--- In [email protected], "mrfishey2001" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > --- In [email protected], "mrfishey2001" > > <mrfishey2001@> wrote: > > > > > > Perhaps at the > > > moment we can do no better than "freely" and "willingly" I think > > further reflection would > > > prove otherwise. > > --- In [email protected], "Kenny H" <kenhassman@> wrote: > > > > Are you thinking perhaps of Geraldine (Flip Wilson)- "...the Devil > > made me do it?" > > > > ------------------------ > > If, as it seems in your case, further reflection takes you to the devil. But no, I was not > suggesting demonic possession.
Wow, I was teasing and thought the reference to Flip Wilson and his character Geraldine would cause a smile. I was giving a glib answer and see this is a sensitive topic. Apologies for treating it lightly. Ken I'm sure sociologists could provide many reasons people join cults, religions, spiritual groups, etc and we probably all have some mix of those reasons-surrogate parents (the Guru), sense of family, etc. For me once I realized (1984) that nothing I had taken on as personal belief - all the TM beliefs - were actually being lived by me in my personal life - I did not know what to do, how to change my life, where to go, how to get a career, etc. So I understand, I think, what you are speaking of. > > Your post claims members participated "freely and willingly." Which at face value seems > true enough. I doubt it's that simple. Membership usually presupposes expectation; I join > to access power, desire companionship, learn new skills or benefit some way by being a > member. Personal experience tells me the majority of TM members, particularly those at > higher levels, seek the benefits of emancipation. For many that's enlightenment, others an > absence of the time-consuming limitations posed by professional commitments. In either > case, the success of your emancipatory aspirations becomes subject to your compliance > with group expectations. > > Here, "freely" and "willingly" are subject to much debate. > > ------------------------ >
