It appears from the statements of others on this thread that Lifewave was a deeply troubled group that hurt people. FYI -- Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was a horrible person that hurt many people. He tried to blame others for his mistakes, but in the end the US deported him due to criminal activity and no country wanted him because he was a bad man. Finally, his native country India reluctantly let
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Seems like such groups lack meaningful accountability, are often inherently problematic and potentially unsafe. Certainly there are more reasonable alternatives for study, education and meditation that are safer and less risky.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

iamthat: So you would recommend Lifewave? Do you think Lifewave is good? Has anyone been victimized by Lifewave?
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

iamthat: You say, "The nature of a group centred around a spiritual teacher is that authority is vested in the teacher. In Lifewave there was no election of leaders, no bylaws, no published financial budgets and no procedures of governance." Yes. What you describe is an authoritarian, high demand potentially unsafe group. Thankfully most religious or educational organizations or g
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

iamthat : If the group is democratic and the members/participants elected leaders to serve for fixed terms and there is meaningful financial accountability and transparency through published budgets and funds remain controlled by elected leaders perhaps your are right. But if it is an authoritarian group without those safeguards and the leaders essentially don't have meaningful account
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

iamthat Blaming the victim is not what this message board is about. See All anyone need do here is go to the top control bar of any page on this board and click on "Mind Control." There is an archive of information within this database. In my experience most victims that blame themselves for being manipulated have not read very extensively about how coercive persuasion, th
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Ananda: I see your point, but there are boundaries. It's important that no one cross the line at this board by advancing a particular faith claim in an effort to promote a certain belief system. This board is not about beliefs, but rather behavior. People come here to comment about and discuss concerns about the behavior of certain groups and leaders. There may be certain bel
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

iamthat: The focus of this message board is behavior not beliefs. Read the rules again. See "This forum was established for the purpose of allowing those with concerns about certain groups, leaders and designated topics to express and address those concerns." "The purpose of this message board is not to promote a specific religious and/or political viewpoint. Don�
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

iamthat: Please don't make faith claims and attempt to teach your beliefs here. It's against the rules you agreed to before posting at this message board. Many meditation groups use the state of trance to trick people. People in a trance induced through hypnosis or meditation can be very suggestible and may then be manipulated by a group or leader. The documentary "Captiv
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

HurtingAngel: I am very sorry to learn of your situation. See This book explains the dynamics of destructive cults and controversial LGATs (large group awareness training). You may find it useful in unwinding and sorting through your experience. Stepping back and giving yourself space may be the best thing now. See This section within the Cult Education Institute is about reco
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

See Large group awareness training has historically produced psychiatric disturbances. You might want to share this study with your daughter's doctors. See The book "Cults Inside Out" has a chapter devoted to large group awareness training seminars (LGATs). You might find this chapter useful along with the chapter on coercive persuasion and influence techniques titled &q
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

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Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The key is transparency. Does the group issue an annual budget distributed to all contributors and staff that discloses its finances in meaningful detail? This must include salaries, compensation and expenses paid out from church funds so that everyone will know how the money is handled. The overwhelming majority of churches in the United Stated do this. Most churches also have elect
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

The book "Cults Inside Out" explains how to cope with cult members and how an intervention is done. See
Forum: Destructive Churches

The A & E series on Scientology is excellent. Of course Scientology does not rely upon the bible or quote the bible, but some of the basic manipulation is the same. See The book "Cuts Inside Out" covers Scientology, cult brainwashing, defining a destructive cult and includes supposed bible based cults and how they work.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

This is the most current book see You can download it on Kindle or buy the paperback. It's very comprehensive and has an 18-page bibliography.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes. People posting here discuss groups called "cults," which includes groups and movements some people prefer to call and "NRM." Many groups called cults are not based upon religious or spiritual claims and therefore cannot be correctly called NRMs. Destructive cults can be based upon such things as martial arts, commercial schemes, politics, therapy, training course
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

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Forum: Terrorist and Extremist Groups

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Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

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Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

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Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

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Forum: Hate Groups

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Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

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Forum: Destructive Churches

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Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

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Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

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Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

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Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

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Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

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