Landmark Education Los Angeles Introduction Leader Body Cult-like behavior and dangers have been reported by members, converts, guests, and would-be converts by leaders, members, and other gurus Los Angeles California

I read this post and am glad someone else spoke out. Obviously, the next three posts were written by representatives of landmark or current students because they were simply trashing the person who posted several rules for recognizing a cult.

I say this because I had a cult like experience at a landmark center. Several of their leaders made a pass at the same participant (which is supposedly forbidden for the leaders to do) and then to avoid punsihment or being removed from their corporate structure they coerced the woman into lying about the experience and they themselves lied about the experience and tried to tell everyone else involved to lie about it as well. And they would do so in a very 1984 style. They would simply keep saying their side of the story in a very short and succinct manner that denied any sort of wrong doing even though they were talking to people who knew they were lying. It was a very bizarre experience. I would tell any one to steer clear of this organization or at the very least to never trust their seminar leaders. They're very shady and their actions are cult like.

My experience was in los angeles and maybe their other centers are safer, but be cautious when dealing with them.

Wow, I just read through this long thread.  There's a really clear pattern:  Those who have done Landmark and gotten a lot out of it sound really sane, and reasonable, and calm. 

What's that tell you?  Either Landmark graduates have been "brainwashed" into being able to think critically with minimal upset, to communicate constructively, and to listen to all sides of an argument before responding--and if THAT'S brainwashing you can sign me up!-- Or they're simply normal people who have greater self-expression and peace of mind.  Hmmm.... 

Btw, do a search on Rick Ross' credentials.  He has none.  He's a *self-proclaimed* expert on cults.  I've read his posts on Landmark in the past, and they were so inaccurate as to be ridiculous.  When you go down the list of cult characteristics point-by-point, none of them apply to Landmark.  At all.  Not even close.  Ross has never done a Landmark course, so he couldn't actually be any sort of reliable "expert" on the courses or the company. 

Most ironically, the last time I read anything about Landmark on Ross' site it was quite neutral, bordering on positive.  So if you're a proponent of Ross, go back and read the most recent stuff. It's still not written from experience or real expertise, but at least it's not as extremist as it once was.

I'm still trying to understand what makes a handful of people react so strongly against personal development companies like Landmark.  I honestly just don't get it.  We are all adults with free will.  We can do or not do whatever we choose.  If Landmark isn't for you, then don't do it.  It's that simple.

Participating in the landmark forum is not for everybody.  Completing the landmark forum is the pre-requisite for any of the other landmark courses.  The landmark forum costs money... one could say it is expensive.  And one could say the whole organization is just about making money (for personal financial gain) and/or "brainwashing" people for some unknown other reason. 

In reality, the landmark forum is nothing more than a conversation between a large group of diverse people and a leader.  Some people get a lot out of it and some people feel like they have been taken advantage of. 

I happen to be one of the people who got a lot out of my experience with the forum, the seminars, and the advanced course.  I am not currently participating in any landmark programs and never felt any apprehension about "taking a break" from the classes. 

The other thing I would point out is that in EVERY landmark forum that I have participated in or assisted in... all of the participants are given the opportunity to leave and get a full refund after a few hours of the first day. 

For anyone who says that there is "brainwashing" involved... or landmark is some kind of money grabbing operation... I would encourage you to do more research. 

We may experience the same things differently and that's part of being human.  My experience with landmark was generally positive even though I don't participate in courses right now. 

It is entirely possible that landmark education courses are not for you!  If you are worried about being brainwashed or ripped off... you should do more research or choose not to participate. 

Just like anything in life, you can make something suck or make something awesome.  Landmark is no different.  Having been a graduate for 2 years now, I can honestly tell you that there is no "cult like" activity that occurs in the circulum.  If there was, I'd be the first one out the door.  While I live in St. Lous (no LA), I can't tell you how many extremely successful graduates there are involved with the program here.  While most are just attendees, some volunteer (Assist) as well. 

As for control, tolerance, leaving... that you wrote about, it's simply not true.  I've attended seminars in several cities and no one has ever made a problem with anyone leaving.  In fact, I didn't care for one Landmark Forum leader and left.  Someone asked me a few questions (like "what's bothering you".. and "what's stopping you").. but no one gave me problems leaving and they even agreed to give me my money back on that seminar.

As for cult-like... that's just a joke.  The Catholic Church, by these standards, is a cult... along with the Lutheran Church.. and the Jewish Faith... etc.  It's easy to label any group of people that have similar thinking as a cult but that simply isn't true.  As defined by dictionary.com, a cult is a "a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies."  There is no worship and no religion in landmark.  There is also no discouragement of religion as well.  In fact I attended a recent landmark forum (reviewer) where the seminar leader and an attendee had a great discussion about the parallels between landmark and Christianity... and Judaism. He discussed specific scripture passages with the other attendee about aspects of Landmark and how they were directly or very closely worded with the bible.  I was quite shocked to see this but was equally impressed.  Also, on numerous occasions, my seminar leaders have encouraged people to embrace their faith, not remove it from their lives.

As for the marketing practices... I couldn't agree more with past posts about how Landmark would push attendees to invite guests... and how they would sometimes hard-sell people.

This past summer, Landmark Forum leaders met all together and had a re-invention seminar.  Having just reviewed the forumn, I can tell you with complete honesty that those days are gone.  There was NO pushing to call people, there was NO pushing to bring guests... there were some invitations to bring people as guests but no more pushing as they had in the past.  Landmark must have realized that the hard-push on graduations like myself only discouraged us from bringing guests.  That has now changed and the number of guests has actually grown.  I was really surprised by this.

Also, the format of the Landmark Forum has been completely altered and greatly improved. 

......who posts an untold amount of unreliable muck about other people on the Internet.

Landmark Education is an amazing company and that is why it has expanded all around the globe and is lauded by hundreds of of thousands of people. People really need to check it out for themselves.

A few loud outspoken people trolling the net does not change that. There will always be naysayers and people who take a victim point of view no matter what it is about. These are not people I turn to for information on anything. I hope they can sort their lives out and create lives worth living for something that they are passionate about rather then just playing the "groups and the world is an evil place role".

I highly recommend The Landmark Forum to people who are well.

......who posts an untold amount of unreliable muck about other people on the Internet.

Landmark Education is an amazing company and that is why it has expanded all around the globe and is lauded by hundreds of of thousands of people. People really need to check it out for themselves.

A few loud outspoken people trolling the net does not change that. There will always be naysayers and people who take a victim point of view no matter what it is about. These are not people I turn to for information on anything. I hope they can sort their lives out and create lives worth living for something that they are passionate about rather then just playing the "groups and the world is an evil place role".

I highly recommend The Landmark Forum to people who are well.