"Landmark Forum for Cats" Nothing more to say, really.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Sorry about lousy editing in my response...I was also thinking that Jung's statement about "neurosis" being a "substitute for legitimate suffering" kind of sums it up. In your field, you deal with suffering related to so-called mental disorders. In my field, suffering might be related to the pain involved in actual change and development; that behavioral change takes R
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Noncompliant94 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Could you tell me more about how you see it in > your industry? /// I work, or worked in the field of executive coaching and organization development until I asked too many questions. > > I mainly see it at work and in my field. I work at > a mental health web magazine and do research in
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I don't live in the U.S. (assume you do), but have seen this programming, at distance, and in my own industry, unfortunately, not at distance. I don't have an answer, though I would say avoidance is a good start. I am wondering if you could describe what you experience of this in your daily life, e.g. at work, socially, in the media. How does it manifest? What does it feel like?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I find this 'ideology' abhorrent and dishonest in the extreme, and especially coming from individuals who are usually suckering off other people.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

kdag, IMHO, there are simply too many people, from too many backgrounds/walks of life describing the SAME experience for the g.s. phenomenon NOT to have some basis in reality. I have friends from Eastern European countries who describe having experienced similar organized behaviors against their persons, or members of their families. I don't see how anyone would derive any benefit fr
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

kdag, I wasn't contesting anything you reported of your own experience. My point was only that based on data contained in this forum, there is ample evidence of organized harassment in the context of groups we are choosing to call cults. Your point has consistently been that this harassment has crossed over into your personal space, and in every sense of that term. As for remedie
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Well, I see there has not been a lot of uptake on this topic. Perhaps this relates to a general discomfort around whether government entities could be involved in organized harassment of recalcitrant individuals. As for the cultic structures discussed at length in the forum, I have seen evidence of organized harassment in many posts, be it hectoring, unwelcome telephone solicitations, peopl
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Sorry for my lousy editing. This topic upsets me GREATLY. My definition was in the text: In the absence of an accepted definition, I would say that it involves a coordinated effort by a group of individuals to inflict psychological, (and, ultimately, physical harm) on a targeted individual. Purpose: to exact conformity , or could be to drain off and manage the internal rage experienced by
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I would seem that some folks in the CEI community believe that gangstalking is stuff of "conspiracy theory". I might have been in that camp myself, a few years back, but, owing to personal experience, I am a qualified 'believer'. For purposes of this discussion, I will avoid the MK-ULTRA, COINTELPRO, Mind Control dimensions (real or false) associated in many minds with w
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

TwoDjinn, Lurid scarification rituals and self-help scams aside, the NXIVM matter is of extreme interest to owing to their infiltration of organizations via "executive" training and coaching programs. The executive-help industry is also vastly unregulated, and NXIVM activities inside corporations, or when targeting individuals of influence are surfacing very concerning things. I
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

kdag, Thank you for this resource, which I excerpt below: "Why is the Double Bind important? The discovery of the Double Bind led it’s visionaries to produce a variety of works dedicated to understanding the use of paradox and the double bind to overcome resistance and motivate change (much of it necessarily covert manipulation) within a therapeutic context. They, especially Bateso
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Interesting insights regarding the words games played in the 'consent' process. It occurred to me, too, that for some participants, the consent form may suggest that the program is really powerful, effective, and, no risk, no reward. I think they have participants in extreme sports sign these things, and also amusement park patrons who wish to ride 'death coasters'...the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I would like to devote this discussion to identifying what are the most annoying behaviors of est-holes and lekkies (TM). In my book, it is what parades as a sense of humor. This usually entails primitive attempts at word play, punning, aphorisms and profundity, ala Erhard. No disrespect intended for developmentally challenged people, but it is LIKE a room of special ed kids cracking up
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Yes, they absolutely do. Happy to report that a very senior coach (with admitted Landmark connections) was deemed not worth listening to, after a whistle stop tour of Asia. Business leaders attended these sessions to learn more about coaching, and were, AS USUAL, ordered to engage in certain 'exercises' -- how you 'learn' about coaching. Many walked out. As with NVC,
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Golly, the more things change, the more they remain the same, NLP, magical cures, the targeting of celebrities.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

How to Sell a Pseudoscience by Anthony R. Pratkanis from Skeptical Inquirer Volume 19, Number 4 (July/August 1995): Pages 19-25. Notes and references removed; refer to original for these. Every time I read the reports of new pseudosciences in the Skeptical Inquirer or watch the latest "In Search Of"-style television show I have one cognitive response, "Holy cow, how
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I am picking up the fiduciary duty cudgel again, and wondering if it might not be useful to compare how other professions charter and pay individuals who are serving in fiduciary roles. I am wondering, for instance if the ABA, or the APA uses volunteer labor in compliance-related roles. This seems to be a Landmark innovation. I am wondering, too, how many dupes would line up to voluntee
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Indeed. I think the Church of Scientology pioneered this technique, but other organizations have perfected it. On a related note, it occurs to me that this is 'why' one should NEVER involve oneself in ANY so-called professional organization, or organization related to personal or professional development that has built itself on 'volunteer' labor, and, a) because of t
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

'Grandiosity' is the operative term. What's not to like in many of the things they talk about? But this is the 'bait' you mention. In my experience, the moment one questions the feasibility of these grandiose visions, one is placed in the "subversive person" camp. WHAT, you don't care about women!?! WHAT, you don't want world peace!?!
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

kdag, What I see in your posts and those of so many others who have reported on their Landmark experience is: 1) behavior (of leaders) that is characterized by secrecy and subterfuge -- what you see, or what you are told,is NOT what you get. 2) covert agendas, and the manipulation of the agendas of individual participants, meaning the 'promise' is that participants will attain
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Thanks for sharing, corboy... I think that many of these 'assessment' instruments need to be carefully examined. I am kinda partial to MBTI, or think that it is less toxic than some of the others. Frankly, I think EQ, or EI, (Emotional Intelligence), the research and related assessments REALLY NEED TO BE TAKEN A LOOK AT. bakka
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

You PM box is full.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

On the quality of conversations, coaching conversations, event presentations, on indoctrination vs. education, and Duper's Delight -- I attended a succession of professional conferences in the coaching field, which were nothing more than studies in Duper's Delight. Sociopaths and Narcissists enjoy the art of duping, or the art of conning or whatever verb you want to inject.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

corboy, Agree 100% on the need to establish, or re-establish clear fiduciary duty in the field of coaching. Your post also caused me to think back to the difference between monological, and dialogical relationships with stakeholders: end-users, buyers, coaches, and communities. These feedback loops have to be open for a field to correct itself. Way TOO many personalities, gurus, TED TAL
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

The manufacture of snake oil is a very lucrative business. If one never define one's terms or ground one's position in research, there is room to keep tweaking the recipe. I have seen this done up close and person in consulting firms, also known as halls of duping delight.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

corboy, I need your counsel, and that of anyone else who is interested. Question: What does one do when one is trying to run a professional practice group according to at least a few of the values and guidelines outlined above, and in walks an NLP'er, or a guy who wants to talk about Jackels and Giraffes, and BELIEVE ME, they are on a MISSION, will not take facilitation as an answer.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

See my comments below ;-): corboy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > A few modest proposals. > > Corboy suggests that a healthy discipline > is based on principles rather than personalities. Roger, check that! > What are the results? Can the results be > replicated by others and in different settings? Measurable, can be validated, che
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

corboy, Thank you so much for providing these resources. Of the Janov quotes you provided, these stood out for me, and vis a vis our discussion about respectful communication, and with regard to the positioning and agenda of the 'therapist'. "I took a seminar with Perls (and with Rogers, as well), and I was struck by the theories that psychologists construct that seem to evo
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"