Is Scientology a cult? Is the Pope a Catholic? Robin, for more on Scientology read the very extensive section dedicated to it on the Rick Ross website. Then, to see Scientology and Scientologists in action pay a visit to Xenu TV at Operation Clambake - The Inner Secrets of Scientology contains wonderful information on the cult at There is a brilliant article on that website, publish
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I have just spoken to a friend about Baruch Banai. The man has some interesting history. My friend did courses in about 1992/92 in Durban, South Africa, led by Banai. The name of the organisation presenting the courses? est! A number of others who were involved with est at that time have gone on to start other LGATs. The name Pat Grove came up. Grove, of course, is connected to Wendy an
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Thankful, You say: "the concept of brainwashing only makes sense if you want to be a victim". How uninformed are you? Do you know anything about bnrainwashing? Do you know who Robert Jay Lifton is? Do you know about his studies on brainwashing? Do you know that he did studies on captured POWs who underwent brainwashing? They must have wanted to be victims, accord
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

This makes my day! I was watching some stuff on Scientology today, including a radio interview with an OT 8. He couldn't even answer simple questions. On Xenu TV, I have witnessed another OT 8 in action. Both these men were pathetic human beings. And they're meant to be at the very top of the organisation! As for Scientology's claims that it is a religion... What a joke!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A quote from SaneAgain: On one of the courses, everyone was asked who they thought was 'the most powerful person" in the world - anyone from politics to fiction to whatever. Almost everyone who'd done inquest chose Wendy (trainer quoted above in red). And when asked why, the answers were things like "love" and "integrity". And these pe
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

The point I have been trying to make about LGATs is reflected in SaneAgain's descriptions above. That is that FEAR is instilled in course-goers. To quote: "I followed every rule for fear of getting my angel into trouble." There are so many more fears instilled during courses, including: - Not getting it and making whatever great step is claimed. - Not getting it
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

An interesting quote I found: “You cut them off from their support systems. You cut them off from church, friends, community, family. You isolate someone where they rely on the abuser for all the things, and so they become extremely dependent on that person, and then there is a natural tendency to try to please the power figure and if somebody sets themselves up as the power figure, you start
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It seems to me that the foremost claim LGATs make is that they teach people how to empower themselves. Nothing could be further from the truth! People attending a course for the first time might have a reason or two for doing so - obstacles or opposition that they perceive in their lives - and they hope to find ways to overcome them. Those who have attended a course - and especially thos
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

To add something else to this: Did all of us "omnipotent" people - "at cause" and controlling the world - happen to choose the same things at once, and view them as part of the world we created? We create our own realities, don't we? :shock: Are we all at exactly the same point of taking charge of our worlds, so that the world we experience is one
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Here are two stories that I picked up from these boards and elsewhere that show how ridiculous someone being "at cause" of everything is. That thinking would say that we create our own worlds, we are responsible for what happens in our lives, and we, at all times, have choices to change these things. The first story goes that when JFK was assassinated, he had a choice, whe
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi Steve, I think an important question to ask is this: Has your wife turned to you because her failed relationship and pregnancy has left her feeling she has nowhere else to turn, or has she looked at the failures in her life and identified the PSI way as the reason for them? Has she asked, regarding PSI: "How is this working for me?" and then answered the question truthfully.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi SaneAgain, Firstly, it is a pity more South Africans have not discovered this website because it is the best there is on the subject of cults, LGATs and the like. Secondly, there is a problem in SA with this so-called self-help industry. As it is almost everywhere in the world, the self-help industry in South Africa is unregulated; anyone can become a life coach, spiritual teacher or wha
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi SaneAgain, Many years ago, I was invited to an introduction for Quest in Johannesburg. Thankfully, I never signed up to do it, although a lot of pressure was put on me to do so, including many phone calls. Having witnessed what Buster Sefor had to say then, and having spoken to people who did his courses, as well as having read up an incredible amount through this website and books, I am
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Dan Millman is a respected writer in these kinds of circles. He has a number of bestselling books. I thought his take on The Secret, from his blog might be of interest. QuoteMy Thoughts about “The Secret” Thursday January 04th 2007, 1:58 pm Filed under: Dan's Posts Some weeks ago, a young man wrote to us, declaring, “In six months I’m going to have three million dollars, the woman of
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

I read a very sad story a little while ago. It was about a woman who had cancer but chose to heal it by positive thought. Even as the disease took a greater and greater toll on her, she refused any treatment because that would be taking a negative view of her position. Her decision to stick to positive thought failed. She died from the cancer. Life is all about balance. Focusing on the positiv
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

It is good that you have studied up on MLMs. I think that the problem with them often lies at the top where the leaders sell a rose-colored picture of the possibilities of what can be achieved. Often, the story they sell doesn't reflect the hard reality of the work needed to make a success of an MLM. Unfortunately, too, for every person that succeeds, many more will fail. That is
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

Jami777 Thank you for sharing your story. You have taken the first step to helping others by posting it. The more resources on the Internet detailing what this group does, the greater the chance is that you will help others. For the sake of educating yourself, you might find some interesting information on the Mankind Project thread, which is very similar to Sterling, at Included on
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Great news! And many thanks to the EFF for standing up for the person who posted the documentary, which for many people has proved really eye-opening. For future video posters, Caligari's information could very useful: QuoteIn the last part of the interview with Jason Schultz at EFF talks about the Landmark Education case and how a new blogger can respond to DMCA notices: or
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I find it interesting that Doctor Matthias Rath is quoted by cultreporter above. Now, I don't know much about all the stuff written here, but seeing Rath's name there rang a bell. He has been an active and controversial figure in South Africa in the fight against AIDS. I found a few articles on him from the Treatment Action Campaign, which campaigns for the rights of people with HIV/
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

What great news! I cannot wait for this. A network expose during Sweeps Week suggests a very explosive show. Add to that the France 3 documentary, Landmark's Internet battle with the EFF, and the Department of Labor's investigation and, I would suggest, that big cracks are starting to appear. This could be what so many of us have hoped for. And if Landmark takes a battering from t
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

There was a story in my country, South Africa, recently that blew me away. A pathologist put the cause of death of a person as AIDS. Now, he has been charged and slapped with a law suit for doing that. Not allowed! It's taboo.Yet everyone knows the the problem is huge. But no one wants to admit it. I couldn't believe it. Nathan's approach to TFI, and his insistence on not rea
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Laura, Thanks for posting here. The cause of the tragedy in your life seems all too clear. Looking at it from the outside, it appears that James might have 'snapped'. The book "Snapping - America's Epidemic of Sudden Personality Change" by Flo Conway and Jim Siegelman maps out very well what the stresses of LGATs can do to people, leading to them snapping. And th
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

NathanA wrote: QuoteIf someone writes a book about someone you trust and love that says they are abusive, you wouldn't buy that book because you wouldn't want to feed into a lie. Rather you'd defend that person you trust. However, if I am convinced there may be truth in what the book says, I'd be at peace with reading it. Nathan, I've been following this thread for qui
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Today, speaking to someone who lives in France, I learnt that Landmark has left France, Belgium, Sweden, and Switzerland! He says he'll try to find out more for me about the details in these cases, although language is obviously a problem. It would be good to find out more info that can be posted in English. The more examples of countries giving this bunch the boot, the better it i
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Congratulations for having the courage to speak up about PSI, and for having the courage to examine what happened. Many people are too embarrassed to take a good look at what happened when they start realizing what these LGATs are really about and it keeps them stuck in a destructive life pattern. I hope that your post will help you on your way to healing yourself. I think it is importa
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Just something I found off "The Awareness Page" at Hoffman Quadrinity Process Founder: Bob Hoffman Also involved is Charles (Raz) Ingrasci (est/Lifespring) -- I am not sure how old that info is, but considering the groups Ingrasci was involved with, be very careful with this. As you said, it sounds LGAT-ish. There is a website for 'The Hoffman Institute" at
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I found this on alt.fan.landmark... What a funny article: and now there's a funny post now that he's resigned WHAT SHOULD RUMSFELD DO NOW? one of the poll options is, take more courses from Werner Erhard, ha ha ha It all stems from his weird jargon at a press conference, which sounds JUST LIKE Landmark/EST/WEA jargon: "As we know, There are known k
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Congratulations Judy and Jim. I took a thorough look at your website a while back and I commend you for standing by your convictions and the truth. Not only is this a victory for you, but a victory for many who have been the victims of cults. I hope your example will provide the courage for others to stand up against similar destructive groups. May the truth about these groups continue t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here is the link to the thread on The Gentle Wind Project: The statement at certainly makes for very interesting reading. Isn't the power of the Internet amazing? Keep the info coming, and Anticult, thanks for the links.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

The Anticult wrote: QuoteMaybe once this is resolved, then whoever posted that video on YouTube will be able to go public, if he/she wants to. They are a HERO for freedom of speech on the internet, and they are being harrassed by Landmark, and at least they have the EFF to help them. This person would indeed be a hero, but perhaps that is the whole point of it all. Going public would ruin the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"