A surprising amount of New Age anti intellectualism, especially if one moves around in yoga circles, originated with a movement termed Hindu Renaissance/Hindu Reform. It sought to reconcile Hinduism with inherant dignity of the human person and tried to revive Hinduism in a way that would break the power of the Brahmin caste holders and support young Indians in thier attempts to gain western e
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Information about an SES academy called St Vedast, now called St James (why the name change?)
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Information (2004) about an SES academy called St Vedast
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Information about the background Read Secret Cult a book by Peter Hounam and Andrew Hogg (google it) Joyce Colin-Smith in her memoir Call No Man Master, describes her involvement with Ouspensky's group in London and follows the events after Ouspensky's death, when McLaren and Roles met Maharishi. They hoped MMY's alledged knowledge of Hinduism would lead them to the source
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Information about the background Read Secret Cult a book by Peter Hounam and Andrew Hogg (google it) Joyce Colin-Smith in her memoir Call No Man Master, describes her involvement with Ouspensky's group in London and follows the events after Ouspensky's death, when McLaren and Roles met Maharishi. They hoped MMY's alledged knowledge of Hinduism would lead them to the source of
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

An interesting and very thought provoking discussion thread here.
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

It can probably used by telemarketer types over the phone, as well. I had a run in with someone who tried to sell me a new (and of course more expensive version) of something I currently use. I said no, I was happy with what I had and had no desire to change it. I thought the telemarketer would leave me alone--I thought I was doing the kind thing by letting the guy know I was a waste of hi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Continuing Education Module--Two Articles There are times when making a single commitment is innocuous or even part of a genuinely beneficial experience. Or that first commitment, seemingly simple, is a first step into what later becomes a degrading, expensive and enslaving, betrayal ridden mess. How do we tell the difference? It may be that seemingly minor first commitment is harmles
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I will add this to Sunny's contributions: I have lived in an area with many Punjabi Sikhs and and also have seen 3HO members. As an observer, long before I learned anything about 3HO I noticed a distinct difference between the two groups: At no time did I see adult Sikh women wearing turbans. By contrast, the 3HO ladies wear a peculiar cylindrical turban--Ive even seen one member o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here are some URLs about Lafayette Morehouse in litigation that did became a matter of public record. (Note: Lafayette Morehouse should not be confused with a quite different institute of learning, Morehouse College. )) A nine page article, including 'factual and procedural' background from the website for National Association of Personal Injury Lawyers Quote"Lafayette
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hmm. This is where things get complicated. Theosophy, by itself, may not necessarily indicate that something funky is going on. What may be helpful is a concept, described by sociologist, Philip Jenkins, termed 'cultic milieu'--a social venue of alternatives to the mainstream, that is not itself cultic, but can sometimes serve to attract persons who are a little too willing to ta
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

An item about Baranco--interesting background for a founder of a university. THE BIRTH AND DEATH OF NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS Benjamin Zablocki . QuoteVictor Baranco was born in California in 1934. In 1969, he founded the More Institute. In an interview done at that time, he said the following: I am 34 years old. I have done everything there is to do. I have been a maitre d’ in a f
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The thing to do is get a copy of One Taste's event fliers (and study their website) and look at the kinds of events they sponsor. And Google the names of the various teachers who give the classes and also the names of the groups and teachers advertised in the workshops. That can give a 'taste' of what a group's priorities are.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Remember, all of you who are bullying on behalf of Diamond Way, whether doing it politely as Simon is doing and nastily as the people on Wiki are doing... this could be a way that Diamond Way is implanting shame so that you will be less likely to ever question an organization that led you to dirty yourselves this way. Trolling as shame implantation. It could be a form of thought and emotion
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dear Frayed, keep an eye on the money for a long time. PSI may find ways to pursue her. One thing that is awful about having dumped $3000 on something is you feel desperate to justify to yourself that this was worth it, because otherwise, you're in the ghastly position of feeling betrayed, fiscally raped, etc. The psychologists call this cognitive dissonance. Love her, do NOT unde
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Keywords Pope Valley California Sheikh Sidi Muhammad Al-Jamal Update: Quote Most of Latif’s Upper West Side group regularly attended a Sufi retreat in Pope Valley, California, where the beloveds would meet with their grand sheikh, Sidi Muhammad Al-Jamal, a Palestinian cleric who died in November at 80. This is where Bolinder and other members took their “Sufi promise,” a pledge of all
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

For someone who has just recently found this thread, sam108 shows a suspiciously high degree of rhetorical sophistication. There are precedents for groups coaching members to show up and provide an oppressive atmosphere on a thread. In the comments section, following this article that has the title, Book Review. The Relaxation Response by Herbert Benson M.D. with Miriam Z. Klipp
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Frayed, if you're not yet married, dont marry just yet. You will become responsible for any debts she incurs by maxing out her card. If you *already* share any bank or credit accounts, make sure it isnt cleaned out --or maxed out---when your back is turned. If any charges have been made that you dont approve of, there may still be time to phone to credit company if the card is a jointl
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Here is a way to get an outside perspective: HH Dalai Lama gave a two day lecture on one of Tsonkapa's texts. QuoteTeaching in San Francisco, California, U.S.A. on April 27 & 28: His Holiness will give a teaching on Je Tsongkhapa's In Praise of Dependent Origination (tendrel toepa) at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium organized by the Gyuto Vajrayana Center in San Jose, Califor
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

E-sangha may be accessed here: ? The site can be also searched for information, in case others have already put up information on a matter or group that interests you. As on RR.com, for E-sangha The search slot is to the right of the screen. It is best to do a search and read as much as possible before considering whether to post. Many of your questions may already have an answer, thank
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Macdonalds has thousands of franchises all over the world, but that ubiquity does not by itself doenst prove that a steady diet of Micky D is good for one's health.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Turnaround Technique...Bullying on Steriods This sort of turnaround technqiue ('get over it' or 'you are too sensitive') lets bullies off the hook and enables them to pathologize the very people whose hearts and toes the bully has stomped on. **This 'turnaround technique' will not wound an adversary who is also a self involved bully. It will only wound some
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Dear interestingtonote: Alexander Berzin's book, Relating to a Spiritual Teacher, was written to serve the needs of persons in your situation. He also has a website that may enable you to see the differences between authentic Tibetan Buddhism and situations that actually depart from the precepts. A good test is to see if a book or method draws attention to the personality of the teach
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Outsider wrote: Quoteand the practices encouraged and fostered always require you move to the next step through a retreat or intensive course. Alexander Berzin has this to say: Quote"Although participation in group recitation of monastic rituals involves meditation, most Tibetan monks and nuns have additional daily practices which they do on their own. Their private practices usuall
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is no need to go tell Emma C to 'get the Sogyal thread moving', as she does not report ever having been involved with Sogyal/Rigpa. The football hooligans are a forthright and honest bunch compared with what we have seen of DW and NKT on the RR.com mesage board. Persons who decide to gang up and defend the honor of their team with fists and boots know the risks they will in
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you, interestingnote. Also, just to keep things clear, this discussion thread has to do with NKT, NOT with other troubled groups, such as Sogyals. Likewise, the Ole thread has to do with discussions of the Diamond way, not with Sogyal. It does not mean that Leader A's problems with money sex and power are less important and matter less than Leader B's misuse of money sex
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Actually all this was from John Knapp's article--he served hard time in TM--Maharishi M Yogi's outfit. People who have been through Siddha Yoga have noted similar mood altering effects, to the point where some use an addiction model to make sense of what they've been through.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Classic Hindu Cult Speak: "if u wanna know about Sadhguru, this logical mind never helps to receive him... if u r having enough Dare or willingness to touch him, just ping the any of the following links here... " The sadguru wouldnt have become rich and famous and started an ashram in the US if he'd not hired publicity people expert at logical thinking and capable of cre
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

'mysticjaw' wrote: Quoteyou cannot win against them in their own territory. That is the heart of the matter. That is why they want you to go to these LGAT deals, do not want you to know ahead of time, what will happen and insist on doing this stuff in a controlled environment, often with its own special jargon. You are entering territory where you are set up to become disorient
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

There is also information about the Apostles of Infinite love in a book on Catholic traditionalist movements. It carries up to the late 1990s. I think he interviewed a number of key individuals. The book is 'The Smoke of Satan' and is written by sociologist Michael Cuneo. The book and bibliography go up to Professor Cuneo's contact information is available here. There is
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"