Worth checking out Phil's web site. "Dr. Phil McGraw has single-handedly galvanized millions of people to "get real" about their own behavior and create more positive lives." And check out what one of his sons is doing. Definitely fits the lgat pattern. Phil has an athletic coach motivational type style, designed to whip up the crowds, he uses all sorts of mani
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Quote In other words, you're making progress when power imbalances no longer feel thrilling but instead give you the creeps. What a wonderful statement! Summarizes my own process, I've been lately encouraging that feeling of creeped out-ness when I have it, encouraging myself to pay attention and listen, rather than do what I did in the past. In the past I would not listen to that, I&
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteYellowBeardIt's like if you're recovering from opium addiction, it's best to steer clear from groups of opium users who have left the den, because they're not recovered addicts, they just think they are since they've managed to pull themselves out of the den. They're still compulsively stuffing opium in their pipes, so they still have a serious problem. Excell
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'd not found anything really on google for Elizabeth Hamilton, finally today did a search on "Mother Hamilton" and found all sorts of info: Also very worth checking out this board themed on The Self Realization Fellowship, lots of discussion of abuses and cultic behaviors: "Open forum for the discussion of SRF (Mt.Washington - Los Angeles), it's practices
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Good to see this being discussed, reminds me of my own experiences. In the late 70s I worked at a health food store in Seattle. One of my co-workers raved often about a meditation group she was part of, she eventually convinced me to attend. The meetings were held in a luxurious home of one of the devotees. Leader of the group was named Elizabeth Hamilton, she claimed to be the only true devote
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I've learned through experience that unsafe groups and abusive relationships can be found most everywhere, including online. I've also been reminded that it isn't necessarily the philosophy or theme or focus of a group that will indicate possible trouble, it is the behavior. Even chat rooms, online gaming, and other endeavors can be problematic. People online can be manipulative,
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

Quotecorboyfellow named Andre van der Braak spent 11 years as disciple to guru described as harsh by many people. He describes all this in his memoir Enlightenment Blues:My Years With an American Guru According to van der Braak, at one point his Guru became pissed off at how ego fixated his disciples were, so he sent them off to do rebirthing sessions. I cant remember how many such sessions
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here is their site: They are the youth division of Clover Creek Bible Fellowship: They are also listed here as a church that provides "a special emphasis on Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance". I'll keep watch for further information, I live in the general area of the church, in western Washington.
Forum: Destructive Churches

I'm looking over his web site and I can provide some translations for Leonard-speak: "Leonard also plans visits to yogi masters in Badrinath and Bombay. There will probably be more events and excursions scheduled once we get to India. As always, traveling with Leonard is an adventure, not a packaged tour. Leonard moves according to his guidance and his program is flexible. However, t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I've been thinking over my past involvement with destructive groups, posted elsewhere about The Church of Immortal Conciousness, an Arizona based cult. One of the other groups I was part of was centered on Leonard Orr, a con man of the crazy guru variety. At the time, this the mid 80s or so, he was based at Campbell Hot Springs, near Truckee California, the closest small town being Sierravi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"What cult were you in and how did it affect your life? How did you cope after leaving and what advice or insights do you have for others?" I was a member of The Church of Immortal Conciousness, at that time of Mesa and Tonto Village Arizona. I count myself extremely fortunate and blessed that I managed to walk away. It is a very abusive, destructive group. I walked away, thinking
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

*Dangerous Convictions: Extremist Recruitment in America's Prisons* Decent article on the topic, also
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"Would you think this was farily commonplace in a prison environment, or should it be viewed as a red flag as a resurgence of interest?" I believe both options are accurate, prisons are a great place for recruitment, especially for hate groups, and I'd also view what you are experiencing as a resurgence of interest. You could contact the Law Center folks and talk with them, they
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"The Christian Identity religion asserts that whites, not Jews, are the true Israelites favored by God in the Bible. In most of its forms, Identity theology depicts Jews as biologically descended from Satan, while non-whites are seen as soulless "mud people" created with the other Biblical "beasts of the field." Christian Identity has its roots in a 19th-century English f
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is a fascinating two part article in The News Tribune newspaper of Tacoma Washington, run 7/18 and 7/19. The reporter Sean Robinson did an incredible job reporting in depth. Article concerns a cybercult/con run out of Shelton Washington by a woman named Shaini Goodwin. She claims that any who disagree with her are tools of the CIA and "other dark forces". She most likely is making
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"