Woody had some comments about the 'chocolate/vanilla exercise' QuoteThat exercise isn’t about ‘deciding’ or ‘choosing’ or ‘letting go’. We learn throughout our lives, from teaching and the things that happen to us or we do to others, that decisions should be made on understanding, knowledge and our own experien
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

A sociologist named Michael Cuneo wrote a survey of different Catholic groups, and has a chapter on SSPX. His book which is very readable, is entitled 'The Smoke of Satan'--you can probably find it on Amazon.com and there may be used copies available on abebooks.com and alibris.com, as well. Do some comparison pricing. If you google Dr. Cuneo, (I think he is on faculty at Fordham) th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

then find out which department in your state government is responsible for licensing and disciplining mental health professionals. Find out what kind of credential this therapist has and then which professional organization regulates this type of counselor in your state. For psychiatrists its the American Psychiatric Association For Psychologists its the American Psychological Associati
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

and see if its worth purchasing... Go to the bookstore at your local medical school and see if they have a copy--that way you can read enough to see if its worth purchasing. Often medical school bookstores have books that have not yet appeared in a med library's stacks. Sometimes a local psychoanalytic institute may have a library--call and see if an interested member of the general p
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If you have access to an up to date medical library with a good psychiatry section, take look at Dorpat's book 'Gaslighting, the Double Whammy, Interrogation, Other Methods of Covert Control in Psychotherapy and Analysis'. Dorpat took a good hard look at processes that could de-rail psychotherapy and turn it harmful rather than helpful. He admits that he unknowingly did some
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThat being said, someone with a personality disorder would, of course, have attendant challenges. . If you read through the messages on this board, some visitors report being harmed or who have seen loved ones harmed --and did not have any pre-existant personality disorders. Its normal to feel confused after one has been through an LGAT, feels great about it, then visits the RR.com s
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

If anyone is wondering how on earth a particular teacher seemed so utterly bewitching and influential, read the material here, then see if it rings any bells. Text of entire article can be read here (quote) 'If a person is unaware of being in trance, or is unfamiliar or unconvinced of the phenomenon of hypnotic enhancement of perception, fantasy and suggestibility, then that p
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

(quote) If a person is unaware of being in trance, or is unfamiliar or unconvinced of the phenomenon of hypnotic enhancement of perception, fantasy and suggestibility, then that person is likely to attribute the vividness and intensity of the trance experience to some special characteristic of the message and/or communicator. (Moderator note: social psychologists call this 'attributio
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

that applies, both to battering relationships and high-demand groups. Professor Janja Lalich, who was once a member of a political group centered on a charismatic leader, terms the process 'bounded choice.' Lalitch found that persons in these high demand groups usually remain highly intelligent, capable of rational, logical decisionmaking. But what happens in toxic relationship
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Some famous acting coaches and teachers use abusive methods to teach their students to weep. They may use intense, marathon group sessions, nag people to remember horrible things in their lives, yell at them until the student-victim breaks down and cries. Even excellent teachers may not realize they're being abusive--they'll often be from 'old style' backgrounds and assume
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

here are some speculations on what Sonnie describes, different models. See which one fits your situation: Inflicting shame by nagging people to feel responsible for things that are actually not within their control may take us back to the helplessness of childhood, induce regression. In a child's state of mind, we cannot access areas of adult logic. Its the same mechanism that causes eve
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Here is some stuff to read about Eckankar: I especially recommend the essay by Dodie Bellamy, who formerly believed in Eckankar. . Eckankar (and lots of other groups) value inner experiences of light and sound. But Lane reproted that with minimal prompting most people can be set up to have inner experiences. Lane has no pretensions to being a guru, and he found he could assist
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It is worth asking whether physical exhaustion plays an important role in determining when people leave or fall out of abusive situations. People's physical constitutions differ tremendously. Some people thrive on a high adrenaline lifestyle (think of border collies), others dislike high adrenaline, rapidly becoming exhausted (think of basset hounds, slow, steady, get the job done, but th
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

a man I knew went through a situation the opposite of Savernake's family. My pal X told me his mother was sadistic and whipped him brutally when he was a little boy. He told me he cried bitterly when his mother whipped him. Gradually, he realized his mother got a thrill by making him cry, that his suffering gratified her. So my friend discovered that the best way to make his mother sto
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

For further insights, take a look at this thread and see if any of the material rings a bell for you.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Humans have learned to manipulate and conceal emotion and have been doing this for centuries. I read somewhere that many gem dealers learned to wear dark glasses during transactions because they learned that if people desired an object, their pupils dilated ever so slightly--and perhaps they emitted other visual cues. An alert adversary would know to keep the price high. So--it was better to
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

The purpose of the RR.com site is to provide consumer information for persons concerned about high-demand groups. RR.com doesnt have the expertise needed to monitor the stock market. For that you're better advised to contact the SEC or your congressional representative. If concerned about peace or nuclear proliferation issues, organizations like Pax Christi (Catholic), the Society of Fri
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

thread seems OK now. Occasionally the system 'hiccups' and a valid link will not work. Ive seen the same thing happen now and then on other sites. Thanks for letting us know.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

if you ever see someone on Craigslist.org asking questions about whether to attend any such group, write a post and describe what you went through. You can use your experience to educate other people. I wish something could be done, starting in middle school and high school to teach people to do the equivalent of consumer research on ANY growth program or religion, just as we customarily do
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Speculations Ive never been through an LGAT but from Concerned and Elena's descriptions I bet I learned blocking to cope with a stressful upbringing. Many of us may learn blocking to survive the stress of abusive families. If someone comes from such a background and later is persuaded to do a high pressure program the indoctrination may perhaps stimulate, and then rigidify an already
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I was betting he was alive even before he showed up on that latest Al Jazeera video. If we wanted to do a smart propaganda campaign against OBL, I'd suggest stressing the following points: 1) The man advocates sacred suicide, but has made sure to stay alive. Obviously he doesnt practice what he preaches. If OBL believed his own propaganda, he'd be dead. I know a man who retir
Forum: Terrorist and Extremist Groups

Here is a link that can help you identify abusive churches: Here's a suggestion: your cousin probably has you pegged as skeptical. If there is someone else she cares about who is also concerned about her, work up a ploy to persuade her to send that pamphlet. Have the other person pretend to be in distress. Make noises about being at the end of his or her rope. People love to be helper
Forum: Destructive Churches

before your PM priviliges activate. If you can post material on the board from the e-mail that will enable our many readers to see it and increase the likelihood that someone can tell you more. I cant guarantee I'd be able to identify what the group is. This message board is set up so the community can help each other. Many heads are better than one!
Forum: Destructive Churches

Go here and see what matches up with what you've seen of your cousin's situation. The 'cults on campus' section, 'influence and persuasion' and 'general groups' section have info about warning signs. It is atypical for a Christian group to instruct members to with hold information when asked questions by relatives and friends--members of Christian
Forum: Destructive Churches

I cannot remember who set the poll up and designed the questions. (My personal take) The feature that I would disagree with is the last question--and only the manner in which it was written: 'Are you stupid? Why would you do this to yourself?' That question implies that anyone taking an LGAT is stupid--which, IMO is a form of victim bashing, even if the person who framed the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

has a fine track record. Among other things, they're renowned for thier commitment to healthy living, and they pioneered warnings about tobacco use and the benefits of well balanced vegetarian diets decades before such information reached the mainstream. The Adventists have been dedicated missionaries and operate many of the best hospitals and clinics in Third World countries. They have an e
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy 27 (3): 215-223, Fall 1997 Treatment with Unethical Practitioners; Caveat Emptors Robert S. Pepper Abstract (*The author discusses dysfunctional psychoanalytic institutes, but his observations also apply to situations in which student therapists receive inadequate training from charismatic leaders of psychotherapy cults) Therapists who are t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes, a situation of the type you describe (dance coach, dance studio) could become a venue in which a controlling relationship develops. Aspiring artists and athletes can be vulnerable to exploitation. The social context in which artists and elite athletes seek training is a very special type of social context, one in which people push themselves past mental and physicial limits. Very intense
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

A list of articles published in the Greek-American press and other sources can be read here. This website was created by and for Orthodox Christians.
Forum: Destructive Churches

For that reason anyone considering appearing on your program needs to be assured that every possible measure will be taken to safeguard their confidentiality. (quote) Berg's Use of "Libel Chill" Berg has literally millions of dollars at his disposal. The net assets of his New York branch in 1990, according to IRS-returns, are close to 10 million dollars. Using the princip
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families