SUBMITTED: Sunday, May 28, 2006
POSTED: Sunday, May 28, 2006
On another board, someone recently pointed out that a new group exists that seems to be linked to the Millers' Gentle Wind Project.
Each time this person searched on Google for Gentle Wind Project, a sponsored site came up called "Allies for Trauma Relief." Apparently a great way to end trauma, according to "Allies," is to use Gentle Wind's "healing instruments."
The "Allies" seem to have a board of directors that overlaps with some "Gentle Wind" followers and board members.
So many good people, probably including most of the individuals involved with "Allies" and "gentle wind's" Millers, have sincere and urgent intentions to end "trauma." However, it's sometimes all too easy to reach for answers without looking behind the front covers of the
claims -- just as we did.
The "Allies" website is also accompanied by dozens of poignant photos of devastated people around the world. It's a layout that can
tug at people's emotions.
Groups sometimes use front organizations as a way to look for legitimacy or find new donors, members, and followers. And these techniques have sometimes been used historically when exposure occurs for the original organization. Is that what is going on between "Allies" and the Millers' Gentle Wind Project?
People will hopefully do their own research, using their intellect as well as their emotions. And it's always recommended to ask another person -- someone not affiliated with the group in question -- to give objective assistance with such an evaluation.
Each of us has the right to dissect and evaluate claims coming from any direction -- whether from a relief agency, business, religion, therapist, government, individual, cult, or high-control group -- and then to form our own opinions.
A new book by Janja Lalich -- "Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships" -- makes the point that:
"Many religious and self-help institutions, as well as mainstream political parties and special-interest groups are examples of...noncult organizations. We do not call them cults because they are...accountable to some higher body or to society in general. When people join they have a clear idea of these organizations' structures and goals. Deceptive or coercive practices are not integral to the growth of these organizations or their ability to retain their members."