Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site kpnoa.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!houxm!houxz!vax135!floyd!cmcl2!seismo!hao!noao!kpnoa!sharp
From: sharp@kpnoa.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Re: Lifespring, est, etc.
Message-ID: <346@kpnoa.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 4-Jun-84 18:35:29 EDT
Article-I.D.: kpnoa.346
Posted: Mon Jun  4 18:35:29 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 6-Jun-84 06:28:19 EDT
References: <997@hao.UUCP>, <19585@wivax.UUCP>
Organization: Natl. Optical Astronomy Observatories   Tucson AZ  USA
Lines: 26

All of these "training" programmes are based on something the military knew
back in the days of Sparta: shared suffering builds lasting bonds.  They are
all a mild form of brainwashing based on the psychologically attractive stand
that "it's not your fault".  Scientology blames it all on those nasty little
engrams, due to childhood (even prenatal) traumas.  Est basically teaches that
nobody else's opinion matters, so if they don't like you it's their hangup not
yours.  The "suffering" involved is not necessarily physical, although the most
dangerous kinds can reach the heights of the Moonies (and everyone contemplating
any of these courses should read Erica Heftmann's book "Dark Side of the
Moonies" to see how bad it can be).  Telling personal experiences to a room full
of strangers is no less agonising than being forbidden to go to the bathroom for
24 hours or so (see Burt Reynolds' vicious take-off in his football movie).
I haven't investigated "Lifespring", so I don't have an opinion (I don't like to
pontificate without data).  I will go as far as to say that it *sounds* similar.
   "If there were more friends, there'd be fewer psychiatrists"
   Before you ask, I have not taken any of these courses.  I happen to know that
I am peculiarly susceptible to this sort of brainwashing, but I prefer my own
unhappiness and insecurities to someone else's idea of what I should be. And if
you want an argument, I'll be here for a while yet.
-- 

	Nigel Sharp     National Optical Astronomy Observatories
			Tucson, Arizona			(602) 325-9273	

UUCP:	{akgua,allegra,arizona,decvax,hao,ihnp4,lbl-csam,seismo}!noao!sharp
ARPA:	noao!sharp@lbl-csam.arpa