I highly recommend Philip Reif's "Triumph of the Therapeutic" as a means of understanding the origins of a post-morality 'cult'ure of therapeutic sensibility (the need to give, the need to receive) and endless forms of 'intervention'. I was a somewhat prolific consumer of therapy as a troubled teen and young adult. While I think there were a few well-
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It had been my experience, until recently, that as professions mature, they become more mindful of governance, and assuring the quality of their service provision -- ethical delivery. This is absolutely NOT THE CASE with the coaching field, and I think this is further evidence of its, at least, partial origin in various cultic bodies. It was always my position that the closest analogue to c
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Low bottom addict, high-functioning sociopath. I have to agree. I think, though, that the W.E.'s of the world create and collaborate with proto-sociopaths. I think that such people cannot really get traction with groups absent indoctrination and re-wiring of its members nervous and value systems. This is where the 'technologies' are essential. Also essential is the overa
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

LDS is a monster cult. I told them I had a fundamentally different view about scripture. It wasn't personal...just a different take. This was not acceptable.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Dear all, I have learned so much from reading 15 years of posts about everything 'cult'... well, I am thinking to start one... OK, here is my cult value proposition, my unique selling point. I, a callow CA female of a certain generation had become deeply enamored with ZEN BUDDHISM, as it had been interpreted by the prophet Alan Watts... who, as we know, had deeply insp
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Kdag, this is a huge and excellent question, and one that had troubled me a LOT.. I think that technically speaking, a true psychopath cannot collaborate...they are VERY disordered in their thinking, and, are not generally 'planful'...they are the kids who torture animals when they are young, and just go onto petty, and MAJOR criminality, disorganized criminality. Then, as you say
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Corboy, This ONE is really amazing!!! I am thinking, more than anything, of the rat experiments involving cocaine...like, how many times would a rat push a lever for a hit of coke...as, opposed to, say, a pellet of food. OMG, it was thousands of times...and, until they croke'd from exhaustion. "One Taste" really describes a high-tech refinement of sex addiction, and, appa
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes, there was a total problem, and I went out of my way to both appreciate THEM, and to explain my position. I did this in the most loving, appreciative, and respectful way I could imagine. I treated them in manner in which I would like to be treated... I even mocked the somewhat incomprehensible elements of my catholic faith...the more esoteric elements of its theology...saying, I coul
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

And, I have experienced the 'technology' in elite consulting firms... This stuff makes NO BUSINESS SENSE, let me tell you. So, I think we can kinda parse down to the 'how', but we need to understand the 'why'... These are not random individuals, who just recapitulate psychological flaws... No, no, no...they are CONNECTED...and, can connect. Like not mo
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I have concluded that it is pointless, in a way, to keep identifying cults, and cult leaders... There is a wealth of data on this site, which can enable participants to identify recurrent 'technologies'. Yes, they, the so-called leaders are all psychopaths, really despicable people, but, we can stop being dupes. What are the odds that even psychopaths, and their minions, devise
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I see, I see... Wow, how manipulative, and, you, being a person of conscience felt 'obligated'... Jeez, are they clever, and, pathetic, at the same time. I will swap stories with you... So, I really, really, wanted to work with this Japanese psychologist...who had been my sort of partner at a consulting firm. Issue, he is a Mormon... I thought, I can transcend this, find
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Right, and you would have to be a sociopath to do any of that! So, here is my BEEF...we, have had, over time, a number of so-called reputable professionals, psychologists, management scientists lending their brands to this garbage. I think Warren Bennis, though deceased, and USC need to be seriously looked at. Landmark is selling to corporations based on a USC, cough, study. And ther
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

That would be one reason, another would be that they don't want people ripping off their 'technologies'. This seems to be part of LGAT culture...the stealing of the master's technology.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I did not see that anyone had previously posted this paper. It is LONG, but the literature review of past cult-related research is well-done, and, the researchers took an ethnographic approach like Singer, and actually participated in LSAT's (recently). Very interesting reflections on coercive techniques, and, also with regard to what looked to the researchers like LGAT-triggered &
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

People have posted facsimiles of the Landmark 'informed consent' agreement in this forum. Has anyone posted a Landmark NDA? I have been in the people development sector for 20 years and I cannot recall any program that required participants to sign an NDA. Probably, a lawyer should give some attention to the 'legality' of this. bakkagirl
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I hope this is the case, kdag. Years ago, I read a book by Martin Amis called, "The Information". That title, at least, kinda resonates with me, now. In thinking about my so-called field in terms of "The Information", I note it seems to only go one-way. Many coach training programs seem to start with LGAT exercises that have people disclosing to strangers, and thei
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I note the One Taste posts go back years in the forum, just like NXIVM. Do you think these cults have a tragectory...just get crazier and crazier, or, do they just finally 'get caught'?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

With regard to W.E.'s current status, I agree that he is probably pulling strings from a distance. Landmark is a family-owned business. I would assume its Board is stacked with family members and W.E. loyalists. Cults don't dismantle themselves, especially, when the guru is still alive.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Corboy, I think NXIVM also built violent pornography into some of its programs. Agree with your idea that these groups degrade sex, and sexually degrade members as part of a transformation process, aka brainwashing.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Acid Reindeer Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > read a book recently called est: > Making Life Work by Robert > Hargrove. > the forum leader says that you do not do anything > as long as you act ethically (or did he phrase it > "in ethics"?), the reverse of which means that if > you can do something that makes it ethical.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I am re-purposing the term: "Acculturation" cultural modification of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from another culture the acculturation of immigrants to American life also : a merging of cultures as a result of prolonged contact to describe the condition of having surrendered one'self'to an ideology, 'ism, or personal improv
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Wasn't sure in which forum group to place this post -- could be ALL of them, I guess. This organization seems to be dealing with international child trafficking, but many of the speakers' comments (some are former cult members, some have been abusers) relate to the dynamics we discuss in the CEI Forum... And, these folks are trying to find solutions, or so it would appear...
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

kdag, I share your concern. Consider the Forbes piece, circa 2003, and what was circulating on this forum, circa 2009. It sure takes the 'authorities' a long time to investigate obviously unsavory conduct. It is my understanding that 'our favorite cult', NXIVM, donated lavishly to local politicians on both sides of the so-called fence, so this may have accounted for th
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

and, Tony Robbins. Y'all, One thing that struck me in my readings in the forum is that we are all pretty much focusing on individuals, or organizations, are REACTING to these. I am thinking it would be more productive to view individuals and/or organizations through a lens of 'trance technology'...to not focus on the 'who', but on the 'how'. This oc
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I was looking at the stated history of the ICF. And, specifically, this: 1995: Thomas Leonard, with support of others, founds the International Coach Federation (ICF) in the United States for the purpose of having a space for all coaches to support one another and help grow the profession. 1996: A president is appointed and a board of directors is established. The first issue of ICF
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Schmarl, Thanks for your message. I am glad you have found your Zen practice meaningful. I checked out Byron Katie, OMG!!! On coaching, I have been focused on working with executives who are generally transitioning to new roles, or global roles. I have found this very meaningful prior to the field being co-opted by the organization I have been ranting about in this forum. For me, it
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi there, Thanks for your post, thoughts, questions. First of all, I have lived in Japan for many years and have no idea who Byron Katie is, but will investigate. Second, I have a pretty good handle on the Zen tradition in Japan, having interned in a Zen facility, here, was pretty immersed in it for a time...am also legally-trained, U.S. law school, and have done a fair amount of mediati
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Corboy, Thank you. I will contact Mr. Ross as you suggest. I read through the Sanger stuff, use of 'freedom of religion' as means of evading participation in workplace 'programs'. This is an interesting angle, but would not be actionable outside the U.S. One resource I looked at also cited ASTD figures on money spent by corporations on suspect training programs.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

This string raised the important question related to who: what friend, loved one, boss would seek to 'rewire' the brains of friends, loved ones, or employees? Corporate employers (under the influence) regularly mandate training for their employees that involves LGAT technologies. These were pioneered, in part, by the NTL (National Training Laboratory) and the Tavistock Institute
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

One other thought. Look how long it took for NXIVM to be investigated. The behavior of these people is FLORID, but, they are protected from high places.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"