I just came upon the following tragic story of a teenage girl's death in connection with an obsession with Eckhart Tolle's book, The Power of Now: Quote"Now" You're Dead As often happens, tragedy turns into a lesson. Although in this case, it's a profoundly painful one, because I know the victim's mother. According to Crime Library, 17-year-old Brianna Wil
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteII have changed my stance on Landmark. I think it is good for a few people, ineffective for most, and positively dangerous for some. It attracts a lot of people with serious issues, and it is shallow and superficial at best. Some people are missing out on the serious counseling that they need, in order to make a few people very rich. It most definitely is not what you and other Landmark devo
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

OK...let's see if I can remember what I wrote before the computer wiped it out. I am familiar with both Ekhart Tolle and Byron Katie and know people who are involved in that scene. IMO they don't set themselves up as gurus and simply refer to themselves as teachers. I have read parts of Tolle's book. I found it hard to get through the whole thing because it's a bit borin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Darn! I had written a whole long answer and it's gone. :-( Maybe if I have time later I can re-create it.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If you haven't already done so, run a search here on this site, some good threads on them both. I've looked over some info on Tolle and stay clear of him and anyone like him. Loaded confusing language is used (a.k.a. mumbo jumbo), focus is encouraged on his eyes and appearance, all too much like most every other charlatan.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

No experience with them per se, but definitely with their following and followers...they have been all the rage in a lot of Unity and Religious Science churches for the past few years. Especially Tolle. I remember when his "Power of Now" book first came out, he did a seminar in another part of in our state, and everyone was rushing to buy tickets, make motel reservations, and carpool ou
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

In searching the web for the above two mystics, there only seem to be glowing accounts. I was exposed to the philosophies of these two through my experience with Unity. In particular, I find Byron Katie dubious in that she charges enormous amounts for her seminars. Eckhart Tolle also seems to be cashing in with all his books (Power of Now was his first book), seminars, even "Power of Now&
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Excerpt from portland craigslist post ( ): =========== At AngelVision, we do things a bit different. It is this uniqueness that has been the key to our success. We have adopted a unique management philosophy that promotes ownership and personal fulfillment. We are very dedicated to the success of our Clients and provide extended support that other companies would never provide. And… although
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

There's an interesting discussion on BK on the integralnaked.org forum, which can be read here: (Reading the material is free. If you wish to register as a member on the IN.org forum, you have to pay--read their terms) This new article describes how recovery takes place sequentially. The kind of question asking used by some spiritual teachers appears to be a powerful techni
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I just saw the old film "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" (1956). Great old film. It made me think of all these cults and LGATS. Your friends and loved ones get into them, and then they "change". They look the same on the outside, but their thoughts, feelings and behaviors are different. They become like a Group Mind, they are highly organized, and they want to "con
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Hi PSI: Just be careful you don't "overreact". That is, we all bring our anger and hurt from our Cultic past to this, and could easily overreact. I would just keep it simple. Your religious/spiritual beliefs are personal and private, and have no place in the workplace. Period. I work with all sorts of people who belong to various cults, and wacko things. In "real life&
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I confronted my manager about bringing the ET affirmation cards to work. I told her that I wasn't trying to attack her personally. That I just needed to let her know how much it bothered me and ask her to not do it again. We had a brief discussion about how no religious material should be in our meetings. survivor
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

ok, so a copy of Tolle audiobook "Stillness Speaks" arrived from the eternal library waiting list. This thing is absolutely hysterical. First, I thought my CD player was broken, as there is a HUGE pause of SILENCE at the top....................................... Too funny. Next, he talks in a German accent, with a British accent mixed in. Sort of a German with a British accent
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

My concern is with teachers of enlightenment who do not invite their students to investigate their own cravings for enlightenment, their own ideas of what enlightenment is. What do seekers think enlightenment consists of? And why do they crave it so desperately? A lot of us may, unconsciously assume enlightenment means never feeling pain, shame or fear, ever again. Others may see certai
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

From my perspective, any person who claims that they are "enlightened" and is "certified enlightened" by some guru, or Tolle, or whoever, is a con, delusional, or just plain obnoxious. The very Egotism behind the claim of being "enlightened" invalidates their claims. Ask their SPOUSE, or EX-SPOUSE if they are enlightened! Its mainly just a New Age sales trick,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The group I experienced was with Katie Davis. The guy sitting up front with her was I believe Sundance Burke. He didn't say much when I was there. Both of these people have websites up and claim to be enlightened. They claim that Tolle agrees they are enlightened. They exist in a state of "presence". Isn't it interesting how they have taken the word "presence&qu
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The Demon Haunted World is truly a a terrific book. Its too bad Sagan died so soon after. He could have written a few more in this vein. There is so much great info packed into that book. Coz QuoteSarahL I am reading Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World, Science as a Candle in the Dark , he describes a purposeful hoax of this nature done by James Randi and a friend, José Alvarez.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thank you for this ENLIGHTENED post! You are much more "enlightened" than Tolle! I am serious when i say that. He is playing the Guru card. He is also promoted by New World Library, who are very big players in the New Age field. They MARKET-SELL the shit out of this stuff. Its Big Money, millions of dollars. You are correct. Religion is not appropriate in the workplace in this ma
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Holy CRAP! The LAST thing people need to do when driving is to flake out with that hypnotic mindf*ck stuff! Focus on the NOW of your DRIVING!!! Or this might be your LAST MOMENT ON EARTH! :lol: Coz QuoteSarahL The NOW Symbol Formed by two simple characters, the NOW symbol signifies the present moment. > represents the completed past. < represents the future, w
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The quote below seems "inhuman" to me. Perhaps he would take that as a compliment. I hate to be so blunt, but it really seems "schizoid" to me. Its robotic. Its fragmented. Its also wrong. We are HUMANS, which are primates, and we have DEEP emotional relationships with our Kin. To each their own, but that stuff is just too bizarre for me. My worry is that some peop
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I had some time today for research and I thought I’d attempt to find out how big Eckhart Tolle and related enterprises are. The answer is HUGE. I finally just stopped researching because it would be endless. Many many people involved, most list each other as references, most are working on the devotional guru wavelength. They are presented as enlightened masters. Some tuck themselves directly und
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Good luck at work. Read up the laws that protect your spiritual/intellectual autonomy. It would be interesting to know whether the group leader's behavior described by PSI is typical for a Tolle group leader, or whether this person was atypical. It would also be interesting to know what kind of training she received to function in this role, and whether her personality was different b
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteJust a thought... with the combined knowledge and experience of the posters on this board.. how about if we go into business and found our own cult? We could make a bunch of $$, speak real slowly and spacey, tell folks to trust their inner possibilities by listenting to us, etc. WE know it's a proven formula! I am reading Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World, Science as a Candle
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

His official web site has a photo section, 7 different close ups, all available for purchase, certainly looks to me that they are intended for devotion/reverence/meditation. He does have official disciples, that term "disciple" used, Katie Davis is one. His story is included in the book Mystics, Masters, Saints, and Sages: Stories of Enlightenment by Robert Ullman and Judyth Reiche
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

About a year ago when I was still struggling with my PSI Seminars involvment another PSI person suggested reading Eckhart Tolle's book. I read the book a couple of times and bought the tapes as well. I listened to them several times. I found a local group that the leader of claimed to be not only enlightened, but that ET himself had ackknoweleged her enlightenment. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi all, Interesting conversation / speculations (as always). "The Power of Now" was recommended to me by so many folks, but I kept falling asleep when reading it. I actually enjoyed the CDs while commuting though. Some of it bizarre, but some helpful reminders too. T. mentioned some sources of material on one of the CDs, comparing various philosophies, etc, but I don't remem
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

In his essay 'Lotus Feet of Clay' Dr John Wren-Lewis describes an unsought awakening he had as a result of a medical crisis. He went to the mystical literature to do research. Lewis found himself 'drifting out' of his awakened condition, (though, once aware of it, he could return to it. But all the mystical writings and teachings he encountered made it seem there was such a th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

For $6 plus $2 for shipping and handling we can buy a NOW symbol for our cars, for some reason we are instructed to place it on the left rear trunk area. The NOW Symbol Formed by two simple characters, the NOW symbol signifies the present moment. > represents the completed past. < represents the future, which is unknowable. The gap between the two marks is NOW - the pr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteGee whiz, he seems pretty "attached" to selling videos to local groups he is starting, and getting people to associate their deepest wishes for Peace to HIS voice and image. I was just putting together a similiar post on this fact, money money money being made. He encourages followers to listen to the tapes often. There are many of what they call "local silent groups"
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Gee whiz, he seems pretty "attached" to selling videos to local groups he is starting, and getting people to associate their deepest wishes for Peace to HIS voice and image. Selling photos of himself. Notice how some of the photos on the website are close-ups, and his EYES really stand out. This allows people to "look into his eyes", and create a false sense of intimacy a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"