Mere experiences that get mislabeled as Illumination or Dropping QuoteSomeone was discussing Tolle on an older Google listserve and mentioned something. There is a discussion on the Google listserve that raise intersting points []'A cessation of mentation as a result of intense concentration _may_ be a precursor to Awakening in some "accidental" enlightenment exp
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Mere experiences that get mislabeled as Illumination or Dropping QuoteSomeone was discussing Tolle on an older Google listserve and mentioned something. There is a discussion on the Google listserve that raise intersting points []'A cessation of mentation as a result of intense concentration _may_ be a precursor to Awakening in some "accidental" enlightenment exp
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Mere experiences that get mislabeled as Illumination or Dropping QuoteSomeone was discussing Tolle on an older Google listserve and mentioned something. There is a discussion on the Google listserve that raise intersting points []'A cessation of mentation as a result of intense concentration _may_ be a precursor to Awakening in some "accidental" enlightenment exp
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Like many people I think, I had no idea of what eastern or new age religion was really all about and to the lengths of which some of it goes. When you talk about religion in this country, most people think you're talking about Christianity, and people either like it or don't like it, because they know exactly what it is. Unfortunately, the new age is not like this. It's like a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThinkwise23 People get into this kind of spirituality because they think it's all fluffy and blissful, and there are no real rules, it's all about feeling better. However Tolle's books are not all light and fluffy. They are cruel, insensitive and brutal in their content to the point that you have to wonder how the hell it gets authorised in the first place. There are too ma
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

What disappears in this total availability of the past to its subsequent retroactive rewriting is not the hard facts, but the Real of the traumatic encounter whose structuring role in the subject's psychic economy forever resists its symbolic rewriting. The author of this essay critiqued John Gray. And the author makes it clear he is a Marxist/materialist and disagrees with the Pope
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotefrodobagginsQuoteMacReadyNew article from the ABC including audio interview: Interesting to note that whenever the interviewer asks Serge about some of the more bizarre elements of UM cosmology, he simple points the finger at other unusual spiritual beliefs to justify it. He also avoids a straight answer on the Leonardo da Vinci question. After listening to the interview a second time
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

To me there is a big difference between a cult and a religion. Myself being brought up as a Christian, although I'm not a church goer these days, there was plenty to draw from as a moral code and in wisdom. I was also in the church choir and we learnt how to read music, to sing in harmony, to behave responsibly and be disciplined. But we also mucked around, took the piss out of each other an
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just found out about this: QuoteJoin world famous author and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle for his first live Hangout on Air event on Saturday, July 21st at 1pm PST / 4pm EST. Eckhart will interact and answer questions live from preselected individuals during this unique event. I'm thinking it's safe to assume the preselected individuals will be loyal fans who aren't out
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

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

I'm not sure what the copyright laws are for pasting text from an online forum with attribution, so moderators, please remove/edit this post if I have violated the user agreement. I read the user agreement in full and did not find copying and pasting addressed. The following are two blog articles posted in May, 2012 regarding an in-person attendance at a The Work seminar facilitated by Byr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hi iam Rav from India I have not read the entire thread yet from past 4 days I have been reading iam on page number 89 now :) . I just thought I must post a biggggggggg thanx to Rick Ross , anti cult, corboy, helpme2 time, sOlea13 and all others for their contributions on this thread . So far whatever I read I learned so much maybe more then whatever self help books I have read so far in my li
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

They are egomaniacs, who think they are special and even superhuman. Or at least they try to get their followers to believe that, often using reverse psychology. If they really were "enlightened" the first thing they would admit is that they are a fallible greedy crooked person, and probably renounce the con-artists lifestyle, and get a job. But they are self-promoting con-artists
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Absolutely. I can remember one clip I watched from another of these gurus, Adyashanti, who again doesn't use his proper name, because that would make him too ordinary. A woman who had come to one of his "get togethers" was feeling terrible fear, and her voice was trembling. My heart went out to her, but all Adyanshanti could say was "don't worry, it's just mind st
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Gotta agree with that. Tolle is clearly an Egomaniac, ironically. And now he is a multimillionaire, and will only get much worse. And that is very true, Tolle is comparing people who have serious mental illness, delusions, and even psychosis, to the normal inner dialogue each person has in their minds. That of course is extremely false. Eckhart Tolle is a confidence-man, who is able to p
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

One of the problems when looking into different types of spirituality, is that you go into it with an open heart and mind. Most people would agree that this is not a bad trait to have, but if you're not careful you leave yourself open to manipulation, and the vulnerable always come out worse. I like the quote 'be open minded, but not to the point that your brain falls out'. Eck
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Lao Tze has to be one of the most ripped off authors in history(along with Buddha), just about every New Age guru quotes him without attribution in order to make themselves seem wise to a addlepatted and desperate audience who is looking for the express train to enlightenment. They don't get that all they'll ever get from the likes of Trolle is just more empty words from a man who is le
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

?? Studies of Inquiry Based Stress Reduction" - another term for 'The Work'
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As mentioned elsewhere, there are teachings (exposition) and public speaking and stage presence (elocution/theatre arts) On this page some are suggesting that Barry Longs material had some simliarities to Eckhart Tolle and both, possible to Lao Tse QuoteI am not saying anything about Eckharts Message.. He does acknowledge other text in his message and practically all religions. If yo
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteI hear ya, Phil. I really do, because I have often thought the same things that you are saying. That the gurus are being hypocritical to one minute say "You are it. You need nothing" And then the next minute, scheduling world-wide satsangs where people can come and sit in their presence. I don't know the answer. I have a close friend (the same one who origi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here is a term that might be useful in search engines. antinomianism Its the attitude or stance that if one is at a certain point of spiritual realization conventional morality and precepts no longer apply. The term is often used in discussions of Christianity, but one might see if it brings up new material for us in researching tantra. Definition QuoteAntinomianism (from the Gre
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thinkwise23, your description of Tolle's teachings and reactions sound a lot like a warmed-over pseudo-Buddhism. Telling people to abandon the "self", while he very much retains his "self" and gradually replaces the seeker's "self" with his own (Tolle's), countering criticism with accusations of "judgmentalism", these things are straight out
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thanks, EverVigilant. The funny thing is followers of this stuff actually believe they've been empowered and now have all the answers.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteIf anyone has the nerve to suggest that I am 'getting worked up' or 'obsessed' or am 'hating on' Tolle, I have solid reason to write as I do. -- corboy One of the reasons I keep coming back to the RR site is because so few people seem to realize or admit that the emperor is naked. Being around people who buy into this doggy doo is annoying and sometimes it fee
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotegood enoughFor some reason the image of middle aged adults wearing nothing but diapers keeps coming to mind. Not a pretty picture. Beautiful! I mean, not. You know what I mean. That is just the image people need to see through this phenomenon.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Thinkwise23, you've touched upon a couple of points which have bothered me about Tolle. The first being his unbelievable arrogance. If you agree with him and buy into his BS, then you're ready for "entitlement"... or Trolle's version of it. If you don't buy into the BS, then there's something wrong with you because, of course, Trolle couldn't possibly
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This is a page full of classic older posts on this topic. In case anyone is new to the front page and is visiting, here is a bit to read. Goodie bags, red roses.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The teachings seem to be peripheral. One could go straight to the source and look at books that give texts of conversations from Ramana Maharshi and Nisergetta if the 'teachings' were all that mattered. What is annoying about Tolle and others like him is that they verbally say that they are offering teachings, but thier public actions and methods of staging their public appearanc
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The 3 cards trick you mention earlier is very interesting and hits the nail on the head with Eckhart Tolle. He would really struggle in a debate, so just sticks to his tried and tested techniques and avoids anyone who might trump him. I do remember from his book 'The power of Now' that he makes it very plain to people by stating "of course there is something wrong with you"
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

If anyone has the nerve to suggest that I am 'getting worked up' or 'obsessed' or am 'hating on' Tolle, I have solid reason to write as I do. Tolle and Byron Katie and these other 'sudden enlightement' types are making vast sums of money and establishing business empires. Where do they come from? Whats the process of creating these tycoons? T
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"