Corboy, I have found that most people don't want to question things; they want to follow along with whatever is the hot new thing (not that meditation or yoga are "new"). People in the west are stressed and using more anti-depressants than ever, so they're eager for solutions that could help them cope. On the surface it makes sense to try something like meditation as a "s
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

corboy, I used to know someone who was (and probably still is) a New Age counsellor and author. The difference between her public image and what was actually happening in her life was huge.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Oops! Corboy, picture me blushing. You're right; it was a typo. What makes this all the more embarrassing is that I looked it up online because I couldn't remember how it was spelled. It's hot and humid where I live and without an air conditioner it's been hard to sleep through the night. Same with staying awake during the day. But enough of that. Thank you for the links.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It's important to observe what happens during sessions and to be careful. During the very few NKT meetings I attended none of my questions were answered to my satisfaction by the monk. By the way, he was the perfect pin up boy for their brand of Buddhism. A former football player and party animal with a business background, he was always smiling and telling stories about his youth as a wa
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Lorin Roche's website features interesting insights regarding the dangers of meditation. An excerpt from his site: QuoteThere is a weird set of problems here, having to do with the meditation traditions themselves, and what a good job they have done of preserving the teachings that were given in 100 BC, 500 BC, 100 AD, 1300 AD, and so on. Almost all teachings on meditation are slan
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm glad this thread was started as there is very little available about the possible dangers of meditation. If anything, it is being promoted as being some sort of magical "cure" for a lengthy list of ailments and life situations. The first time I came across information suggesting that meditation wasn't for everyone was in Jewish Meditation by Aryeh Kaplan. On page 58 he
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"