New Morning, First of all , thanks for asking. I appreciate your intentions. Andrew characterized me this way so I can only offer my opinion. by defected, he meant willing to speak to the press freely about any of the TM secrets. At that time there were some sidhas who were very vocal in their criticism of TM and they made themselves available to the press. They were the TM-EX group who were also suing the movement. Because I didn't feel entitled to damages for my choice in participating in TM for all my years, I never got on their mailing list or joined their cause. However, Pat Ryan who was an important part of this group, helped me understand my involvement in TM and I will always be grateful for his compassionate help and understanding.
Although people of much higher rank in the TM hierarchy had left the movement, they were not exposing themselves to the criticism of speaking their minds about TM. I stepped up and told the press what I really believed after 15 years participation, with 10 years being a full time member, MIU graduate and sidhaland monk as well as a center chairman of DC. After 17 years since I left, I have not changed my views about TM or its founder. I have, however, learned more about people who took a different path on exiting the TM program and that education has expanded my understanding about people's personal choices. The focus on what the press or Andrew quoted from his many hours of discussions with me misses the point of what I have learned. Andrew focused on the deceptions of the movement because he had been screwed by it. That was not the reason I left TM. All the MMY banging chicks or lying about the TM secrets, or the basic bullshittery that went along with TM meant nothing towards me leaving TM. I left because I believe MMY is mistaken about his interpretation about the experiences his techniques can bring. Now listening to Peter and Rick and yourself, and others on this group, I hear about people having these experiences using other techniques and finding a value in them. That is meaningful to me and I don't know how I am processing it yet. I am a work in progress. But I am always committed to learning and challenging my own limitations. Jai Guru FFL. To answer you question more directly, I am not confused about what "level" I was at in the TM hierarchy. The people around MMY like Gerbal and Rick and longer timers like Peter and Turq, had a much deeper contact with MMY. But mine was not chopped liver, and I am happy that I gave it the chance I did. I was not a casual student of MMY's. I was a balls out, pedal to the metal person in his group, and I am glad I ran it that way. Because now I have no doubts about MMY or his techniques. I left with no regrets, and the only regret I had about leaving the way I did was that I hurt people who I did not intend to hurt. This FFL group has really gone a long way toward healing that for me. It is a long and winding road my friend, isn't it? --- In [email protected], new.morning <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In [email protected], "sparaig" <sparaig@> wrote: > > > > --- In [email protected], "Marek Reavis" <reavismarek@> > wrote: > > > > > > My experience and perception in and of the movement (early to late > > > 70's) mirrors New Morning's. > > > > Slolnick describes Curtis as center chair for DC and as such, the > highest ranking person to > > ever "defect" from the TMO. > > Curtis, do you claim this? > > I lived at the DC center for a while in 1972. I don't even recall who > the center chair was. Like in many centers, it was sort of a rotating > job among core teachers. Regardless, whoever the center chair was, > he/she was hardly a movement heavy by nature of their position. If > they were "heavy", then they were heavy for other reasons -- such as > "golden boy" regional lecturer, etc. > > I also volunteered and hung out alot at Gayely, the national center / > local center combined, in 1971. Six layers of heirarchy under one > roof. Sims National Director -- Jerry. Sims President, Bob Brant. > Regional coordinator (1 of 4 in US), Rick Nelson. Then a state > coordinator, a local coordinator (greater LA or SoCal) and a center > chairperson. Jerry, possible Rick, are the only ones I would consider > movement heavies. And maybe a few really good teachers who held no > formal position. > > A bit later, I was center chair of a major metro area. I was hardly a > high-ranking movement heavy because of this. > > So at least in those days, being center charperson of a metro center, > meant little. Everyone was pitching in doing stuff. > > And as far as "defection" what exactly does that signify -- in > contrast and distinct from 1000's, in later 70's who dropped out from > full time, even part time involvement in the TMO -- as they got jobs, > got married, pursued careers, got disllusioned with TMO, etc. How is > Curtises "defection" much different from any number of other drop-outs > who took new directions? > > Jonny Gray, Billie Clayton, Devindra, even Rob Mcrutchan (sp) types, > leaving the TMO were much more noteworthy and eye-opening than > "high-ranking" Curtis's "defection", IMO. Even a Rick Archer getting > kicked out of the Domes. But Curis was of a different era than me, > early 80's ?, so things may have been different. > > Curtis, whats your take on Andrew's blurb? > 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/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> 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/
