This is interesting. I've noticed that this is one of the most significant personality changes on my side that I've experienced as a result of the group I was in (led by Rama/Frederick Lenz). Lenz used laughter and humor in his talks a lot. Although he could definitely be extraordinarily funny, I also have come to recognize that he was using humor as a way to control people too. As such
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is a new podcast available about Rama/Lenz that can be found here: Smoke Screen: I Am Rama, The Mystery of New Age Spiritual Teacher: Frederick Lenz | Starting 6/22 The podcast is in a series of 10 episodes, of which only 3 have been seen so far, so it remains to be seen what it will look like when it is all done. However I listened to the first 3 episodes, and I liked what I heard. M
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

In a different thread, not moses introduced readers to the Pair a Docks blog and wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > https://pairadocks.blogspot.com/2021/04/leaving-cult-may-not-go-well-if-one-is.html Thanks for these postings. I notice that there are quite a number of relevant blog posts at the "Pair A Docks" blog which I'm very glad to have be
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

not moses Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > https://pairadocks.blogspot.com/2021/04/leaving-cult-may-not-go-well-if-one-is.html Thanks for these postings. I notice that there are quite a number of relevant blog posts at the "Pair A Docks" blog which I'm very glad to have been introduced to via your posts here. Another interesting "Pair a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It looks like police divers finally solved the case of the disappearance of Frederick Lenz disciple Brenda Kerber, who disappeared back in 1989. There is already a news article on this site about it, see: Remains of Brenda Kerber found Brenda's remains were found, 31 years after her death, in a car underwater in a New York State reservoir. Her disappearance, as noted only recently solv
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As soon as the pandemic permits us to socialize in groups, expect occult Lenzian recruitment to begin again. Classic method is well designed posters appearing on trees, phone poles, walls in affluent areas where students and young professionals congregate. Lenzianism is a mush mix (what sociologists and anthropologists call a bricolage) of Hinduism Lite Buddhism Lite martial arts, twaddle a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

At this point, am convinced any time someone offers a 'free meditation class' do an in depth internet search with a devil's advocate mentality because so often these classes are used to fish for potential recruits. As the dope addicts used to say, the first one is a always free. People who fish will throw some bait into the water just to attract fish - a practice called "
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi again, I think that this group may be led by followers of Frederick Lenz (Rama). The leader of the group calls himself Samvara. Does anyone know him, maybe as a fellow Lenz follower from the 1990s?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The FACT oeganization has a report about this very group. Nicole Grace University of Mysticism, Satori, Like Swans. This message board has a discussion thread about this group, which started from an inquiry made by a worried friend.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Renee Linnell has published a memoir, The Burn Zone. Linnell did not identify the cult, (woman led), giving it the name "University of Mysticism." The leader, whom Linnell names 'Lakshmi', wore a business suit and high heels when giving the intro meditation course that sparked Linnell's interest. Linnell was successful, superbly educated, plenty of friends.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Cultic Gurus Using Their Laughing Audience For Social Control "People don't remember what you say, they do remember how you make them feel" - advice getting along in life. "Feelings, they're just feelings..." Popular song. We need to examine the use and abuse of laughter and giggling by gurus. Years ago, there was a disastrously narcissistic man
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Leaders of polygamy cults Charles Manson Keith Raineire (NXIVM) - currently on trial Rajneesh Baba Muktananda Chogyam Trungpa Sakyong Mipham Sogyal Rinpoche Richard Baker Roshi Adi Dam (Da Free John) Frederick Lenz III Yogi Bhajan (3HO Yogi Tea, Kundalini Yoga, fake non Punjabi 'Sikhs') Friends, have you noticed, that male spiritual teachers, when out of control, show thes
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteKoudelka September 23, 2008 at 1:09 pm | Permalink >>mumon I used to work at a software company who's founder disappeared after being involved in Rama's shit. That whole page of LOOK AT OUR SUPPORTERS AND FOUNDERS is a fucking joke. It's the belief in authority out the wazoo. QuoteMumon September 23, 2008 at 12:45 pm | Permalink “The Big Mind program is mad
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteKoudelka September 23, 2008 at 1:09 pm | Permalink >>mumon I used to work at a software company who's founder disappeared after being involved in Rama's shit. That whole page of LOOK AT OUR SUPPORTERS AND FOUNDERS is a fucking joke. It's the belief in authority out the wazoo. QuoteMumon September 23, 2008 at 12:45 pm | Permalink “The Big Mind program is mad
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteKoudelka September 23, 2008 at 1:09 pm | Permalink >>mumon I used to work at a software company who's founder disappeared after being involved in Rama's shit. That whole page of LOOK AT OUR SUPPORTERS AND FOUNDERS is a fucking joke. It's the belief in authority out the wazoo. QuoteMumon September 23, 2008 at 12:45 pm | Permalink “The Big Mind program is mad
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

One theme that comes up with Lenz related stuff is the claim that Lenz (Rama) was surrounded by "golden light". A Lenz front group may present with a facade of Vajrayana Tantric Buddhism, martial arts, professional development and female empowerment. And always, recruitment of persons who already have high incomes and or excellent social and professional ties in technology, engin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Why I Gave Up Everything and Joined a New Age Cult Renee Linnell - "The Burn Zone" QuoteIn June of 2006 near her home in Southern California, she walked into a meditation seminar expecting to hear the calming voice of an older woman wearing a white robe and sandals. Instead, the speaker was a young, striking woman dressed in an expensive black business suit paired with
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Cultic Gurus Using Their Laughing Audience For Social Control "People don't remember what you say, they do remember how you make them feel" - advice getting along in life. "Feelings, they're just feelings..." Popular song. We need to examine the use and abuse of laughter and giggling by gurus. Years ago, there was a disastrously narcissistic man in o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Corboy proposes a specific diagnostic entity Guru Occupational Disease Cluste Predispositions * Inability to enjoy peer to peer adult relationships * Overriding need to control people and people's perceptions of self * Ambition * Inability to distinguish between clean money and dirty money * Family members who profit * Creation of glamorous backstory, stories may chan
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just to give a bit more information about what I recall from the group between about 1992 - 1998--since the press coverage doesn't tend to focus too much on that period. I suspect that any new recruiting drive will/is being modeled closely on what happened back in that era so it might be good for people to know what happened in that earlier era so they know what to avoid if they see a simil
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quote15th Annual Buddhist Festival in the Park June 2, 2018 11 am to 4:30 pm Colonel Summers Park SE 17th and Taylor St, Portland, Oregon Contact bpfportland@yahoo.com for more information. Coming years: June 1, 2019; June 6, 2020. Thursday, March 30, 2006 Letter to Tricycle Dear Tr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I get daily emails of Buddhist teachings from Tricycle.com and often see banner ads for the "teachings" of Frederick Lenz (Rama). When accessing their site right now on a regular computer (not a mobile device), I'm not seeing Lenz ads.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

How it starts: QuoteAt age 28, Michal had been in a few long-term relationships, but she always felt self-conscious about her body and about asking for what she wanted during sex. She’d also never had an orgasm. So even though she thought OM sounded weird, she went to a free OneTaste event one evening in late 2014 to see if it could help. She chatted with staffers who seemed open, ate th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

tantra scams Frederick Lenz aka Zen Master Rama Lenz claimed to teach female empowerment. In practice, this meant he required male followers to be celibate while Lenz had his pick of the female students. (Lenz committed suicide in 1998. His followers recruit for him to this day. Lenz was abusive of his followers, instilled fear of the outside world and made endless demands for m
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

corboy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > A former student of Lenz described how Lenz > encouraged male students to subscribe to this > exploitation website. > > > > > > > > Female empowerment - har. > > All it empowered was Lenz ego and his wealth. As the person who originally posted those messages ye
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If you go to a free meditation event, amuse yourself and see if music by Frederick Lenz, aka Zen Master Rama is used, and see if you are encouraged to listen to it and purchase it. The tip off that someone is into Lenz or a meditation event or retreat is actually a front for Freddie Lenz is a) the music - his music or perhaps music composed by his followers according to Lenz' specific
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I am a character reference for Nicole Grace, though I haven't been associated with her for at least a decade. It's just that I came here and see a lot of defamation going on. She and Scott, her bodyguard and longtime companion, got their black belts same place I went to school - at the World Seido Karate HQ in NYC on W 23rd Street. She and Scott in the same class. I was just starting ou
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

One very clever way for a free meditation group to be attractive -- and get you ever more involved with them it to create a "one stop shop" were the meditation group gives you access to a venue for great parties, yoga, martial arts, socializing, networking all in one place. All bundled together. If they also have a retreat center in the countryside, what could be better. Where it
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If someone gets hypnotized in less than two minutes at a hypnosis show, what could happen when you listen to a cult recruiter or leader speak for hours or days? QuoteThe excitement was palpable and the people were fascinating. Doctors, lawyers, businesspeople—they’d all inexplicably, and somewhat recently, decided to become computer programmers. As a senior in college, finishing off a questi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Rama Page QuoteSUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOWERS OF FREDERICK LENZ Followers of Frederick Lenz indignantly deny that they are the victims of thought reform, or that they are under mind control. Most of them probably don't know it, or realize it, and those that suspect it are taught to put it out of their minds. However, an observant interviewer will find num
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"