Just checked out J Collins-Smith book "Call No Man Master again. She writes a bit about my fathers death but she gets it completely wrong. She got her version from Bennett or some-one she met at Coombe who fed her a false info. She write he was mentally and physically ill before doing the Latihan -which was just not true. He was healthy in body and mind. Also she writes there was a scandal
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I never heard of a Dr Roles at Coombe . The Dr who was eventually called in after my father died was Bernard Courtney-Mayers.He looked after Bennetts sick wife. He was a Gurdjieff man and left Coombe right after the death -as a result of the death. He went on to become chairman of the Britsh Gurdjieff Society.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi Anna, Can tell you about what happened to my father if you want. He had just tried the latihan and it led directly to his death at 39 years old with 6 children.The story must say something about Subud as Bapak (and Bennett) were there at Coombe when it happened. Best Wishes Nigel Ross
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Jean -My parents attended Bennetts Coombe Spring centre throughout the50's. And quite often us(6) children would go with them . After my father died on the 4th July 1957 we ,the 6 Ross children and my mother ,went to live at Coombe Springs. My mother had suddenly been elevated to top woman(subud super-helper). We lived there for 18months.So I have my personal memories and connections with pe
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Jean ,I think you are referring to the death of my father which happened at JG Bennetts centre Coombe Springs in 1957. Bennett had just invited Subud-Bapak to come and set-up at Coombe . My father John Ross 39 years old was one of the first men to be "opened"into the latihan. He had a few days of feeling brilliant then he found himself going into a latihan state which he couldn't c
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi there , I can tell about the early days of subud and bapak when they first arrived in Britain . My parents were students of JG Bennett for several years then Subud arrived on the scene . My father 39,rushed to be one of the first people to be opened into the subud practice of the latihan. This lead directly to his death less than a month later. This was successfully covered-up . But after all
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

walter1963 I believe Gurdjieff was noted for being a "lady's man". This seems to be a common trap that spiritual teachers often fall in to. JG Bennett ,who was a Gurdjieff follower also indulged in this weakness . He was married but he admits in his writings that he got involved with younger women. In some cases I imagine the young women involved would be left damaged and conf
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

My parents were students of JG Bennett's "Gurdjieff teachings". They attended his centre for several years in the 1950's. In the aftermath of the second world war they were looking at altenative ways of improving themselves. It all went terribly wrong with my father suddenly and mysteriously dying at Bennetts centre in 1957. The circumstances were complicated by the arrival
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"