Below is a letter I found on another message board that purports to be from Esther and Jerry Hicks, who are now distancing themselves from The Secret: ***** Dear Friends, Nearly two years ago, while on-board our Mexican Riviera Cruise, Prime Time Productions did an interview with Jerry and me, and with Abraham, in response to an agreement that we had all carefully crafted together for
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

The Landmark people I have known also use the following term/expression: Complete - as in "Are we complete?" after a conversation.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Does this John Galt have anything to do with Ayn Rand's famous book, Atlas Shrugged?
Forum: Destructive Churches

I think a lot of people in MLMs will recruit within their own religious groups. It doesn't matter what religion - I have seen this happen in both churches and ashrams. My fundamentalist Christian friend was selling Herbalife and is now selling Party Lites candles. I know someone else who is selling energy plans through Ignites and everyone except her is a religious Christian - her upline
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

Go to www.google.com , click on "images" and type in "mohan singh".
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Yes, it's a really good book. They also made a movie out of it, which I happen to have on VHS. The movie is not as good as the book, in my opinion. Do you have a specific question about it?
Forum: Destructive Churches

I agree completely with what you wrote, Gondolf. I don't have a problem with the teachings; it's the way the Law of Attraction is currently being marketed and sold.
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

Excellent and practical advice! I'm glad your situation got resolved. I also try to use email as much as possible so that I have a dated "paper trail" of work-related communication to fall back on. In situations that involve a verbal or phone conversation, I suggest sending a follow-up email saying something like, "Per our conversation this morning" or "per our p
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

QuotesametannerWhen I first read FreedomfromChains' comments, I was sorely tempted to respond - but I figured "Nah, not worth it!" Well, old son, now it's worth it. Freedom from Chains, I really don't care how well educated you are or think you are - your opinions are ignorant and arrogant. Just wait until it happens to you, and in one way or another, it will. You c
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

QuoteFreedom from ChainsQuoteGulab JamonQuoteFreedom from ChainsQuoteGulab JamonQuoteFreedom from Chains Well like P.T. Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute". And as Will Rogers said, "I'd rather be the one who bought the Brooklyn Bridge than the one who sold it." There's nothing wrong with having an open mind and a kind heart. It's the
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

QuoteFreedom from ChainsQuoteGulab JamonQuoteFreedom from Chains Well like P.T. Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute". And as Will Rogers said, "I'd rather be the one who bought the Brooklyn Bridge than the one who sold it." There's nothing wrong with having an open mind and a kind heart. It's the cult leaders who take advantage of other
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

QuoteFreedom from Chains Well like P.T. Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute". And as Will Rogers said, "I'd rather be the one who bought the Brooklyn Bridge than the one who sold it." There's nothing wrong with having an open mind and a kind heart. It's the cult leaders who take advantage of others who are the ones at fault, not the fol
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

Here's an article about a Christian MLM company that sells get-rich-quick seminars:
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

QuotedrivingthecarI take yoga classes and go to a free meditation at a local non-profit yoga center. I checked everywhere and nowhere is it listed as a cult (and it's been around for a while). Just because some cults use meditation techniques does not mean all meditation or yoga is an entry way to a cult or has no value. For example, just because some cults use the name of Jesus, this
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

Quotedharvey100 Yes, there are terrible ones out there that ruin it for all... um, hello Enron. Enron wasn't an MLM; not that I know of.
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

Quoteupsidedownnewspaper Does anybody know the inspirations behind the following portrayals of cults in movies and on tv? HOLY SMOKE You'd have to ask Jane Campion to know for sure, but it could really be any Indian guru: Osho/Rajneesh, Muktananda, Sachitananda, Sri Chimnoy, the Maharishi, to name a few. If you liked Holy Smoke, I would also recommend reading "S" by Jo
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

Great topic! I would recommend reading the book Holy Smoke if you liked the movie. If anything, the book shows the cult aspect better than the movie. Some more "cult" movies: The Apostle The Guru The Firm Devil's Advocate Saved! Rosemary's Baby Wicker Man (the original) The Believers (OK, it's a horror movie about santeria, but it kind of qualifies) Out
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

Quotepinemeadows I do believe in the Law of Attraction, but I sometimes wonder about the heavy marketing that's part of the Hicks machine. I feel the same way.
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

What is "VD", besides venereal disease? It is unclear in this entire thread what is being referred to. Who are "VD" and "JG"?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here's another interesting perspective: and another:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Interesting. I'll have to forward that link to my friends who attend Gangaji's satsangs.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes, I am familiar with David Deida. I have a friend involved in his organization. I've attended a couple of his public talks, attended an introductory workshop by his followers, seen one of his videos and listened to some of his tapes. I tried to read one of his books and found it poorly written. I couldn't even get through it. But in person he is very dynamic and motivating. I real
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Reality Check, I am sorry you have to deal with the hard-sell from these nutters. Just to let you know, I saw "The Secret", and there is nothing in that movie that specifically comes out and says anything about deaths, rapes and car accidents. In fact, the "Secret" movie is rather vague: I think it's intended to pique people's curiosity without revealing too much
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

QuotecarlI looked it up... does anyone know if this is one of those triangle schemes? You mean pyramid schemes? Yes, it is.
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

I've never heard anyone refer to Baha'i as a cult before.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Beck is not your average high school dropout. His mom is a former actress and part of Andy Warhol's Factory crowd. He was around celebrities his whole life, and got his big break in the music industry while still a teen, thanks to his mother's connections.
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

Does this group have a name?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteelenaQuoteGulab Jamon I Sterling is a very comon word and is probably used by a lot of unrelated businesses. Do you think Artie Kasarjian was just looking for a common word when he changed his name to Justin Sterling? Ellen I have no idea. I've never heard of him before now. Maybe he just wanted something more Anglicized-sounding.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteelenaQuotegmanThanks for the info. I cannot find any link between Sterling Bank and Sterling Management Systems. But I'm still looking! -g I don't know that there's any connection between the bank and the Co$. Just a coincidence, most likely. Sterling Bank is a reputable company with no connection to Landmark. Sterling is a very comon word and is probably used by
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteBrad69 "Another thread on Rick Ross, at has some stuff from "The Secret", which reveals some of the beliefs these people work by. And this one too:
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes