I haven't logged onto this site in years, but I re-read the entire thread today. Things have definitely changed. Harbin (the northern California location) burned in the California wildfires in 2015. It was catastrophic damage and they have not rebuilt, but they still do workshops elsewhere on occasion. Midwest no longer has an official producer running things. There's also been
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Sheryl - yes, HAI is very much a cult. Consider yourself lucky that you found out before they started taking YOUR money, your time, and your ability to say no. They are very deceptive, and have you doing things that are a bit uncomfortable, but seem necessary and normal. Then they keep pushing for more and more and everything feels like a natural progression from the previous step. That'
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I am THRILLED... the latest HAI Level 1 workshop in the midwest had to be canceled because there simply isn't enough participants. Yay!! now if only it would spread to the rest of the organization.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I find it interesting that certain people I met at HAI who had a long term, loving relationship continued through a few of the HAI workshops, experimented with swinging and with poly relationships, etc. both within HAI and outside of it. They bleated on and on about how their relationship was strong and they'd always be together. Fast forward to now. Not together at all. Not even liv
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I think the confidentiality agreement is still only verbal. At least, it was when I went in 2005. After that... don't know, but I doubt they'd make it written. That would make it seem too much like a cult and they can't have that!
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Of course you don't think it's a cult. After Level 1 it still seems relatively harmless. It's later on that things get freaky. And yes, they DO groom people for group sex. It's just not obvious at level 1. QuotektdwHello everyone. I stumbled accross this website and I am a first time poster here. I read most of what was being said about HAI, and I just wanted to give m
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

S_Byers666 - he is NOT a 20 year old. He's been involved with HAI for 20 years.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

In the workshops I attended, there was ALWAYS the common theme that you are "at choice" but you are encouraged to make the same choice the others do, which is the choice that the facilitators want you to make (to do whatever it is they are spouting at the time). Don't try to say that the facilitators don't put pressure on participants to do things. They DO. It's the
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Bert - I have absolutely no problem with nudity. I used to regularly go to a nudist resort. I don't think that there is anything wrong with nudity nor do I think it leads to sexual activity unless, of course, the persons involved WANT it to. But again, I chose to keep my clothes ON and people ridiculed that choice by saying that I was obviously not "open." I also have no
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

QuoteBert ClantonOne thing that I really don't understand is how, on the one hand, some folks here claim that they had very damaging experiences at higher levels of HAI workshops, but on the other hand, seem also to be saying that they attended several of the higher levels. Perhaps I misunderstand what they're saying--but why didn't they stop going to the workshops after the first
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

I was involved with HAI. I completely fell under the spell after Level 1, and Level 2 made me question everything. I finally came to the conclusion, based on the evidence of all I had seen and heard at workshops and parties, that although they SAY you are always at choice, you are encouraged to make the choice they want you to make. The choice they advocate is in a lot of ways the "free l
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Bert Clanton - I appreciate your point of view. Have you gone to the Large Group Awareness section of this site? There are three HAI related threads there, one of which is quite long and contains experiences of those of us who have actually gone to HAI workshops, and the problems we have experienced therein. I have some serious issues with what goes on and what is expected at HAI workshops
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

HAI is supposed to be out making relationship works... as long as the relationships are polyamory at best, and group sex at worst.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I really hope for more input on this topic from the intern that started posting.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuoteSeekingTruthQuote "Then came the hard part... when the WOMEN inserted a plastic speculum for the men to inspect them." When we did this the speculums were left in the women for a LONG time. It is one thing for a trained medico. to do this for a SHORT time only, but its a whole different ball game for untrained women to do it for a LONG time, even to themselves. Bearing in mind
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

To be fair, the Pathways workshops are NOT the same as the love, intimacy and sexuality workshops. They are completely different.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

They can say whatever they want.... I think HAI preys on the lonely, because they are the people with the low self esteem who are easiest to target and least likely to complain.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I haven't been at this site for a while, but I can say... they will NEVER get me at another HAI workshop again. I've been to Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 did have some good points, but it was far outweighed by the bad points. Level 2 caused a lot of damage to me. It took me a couple of weeks of serious introspective thinking to figure out everything and process what happened
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Honestly, they expect and encourage group sexual activities at the higher levels. And you have to remember, a lot of participants go without their spouse so that means a lot of adultery is happening and they all cover it up as "love" and "exercises" rather than what it is - infidelity.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

QuotefchangusQuoteDayDreamerGOOD. I hope they do see the stuff so they see how unhappy some people are. It's not all happyflowerkittyland like they try to pretend, and it also means that people who are curious about HAI see things that are NOT positive. When I first got involved there was NOTHING negative to be found online... I'm glad there is now. I went to a free HAI introdu
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

GOOD. I hope they do see the stuff so they see how unhappy some people are. It's not all happyflowerkittyland like they try to pretend, and it also means that people who are curious about HAI see things that are NOT positive. When I first got involved there was NOTHING negative to be found online... I'm glad there is now.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Chip is VERY much involved.... and very high up. He's in forever, they'll never get rid of him.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

HAI may have a positive impact on a relationship in terms of more clear communication.... but I would think it would have the opposite effect. Couples who "need" the clearer communication that HAI promotes are likely more shaky at their foundation, and thereby much easier for the idiots to interfere and cause strife... and the next thing you know, they are thinking about swinging or wh
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

That's easy to answer. In Level 1, they get you more comfortable with the facilitators and with the buzzwords, and get you started with altering your boundaries. Each workshop builds on the last one. They get you comfortable at one point, then push the boundaries again... so it seems almost normal. Then they build on THAT, to make it feel normal. And it keeps on going for as long as the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

DCEsquire... of COURSE it was a rewarding experience for you. Level 1 usually is. That's how they suck you in. Then Level 2 comes along and you are asked to be naked and allow the women to inspect your penis as you lie there. The women are asked to insert a speculum (like in a doctor's office) and allow the men to inspect THEM. You are asked to kiss the genitalia of a partner of th
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

And it's funny... sex is not supposed to be happening at workshops, at least not the earlier ones. If I ever went to another workshop, I would have the courage to stand up and say NO to the nudity and just watch them all supposedly honor my choice but at the same time gently encourage me to let go of my boundary and follow what THEY think is the right choice. Sickening. Of course, I
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

EXPOSITION1, don't assume something that isn't true. I did not "set up" anything, nor am I friends with SFBMoore. I don't know who she is, and I've been a member of this forum since shortly after I participated in HAI level 2 in MICHIGAN. I live in Michigan, and have never really been anywhere else. And Dennis and Carolyn (whoever they really are) are more th
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It's not just for men to have all the partners they want. The women are encouraged to have multiples as well, with both men and women. I went to my first workshop in Aug 2005 and second in Nov 2005. After the whole "walking in the garden" exercise where we were asked to insert a speculum and have the men look at us.... it freaked me out. I started noticing more and more how
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Well... I'm definitely a fat woman and I had no end of men (and women) hitting on me while I was associated with HAI. I do think they prey on bigger people because they tend to have lower self esteem and are desperate for any modicum of attention. I am VERY relieved to be out of it. I'm now married to a wonderful man who loves me for who I am and would never consider the destructiv
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Quoteeffort32refuseYou're right that the UK directors have resigned, to focus on their own business, "Intimacy Works". This appears to apply HAI principles, but working mainly with couples in workshop or couple-to-couple situations. The UK HAI business is now being run by a loose team of volunteers, mainly people who have been with HAI for a while, and who have been involved in
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"