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