Conference hydra::dejavu

    The only experience that I've had with Life Spring is an EX-friend
    of mine who went through it several years ago.  This is the only
    person that I have ever made an EX-friend.  Usually my friendships
    last a lifetime although the form of the relationship may change.
    I wish this person well in her life but do not wish to have her
    in my life.  
    
    This person gave extravagantly, always with high expectations of
    return.  She would buy people, and myself, (which I suppose is how
    she "won" my friendship in the first place) expensive gifts.  Rent
    limosines for events even though she always claimed to be broke.
    This person had diabetes and drank herself into a sleep always claiming
    that if she drank vodka she was drinking the purest form of alcohol
    and it would not hurt her.  One night she had an accident in her
    car and called with the assumption that she could use my car since
    I would be out of town.  Since she had no insurance I had to say
    no.  I was hung up on.
    
    The last straw was finding out that this person had gone to bed
    with someone I have loved and had a relationship on and off with
    for the last three years.  This is a person that claimed she loved
    me. 
     
    I know that this is a roundabout way of referring to your question.
     But does this seem like a person who has benefited from a
    self-awareness seminar?  I have heard negative things about this
    - and it has been compared to EST.  Something I have not gone through
    either, but know someone who has.
    
    I'm sure your friend benefited from Life Spring, and certainly it
    probably has good things to offer.  This, however, is my only
    experience with it.  Knowing someone who has a great deal of growth,
    confrontation of denial, and understanding of boundaries to learn.
    I would think a program like this would enhance growth in these
    areas.
    
    The funny thing about this person is she truly is unaware of the
    hurt that she has caused.
    
    My suggestion with any seminar, is to do a good amount of research
    before putting yourself through it.  
    
    Good Luck.
    
    Tina

    
    You know...I think we all know at least ONE person
    who did Life Spring, or est, or the Forum, or Insight...who
    could use an extra helping of common sense more than
    another such course.  Yet we always shoot the course down
    along with the person.
    
    
    I haven't done Life Spring.  But trust your friend.
    Take a look at the thing -- see if it clicks for you.
    Like in the other programs, one person will say it was
    the most remarkable thing they've ever done, and the next
    over will say it was crud.  Gotta take your own geiger counter
    to it -- because "public opinion" will be all over the map.
    
    
    Tom
    
    est '80
    Forum '86

    Well I went to the "open house" for Lifespring last night to see
    for myself. What really struck me was the enthusiasm and warmth
    of the recent graduates who were present. They were all hugging
    each other as if they were long lost friends and there was genuine
    joy in their eyes at seeing each other!
    
    The course itself is "designed to accelerate and maximize your personal
    and professional accomplishment" so that "the choices you make in
    life are truly aligned with your purposes" (quotes from brochure). 50%
    of the time is spent doing exercises, 25% on sharing experiences with 
    a group and 25% lecture. Supposedly 300,000 people have gone through
    it and 56% of the sample surveyed said that it was "one of the most
    valuable experiences I have ever had" while another 31% said it had
    "considerable value".                
                                         
    I'm inclined to sign up for it...    
                                         
    Will let you know how it goes.       
                                         
    ...Kamel                             
                                         

    
    	You might want to read note 851 on brainwashing.   I have been
    told that the lifespring seminars use some of these techniques.
    I suppose it's possible that they could be using them to benefit
    people, however, I'm sure they might also be thoroughly motivated
    to remove people from their money.    One friend I had was
    put under a lot of pressure to attend a session he could not
    afford.   He attended an introductory meeting and had many positive
    and negative feelings about it.    When we discussed it, I showed
    him some of the material on brainwashing, and this seemed to spark
    some insights into what they had been doing.   I think some people
    really do benefit from it, but it's not for everybody.
    
    			Alan.

I have nothing against EST or Lifespring but be carefully of mind control 
(ie brainwashing).   What I have seen of EST leads me to believe that it
is soft core mind control.  Granted it is for the betterment of the student.
But brainwashing is brainwashing and I don't want any one screwing with my
head.  The real problem is that you don't have control even if they say
you do.  

    
    
    I have become very interested, in humans and the way we process
    information. One of the things I notice is that life itself, ie
    cultures are basically brainwashing experiences.
    
    Many of us fear brainwashing, through the belief that we are
    fixed-integrated personalities or selves and that "brain-washing"
    is a technique beyond our control and volition, which mainupulates
    "who we are" or more accurately or perceptions of reality.
    
    Current state of the art philosophy (Heidigger,Kierkegarde,Ortega,Novak)
    is moving away from the fixed-self model and submits that we experience
    and convert experience into concept. From concept we move into
    belief and poof we have - our own personal realities. To experience
    this go to a movie, wait a week and go again. Most of us are acutely
    aware that we experience of the same event stream is qualitatively
    different on subsequent viewings.
    
    In this culture we are "brain-washed" into the realities of
    competition, war, conformity, and not making a difference. So we
    already have a blueprint in such a closed system. Lifespring and EST
    are different Blueprints, one that are based on what I as the
    individual want in my life, not that which I am told I want.
    
    
    	Renee Culver