledg
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Even worse, not only was there no building permit, the structure where people died was not inspected AFTER the deaths, according to the article below. So the New Wage LGAT seminar, can even kill people at the seminar, and nothing is done about it? Even if people die right at the seminar, then no one goes to jail? What about regulating the LGAT seminar for psychological damage which wrecks
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Its terribly unfortunate that the media hasn't picked up on the James Ray release form. How can a person say they are "shocked" about what happened, when they describe what will happen in their release everyone must sign? They even said at point 2), people may have been seriously injured doing the activities, and the medical attention may be required, but none will be given.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The technique of the Guru becoming "ONE" with the follower, is a very well studied and refined technique in influence and control. It is proven that a persons self-image, or self-concept is central to their psychological functioning. So the Guru's know that if they can insert the Guru or "Install The Guru" into people's minds, they can then have massive influence
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

What is sad and familiar about the James Ray Death Lodge is the fact that family members speaking out about those who died, are saying they were the sweetest and kindest people they knew. This is because these seminars target and exploit people who are inexperienced and more than a bit naive about these types of LGAT seminars, and don't consider that there are Guru's who will lie and
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

What is sad and familiar about the James Ray Death Lodge is the fact that family members speaking out about those who died, are saying they were the sweetest and kindest people they knew. This is because these seminars target and exploit people who are inexperienced and more than a bit naive about these types of LGAT seminars, and don't consider that there are Guru's who will lie and
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Landmark waiver. PSI seminars waiver THE SCHOOL FOR THE WORK WITH BYRON KATIE - RELEASE OF LIABILITY James Ray International: Waiver of Liability,Assumption of Risk, Indemnity Agreement and Disclaimer BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT YOU ARE WAIVING ALL RIGHTS TO COMPENSATION IN CASE OF INJURY.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

James Ray International: Waiver of Liability,Assumption of Risk, Indemnity Agreement and Disclaimer BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT YOU ARE WAIVING ALL RIGHTS TO COMPENSATION IN CASE OF INJURY. Landmark waiver. PSI seminars waiver THE SCHOOL FOR THE WORK WITH BYRON KATIE - RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Here is the "release" for the James Ray LGAT seminar. Notice their "death clause", and everything else that can happen to people. The James Ray LGAT is like Landmark, PSI, Byron Katie, and many others all at once. GENERAL EVENT RELEASE FORM We have provided a General Event Release Form in this guide that each attendee must sign, have witnessed and submit at registr
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

James Arthur Ray - 2 die at Arizona retreat's sweat lodge Notice the outrageous "waiver" from the James Ray LGAT seminar, and how similar it is to the Byron Katie LGAT seminar disclaimers. They also have a "death clause" for the seminar. The James Ray waiver explains many aspects of these damaging seminars, and their damaging results, as well as the Landmark waivers.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That is one of the most outrageous "releases" for an LGAT seminar ever seen. Notice the LGAT seminar structure is explained above, and they also have their "death clause" as well, even if its their fault! They say if they are negligent, then its your fault. Notice how the releases are very similar. THE SCHOOL FOR THE WORK WITH BYRON KATIE - RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is a book and a satirical movie coming out called "Men Who Stare At Goats". There was an interview with the writer of the book, British journalist Jon Ronson, where he said some special forces in the military experimented with using various New Age techniques in psy-ops, which were taken from various hippy-dippy cults of the 1960's. Amazingly, he mentioned a technique cal
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That is a really good point that needs repeating. Perpetrators, like adults who mistreat children, always use psychological manipulation against their victims. And if they ever get caught, the immediately jump to "forgive and forget" often using a religion. So that is also seen in the Byron Katie program as well, forgive and forget what she did, but with an added wrinkle. Use the Turn
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Byron Katie Newsletter, September 2009 Just shameless. They open the newsletter, calling people their dearest FAMILY. That is an emotional technique, obviously, part of the Love-Bombing. And targeting those who are idealists and have no training in how these LGAT seminars work. Anyone can see the LGAT techniques, even in the photos, where they have the entire room facing eachother in
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

That statement by Byron Katie "All sadness is a tantrum", says a lot. First off, she is always saying how nothing can be known. But all she ever does is make declarative statements, she promotes as "true". More importantly, "All sadness is a tantrum", is completely wrong. There is healthy sadness, and unhealthy extreme sadness like severe depression which nee
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Byron Katie July 22, 2009 Facilitator teleconference needs to be looked at much closer. As mentioned, there is some very disturbing material in it. But also, the rambling, confused speaking pattern, also gives some clues. Its her general strategy of inducing confusion in the listener, and that is a common pattern. And at the same time there is a confusing and rambling delivery, th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

How does Landmark know the suicide rates of those who attend Landmark? Actually, their disclaimer says... "In less than 1/1000 of 1% of participants, there have been reports of unexplained suicide or other destructive behavior." Less that 1/1000 of 1%. Are you kidding? That is another flagrant lie, and deliberate trick language. (they use the words "unexplained suicide&q
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

There is a recent book for professionals, that most libraries would have. Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Severe Mental Illness It even has a DVD, with role-play. This book shows how CBT, obviously has nothing to do with ridiculous things like The so-called Work of Byron Katie, who even says she does not do "psychology", obviously for reasons of covering their own ass. (they have
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

These LGAT seminars, have been deliberately and self-consciously deceiving people for decades, using every trick in the book. Even at the most basic level, they use all sorts of high-pressure sales techniques, which were designed by professional salespeople in the late 1970's, as ways to upsell people to take more seminars. Werner Erhard of EST and Landmark was the expert at that, and man
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It certainly is outrageous SGI propaganda and lies that those lazy "Americans" were not giving enough money. Its just another tactic meant to try to shame and guilt people into give more money to SGI-USA. SGI-USA is an unbelievable cash-machine. Who knows how many hundreds of millions they are collecting and leveraging in the US? They have been around since 1968 in the USA. Wh
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Again, just for comparison, other sects/cults can be searched for at this link. SGI-USA Soka University dwarfs all of them. Even the Carnegie Corporation only has about 2.6 billion. Also, it looks like many "churches" and "religious" orgs are coming up at ZERO assets and revenue, as they don't file 990 forms. Churches are not required to file the 990 Form. Wh
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families