Landmark Education and the "C" word

WARNING: Landmarkians,their drones and monitors are advised to not watch this narrative as you will find it critical of Landmark Education. This is for the openminded.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Landmark
• Education
• Forum
• Advice
• Cult
• Activity
• Advanced
• Course
• Offices
• California

[NaghurahCathal]

Thank you for posting this, though I've never personally had an encounter with the group...I do have an interest in cult mentality. This organization, beneath its facade is nothing more than a greedy corporation interested in exploiting the emotional dependency of others. Free will is one of the greatest gifts we humans have, without it we cease to be individuals.

[bradbavarde]

@NaghurahCathal Thanks for your comment about the importance of free will!

[doogadoogie]

My wife and I did the Forum back in 2003.

It was certainly an intense experience, but never have thought of it as cultlike.

We apply the concepts to help work through family and work issues, but don't get too wrapped up in it.

It's actually being in the Forum that's tough for many. I can see where some people really get freaked out - a core concept is taking complete responsibility for everything that's happened to you in your life - ie - everything is a choice.

[bradbavarde]

@doogadoogie I agree that there is some strategies for living that can be carried away and applied effectively to one's life. However the notion of no one being a victim, is something I can't buy in to. I think the best example of this is that the man who founded Landmark Werner Erhard once told a Holocaust survivor that she was responsible for what had happened to her. Can't buy that.

[doogadoogie]

@bradbavarde - Agreed. Only after my Forum did I learn of it's history (EST) and cases of abuse, none of which occurred in our session. The syllabus is on their website, and I have to say that, for us, the material is pragmatic in its concept and application.

Unfortunate that it's founder and others have abused the privilege...

[bradbavarde]

@doogadoogie Yes, the boundries are a bit blurry between what is healthy self improvement and what could be considered abuse. In the case of you and your wife, your strength of character and intelligence obviously enabled you to distill a healthy strategy for living from the experience. My concern remains for those who are more vulnerable to the darker side such manipulation can bring through the methods that are used in the forum. I appreciate your comments, however.

[Xtraversy]

Correct, you are rambling. In my experience, both in doing the Landmark Forum and graduate courses, and in observing hundreds of people that have, the results are about 95% positive. I myself got out of a very bad slump of being unemployed, and into a very lucrative contract, which lasted for many years. This was worth over $500K to me; should I feel put out because I paid $375 for that? This comes to about $4.70 per hour. "Financially and psychologically exploited"? Don't think so.

[vagisil4eva]

you are obviously very smart and well spoken and i hope more potential landmark attendees see this video before signing up and signing away their autonomy.

[mikedpker45]

Yes, this was very productive. Thanks You so much for sharing. I hope it helps others not to get suckered into this cult !!

[slgilley]

I did the Forum in about 1991. Months later, because two friends told me how great the course was, I did the (now defunct) Six Day course. I did exactly one seminar. I haven't had anything to do with LE since at least 1992. My point is that I was never psychologically dependent on LE, nor did I ever give them a single penny that I didn't want to give them. And yup, I was euphoric at the end of both courses. Continuing in their courses costs money. Yes. But so what?

[alanxmato]

I have been in the SELP course, which is the last part of the curriculum for living and withdrawn from it. I realised the heavy selling was getting to me and also recognises my dependency was forming in earnest. Anyway, I have now walked away but am feeling very miserable. What can you advise me in order to feel less down about being away from it and trying to get my own answers in life. Would appreciate anything. Your videos have been great for me so keep up the good work! ;) Alan

[leetyler06]

Cults take you away from your family. Landmark forum brings you closer. It is not religious at all. This is not psychological at all. This is his opinion. It is not hypnosis. You may be afraid, and this leaves you in action to act in the face of your fears..It's not euphoria, it's ever expanding yourself. There is a free 10-week seminar series that allows you to practice the views in your every day life. It's always your choice; there's never any pressure.

[AussieGunner1106]

HOw many times have you done the forum and what is the true financial costs that you are aware of which people are required to pay

[uberstahl]

Wish I had seen your video before I became involved. You articulated very eloquently what I was feeling when I finally "escaped" from this cult. Thank you for sharing, and for doing your part to raise awareness.

[js01132010]

The Forum has impacted you in ways you dont know that you dont even know. Whatever thoughts and descriptions of such impacts are different among all of us. Nevertheless, the choice of your notions about the Forum will continue at causing of such impacts as you think, read, write, Google and YouTube of this topic. Consider your life has been altered in ways, which whatever they might be, by your choice about your notions of the Forum, not by whatever the reality of the Landmark Forum really is.

[doogadoogie]

I think ANY organization - religious, business, political, etc., can and does manipulate vulnerable people. I'm Catholic and look at the abuse they've inflicted on people for centuries. Oprah has Andrew Young on and he certainly fell for the Cult of John Edwards, as did many of his supporters. As for weathering the pressure of more classes, we used what we learned in the Forum to fend them off:

(1) you only need the Forum to be complete with their entire program; we choose NOT to enroll.