Hi Jacklan, I'm sorry to hear that you're suffering. I'm no expert, and I can't speak for everyone, but I had to cut all ties to anyone who was involved with "my" LGAT, (which was Landmark). This meant breaking off what I had believed to be friendships, including some that I had thought were pretty close friendships, that had predated my LGAT involvement. LG
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Ellenaaa - yes, and just as nasty and vile as ever. These people are pure evil.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

PoloDave - Wow - so you sound exactly like a troll to me, or maybe a flying monkey, and one who is trying to get Blaidd to disclose identifying information. I'm sure there are many positions in the FBI, and not everyone who works there is an agent. But of course, you're an expert, having a friend of a friend of a friend who works there. That bit about people leaving because they
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Ha! This is great, and the person who wrote it up did a very nice, concise job of it. From my perspective, it looks like a carbon copy of Landmark. I hope they win with this. Then, because they all follow the same pattern, maybe they will all go down.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi GloriaG! I have also been watching this closely, and hope that it has brought awareness that these "crazy stories" are actually true. It might steer people away. I also believe that every time someone goes to court and wins, attorneys, judges, and others involved in the legal process will be more likely to listen to people who are trying to file complaints. Maybe, just maybe,
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Ilunga- Here is an article you might wish to read. Scroll down to the paragraph headed "Types of psychological responses." There, it is estimated that up to 10% may become psychiatric casualties to the methods of any LGAT group, and that pre-existing mental illness is not a prerequisite to have this type of reaction. The FDA does not allow drug companies to put a product on
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi bakkagirl! So, in other words, he has absolutely no credentials other than being a loudmouth? So, basically any jagazz, cluster "b" type could get up on a stage and do what he does and call it "therapy." That's rich.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Thank you, TalkingMouse! Bakkagirl wrote: "...,a review of his activities might reveal that he has been using powerful psychological techniques in stadium-sized, LGAT context..." Yes!!! And what about this part, (bold mine): "“While my open-classroom therapeutic methods are not for everyone,..." Therapeutic??? Is he licensed to give therapy? I really don't kn
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Bakkagirl, your mailbox is full.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Okay, and after NXIVM, here's another. Maybe the ball is finally rolling!
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

bakka - mailbox.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I should clarify that all of this is only from my perspective, as someone who has been "New Age" for about 48 years. Opinions will vary, I'm sure.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

A further explanation of New Age vs LGATS (Someone asked for more clarification). If interested, one might get a better feel for the difference by actually reading some of the New Age stuff, (not by attending a seminar). It's okay if you think it's just a bunch of new mythology or bunk, that's not important. It is not any goal of mine to change anyone's beliefs, (I don
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Bakkagirl wrote: "I feel I have lost a number of friends and associates to this, people who were "transformed" into uncaring, un-empathetic, besotted with themselves, well, con artists, who, then, want to sell this state to others." I experienced this, too. "I kinda have mixed feelings about creating a 'safe space' for individuals who were exposed to th
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Oh ~ I guess I didn't read carefully enough, (I skimmed). Well then, I stand corrected. In addition to these cases, there are posts on here where people talk about loved ones who did the seminars, and then went down hill over time, so I guess that these are both things to worry about.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I actually reread the article. It actually estimates that up to 10% might end up having some kind of psychological problem afterward, and that wouldn't even count the people who were pretty much brainwashed. The FDA wouldn't allow any drug on the market that came even close to that for a safety record.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi talkingmouse, Here is the article: She talks about the illness in the 4th section, I believe. I would think it possible that relatively few breakdowns happen during the seminars themselves, but wouldn't be surprised if a good percentage of them happen somewhat later, when people are in the process of processing it. Then, when they happen, the people who have them might be diagn
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

rrmoderator wrote: "I think more than anyone it was Catherine Oxenberg that brought NXIVM down through her very public crusade to save her daughter." Thank you! And yes, I have read about that. I also read that some of the other women had reported the branding, and I think they had reported some of the sexual abuse. Were they simply not believed? Though I give much credit to
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Well over half of them, I'm sure. They would have to depend on every single one of them doing that - under oath. Not everyone is a die-hard. Not everyone is a coward. Not everyone knew what was really going on, including some of the people who participated in it. Think of your own organization and associates. Surely you can think of some who would jump at the chance to testify, if gi
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

bakkagirl wrote: "I don't really care if these individuals retain some semblance of a conscience, or if they can be salvaged. That is not my business, as I see it." It's not my job to rescue them, either. My reason for wondering about that had more to do with anticipating their behavior, if they were called upon to testify. I am just turning things over in my head, and t
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi TalkingMouse, I'm very sorry to hear about what happened to your sister. I know that there have been the type of breakdowns that you have described in your sister, that actually occur during the seminar. I am not aware of any central place that actually keeps statistics, especially in terms of the percentage who have breakdowns from each group, (and there are apparently hundreds of
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

bakkagirl wrote: "...coaches', and 'organizational helpers', who are marching to a different drummer, entirely. Let's say I would not want to be in a dark alley with they folks." Amen to that. This gives me reason to consider a couple of other things. I am wondering how it effects their lies, specifically in a courtroom. Will it make it easier for them to get b
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I will go so far as to say that we must tolerate pretty much any philosophy or religion, as long as the adherents are not being instructed to break the law. The problem with these groups is that they do have employees, associates, and some of the volunteers, (oh, excuse me. I mean some of the people in the "assisting program"), breaking the law. They rely heavily on loopholes and on s
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

In fact, to elaborate further: bakkagirl wrote: "Your post is a great example of how these 'people' tie their victims up in knots of self-doubt." Yes. And many are kept that way until they have missed their filing deadlines. If you have had recent involvement with an LGAT, and if crimes have been committed against you, get lawyered up FAST!!! Document everything
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

bakkagirl wrote: "Your post is a great example of how these 'people' tie their victims up in knots of self-doubt." LOL - yes. It's hard to think of what to do/what is ethical/what is safe without trying to anticipate their possible responses and arguments. Also, it was no more exhausting than many of the conversations I had at Landmark, (in fact, that was pretty mi
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Playing with fire... I have been grappling with all of this. I know nothing about the law, but in just trying to follow simple logic, combined with my experiences, I come up with this: I am considering the LGAT paperwork that is signed, (in my case, with Landmark), and other agreements that are made, in the light of how binding much of it really is. I am trying to realistically look at the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

bakkagirl wrote: "I hold the possibility that est/Landmark is a creation of the Esalen Institute. As such, it would partake of that organization's quest to create a religion that is not a religion. Est/Landmark seems to encompass many quasi-religious elements, but omits the moral and ethical constraints." Possible reasons for this will be obvious to bakka and ajinajan, but wi
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I tried to google "What's Next seminars," but got such a variety of results that I didn't know which to click on. I had never heard of it, but if it's like the other LGATs, (including Landmark, which I was in), they use "New Age," terminology and philosophy, mixed in with their own jargon. The way they use it, they make up their own definitions for that &q
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

* I will add that it is EXTREMELY common for the person who invited you to offer to make the deposit to "hold your space open." That was how I got sucked in. I tried to just pay her back and not go, but she wouldn't take the money back, ("Don't you trust me? You won't regret it."). Just be prepared for that and don't fall for it.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Concerned101, Corboy's post right above yours is probably a good place to start. Also, since this is obviously the night where they invite guests, i would expect a couple of things, especially if the family members who invited you just completed the program. 1. Expect a hard sell. Leave your money and credit cards at home, and DO NOT allow anyone to loan you the money or make a down
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"