a person on another listserve recently complained that Rick would NOT include in the RR.com database/archives material she'd sent on a group she was worried about. 'Rick wants all info already documented and published and he wants me to get him the web links for all published facts (that which comes aside from me). ' (paraphrase) Nothing goes into the RR.com database archive
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

a person on another listserve recently complained that Rick would NOT include in the database archives material she'd sent on a group she was worried about. 'Rick wants all info already documented and published and he wants me to get him the web links for all published facts (that which comes aside from me). ' (paraphrase) To re-iterate: This is a balanced website. The off
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

because there are forums and websites that represent a diversity of viewpoints. Balance exists on this site. All the archived material for each group contains the official website of that group, along with the reports by troubled participants. It is not just disgruntled people who use this site--students, journalists, social scientists and other scholars use it as a resource. They would not do
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

'When the evidence is in your favor argue on the basis of the evidence. That is the most powerful position When the evidence is against you, argue the law--thats the second most powerful position'. When both law and evidence is against you, yell, pound the table, and attack your adversary's personal life.' the LGAT people keep telling us to do their work for them by c
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

is time taken away from wife and family.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

If you want indoctrination, will not provide it. For one thing, RR.com cannot control the physical environment, or script the social interactions. All it does is offer reading matter, from which you pick and choose. RR.com provides the opposite of indoctrination and equip people to make their own decisions whether to expose themselves to reportedly controversial groups. You can read
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Unlike the LGATs in its database, does not prosyletize. This site does not generate 'pop' up ads or blinking ads on other websites. You will not be tiresomely hit on by friends, bosses, coworkers, and urged to log on to And, if you do, by chance decide to try it is FREE. You dont have to leave your home, go to any meetings. And there are no published reports of people suff
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

In my opinion it would be impossible to empower people by covertly manipulating them. The embezzlement of your humanity happens gradually so you do not at first understand that you're being ripped off--the initial bliss hit conceals all that. Its just like a pickpocket smootching/snogging you, getting you all horny and, while you are unaware of it, slipping your wallet out of your bac
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

There is a thread here on the message board entitled 'Looking for Sterling Wives' On page 3 of the thread 'Elena' quoted material from a former LGAT trainer who described how he found out that he was using highly sophisticated, powerful methods of trance induction in the trainings,and how he manipulated the hell out of people. He only found out because a professional
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

If 'yourself' is being given false information (deceit), manipulated by charisma, or by methods of covert indoctrination. As for the pioneer spirit, South Africa was settled by people who got their by using maps. Columbus was adventurous, but before he set out on his voyage in 1492, he had become an experienced sailor, had a compass, could navigate using the stars, and--he had maps.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

A few days ago, a helpful person (not me!) posted a new-under-construction website URL on my favorite bulletin board for tracking bad yoga teachers-- Immediately, someone counterposted, attacking this person, suggesting he or she needed to 'get a life.' Well that original poster was right on. You want to check any yoga teacher or guru right at the beginning, before you become ps
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I see it as a choice between serving reality versus serving illusion. My bogus spiritual advisor said something that (sadly) he failed to live up to himself, but I found to be 100% true: 'If you cannot be honest about the things of this world, you cannot be honest about spiritual matters, either.' Excellent advice. It is a tragedy that the guy was so scared that he chose to ser
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Did you get an A? In case you're still interested in 'how they start' I found a book a few weeks ago that darn near answered your question: 'Prophetic Charisma' by Len Oakes. I discuss it on this thread This is an example of the version of Murphy's Law that plagues all scientists and scholars: as soon as you publish your work, you'll find out someon
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Intervention is delicate. Read all the material you can on intervention on this site and on freedomofmind.com If you're really concerned, talk to Rick and see if he can recommend an exit counselor in your area. Intervention can help, but it has to be done properly--and you want expert advice. Its also very, very important to have some kind of sanity producing centering practice for you
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

First, treat me as a cautionary example. A person can be anything they want through words and be totally different in person. Last year I attended lectures by some people whose material I had liked when I read their books. They were wise and helpful--on paper. In person, they were appalling. Both, in different ways, fit the profile for severe narcissistic personality disorder. And both turn
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

People who are determined to deny the Holocaust are not thinking rationally, even when they claim they are being reasonable and insist on being given convincing evidence. The evidence is miles high and they ignore it. (To say nothing of the millions of people who never came home) No amount of evidence will satisfy them because they are operating on covert emotional agendas, not reason. No o
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I grew up in LA. On the bus that went up Fairfax Ave, I would see old people with KZ camp numbers on their arms. My dad was a violinist.The man guy who maintained his violin had a brother who was in the service during WWII and liberated a concentration camp. Mr Kovanda's brother went insane--he never recovered from what he saw. The man who was my neighbor's gardener was a veteran
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

at least do not expect gratitude right away. If you warn people that a cult recruiter is operating in their area, do not expect straightforward gratitude. People are complex. Make certain you're clear you are doing the right thing and provide information that can be fact checked. Because your efforts to educate the public will cause a surprising number of people to get mad at you.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It all sounds like classic thought reform set up. And that stuff about getting the guys to build up, then release all that emotion (what shrinks call 'catharisis' and what folks in the street would call 'puking your emotions') ...all that is based on out dated 1960s encounter group technique. These days (and after working with many casulties of the 60s and 70s human poten
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This is only a guess--stop me if I am mistaken: It sounds as though your brother has been in school much of his life. His intelligence is undeniable--that's obvious. But when you at last finish your schooling, defend your final dissertation are awarded your Ph.D, and run out of post-doctoral projects, you can find it terrifying to leave the structure and built-in social networks prov
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I suggest periodically checking Craiglist.org and if you catch these groups recruiting there, do some counter-posts on CL and warn people that this is a set up that has generated casualties. Provide information and URLs! You can search the community discussion listings and the 'group activities' listing to see if any of these groups are placing ads. However, ads expire in 10 days fro
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

very lucky. Sounds like she lucked out two fold--the deprogramming worked successfully and she had excellent long term aftercare and exit counseling. And, to cap it all, she loves her son, despite the circumstances in which she became a mom. Humans are just so powerfully affected by social setting and context. Thats what makes us human--we want to connect and can connect. It is a tragedy
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

laws to protect you from workplace tampering? Its lousy to keep mum at work about one's personal sorrows for fear that any display of tenderness or concern could target one for recruitment. We spend so much of our waking time at work, that being forced to keep quiet at work represents an oppression of one's spirit. You did not need this load of bollocks your first week at work.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

laws to protect you from workplace tampering? Its lousy to have to keep mum at work, since we spend so much of our waking time while there. You are not alone. 20 years ago I was in graduate school and the department chairman was an enthusiastic graduate of EST (forerunner of Landmark). He tried to get me to do it, and our department secretary suspected she was fired because she refused his
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

asked whether there is such a thing as 'Guru U'. This book answers that question. There isnt an offical Guru U/Hogwart Academy but it appears that many gurus follow a rather typical developmental trajectory. Here is a copy of a review I wrote for someone else Prophetic Charisma by Len Oakes.* He traces how charismatic leaders develop, their special narcissistic mindset, and how the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Recruiters for certain authoritarian groups/leaders may practice what I would call 'manipulative intimacy' (a contradiction in terms--which is why it is so crazy-making). In my opinion: They do not see people as human beings whose inner privacy entitles them to respect; they see us as objects to be manipulated, trophies to be captured in thier Great Game. The ends justify the m
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It is written by Leo Booth, an Anglican priest who was himself addicted to the use of religiosity as a way to control and avoid his true emotions. And he behaved abusively toward others after he became a priest. To make amends, he has dedicated himself to counseling people who have been affected by spiritual abuse. He structures information using a 12 step approach. And he deals with the impac
Forum: Destructive Churches

Lexisnexis I have not used it but someone else on this board has. X used it to research actions taken against a crooked individual.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Burton's group does operate a renowned winery. They have an estate in Yuba, California, and have become famous among wine experts because they have successfully created excellent wines in an area where weather conditions are unfavorable for wine grapes. So, yes, they would have the expertise to make palm wine. Their grape wine is good enough that it was served at a state dinner at the Whi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It is entitled 'Degenerate Players in the Work' They dont mention groups by name, but if former members read the descriptions, they will very likely recognize thier groups! William Patterson, a scholar of Gurdjieff work has written a book describing the genesis of 3 counterfeits, and has a chapter on Burton. Burton's teacher, Alex Francis Horn and Sharon Gans created a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"