Gratitude Training does indeed incorporate the same fundamental principles as (((REDACTED))), even was mentioned in part one training, Ray (trainer of part 1, that has been working with Large Group Awareness Trainings for over 40years and according to my small group leader is the highest paid person) said that they are an offshoot basically of mind spring, landmark etc. All of these types of trainings are considered. Large Group Awareness Training all of these types of trainings use these kinds of methods in some way or another, how many depends on the group. I'm not surprised there aren’t many negative things about Gratitude Training listed yet. Lots of people I have personally talked to are uncomfortable with sharing negative opinions and admitting some kind of weakness or vulnerability, especially if they feel a large company or group would have an opposing view and could be damaging to their careers/life in a small community. I experienced seeing every one of these methods used in Gratitude Training 1) Psychological breakdown/opening up the subconscious mind.
2) Catharsis or the releasing of repressed emotions usually caused by interpretations of childhood events.
3) A rebirthing or psychological buildup with processes designed to make participants feel good about themselves, the trainer and the course.
4) The reliance on intense interpersonal and psychological attack to destabilize an individual's sense of self to promote compliance,
5) The use of an organized peer group,
6) Applying interpersonal pressure to promote conformity, and
7) The manipulation of the totality of the person's social environment to stabilize behavior once modified.
. 8) Public humiliation 9) Intense encouragement/pressure for enrollment in additional expensive, near future expensive training that corresponds directly with enrolling people in your individual dreams goals. 10) Exposed to people sharing traumatic personal events in front of strangers, encouraged to do the same, encouraged to share "secrets" with staff members. 11) Refusal to answer any "design" questions 12) Told we were failing if we "left anyone behind" in regards to enrollment in more expensive training 13) Encouraged to beg people for donations and have fundraisers to continue or attend training Etc………….etc…………..etc.
I’d love to know if these kinds of tactics and as many of them are used in other businesses than Large Group Awareness Training. Gratitude Training claims that with only 2% we can change the world view and shift it to Love, Peace, Abundance etc.. A great marketing strategy to impose loyalty, hey we don't need the masses to agree we only need to convince 2% and we will be responsible for world peace etc. Boy what a profit they could make if they could do that. Especially if so many people are addicted to the adrenaline high and sense of "authentic human connection" people are lining up to volunteer, work and recruit for free. What other companies do all this (and many more questionable tactics that I haven't listed) to gain a profit? I'd really like to know some specifics. I have no problem with people making a profit and paying to go to "self improvement" functions, retreats, etc. What I am having a problem with is the lack of education and information people are getting when they are "Enrolled" into this type of business/way of life. Please give me specific examples of other businesses that employee these tactics. I'd really like to know…...
In addition to other questionable training methods. People have told me that I was "more than fulfilled with my experience" that is not true. All along I felt something wasn't quite right. Did I go into the training with an absolute open mind and give my absolute 100%, absolutely and I think no one would disagree with that. Had I had even gone into the training knowing the types of methods they use and the controlled team, coach and peer encouragement/pressure to (a term chanted over the course of the last night during training part 2.2 for hours on end in 3-7 min intervals) OWTFJDWIT (oh what the f***, just do what it takes) to continue on with this "valuable" training for $1250 more and then $2000 more all within a month period. Absolutely no way would I have gotten involved. Is there some value in some of the content involved in the training (getting out of your "Box" taking responsibility for your reality, not letting past experiences hold you back from creating the life you want etc, yes, is that knowledge exclusive to Gratitude Training or any Large Group Awareness Training, no it is not and it can certainly be taught and found and implicated in ones life without all the questionable methods of training, just check with any good life coach. In my opinion the training does indeed contain some time old valuable lessons warped in with all the unethical methods of teaching.
To address trainees comments to me that companies should be paid for helping people and make a profit. I agree if they are honest, ethical and authentic in helping people and wanting to make a difference, show me other businesses that use public humiliation, emotional manipulation, what other business other than a doctor or psychologist would ask you to tell them your "secrets", publicly share childhood trauma in front of complete strangers, blame attendees actions the cause of war, keep you in a room for 12-14hr days, scolded people if they needed to use the rest room other than the assigned few breaks, put on the spot and publicly humiliated if a few min late. (I.e., Ray telling a women over and over again if he had a gun to her child’s head would she be there on time, then comparing the training to the importance of her life) and instructed to stay with small groups with controlled conversation, even during lunch. There are so many things that didn't sit right with me and I kept ignoring my intuition that something was seriously wrong with this whole process for the sake of "Keeping an Open Mind" All of this information I am sharing clearly describes what I personally experienced and I know for a fact it can be extremely damaging to ones life in the long term.
After my experience I am in the strong opinion that "enrolling" people into this kind of company without them being aware of the methods of training used and opposing worldview is completely irresponsible. To make it clear, I don't at all doubt the authentic love I felt from my fellow trainees, nor do I accuse them of knowingly "enrolling" people into a training that uses these methods. I believe the majority of people, like myself went in with an open heart and mind to connect, learn and better their lives, without any knowledge of what they were really getting involved in until the damage was done. Had I been aware of any of this information before would I have taken a part of it, absolutely not. You may choose to ignore all the information I am sharing but remember.....”the way you do one thing....is the way you do everything”.... (term used in training) And be sure I will make people aware because I feel "oh what the f***, do whatever it takes" (another term used to raise money for training, i.e. enrolling people in your vision in life also correlates to enrolling people in your dreams) In the words of Ray, our part one trainer: “WAKE THE F*** UP PEOPLE” recognize corporate greed and manipulation. I absolutely welcome any observations, comments or rebuttals. I could write an extremely detailed description of my experience, however they try and protect their company with a very long legal document I had to sign. I STAND FOR COMPANIES, PEOPLE, AND A WORLD THAT ARE TRULY HONEST, LOVING, PEACEFUL, ETHICAL, AUTHENTICALLY ABUNDANT AND EMPOWERED and I am and always have been an INSPIRATIONAL, POWERFUL, COURAGEOUS LEADER.
Karen
San Diego,#2General Comment
Tue, June 12, 2018
Everything you described below is exactly what a very dear friend of mind experienced with Ascension Leadership Academy (ALA) in San Diego. It's heartbreaking to see the damage they have caused to her life and relatiionships as a result. She has been and remains completely brainwashed 18 months later.
Before joining any such organization (Landmark, Ascension Leadership Academy, Life Spring, to name a few) I would enourage someone to do a lot of reasearch, read up on LGAT literature, and talk to friend and family memeber of someone who has participated in the program. You will likely fin that they are deeply concerned and alarmed about the radical, negative change in behavior of their loved one after attending.
If you feel your life is missing somehting, or you wish to be a "better" person, the $2,500 fee (for ALA) would be much better spent on a qualified therapist that is required to uphold the highest ethical standard to ensure your emotional and mental well being. It should be noted that its extremely uncommon for founders and trainers of these organizaitons to have any credentials in the psychology field, and they are generally void of ethics in the manipulation of their attendees for their financial profit.
While of course these groups claim they are not cults, they generally use the exact same techniques that cults use to brainwash and emotionally manipulate people, all under the guise of "charitable leadership". I've seen them turn wonderful, successful, warm loving people into zombies that have lost their ability to think or act critically and independently. I've seen intelligent poeple manipulated into participating in bizarre group activities, as well as members aggressively harrass and intimidate "outsiders" into signing up (which is how they guarantee their ongoing profit).
I which there was more I could do to bring awareness to this problem and potect others. There needs to be more education about the potential harmful affects of ALA and similar "leadership" courses. Self improvement is a subjective experience, but when it involves stress techniquies, environmental control, and a radical change in your belief system and personality, something isn't right.
Jamie
CONWAY,#3Consumer Comment
Sat, September 23, 2017
I TOOK PART 1...MOST THAT IMBRACE THIS GROUP HAVE VERY LITTLE GOING FOR THEM...HOW IS A GROUP STARTED BY A WOMAN WITH A SEXUAL IDENTITY CRISIS GOING TO HELP ME. MY EX GAVE THESE PEOPLE $3000...LOL...PEOPLE THAT FALL FOR SUCH NONSENSE WILL ALWAYS BE BROKE!
eva
Hlwd,#4General Comment
Sat, June 03, 2017
I'm taking part ML and the entire experience has been eye Opening becuz i choose to trust the process and I've seen a shift in my being, fears and my victim story in my head disappeared. My relationship with my dad has been mended and I have possibilities for open space to create from nothing. How is your life now? Do you have your 10 life? This is phenomenal work. I advise to take the entire curriculum and give the tools a try to use to transform your old habits into possibilities . Sadly your post is your opinion and I dont align !