I just read through this thread, thank you for all this work, very helpful.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Starry, Sure, feel free to pm. Are you seeing a therapist? Might be very helpful to do so, no matter the specifics of what you've been through, especially if you are experiencing any anxiety/depression/confusion etc. Therapy helped me quite a bit.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I was an adult at the time and not a parent, only briefly involved but I also had several friends much more involved. I might be able to help with questions.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Anyone have any information on this group and founder?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

You have any articles online or books to suggest?
Forum: Hate Groups

A great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about extremist groups and how to fight them is SPLC, Intelligence Project.
Forum: Hate Groups

I haven't, do you have more info on them? A more specific location or a name would help narrow down a search.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

He claimed to have mystical powers and would excuse anything based on him being a guru. He definitely overstepped boundaries with this, he preyed on people for their money and resources, he was highly manipulative. At least in my experience, he wasn't a touchy feely guy at all. He had just married a very young woman from Poland, he had brought her and her mother back from his travels. He h
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I also got caught up with the Rebirthing movement. You have detailed it quite well. I lived for a time at Campbell Hot Springs in California when Leonard Orr ran the place and have quite a few stories about the horror that is Leonard and his followers.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If you haven't already done so, run a search here on this site, some good threads on them both. I've looked over some info on Tolle and stay clear of him and anyone like him. Loaded confusing language is used (a.k.a. mumbo jumbo), focus is encouraged on his eyes and appearance, all too much like most every other charlatan.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Glad you are finding good help. Maybe eventually you can write an article for The Seattle Weekly, or perhaps work with one of their reporters like Philip Dawdy. Dawdy wrote articles on The New Gnostic Church awhile back, another destructive group. I read through some of John L. Hoff's writings. Yuck. He seems to use lots of loaded language and blame.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you for posting your story. As a former sannyasin, this is especially helpful for me to read.
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

I haven't heard anything specifically about this group, but will keep an eye out for any information and will pass it on. Perhaps someone else here is familiar with the group. I was involved with a similar group. Time, therapy, lots of reading, participating in these forums, have helped immensely in my recovery. I well remember the feeling of not fitting into normal society, also the p
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I agree with canuck.
Forum: Hate Groups

Quick google search brings up a lot, such as what Oz found: "One very interesting Sedona resident was Hirindra Singh, also known as 'The Pink Prince.' Hirindra was the 47th child of the last maharajah of the Punjab. He had been directed in a dream to come to Sedona. A bright and talented Vedic astrologer, he added color to our local metaphysical scene. In 1984, he had a visio
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Corboy, I very much like your essay, thank you. I've printed out a copy and will share with my son also. I am reading through and thinking on my past experience with a destructive cult, Church of Immortal Consciousness. I had to defect, there was no available easy route to exit. Leaving was seen as a betrayal, a failure. No one from the cult was allowed to contact me after. Quest
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Cyrus, Thank you for posting, your information is valuable. Glad you are able to make choices for yourself and leave the church when it was not right for you. How has the church responded to your departure? Sarah
Forum: Destructive Churches

As the web site creator states: "...the core problem being the Primerica sales organization's well known false, misleading and deceptive sales inducement presentations communicated to the public for the purpose of enticing and luring the public to engage into a business relationship with the company.".
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

Articles on his apparent melt down are all over the place.
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

"Death by Natural Causes, A Local Teenager's Tragic Death is at the Center of a Landmark Dispute Over the Role of Alternative Medicine", by Nina Shapiro. This article is worth reading, concerns a child who died of asthma, of symptoms that if she had been taken to an ER, she would easily still be alive. Any of us interested in cases where children die because of their parent
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteglamOne good thing that's coming out of this is that more writers are pointing out the strangeness of Scientology, even talking about the beliefs about aliens and clams. It's time more people started hearing what this group is about. I very much agree. Tom in his own fashion is becoming a spokesperson for the true Scientology. He is living proof of what happens to members. I&#
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

QuoteRepetition can elicit depersonalisation, for instance; meditation involving repeating a mantra or concentrating on an object, certain kinds of dancing, and even Yoga. Some research conducted into depersonalisation has apparently used these activities to cue episodes of derealisation. Consequently, people who practice repetitive rituals and meditation in order to achieve 'enlightenment&#
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

On May 25, the state Department of Health summarily suspended the medical licenses of Barbara Loran, a Bellevue chiropractor and naturopath who is the longtime mistress of James King. King is head of the New Gnostic Church, which former members describe as a cult. (See "The God Life," May 4, and "'Washing of the Brain'," May 18.) And King, who allegedly provided chir
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteDidn't the nice mainstream Catholics recently have a child abuse scnadal? As I recall, virtually none of those priests was defrocked. Yet you hold the reprehensible conduct of one Unity minister as a reason to dislike the movement, but I don't see you posting about the Catholics and their scandal. You're certainly not warning people to stay away from them. This is a debating
Forum: Destructive Churches

QuoteTimmerHating whitey is considered vbery enlightened and progressive these days. The lovely irony of it is that the people doing it consider themselves to be teh tolerant people. I disagree. In my own experience, it is seen as a good thing to be aware of bias and discrimination issues. Of course, generalizations aren't necessarily helpful, and we can always find someone saying whateve
Forum: Hate Groups

A good opinion piece on Tom's behavior.
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

The New York Times, June 2, in The Arts section, has an article titled "How Personal is Too Personal? Tom Cruise's Effusive 'Oprah' Appearance Raises Hollywood Eyebrows.", by Sharon Waxman. Includes still photos of Tom jumping on Oprah's TV set couch, yelling, and grappling with her. Those photos speak a thousand words.
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

Interesting article about the New Gnostic Church in Washington state
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Joseph Ratzinger is now Pope Benedict XVI of the Roman Catholic Church, Ratzinger who is known for covering up child abuse in the church. Depressing.
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

So that's what's going on! Trust this marvelous forum to answer all my questions. I've seen Cuddle Party signs out at our local college campus, noted that the signs stressed "No sex" and of course.....jammies. I had a mental laugh as I imagined riding the city transit bus way out to the campus in teddy bear patterned jammies, complete with slippers. Not on my agenda, no t
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"