(snip) "I also think it comes down nowadays to a simple cost/benefit > analysis, like anything else. Is there enough benefit that I will > receive by involving myself with this organization vs. the cost, > monetary or otherwise, of associating with the organization?"
I am sure the people running this course are also thinking in terms of 'cost/benefit analysis', so that perhaps it is not worth their while to entertain people who they feel will be disruptive and counterproductive... Also, I really don't see how this Lifton study on 'cults', Is any different from any organized belief system, whether it be any of the organized religions, or even the way our whole culture is stuctured. Any time there is human structure of any kind; there follows rules, do's and don'ts and vieing for political power. One of the only organizations that had avoided this, is the Twelve Step programs, which specifically have a structure that avoids anyone becoming a leader or 'head' of the group; and the money is not used for promotion, and other safe-guards to avoid ego taking over. But it is never easy to structure any organization without ego vieing for power, money, and the like... > > > > " presence in the Dome would be "disruptive". > > > > Disruptive? " > > > > What is disrupted is Milieu Control. I'm sure everyone here is > hip to > > that Lifton concept. http://www.freeminds.org/psych/lifton.htm > > > > Since so many quality people have bailed on letting them work their > > mojo, it seems like they are just acting out of habit. The > movement > > seems to lack the ability to create a new organization that > respects > > mature individuals with enough spiritual and life experience to > decide > > things for themselves. It worked better when everyone was in their > > 20's and less self-assured. From the outside it is fascinating to > see > > them try to cast the same old spells their a broken wands. > > > > I wonder if Lifton has studied the oppositional reflex that must > exist > > even in devoted members, who are still close to the organization. > It > > seems as if the innocence is so long gone that the movement's words > > would have a completely different effect by this time. > > > > When I talk with people who still do the program about the > movement, > > there is so much eye-rolling that it makes me wonder who is more > > turned off to the "teaching". My guess is that although FFL is a > > small group who are willing to speak up, the eclectic lifestyle and > > practices represented here is more reflective of the majority of > > people still involved with TM than the old-school hardline. I meet > > people who keep their feelings and practices to themselves for > fear of > > being cut out of courses. I would love to know the numbers on both > > these sides. > > > > I also think it comes down nowadays to a simple cost/benefit > analysis, like anything else. Is there enough benefit that I will > receive by involving myself with this organization vs. the cost, > monetary or otherwise, of associating with the organization? > > My affinity for the TMO is much more about the organizational > dynamics than whether I choose to involve myself in alternative > spiritual esoterica. > > I really appreciate the 'Vedic template' that Maharishi has been > patiently been putting in place for so many years, and I have found > the TM techniques exceptionally effective at all levels. However the > TMO has been for me a victim of its own success. The more I achieve > the less need I have for the organization, which I think is the way > it is supposed to be- except for those whose dharma it is to work > within the organization. > > Having said that, I am extremely grateful to those on this current > course. It is having a palpable effect even as far away as where I > call home, northern California. My partner and I have been noticing > among other things how the quality of our dreams has changed since > the course began. I also notice the effect of the course during my > meditation. Just a livelier time, all around. > To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
