Landmark Education - anyone ever heard of it?

[WithoutATrace]

Last night, I was invited as someone's guest to attend a session at Landmark Education (33rd and 8th). Before last night, I had never heard of it before and was just wondering if any of you had heard of it, have known friends who attended sessions, or if you personally have attended sessions. The website is www.landmarkeducation.com.

I was there for about three hours and to me, it seems like a strange form of group therapy. There were at least 150 people there total, who all seemed to know each other, and essentially, it is about talking through your issues/concerns about your life with a bunch of people to make your life "extraordinary."

The guy who brought me is actually the leader of the sessions (has been for 23 years) and swears by it. I, of course, am incredibly skeptical and almost feel like I would be paying them (an overpriced $510) so I can be brainwashed and fooled into thinking that this will make my life better.

Can anyone who has heard of this program give me your insights on it? I really appreciate any information you could give me (via PM or on this thread). Thanks.

[Garland Grrrl]

Landmark -- also known as THE FORUM formerly EST -- founded by Werner Erhard. I know folks who swear by it, but I believe there is something lacking in a path whose chief practice is signing up other people for the path. There is LOTS of material out there on THE FORUM - just google it.
If you hedge with them at all, trying to be polite, they will railroad you into a course -- "Don't you want and deserve the best ??!!" Well, yes -- but is that what you're offerring? You must be firm in your refusals -- if you decide to refuse.
You may PM me if you want to hear more from me....

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

I could make your life "more than extraordinary" for $510.

[Rathnait62]

Thanks GG, as I was reading his post I thought, hmmmm, sounds like EST!

[PalJoey]

The Forum is like therapy or a 12-step program or any other self-help program: It's as good as you need it to be and as good as you make it.

Landmark specializes in looking at your recurring complaints and kvetches--the things you think you're "stuck' with. It helps you look at the self-defeating patterns in your life--and then it helps you short-circuit them. It's very no-nonsense, like the part of the Dr. Phil show where he says "How that's working for you?" and the whole audience sees through your stuff--and sometimes you do too. It's not just used for personal growth--many corporations put their employees (particularly sales forces) through the training.

I've seen it change people (for the better) who had been stuck in therapy for years. I've also seen it change just one portion of someone's life while the rest of his or her life remains just as F*CKed up as they've been for years.

You should also know (if you don't already) that there's a "cultish" aspect to it. It comes out of the "est" movement of the 1970s, and they can proselytize quite aggressively--which you seem to have already experienced.

Bottom line: If you think it will help you, it will.

[WithoutATrace]

"If you hedge with them at all, trying to be polite, they will railroad you into a course -- "Don't you want and deserve the best ??!!" Well, yes"

This is *exactly* what they did to me last night. "Signing up immediately is the first step toward making your life extraordinary."

Honestly, if it were free, I would give it a try, but I just can't afford $510 (and certanly can't justify spending it on this).

About the "cutlish" aspect that PalJoey mentioned, that is what most worries me. I like who I am right now and don't want to be one of "those people" who is trying to get every friend to join Landmark Forum. I don't know...this is all so new and strange to me.

[Garland Grrrl]

I have nothing against paying for a course -- they are offerring you a service -- and you offer your money because what you are learning is worth something -- it's an exchange of energy...but is this course what you want?

[PalJoey]

If "being part of those people" turns you off, it's not for you.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

And are you comfortable recruiting other people?

[Rathnait62]

"I like who I am right now"

There is your answer.

[touchmeinthemorning]

I'll just echo what everyone is saying. I've seen Landmark do great things for people. But, for people who are already self-aware, it seems a bit redundant (and expensive). I advise you, if you are looking to change something specific, to get yourself in a room and meditate/pray, and then write out your plan to being healthy. And then follow it.

That's all landmark is gonna ask you to do anyway.

[WithoutATrace]

Thanks so much for your help/advice. I knew I could count on BWW for information on this subject.

[JoeKv99]

I don't want to get too deep in this but I've seen a lot a headaches as one person gets in the program and starts pressuring everyoen around them to do so too. Nothing works for all people and everyone should be able to walk away-- two things that I've seen to be lacking in this deal....

[Benjamin Ozegowsky]

Sorry for the sarcastic posturing, it amazes me how people who never did est or now the Forum know more about the technology than someone that did either or both.

There is a YUGE ?? Difference between BEING Crucified and Reading about Crucifixion, I would think.

[Kad]

...did you join so you could comment on a 9-year-old topic?

[Benjamin Ozegowsky]

Why do you ask? Is that Verbotten?

If this subject is dead then the moderators should delete it so it doesn't show up in searches.

Also, new replies and or memberships should be eliminated.

I apologize for disturbing you.

You could do the Forum so you could learn to disappear such an upset and/or I am sure there is medication for whatever disorder you have that would cause a disruption in your day and respond as you did rather than moving on.

Respectfully yours,

B

[Liza's Headband]

And you are....? 

[Benjamin Ozegowsky]

Benjamin, an educated consumer.

It ain't perfect yet it can work for anyone.

Difficult to weed through the truth from the dramatic steteotypes.

I did est 1983 when I was 25.

The Forum 1985

When I originally did it I was a nuisance to my friends and family. Not due to being brainwashed, due to wanting them to experience a profound freedom that is not accessible, I'm going to be bold enough to say, "Anywhere" else.

To answer your question: I am just some guy.

This says a lot about the dude that put this all together.

BTW many faux journalists report his being investigated by the IRS. That is true. What is omitted is the fact that this man was/is the only person to sue the IRS for harassment and WON.

GOOGLE that!

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/fashion/the-return-of-werner-erhard-father-of-self-help.html

[Alexander Lamar]

[Benjamin Ozegowsky]

My that is clever.

More like Fascist Naziism..

No, Democratic Socialism.

So now I am a Member of the Intergalactic Zionist Consiracy, aa LIBERAL, a ULTRA CONSERVATIVE, A Cult member,  Brainwashed. Zombie and a Warlock.

Wow,  better get myself deprogrammed.

Someone said nothing works for everyone. Are you including air, water and gravity in that NOTHING thing you know EVERYTHING about.

[UncleCharlie]

Benjamin Ozegowsky said:      

So now I am a Member of the Intergalactic Zionist Consiracy, aa LIBERAL, a ULTRA CONSERVATIVE, A Cult member,  Brainwashed. Zombie and a Warlock.
 

Calm down. No one said you were a Warlock.