Hello Sportguy44,
I'm sorry you've had this traumatic experience. I hope my experiences with Landmark, another lgat gives you some answers. And when I joined I had to sign a disclaimer that I was not suffering from depression. And that is because they know that the experience might trigger negative responses from those who join in a low or depressed frame of mind.
In hindsight (its always 20/20 isn't it) I should not have joined because I was in a very low state but I wanted social contact and the large group experience drew me in.
To answer your question in your last post, and going from my own experience, they don't openly teach people to avoid happiness and meaningful lives. In fact they say that doing their courses will give you just that - better relationships, more successful careers, personal fulfilment.
But from reading this forum, focusing mostly on Landmark I admit, they also use hidden techniques - such as waking hypnosis, controlling the environment of the room, giving you very little personal space or time to think - and this trips the body's natural dopamine so that you leave on a high and feeling super-human. I experienced the high very strongly but it did not feel right. So I didn't trust it. And therefore I didn't make an rash changes to my life. It lasted about 3-4 weeks. Helped along by weekly sessions after the initial weekend workshop occurred.
And if you enter this space in either a low mood or a depressed frame of mind, it can lead to psychotic episodes or mental breakdowns. I think its because they tap into primal fears that we all have and make you believe that only their way of thinking will save you. That was my take on it all.
I was saved by my sceptical mind and the people in my group who were drawn to me were equally sceptical which prevented all of us from being totally sucked in.
But just before I left, I awoke in the middle of the night, experiencing the worst fear ever from this group. And I never went back.
They make members dependent by saying that only people who have had this experience (and teachings) will understand you now. And all the people in your life who have not done this will not understand you any more. So you need to persuade them to do this course. And if somebody totally believes this, then they move away from anybody who says it is wrong if they can't persuade them to join up.
So its not about teaching negativity, its more complex than that. Its a form of brain washing and mind control which is far worse. I hope this helps.
And if you have patience, do read up on the threads on here. I found them very helpful, even for courses that I hadn't been on. I was then able to see similar patterns across all lgats and now I can spot them for what they are without getting involved. Good luck and I hope you come through this.
I'm sorry you've had this traumatic experience. I hope my experiences with Landmark, another lgat gives you some answers. And when I joined I had to sign a disclaimer that I was not suffering from depression. And that is because they know that the experience might trigger negative responses from those who join in a low or depressed frame of mind.
In hindsight (its always 20/20 isn't it) I should not have joined because I was in a very low state but I wanted social contact and the large group experience drew me in.
To answer your question in your last post, and going from my own experience, they don't openly teach people to avoid happiness and meaningful lives. In fact they say that doing their courses will give you just that - better relationships, more successful careers, personal fulfilment.
But from reading this forum, focusing mostly on Landmark I admit, they also use hidden techniques - such as waking hypnosis, controlling the environment of the room, giving you very little personal space or time to think - and this trips the body's natural dopamine so that you leave on a high and feeling super-human. I experienced the high very strongly but it did not feel right. So I didn't trust it. And therefore I didn't make an rash changes to my life. It lasted about 3-4 weeks. Helped along by weekly sessions after the initial weekend workshop occurred.
And if you enter this space in either a low mood or a depressed frame of mind, it can lead to psychotic episodes or mental breakdowns. I think its because they tap into primal fears that we all have and make you believe that only their way of thinking will save you. That was my take on it all.
I was saved by my sceptical mind and the people in my group who were drawn to me were equally sceptical which prevented all of us from being totally sucked in.
But just before I left, I awoke in the middle of the night, experiencing the worst fear ever from this group. And I never went back.
They make members dependent by saying that only people who have had this experience (and teachings) will understand you now. And all the people in your life who have not done this will not understand you any more. So you need to persuade them to do this course. And if somebody totally believes this, then they move away from anybody who says it is wrong if they can't persuade them to join up.
So its not about teaching negativity, its more complex than that. Its a form of brain washing and mind control which is far worse. I hope this helps.
And if you have patience, do read up on the threads on here. I found them very helpful, even for courses that I hadn't been on. I was then able to see similar patterns across all lgats and now I can spot them for what they are without getting involved. Good luck and I hope you come through this.