LGATs-Large Group Awareness Training(Landmark Education, EST etc)

# 18 May, 2013 18:06
TucoRamirez	Given Daniele's book, I've been oddly reading about what some people consider to be cults like Landmark Education, Lifespring, Lifestream, the old EST(progenitor to Landmark) etc. I do not consider them to be cults at all (but businesses) but have been fascinated as I've met people who swear by the mix of pop psychology etc combined with a pyramid marketing scheme to bring others in. I've always figured that putting people in an alpha state of brain waves makes them highly suggestible (I've read a lot on the brain and how people persuade, something big in all of the memes Daniele describes more in his 50 religions book or why people believe absurd things–Michael Shermer) but wanted to see if anyone here has experiences or opinions with any of these groups.. I'm skeptical about a lot of the claims of transformation yet intrigued as I know zen buddhism themes and some of Alan Watts was thrown into their mix. Still, I don't like the hard sale I hear is also embedded and for what it is worth, found 3 rounds of sparring better than any claims of transforming one self, out there.. Or as Sunao the buddhist monk said in his death poem: Spitting Blood Clears up dream and reality, alike How true! Getting punched in the face does it too.. Or lastly as the Lizard King Jim Morrison said, none of us is getting out of here alive.. Anyone have any experience/thoughts here? quote

# 18 May, 2013 18:06

Given Daniele's book, I've been oddly reading about what some people consider to be cults like Landmark Education, Lifespring, Lifestream, the old EST(progenitor to Landmark) etc. I do not consider them to be cults at all (but businesses) but have been fascinated as I've met people who swear by the mix of pop psychology etc combined with a pyramid marketing scheme to bring others in. I've always figured that putting people in an alpha state of brain waves makes them highly suggestible (I've read a lot on the brain and how people persuade, something big in all of the memes Daniele describes more in his 50 religions book or why people believe absurd things–Michael Shermer) but wanted to see if anyone here has experiences or opinions with any of these groups.. I'm skeptical about a lot of the claims of transformation yet intrigued as I know zen buddhism themes and some of Alan Watts was thrown into their mix. Still, I don't like the hard sale I hear is also embedded and for what it is worth, found 3 rounds of sparring better than any claims of transforming one self, out there.. Or as Sunao the buddhist monk said in his death poem:

Spitting Blood
Clears up dream and reality, alike

How true! Getting punched in the face does it too.. Or lastly as the Lizard King Jim Morrison said, none of us is getting out of here alive..

Anyone have any experience/thoughts here?

# 21 May, 2013 19:58
DjMagik	I think we should implant ourselves in these groups and start fucking with the heads of the leaders. Don't worry…everything's gonna be alright quote