Gombrich does a good job of explaining this for those who incline to a more visual and less logical frame of mind in: and: His 'Story of Art', aimed at adolescents, is a good start for anyone.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

'The strange life and death of Tim Guest.'
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

'During that time, one's objectivity is lost.' Not necessarily. The above statement assumes that it is possible for a formerly objective person to completely lose the ability to be objective. In fact everybody flips in and out of varying degrees of objectivity constantly and no-one can ever hold an absoutely objective view. Similarly with the example given of reading abi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Galaxy song:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think that you are sensationalising and fear mongering, Walter1963. Undoubtedly there are perverted humans who do unspeakable violence to others under an umbrella of pretence that they are engaged in the lofty pursuit of a religious calling. That happens across the spectrum of belief systems and says more about the particular human being engaging in the violence than about the particular beli
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is an extraordinarily strong sexual component in Taoism, which probably qualifies as the earliest surviving root of shamanism in Inner Asia. I doubt that those ancients overlooked the singular most transformative, powerful and magical thing that humans can do, produce a new human being from seemingly nowhere and nothing.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There are some residual elements in Christianity that have a definite whiff of (albeit sanitised) tantra about them: 'The celebration of the Eucharist as a paschal meal. It implies that the faithful in good dispositions should answer to the Lord's command by receiving his body and blood as their spiritual nourishment. They are prepared for the Communion and thank him afterward in
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Very nice comment on the misinterpretation of 'outbreath', which does illustrate how easily such mistakes can proliferate and thoroughly confuse when transplanted unquestioned from one cultural context to a different cultural context. Your first link also makes clear how treacherous it can be to rely on so-called 'authoritative' texts that are little more than various idios
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Nice tune, Malcolm, but according to wikipedia (that constantly evolving encyclopedia) Keith has 'gone to be with Jesus' himself, which put paid to his LDM. Its a pertinent story for the venue-- but who knows the truth of it? Not me for sure. Do you know if he was a more 'benevolent' Apostle than the Wanker or do you think all wankers are just that, wanking in the da
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

'Until the right conditions manifest, we will aim to rent new centers rather than buy them.' This interested me--he is consolidating his empire in unstable financial times. All the references to 'shoulder to shoulder' and 'Standing together and guided by the blessing of our unbroken transmission'........ make me think about him hunkering down in troubled times
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Questions, Ericksonian hypnosis, at its best, is about storytelling and the conveying of a relevant message concealed within a pertinent story. Everywhere you look there are stories with concealed messages--conversation, advertising, books, films, artworks, design objects, educational materials all carry meanings and messages. Every person who stumbles across a story will take a personal mess
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Updating on DeathRays latest wheeze-- tax dollars will pay for his appeal while the family takes care of the remaining stash off shore or under the mattress:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

brain plasticity, and not being able to "undo" learning to ride a bicycle). Perhaps you could adhere to Corboy's school of healing, Questions, and never get on a bike again--in fact run the other way whenever you see a bike--might limit your options somewhat, but hey--you'd be safe, from marauding bicycles at least. but another to corrupt one's thinking.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Can't help you there, Mysstyk, I'm stymied on that one myself. Our legal and policing systems lag woefully behind those with intent to con and defraud etc. Once the deed is done it cannot be undone--it can only be proved, or not, after the fact. I'm giving it some thought, though. Education helps, and self-reliance but who has the time for that in this economy? I'm a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here ya go, Apollo. There's a great film on the terrestrial telly over Crimble--'Eyes Wide Shut' from the late great Stanley Kubrick ( who was working on a film about Napoloean before he died--sadly never realised) You should catch it if you are in the UK. Even Manchester gets the bog-standard BBC. Its even relevant and on topic, starring Tom Cruise and his then wifey. A bi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

And don' forget the Joker: I'm sure that Mrs Johnson has already demonstrated that she is more than capable of dealing with a few harassing phone calls turning up on her doorstep. Does she really need a mock McHaggis anonymous poster on an unrelated public forum tipping her the wink? If you truly cared, Apollo, you would look her up in the phone book yourself and give her a be
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Care to elaborate? No Point, Apollo. You either study up yourself or not. Explanations are theoretical, not use on the ground at all--I personally test everything in the field, so to speak. Just made that way, I guess. Edit: You can think what you like Apollo---no skin off my nose. I always chose to think exactly as I like, with no regard to your thoughts at all. I'm not in the
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Heart failure---just ironic or divine justice do ya think? Oops, try this one Zeuszor, kind of our hymn:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I am a very patient stoic, and rarely move until I feel impelled to do so. I have never graced the xJC's forum and did not in fact ever turn on Anita--she was attempting to manipulate information out of me that I was not inclined to freely volunteeer--I responded in kind, as is my wont. There are more ways of relating in the world than those advocated by the christian nostrum 'turn
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Is something wrong? Apologies, moderator, I have been extremely annoyed of late. I do not appreciate people who try to dig information out of me that I am unwilling to volunteer myself--it makes me a tad aggressive. I don't like being snooped upon, period. I respect others when they ask me to keep their anonymity and get annoyed when that respect is not mutually reciprocated. Howeve
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I really like what this Thanissaro Bhikku (Pali scholar and monk in the Thai forest tradition) writes too. He reminds me of a teacher I knew once who also didn't do explanations at all--he did enduringly great jokes though and made me work the hardest I've ever had to work. Good times. This Thanissaro is likely a far from perfect person, but he writes good stuff and makes it a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I agree with you completely Anticult. 'Design Human Engineering' a truly horrible concept, and open to abuse by any megalomaniac with the cash to buy and twist the tech to his own ends. But there is nothing new under the sun. A couple of years ago I read a blog comment, on a long dead Hindu chap called Dattatreya, that really did underline that for me: "The Self alo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

'Why on earth would anyone want to walk into an intro session and be with these sharks?' My sentiments exactly, paperlane, but there are people who study sharks in the interests of preserving a unique form of life on the planet, Heck, they are even scientifically looking for remedies for human ailments in the species of fishy nightmares. Its unstoppable cultural progess--think of th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

But thats the way I like it, remember--always did learn my lessons the hard way--why stop now? bye, bye now:: Just remembered a newish word, psychological ventriloquism--did I spell that right?--could google it but who really gives a toss?
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frosty just frosty-- thanks.
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I have a nice collection myself, having an keen interest, n all.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Like feeding candy, to a baby this is Spoon feeding. Here ya go: from the horses mouth, or something.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

feeling sleepy, Apollo? here's a nice lullaby, a bit maudlin but what can you expect--I'm doing this 'on the hoof' so to speak, not much time for anything else:: strange, busy days these: Knopfler alert, for those who dislike good music:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Come on Apollo, google is your friend--he sure is mine.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I just shimmied over your piece myself freespeech4thewin, its becoming quite a habit with me. can you make it pithy and short? some of us have dayjobs and other things to do than to listen to you pontificate endlessly. Heres something short and to the point, READ the COMMENTS from the PUBLiKS::
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"