Can it really be that someone who "persuades" for a living has given up so quickly? And what's with the hurling of withering remarks and insults on Mr. Lakhani's way out? Is that a classy way to do things? Is that how a professional behaves? Mr. Lakhani has decided: "I've wasted all the time I intend to with people who apparently limit their experience
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yep. *gulp*
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteChristaLakhani's learned to manipulate a system where journal articles, association with big names, and braggadocio can confer legitimacy and the appearance of expertise. One aspect of this tactic is Werner Erhard's attempt to make Harvard Business School's case study of Landmark look like an endorsement, and Byron Katie's attempt to make a talk near Harvard appear to be
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Dave seems to want to sweep his glaring error re the Cult Awareness Network under the carpet. "Christa - It happens, no excuse, now I know and I'm moving on." Er, is not Dave deeply concerned now re having recommended CAN in his online interview about cults? Some listeners might reach out to CAN based on that recommendation, and might be harmed in some way by that. Is Dave j
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteImthatDaveAnd, to be sure, many people on your hit parade (whom I regularly criticize as well) do in fact continually upsell people into mindless programs that don't do anything. Until you audit one of my high priced programs ($3000 to learn how to build a speaking business is hardly considered high priced) then everything you say is based at best on your best guess about what happens.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Mr. Lakhani has now chosen to single out The Anticult as needing to identify himself, thus persisting in his deflection of criticism.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The audio interview with Dave Lakhani, in which he recommends the notorious Cult Awareness Network, aka CAN, is to be found at exploringthemind.com and it's 53:54 minutes long. The mention of CAN takes place at the -22.48 mark. I'd like to add that I was underwhelmed by the information put forth by the interview, which was surprising to me, given the length of it.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Great points and videos, Christa. Thank you.
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QuotebuffmanQuackdave, I found this book useful years ago in helping me to learn about logical fallacies and argumentation: Along the same lines, here is a helpful web page: [Operation Clambake Presents: Carl Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit]
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe AnticultAnyone who is referring people to the "New CAN" is either completely clueless and doesn't know what the hell they are talking about, or they are in the cult apologist business. A little more regarding Dave's reference to the shady Cult Awareness Network, aka CAN.... A blog called "The Truth Is The Secret" -- which links directly to Dave Lakhani�
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I've just been listening to Dave Lakhani's interview, "How To Protect Yourself From Coercive Groups and Leaders", which he referenced in the other thread. He actually refers listeners to seek out the "Cult Awareness Network" (CAN) for help. That's the organization that $cientology took over years ago! The original CAN actually labored to help people g
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I hope it's okay with the Moderator if I point out a little something re Mr. Lakhani. He said in his first post, QuoteImthatDaveAnd you may be surprised to know I'm not at all upset by your observations or remarks though many of them are off base or based on incorrect assumptions and interpretations. But now he is singing a very different tune, threatening to stop support of Rick Ro
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I found The Sociopath Next Door a very interesting, eye-opening read. Indeed, it talked about different "flavors" of sociopath -- for example, the kind that is very lazy and avoids work at all costs. A good book to read for people dealing with cults, LGATs, etc.
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I heard of some group years ago that required members to go out without ID and money to forage for oneself, wish I could remember the name of the group. Also it is a classic cult tactic to require members to fast, and/or subsist on low-protein or other types of restricted diet. The name of the game is to break people down. All sorts of techniques can be devised to help bring that about.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I came here to post a link re the update on Janaki's blog, but I see Stoic has gotten to it already. Thanks. Yes, there is life after Byron Katie. The thing is, if one becomes immersed in Byron Katie's world to the degree that someone like Janaki does and then leaves, there can be quite a price to pay. For example, Janaki spoke in her latest blog about possibly having to go bankrupt.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Just read a highly critical article on James Arthur Ray at today's Gawker.com. QuoteBefore three people died in his sweat lodge of horror, James Arthur Ray told them to "surrender to death to survive it." The police report is out, and it's thirty-three pages of insanity, chronicling Ray's sordid career and stanky retreat. For the entire article, see here: [Oprah Gu
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See the new blog entry by Janaki: Byron Katie & Janaki: "She is wacky..."
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Very interesting, Christa! In accordance with what you've said, I've never read "The Metamorphosis." So many books on my plate, but I think I've got to add that now...
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N. Owis, thank you very much for referring to Cosmic Schmidt's blog on Byron Katie. Here is a direct link to it: Cosmic Connie's Whirled Musings: "Katie, bar the door!"
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GO Meadow!!
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I just read the following on the home page of Janaki's blog: QuoteBKI has informed people that their profiles will be pulled from the facilitator’s page of thework.com, should they keep their profile posted on my website (www.theworkingcompany.nl). If your profile is on my website and you want it to be removed, please let me know as soon as possible. (dated July 29, 2009)
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe AnticultShe can even Twitter it from her cellphone anywhere in the world 24/7. One negative Twitter from BK about a Facilitator, and that facilitator is toast. That's power). Latest Twitter from Byron Katie: "We suffer only until we realize that we can’t know anything."
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QuoteThe AnticultThe book Altar Music was written in 2000, which is after Christin Lore Weber wrote the egobiography for Byron Katie in 1996. So maybe the book Altar Music already contains messages about Byron Katie, mixed in with the "ex-sister's tale of sexually confused priests and predatory nuns"? Maybe someone would enjoy reading Altar Music and letting us know? I'v
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QuotecorboyWhoever pushes those release of liability forms is not someone Loving What Is. So true. You guys, I have actually been busy having a life -- thus my not participating in this thread so much. It so happens I am writing a book about, among other things, stuff I've been through in new-wagey waters. Writing up my experiences is proving very therapeutic. Iow, I am gettin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think the following comments posted by Corboy are quite good: QuotecorboyThe mass marketing used by BK is incompatible with mysticism. QuotecorboyBK makes an unmystical amount of advertising noise--and gets her votaries to make noise on her behalf. Anyone claiming to be a mystic who inspires such a noisy and disruptive stream of visitors is not a mystic at all--just another huckster in
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Stoic, I apologize. It seems you are no troll. I guess it's easy to overreact given how many trolls we HAVE had here. I'd say this thread is really cooking now - great work you guys!
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QuoteStoic'Well...I strongly/completely disagree that I am wrong that 'knowledge' of the techniques will protect people! ;-)' Anticult, Apologies for the very broad and ultimately misleading generalisation I made. Stoic, I had noticed this statement too and like The Anticult, completely disagreed with it. I'm glad he spoke up about it. Also glad you apologized.
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Corboy, thank you for helping remind me that this is the sort of thing that most needs to be focused upon here.
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QuoteStoic'Sorry but statements such as I've noted above are suspicious to me. Just calling it as I see it.' Helpme2times, As one suspicious person to another, I can only applaud your calling it as you see it. Stoic, I'm choosing to take your word for it - that you truly applaud my suspicion. However, yet again you have said something that raises a great big red
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Wow, check out the latest on Janaki's blog: Byron Katie & Janaki An excerpt from the intro page: QuoteCurrently I am working on a second edited version, and as soon as it is done I will make this blog available as a downloadable pdf for easier printing and reading. So far over 30.000 times a page in this blog has been read. I don’t get reactions very often, but when I do, t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"