PSI Seminars will destroy you! ..the cult like tactics they employ

 The above description fits PSI Seminars. Its LGAT offshoot, ex trainer for PSI Seminars by the name of Brian Klemmer started Klemmer and Associates with a lot of the same exercises as PSI Seminars. These LGAT/Cults like Klemmer and Associates are in constant need of new recruits to promote its seminars. Disguised as personal development, these exercises upon an emotional "breakthrough" turn clients into avid disciples ( for those who wont see what is happening).

These avid disciples ( they were once paying clients ) then promote these seminars within their neighborhoods using "Introductory Events" like a "Champion's Workshop" or a Council on Leadership "Briefing". Promoting these introductory meetings like Klemmer's Champions workshop is how you unsuspectingly promote cults in your neighborhoods and at work.

While you are doing the work, Klemmer's owners like Zellmer and Zink could very well be in Maui Grand Wailea resort sunning and having fun while you make calls to your friends. While you borrow money from friends and credit cards, and spend the next few months paying it off, they are spending their profits traveling around the world. How does that make you feel? STOP promoting KLEMMER's CHAMPION's WORKSHOPS or PSI Seminars"coffee", to stop the cults.

The point of the seminar is to put you into the subconscious of your mind. You go back to events in your childhood (things that are buried deep within you) so that you may be able to address them. The thing about the mind is that we are programmed from the ages of 0-6, 80% of our belief systems about the world and ourselves are set into place, from the ages of 6-12, 10% of them are put into place, from 12-18, 5% are set into place, and from the ages of 18 on, another 5% of our belief systems about the world, about ourselves, and about other people are set into place. They make you realize what programs you have so that you can help yourself in order to reprogram yourself if needed. And if you need a counselor to do that, then you can do so. But they give you tools in order to reprogram yourself on your own. Other people sharing their stories shows you that you are not alone, in anything. They make you say good things about yourself, teach you how the brain works, and what good things to do in order to reprogram your mind into a way of positive thinking. During the "self-hypnosis" or rather, deep meditation, you also rid of your problems. They teach you to forgive yourselves and others as well for what you have done in your life to yourself and to others, and also to forgive others for what they have done to you. They teach you the law of attraction, and they teach you how to overcome your fears. The great thing about it is that it is INTERACTIVE, it isn't just all information that is given to you. The main goal of it is to help you to love yourself. This is why they get upset when you are late, because making sure you are on time to it is a form of loving yourself. They also teach you how the brain works, and just a lot of tools for self-help. You can have water! And snacks as well. The sessions go by fast, and it is 10, NOT 12 hours long.

Did you pay attention to anything in that course? Frightened? Cult?

It does sound like you blew $400.00 though, that much I will admit. I have taken the courses as high as PSI-7 and have received some wonderful tools from that training. Is it painful? (can be emotionally painful) Yes. Is it exciting? Yes. Fearful? Not in the slightest. They teach you a form of self hypnosis. Worthless? where did you get that? Horrible? Not in the least.

I heard many people bring up many negative things about PSI, and none were chastised. (Me included). You were supposed to take the RESPONSIBILITY of going to the bathroom on your break, and if you really had to go, the door was always open. PUHLEASE. and yes, only a few breaks, like any other training seminar. Ever been to one?

You dont eat or drink because they don't want you spilling your drinks and food on the carpet. (They don't have desks folks)

Publicly humiliated? Only if you ask for it. Say something rather foolish, and they will call you on it. as for being late, ever hear of keeping your word? If you agree to be on time, you gave your word. However, if you are habitually late, your word isn't worth much, is it?

And if your advertising is ONLY word of mouth, where do you think they do it? Yes, in the class. and I will also admit they are VERY pushy in this department. But you can always say no. I did. I waited until I had the money. and it was worth every penny.

We take four days out of our lives to hopefully help those that want it. This is not to fix you, it is to open your eyes to what is possible. and believe it or not, it is fun.

and if you are that easily frightened, you are correct, you don't need to attend. It takes intestinal fortitude to look at your demons and find a way to conquer them.

as for dissenters. We are watching! HAHAHAHAHA Seriously, play the Devils Advocate, dissent with fervor. PSI is not a cult, but it is a different way to look at life. As for physically and forcibly grabbed. NEVER. That would be a complete fabrication. There are many people in that room, and to grab someone in front of them would be a law suit in the making with plenty of witnesses.

Ruthless? Dangerous? Maybe to those who are trapped in being victims all the time. Try using some of the tools they gave you, they work quite well if you are willing to apply them.

Good luck.

PSI is a CULT, Don't Drink the Kool aid

DANGER SIGNS OF HARMFUL NEW AGE INFLUENCE

While many people seem to benefit from New Age seminars and training programs in terms of becoming more self-confident, relaxed, or creative, a significant number (as indicated in the accompanying article) suffer very serious negative consequences. Whether the programs are required or recommended by the corporate management, or entered into by the employee's own volition independently of his company, EAPs need to be prepared to intervene if necessary. In order for the EAP to be able to be effective in helping such individuals neutralize these effects, he or she must be able to recognize the danger signs. A few of the more common are the following:

1. Radical change in personality or behavior. Change is normal with any religious, philosophical, political, or social "conversion," but the key here is the word "radical." Has the person gone from being a quiet introvert to being an outgoing extrovert? Has he or she suddenly begun talking about new ideas or using new words or expressions such as enlightenment, holistic, human potential, transformation, transpersonal, transcendental, life force, etc. (these terms are not in themselves "bad" or proof of New Age involvement, but they can be the first clues of it.)

2. Severe depression or anxiety. These symptoms can be indicators of posttraumatic stress disorder, sometimes experienced by participants in New Age seminars. These disorders can be triggered by negative episodes undergone during sessions of guided imagery or "past-life regression" often included as part of such seminars. Both depression and anxiety are often accompanied by an inabilty to concentrate, chronic distraction, and inappropriate emotional response.

3. Confusion about reality, values, or knowledge. Since New Age programs are designed to "transform" the way one views and relates to the world as well as to the tasks at hand, the transformational process can result in a disjuncture between the individual and everything else that makes it difficult to determine what is real, valuable, or true. The New Age insistence that "we create our own reality" can, when inculcated by means of hypnotic or assaultive techniques, cause one to suffer psychotic episodes.

4. Diminishing or loss of critical thinking skills. The basic Eastern-mystical concept of the unity of all things includes as one of its corollaries that there are no distinctions between truth and falsehood, right and wrong, good and evil. In fact, Eastern/New Age teaching generally attempts to invalidate Aristotelian logic in toto, so that "A" can also be "not-A." This, if carried to the "logical" conclusion, makes nonsense out of language, and meaningful communication becomes impossible. A typical New Age statement is, "That may be your reality, but it's not my reality."

5. Sudden onset of a series of physical ailments. As Singer and Ofshe have found (see article), radical thought reform programs can cause a variety of physical as well as psychological problems. These include strokes, heart attacks, ulcers, and lowered resistance to communicable diseases. The EAP needs to be alert to these as they can be signs of psychological distress brought on by these types of training programs.

6. Marital or other relationship discord. Seemingly normal "spats" between spouses, siblings, or parents and children can be precipitated by attendance at a New Age (or other) seminar or program. The radical transformation or conversion that often occurs frequently produces a fanatic out of the convert, whether the conversion is to New Age thinking or Christian fundamentalism. Unconverted relatives normally find it difficult to endure the religious/metaphysical obsessions of the fanatic. EAPs should be prepared to inquire discreetly of the employee who is experiencing such discord at home to find out if the cause may be of this nature.

I've attended all of the PSI Seminars after receiving the Basic as a gift in 1990. Reading the comments here makes me think of some of the best life advice available. It's not what happens, it's what we do with what happens. The victim mentality is very difficult to overcome and shows up in more areas than attending a seminar. A positive attitude, the ability to be grateful for everything we manifest, create, draw to us, and experience in life is simply a good tool to acquire on one's path.

I'm very grateful that I chose to get out of the seminars what I got out of them. They get no credit for what I chose to absorb. I'm the one who showed up. PSI Seminars, along with numerous other seminars, books, experiences, have enhanced my life. I'm glad I went, but I choose to not push attending on another. Of course when one finds something positive that works for oneself, one can't help but want to share it, but what can be easily forgotten is that what is proved to be right for one is not something that one can deem right for another. It's all up to one's individual choice and experience.

IF one is looking for a reason to attend a PSI Seminar, they will find it here. If one is looking for a reason not to attend a PSI Seminar, they will find it here. The quality of our lives really does depend on the quality of the questions we ask. If $400.00 and a money-back guarantee is too much for you to risk enhancing your life, this won't be the only opportunity for you to argue about it - there will be many things with a money back guarantee you think cost too much.

The Basic, and all of the PSI Seminars, are merely a micro-cosm of the real world to show you how you're howing up and give you the chance to see if that's really what you want to be like during your time here on earth. I've seen things like cancer. parenting, widowhood, being depressed all do the same thing if you let them. They just don't come with a money-back guaranty.

I've attended all of the PSI Seminars after receiving the Basic as a gift in 1990. Reading the comments here makes me think of some of the best life advice available. It's not what happens, it's what we do with what happens. The victim mentality is very difficult to overcome and shows up in more areas than attending a seminar. A positive attitude, the ability to be grateful for everything we manifest, create, draw to us, and experience in life is simply a good tool to acquire on one's path.

I'm very grateful that I chose to get out of the seminars what I got out of them. They get no credit for what I chose to absorb. I'm the one who showed up. PSI Seminars, along with numerous other seminars, books, experiences, have enhanced my life. I'm glad I went, but I choose to not push attending on another. Of course when one finds something positive that works for oneself, one can't help but want to share it, but what can be easily forgotten is that what is proved to be right for one is not something that one can deem right for another. It's all up to one's individual choice and experience.

IF one is looking for a reason to attend a PSI Seminar, they will find it here. If one is looking for a reason not to attend a PSI Seminar, they will find it here. The quality of our lives really does depend on the quality of the questions we ask. If $400.00 and a money-back guarantee is too much for you to risk enhancing your life, this won't be the only opportunity for you to argue about it - there will be many things with a money back guarantee you think cost too much.

The Basic, and all of the PSI Seminars, are merely a micro-cosm of the real world to show you how you're howing up and give you the chance to see if that's really what you want to be like during your time here on earth. I've seen things like cancer. parenting, widowhood, being depressed all do the same thing if you let them. They just don't come with a money-back guaranty.

I've attended all of the PSI Seminars after receiving the Basic as a gift in 1990. Reading the comments here makes me think of some of the best life advice available. It's not what happens, it's what we do with what happens. The victim mentality is very difficult to overcome and shows up in more areas than attending a seminar. A positive attitude, the ability to be grateful for everything we manifest, create, draw to us, and experience in life is simply a good tool to acquire on one's path.

I'm very grateful that I chose to get out of the seminars what I got out of them. They get no credit for what I chose to absorb. I'm the one who showed up. PSI Seminars, along with numerous other seminars, books, experiences, have enhanced my life. I'm glad I went, but I choose to not push attending on another. Of course when one finds something positive that works for oneself, one can't help but want to share it, but what can be easily forgotten is that what is proved to be right for one is not something that one can deem right for another. It's all up to one's individual choice and experience.

IF one is looking for a reason to attend a PSI Seminar, they will find it here. If one is looking for a reason not to attend a PSI Seminar, they will find it here. The quality of our lives really does depend on the quality of the questions we ask. If $400.00 and a money-back guarantee is too much for you to risk enhancing your life, this won't be the only opportunity for you to argue about it - there will be many things with a money back guarantee you think cost too much.

The Basic, and all of the PSI Seminars, are merely a micro-cosm of the real world to show you how you're howing up and give you the chance to see if that's really what you want to be like during your time here on earth. I've seen things like cancer. parenting, widowhood, being depressed all do the same thing if you let them. They just don't come with a money-back guaranty.

I have attended the Basic seminar, the PSI 7 Life Success seminar, and am now "playing" the game of PLD. PLD is not a program for those who do not believe in the work. I personally have made huge positive changes in my life because of the work I have done at PSI seminars. I know others can benefit from this as well (many have).

I don't get offended or resent "pressure" from my peers in the program to get people to the Basic seminar, because I truly believe that many people around me can benefit from it - in fact, I believe that if they do sign up and go through the seminars they will be more powerful and balanced people. It is true that if I have something wonderful in my life it would be selfish of me not to share it with those I love. If I didn't believe in the work then I would quit immediately.

PSI gives you the tools to explore what is working in your life, what isn't, and what you truly want. Everyone should have these tools at their disposal and the positive support in their life to achieve their dreams.

I wish all the best for everyone who reads this. Life is what you make of it.

Mike

PS: I have met many people in PSI, and every one of the leaders/facilitators is one of the most caring, giving, and empowering people I have met. There are no ruthless or dangerous people among them.

I was duped into taking a seminar by my employer who said it would benefit me (I've always been shy). Well, I thought that it couldn't hurt. He was very involved in it.
I took the class. Looking back at it I can now see that it did demean me, and made me feel incredibly bad about myself. At the time though it seemed like the instructor (a tall, cult looking figure with very stylized gray hair - Paul Sckok or something) knew everything about me and that I was just being the victim and I needed to find my own destiny and blahblahblahblah. That I was blaming everyone for my problems. I never thought I was. I started volunteering and I'm sorry the people standing up for it on here sounds like me about a year ago. They are stating all the mumbo jumbo the "leaders" of psi want you to say to convince people. The last straw came was when I was in the office one day and a woman came in who was a recent grad - her husband left her because he didn't like how she had changed. She was sobbing and everyone told her that it was destiny (he took her 2 kids too and started divorce and child custody proceedings) that she made her choice to be with them and take control. They promptly signed her up for another class tons of money - she also was out of work. What kind of company does that, if not a money loving cult? Working closely with the company for so long - I know that they are only after money and recruiting people. Those who spout their c**p are honestly brainwashed - wake up PSI doesn't care about you only about your wallet

I didn't want to go. He asked me two years ago and I said "no". I checked on the internet for info. I found this site. I am not the "self-help", seminar type. He asked again...if not for *me*, then for *him*. This man is amazing. Would he steer me wrong? So, I went. I pouted, crossed my arms, and smirked as they *danced* in their suits & skirts when we came in. "How lame is THAT" I thought? But, I did decide to take his advice and just 'have fun'. I'm a people person, I can do that I thought...and I did. I danced.

I learned lots of great information, met some great people and walked away a happier, more contented person. I didn't need or care for *all* of the exercises, but the majority were of real value. I can now see why the mechanics of the program are not discussed. Presentation is everything. Okay, some of the staff are rather 'zealous' but you can find that sort in all walks of life and arenas.

This is Ghandi, this is Chopra, this is Dwyer, this is Peale, this is *positive*. There is no mothership coming, no Kool-Aid. If anyone was looking for a rip-off it was me. PSI is the real deal.

I attended the class in August of 1980 (25 years ago). After all these years I still feel it's the best thing I have ever given myself; however, at that time I was REALLY REALLY ready to make some changes regarding my life.

I apologize for some graduates rebuttal statements sounded harsh. It sounds like you probably didn't finish the class and that's probably why you felt like you didn't have any break throughs to produce more successful & peaceful results.

I guess I would liken that to asking a child to take music lessons (or something of a similar learning). When they are first learning they resist and feel like it's painful. Then there is a point when they break through that barrier and it instantly becomes easy from that point forward.

As far as them pitching a presentation regarding advanced class opportunities, this is common in most business arenas. I'm not sure I would use the term "the made me", since the doors are not locked and the classes are held in local hotels, yet people are often compelled to do things out of a feeling of guilt or not wanting to look foolish by getting up and walking out, etc.

The good news is ..... if you had stayed and even volunteered after you completed the class (like you mention some people do) you might have come to discover that they encourage people to understand that they DO HAVE CHOICE.

This is where things can seem like occult, yet it's really all up to you. People do silly things and let people & groups lead them around. I see groupies follow rock - n - roll stars allowing themselves to be used, religious congregants desperatly volunteering to have their egos stroked, and much much more.

I don't always agree with what this company does, however, I have really seen the seminars work tremendous positive results in peoples lives. Like anything, be it a church, club, association, or whatever; listen to truth and be

Be ASSERTIVE IN THE MOMENT so you do not feel victimized by situations you really do have control over. Also, no matter where you seek various learning in life, hook into the philosophy not the people. That way you will be able to seperate peoples personal agenda from the truth.

Good luck in your journey through life. I hope this renders you assertive in your own power and accepting responsibilities for your choices.

Kimberly,

Negativity and skepticism is a double edge sword.
I am sure it keeps you safe, secure, and no one
takes advantage of you. On the other hand you may
not reap the great rewards that come with taking
a risk. I do not know if in fact you do
generally operate this way or not. I do not
care which you choose, security or risk. What I
do know is that skeptics continually sit on the
sidelines trying to tear down what the risk
takers are building. I am a land developer and I
have no degrees. However, it is a real job and
creates real revenue. My point is, business and
life coaching are relatively new fields. There
are currently no 4 year courses. Coaching is a
business. Like any other business there are a few
who are great, most mediocre, and too many that
suck. I have had all of them. When I have a good
coach, my results show it.

As far as PSI goes, if your husband's employer
makes him go, he will probably get nothing from
it. He will resent them. He will be one of the
have-nots amongst his peers who have and he will
probably not work for them very long. I am not
saying this is right, it just is. On the other
hand, if your husband wants to go, he may gain
plenty. I did all of their courses and moved on.
My life is better for it. If you want results
PSI's main office, don't hold your breath, they d
do not always practice what they preach.

Past,

Your rebuttal to my comment doesn't make any sense. You haven't proven to me that anyone there has any credentials whatsoever. Is Professional Life Coach a job? To this day, I have still not received a reply back from PSI. Also, just to clarify, I did contact the "employee" or "area director". This just so happens to be the person who decided not to respond to me after numerous calls and emails.
When there is a major at a four year university that would lead one to become a "Professional Life Coach", please let me know and I will spend THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS to go to this seminar.

Kimberly, it appears the response you received from the company failed to explain to you that there is a difference between staff and employee..so I will share with you this: all the Basic classes have volunteer staff who are NOT PAID and DO NOT WORK FOR PSI SEMINARS FOR MONEY, they are however, graduates of at least the Basic Seminar and many have completed all the classes..they are simply handling production of the class, setting up chairs, providing clean drinking water for breaks and setting the room up, etc. Some of the graduates are asked to be a part of small groups that are formed during the class..these graduates have completed at least PSI 7 and are ONLY there as SUPPORT to the new students..at no time do they instruct or teach the students. They simply support them in what ever the new student wants. Some graduates are more excited about this then others. As for the advanced classes, these too are supported by volunteer staff, graduates that have completed the Leadership course. They also only support in production, room set up, and support new students during their class. I personally have staffed the classes and have found that while doing so I gained a tremendous look into my own life and created new results towards my own success and leadership by giving to others unconditionally. As for Employees: Most offices have only 4-5 PAID employees, these individuals get a paycheck every two weeks just like any other job. They are in the business of seminar sales, I did this for 2 years and as a result put myself through an Accredited Coaching School and am now a Professional Life Coach. As for the Facilitators: They are also PAID and have all completed a long process of training. Many of them have their own successful businesses and are contracted by the company. Their training is long, effective and is taken very seriously. PSI is very protective about who is hired to facilitate their courses these days, currently I believe they only have about 6 Basic Facilitators to cover all the cities. The facilitators at the advanced classes have been with the company for a very long time, some from the beginning of the company in 1973. I will suggest that if your husband's employer required him to attend the class, it was because the employer cares about your husband as an employee of the company and has created value from attending the class. I know of many businesses that have their whole companies attend so that the company operates more effecitvely and everyone wins. If you ever question the Facilitators credentials, just find out who he or she is and ask them..they will tell you or contact the Area Director (PAID EMPLOYEE) of the city your attneding the class in, ask them. Hope that helps. I am so sad to see that such a valuable experience of attending these classes is portrayed as such a secret...there is nothing to hide and nothing wrong with giving people direct answers to their questions. Good luck to you and your husband. Peace and success!

I've been researching PSI Seminars for a couple of weeks now. My boyfriend is "required" to a PSI Seminar for work, so we thought we would look into it. I contacted PSI via email and phone to inquire about the credentials of the staff.

Oddly enough, not one person was able to provide any credentials for anyone on the staff. This includes the main office in Clearlake Oaks as well as the San Diego office which I was immediately directed to. The only common trait of the staff members is that they are all PSI Seminar graduates.

In addition, the Better Business Bureau seems to be having problems with response from PSI Seminars as well. Here is a clip of an email that I send and the reply I received from PSI on the subject of staff credentials:

There are no credentials listed on your website for the people that staff the seminars. According to your website, everyone on staff is a graduate of your program. Who exactly are they and what is their background? What must one study to give direction to people on the subject of life? I'd like to receive more information on the credentials on your staff via email if I may.

Thank you for your inquiring, as you noted all Staff are graduates of the Seminars. They are there to assist in producing the seminar and supporting the participants. They, in no way, give advice, counseling or direction on the subject of life.

A friend of mine is interested in this class and told me about this website and some of the things being said about PSI Seminars.
What I see is a great deal of negativity floating around and my attitude is this.

I went to the BASIC knowing nothing about PSI and since then, have decided to conduct some research of my own about the company. It is my thought and opinion that there is something behind PSI. It has existed for over twenty years with next to no advertising and has been done almost completely via word of mouth. The "pressure" you complain about is a challenge to you to challenge yourself and your way of thinking.

Each and everyone of you that went to the class/es made the choice to be there. They do not force you to be there, in face, they specifically say that if you don't want to be there, don't be there as they don't want you there, nor do they need you there. Negativity and close-mindedness only deters from the points they are trying to make.

I find it funny that many many of the people that run PSI, including those that conduct the seminars at events such as WLS, PSI VII, and Principia are highly successful individuals. Does this not stand to reason that there is something to their thought? Also, the techniques, such as the relaxation cycle, are used by people who are, once again, highly successful.

To name a few, Bill Gates, Einstein (anyone remember him?), Donald Trump, the list can go on for days. Keep in mind how this company got started. And also keep in mind that these seminars are based soley on the attitude with which you attend. You walk in expecting to be ripped off, or with any degree of skepticism, and you will not get anything of what you expected.

They offer no pressure. They do however, offer support, encouragement, and a challenge to face oneself which is the hardest thing in the world to face. So, I will end with this: I for one, got a huge amount out of the BASIC, I plan on attending all of the others, and I would recommend this company to anyone.

It may not be 100% effective for everyone, but I do assert that the effectiveness of the seminars is based on the person's attitude. In short, those who had a bad experience with PSI, took to it a negative aura. And that is what they recieved. 'As ye reap, so shall ye sow' PSI teaches empowerment.... those of you discontent still, have yet to learn the empowerment.

I could type for days about my experiences with PSI although I'll keep it short as I've got a busy day ahead.

I first took the PSI courses back in 1999 and have since taken every course they offered as well as staffed the several of their seminars.

I'm torn because a lot of the philosophies they teach are valid and have really helped me in a lot of areas of my life.

What I despise about PSI is their business model!!! The staff meetings are all about how many of the students you're committed to upgrading to the advanced courses and how many enrollments you're going to have in the next class. If you don't get your enrollment goals, you are questioned on your committment to your word. It is VERY CULT LIKE!

What really sucks about it is that there are a lot of great exercises that are presented but the underlying things that go on behind the scenes are horrible.

I've been very involved and know a lot of the current and former facilitators. Even many of the current ones talk negative about corporate.

I was one of the graduates who felt it necessary to enroll others into the basic. They use things like "vote black in someone's life", "givers gain", and several other phrases and they spin it back on the best way to make a difference in people's life is to enroll them into the classes, period.

They don't care if you enroll someone into another workshop that may help them in their life or if you are taking other classes that are of great benefit to you. The only gague they use as to whether you or anyone else is moving forward in their life is if you're enrolling others in the class and/or taking all of the advanced courses.

There have been several lawsuits settled out of court, several instances of suicide of graduates (I know a few).

These are deep, psychological exercies facilitated by people without the proper training or licensing to teach them. There is no aftercare or follow up given if you don't upgrade.

If you're a graduate of the "basic" and don't sign up for the advanced courses, you're never heard from again. A lot of people get spun out mentally from the experiences.

Another thing, PLD (Pacesetters Leadership Dynamics) ie. Cult leadership Program......

It's a 90 day "concept integration" course where you set goals in different areas of your life. The goal that matters the most is how many other people you're going to get to "join the cult" by enrolling them into the class.

Each member of the "team" has to have enrollment goals and the team has enrollment goals. It's all about putting people into the classes.

Guess what, if you don't have an enrollment by the 2nd weekend, you're kicked off the team!! If that doesn't spell CULT I don't know what does!!

What you get are people telling the TRUTH to their family and friends by saying "If I don't get someone to sign up for this class (join the cult), my friends won't let me play with them anymore".

What's so crazy about it and where I'm torn is that I have grown tremendously from many of the exercises.

The business model and cult like tatics are horrible though!!

I've taken other courses which I won't name in the search for a company that teaches the positive aspects of the philosophies yet doesn't have the cult like energy and have yet to find one.

Here's to the continued search.........

The only advice I can give as a former graduate who has been on many sides and experienced many things is to stay away!!

The basic seminar is a clashing of two worlds, PSI world and yours. I am a unique responder to this subject because I never paid. It was a gift by someone I had never met who had committed to getting someone to the basic. She (the giver) was a friend of my girlfriend at the time and I was fortunate because I was the one able to attend. Now on to my experience.

I believe that expectations are what makes it hard to appreciate the basic seminar and or anything for that matter. A movie a concert a new layout of furniture at home. When you are done judging it and hold no feelings against it, you are then able to see a movie, hear a new band or experiance the new layout your partner did without asking you as it is. Like the basic, you see a wide range of people. Some look realy uncomfortable and some not so much. It was my experiance that at the end of the 7 day's that people who had the most emotional response had the most work to do and those who I thought were uninvolved had greater knowledge of the life success strategies used with PSI. Both were equally satisfied with the seminar itself.

The person who bashed PSI to me sounded like a child having to have things his or her own way (a controller). I do not agree with much about PSI and the way they go about some of their practices. At the same time I did not focus on not being able to do something and eat something when I may have wanted to, nor did I let my own hold ups get in my way. I was at the basic to learn about what they shared and use it in any way I chose. I came away with much more than I anticipated. I also invested more of myself than I ever have. The Principles deal with commitment because in love, work, yourself and everything else in your life, you are always committed leading yourself in the direction of your current choices. You choose all of what you have and the statis of it. I became a better problem solver, friend, father, husband, business man, man as a whole and overall achieving more in everything than what I saw as possible before the basic seminar.

I think it is important to know that it is not the seminar that does you or me. It is what you do with what you are able to learn that gets you where you go, as with everything in life. PSI seminars has no pattents on anything they teach. They teach what has existed for many thousands of years. They bring together the better parts of many philosophies from all over the world. for example Wayne Dyer, Robert Kiyosaki, Donald Trump, Michael Jordan, Deepak Choprah and the Dahli Lama draw parallels with decision making of the higher ability for one to achieve with what PSI Seminars teaches.You could read books by these achievers and find all the similarities and teachings. Would this be the same as doing all the Psi seminars? I dont think so, what gives you a greater understanding is to live and do what your learning. Learn and do DR. Wayne Dyers "intention is everything", Roberts Kiyosaki's "determination" to create and how to, Donald Trumps "power of self", Michael Jordans commitment and "playing the game before it happens", Deepak Choprah's "mental and physical strength and abilities", and the Dahli Lama's ability to be one with everything and coexist with everything in peace and mutual respect.

Again not all PSI does sits well with me however they do provide an eneviroment for one to learn a lot about one self and how to teach yourself to live at a higher success rate in evertything you take on. Even if its unexpected and unapreciated. So get over what you want to complain about and see what you can do with what you did let yourself hear and learn (as with everything in life).

Any Questions?

Rip off! I sure don't think so.

...like our communities.
Here are just a few things that I personally have been involved with or have had the opportunities to be invovled with as a result of being a graduate of the seminars offered by PSI.

This company and it's graduates contribute around the world! Elderly and orphaned children in Jamaica were personally given food and clothing by a group of caring, committed graduates, in Rome we took clothes and toys to an orphanage, in Tailand another group of graduates took baseball equipment and taught children to play baseball., as well as shared the US culture, Toys for Tijuana at Christmas where children can smile, Giving Night in Las Vegas where over 75 under priviledged families and their children enjoyed Christmas, New Vista's children have been given grassy yards to play in, Freshly painted an entire home for Hope Boy/Girls, a baseball field was build in Las Vegas...these are only a few things. Those people who CHOOSE to see only negative in life will have negative in life.

I am proud to know that I make a difference in my community and my world by UNCONDITIONALLY giving. This organization, company, group, what ever you choose to call it, is much more then just a seminar collecting money as a business.

I always just keep in mind that PSI Seminars is a business and they are in business to make money...and gratefully so...I have been able to share some wonderful moments with others around the world, giving and making a difference. Now, I share my contributions with my church and other giving organizations in my community.

Although I am no longer, actively contributing through PSI Seminars, I know that others are and they too, are making a difference in the world I live in. Thanks to all of you!

...like our communities.
Here are just a few things that I personally have been involved with or have had the opportunities to be invovled with as a result of being a graduate of the seminars offered by PSI.

This company and it's graduates contribute around the world! Elderly and orphaned children in Jamaica were personally given food and clothing by a group of caring, committed graduates, in Rome we took clothes and toys to an orphanage, in Tailand another group of graduates took baseball equipment and taught children to play baseball., as well as shared the US culture, Toys for Tijuana at Christmas where children can smile, Giving Night in Las Vegas where over 75 under priviledged families and their children enjoyed Christmas, New Vista's children have been given grassy yards to play in, Freshly painted an entire home for Hope Boy/Girls, a baseball field was build in Las Vegas...these are only a few things. Those people who CHOOSE to see only negative in life will have negative in life.

I am proud to know that I make a difference in my community and my world by UNCONDITIONALLY giving. This organization, company, group, what ever you choose to call it, is much more then just a seminar collecting money as a business.

I always just keep in mind that PSI Seminars is a business and they are in business to make money...and gratefully so...I have been able to share some wonderful moments with others around the world, giving and making a difference. Now, I share my contributions with my church and other giving organizations in my community.

Although I am no longer, actively contributing through PSI Seminars, I know that others are and they too, are making a difference in the world I live in. Thanks to all of you!

...like our communities.
Here are just a few things that I personally have been involved with or have had the opportunities to be invovled with as a result of being a graduate of the seminars offered by PSI.

This company and it's graduates contribute around the world! Elderly and orphaned children in Jamaica were personally given food and clothing by a group of caring, committed graduates, in Rome we took clothes and toys to an orphanage, in Tailand another group of graduates took baseball equipment and taught children to play baseball., as well as shared the US culture, Toys for Tijuana at Christmas where children can smile, Giving Night in Las Vegas where over 75 under priviledged families and their children enjoyed Christmas, New Vista's children have been given grassy yards to play in, Freshly painted an entire home for Hope Boy/Girls, a baseball field was build in Las Vegas...these are only a few things. Those people who CHOOSE to see only negative in life will have negative in life.

I am proud to know that I make a difference in my community and my world by UNCONDITIONALLY giving. This organization, company, group, what ever you choose to call it, is much more then just a seminar collecting money as a business.

I always just keep in mind that PSI Seminars is a business and they are in business to make money...and gratefully so...I have been able to share some wonderful moments with others around the world, giving and making a difference. Now, I share my contributions with my church and other giving organizations in my community.

Although I am no longer, actively contributing through PSI Seminars, I know that others are and they too, are making a difference in the world I live in. Thanks to all of you!

I am a PSI graduate. I've attended a Basic and completed all the advanced seminars. I've even staffed seminars.

No one forces anyone to do anything at PSI events. The will persuade you, they will manipulate you, but no one will force you to do anything. It's all about choice.

There are plenty of bathroom breaks and time to eat. I was a staffer and I was told that if a student left the room to find out if they were ok and then leave them alone, No judgement, No hassle, No badgering.

From my experience your complaints are stuff you made up. I never saw anything like you wrote happen.

No one insults or degrades you at a basic seminar because they are going to sell you a $3500 seminar on the last day. And if you are really gullible they will sell you both the advanced seminars at about $7500.

I have enough experience with PSI to know that I would NEVER RECOMEND THE TRAINING. At the advanced seminars I believe they do use cult tactics and thought reform tactics on the class. I've watched it happen. I experienced it personally.

Hindsight is 20/20. I wish I had never heard of PSI Seminars. I got caught up in the seminars. I thought it was a good thing and I thought I was improving my life. It took me a year and a half to wake up and see just how badly I'd let myself be taken advantage of.

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/eldon.braun/awareness/
Here is a link to a site that has lots of information about LGAT type seminars. The Awareness page is a great place to start learning about what these types of seminars really are. The rick ross page is also a good page with an active message board.

LGAT stands for Large Group Awareness Training. I am sorry that I didn't read this stuff until after I paid for the seminars. I could have saved myself thousands of dollars and a ton of grief.

Let the buyer beware. Self help seminars are an unregulated business. Get informed before you buy.

BOTH GOOD AND BAD EXPERIENCES ARE VALID

The Basic seminar content is as clear, specific and beneficial as possible. It is a valuable set of conceptual experiences that allow anyone the opportunity to make new and unconvential changes.
THIS IS ALL PERSONAL CHOICE.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IS COMPLETELY VALID WITHIN PSI AND IN THE REAL WORLD.

IT IS ALSO ENTIRELY TRUE that at times there are contradictions by individual staff volunteers, individual facilitator(s), and individual paid staff people.

These contridictions are between the PSI Basic concepts and the behvior(s) of the those mentioned above.

IMPERFECT INDIVIDUALS WHO RUN THE BASIC SEMINARS NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL TO PRACTICE THE CONCEPTS THEMSELVES.

To overgeneralize that PSI Seminars is anything but exactly what it is is not valid.

BOTH GOOD AND BAD EXPERIENCES ARE VALID

The Basic seminar content is as clear, specific and beneficial as possible. It is a valuable set of conceptual experiences that allow anyone the opportunity to make new and unconvential changes.
THIS IS ALL PERSONAL CHOICE.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IS COMPLETELY VALID WITHIN PSI AND IN THE REAL WORLD.

IT IS ALSO ENTIRELY TRUE that at times there are contradictions by individual staff volunteers, individual facilitator(s), and individual paid staff people.

These contridictions are between the PSI Basic concepts and the behvior(s) of the those mentioned above.

IMPERFECT INDIVIDUALS WHO RUN THE BASIC SEMINARS NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL TO PRACTICE THE CONCEPTS THEMSELVES.

To overgeneralize that PSI Seminars is anything but exactly what it is is not valid.

In responce to desgruntled graduates attending psi basic seminars and their spouces who have not attended.

My own experience was taking the basic in Oct. 1999 and taking all the advanced courses in 2000. And in Oct. of 2000 going to work for them as basic manager for two years.

I personally witness peoples lives having positive results such as reconnecting with family members they had not talked to in years,there familys reunited perventing divorce and yes people did divorce as well,starting business that before was only a distant dream,learning and understanding there relationship with themself, and others,getting what they really wanted in life.

As for my own personal experience understanding myself so I can work on improving myself, a awesome relationship with my 10 year old daughter,involvement as a big brother in the BBBS organization,married meeting my wife from a foreign country successful (due to learned communication tools from the class),new house,dream car,creating my own employment position, alot of new friends that support me.

Due I have my moments absolutly they are just farther and fewer in between.

Can some graduates be pushy and want you to go to the next class or classes yes.But it is with the intention for the person to grow in knowledge and really make a differance in themselves, family, community and the world.

When I took the PSI Seminar course, I allowed myself the opportunity to alter my future by allowing me to see where the past led me. Who would not want to know that if they could?

My daughter of 17 left home before she had graduated. This could have gone two ways--one--never to talk to her again and not have a relationship with her as happened in my family, my father and mother's family, my grandparents families and so on. Two--I could mend the relationship so that my grandchildren could see their grandmother.The class allowed me to take responsibility for my part in it. I was able to mend that relationship and I now have the opportunity to know there is a better way.

PSI is all about PEACE which stands for love. I used this class as a stepping stone to what my purpose in life is.It gave me the wake up that when I am 70 I will be able to think back and think about what I created due to this such as having fun, riding a bike, writing a book, renewing my wedding vows, and creating a support group around me that is there for me and me for them. I will not be thinking about how much money I spent on a course, which by the way I spend more on vehicles a year than I do on this class and the class does not depreciate.
Are the people who staff these classes perfect? NO, they are humans capable of loving and being loved, just like you are. We are scared of the same things that you are.

If we want peace in this world of ours, we need to want to put our own negative energy aside and create some positive action that is going to help our fellow men and women, not destroy them. Taking this class made me aware of how often I did not smile at the grocery clerk, how often I took my husband for granted, how often I took my life for granted, and how often I chose not to help when I could have. I do these things more often now from the heart and without conditons. That makes this world a better place for my grandchildren to grow up in.

So Mr, the next time you are in a coffee shop buy the guy or girl behind you a coffee and see what happens to you. Do not wait for the response just watch your reaction. If you can do this, it is time to reaudit the class for something got in, and you truly have a heart of gold, start mining it for you are worth it.

My husband and I have done all of the PSI seminars offered to us. When we attended the basic seminar in the fall of 1997, our lives were in a shambles. Even after the basic, we left with a much better view of us and humanity. We became more open to opportunity and less fearful of seizing it when it arrived. We also learned how to look for it.

We then attended the Life Success course, me the Women's leadership, and my husband the men's one in 1998. We have also attended Principia for three years. We have gladly volunteered time to staff the basic on several occasions as well as to do the same once at the Life Success course. Over the years, our lives have become richer and I do not mean this in a strictly monetary sense. But, by employing their principle of "givers gain" this has been a part of it. The courses have also allowed us to deal with the rough spots in life in a healthier way.

There are several untruths in this letter- there is no hypnotism employeed. The creative visualization exercises are used in many Fortune 500 companies as well as several branches of the special services such as the Navy Seals. While you are encouraged not to leave the room except for breaks to avoid missing key seminar points, I've never seen anyone detained or mocked for doing this. Nor, as volunteer staff were we ever told to do so. In fact, we were told to let them leave as needed and to let them in at the earliest opportunity when it would not be a major disruption to the speaker. You are never forced to speak up and say your mind- you choose to do this. And, you are made to examine if your truths make you a richer or a poorer person.

One basic premise of PSI is that YOU are in control of YOUR LIFE and the results in it are based on YOUR DECISIONS. If your results are not working, you must be willing to change what you do. It also shows you that you must think in terms of how your behavior affects others. In other words, it will not support a ME FIRST- OTHERS AFTER attitude. I find that people who are not happy after the seminars are ones that cannot get to this point of unselfishness. The motto of PSI is "Changing the world, one heart at a time." I find them very committed to peace and the type of personal growth that allows us to approach the tip of Maslow's triangle- self actualization. This is not selfishness, but quite the opposite, acting for the good of society as a whole.

As for the sales "pitch", it is because we believe in the opportunity and the rewards received that we encourage others to attend the advanced seminars. Since we are volunteers we expereince no financial gain from getting others signed up for the advanced courses. Nor are we given any quotas that must be fulfilled. We just want them to have a higher level of fullfilmentlike my husband and I have found. T00 BAD THIS WRITER MISSED THE LESSONS AND THE BENEFITS OF THAT RICHER FUTURE.

Interesting choice to blame others for what other people do.
Good luck with using up your life energy blaming others.
EVERYTHING IS A CHOICE
On Thursday evening of each Basic Seminar every individual is asked to choose-in or choose-out.
I choose to live my life my way.
I can only speak for me.
Good luck,

Hi,

My husband attend to PSI SEMINARS last year and destroy our relationship. This people are sick people they do not care about your family,your child, your money,your house all they want is your MONEY.........I am getting divorce from my husband with 2 kids. He is already gone and became there toy.He will do anything they tell him to do. My husband want me to attend this seminar I told him I am not interested and I dont beleived any cult ideas. Do you know that what was his respont to me "Then will get divorce if you dont want to share my ideas than you are OUTSIDER". They promise him that he will became a rich person. How you can be a rich person if you pay them $10K for brainwashing seminars.
Please do not beleived this people they are scumbags.

If you can get your money and run.
Thanks

I have attended the basic, PSI-7 and WLS seminars.They always let anyone go to the bathroom. I wish that people could at least be honest with their complaints, lying could make anyone or any organization look bad. The seminars have a uniue and valuable way of allowing a person to experience and look at their life. Each seminar has been amazing and the entire psi experience was very valuable personally and professionally. I would suggest it to anyone who wants to improve their overall quality of life. I feel that all of the money spent was well worth it and I have no regrets.

Learning to see the good in people

I too was very skeptical when I was first approached by my brother in-law to attend the PSI basic course. I am a professional counselor and felt like I already had all the answers. I eventually attended the Basic seminar and have now gone on to complete the advanced seminars.

For the original author I would say the same anger that fueled your report is the same anger that has held you back in your life.

If you felt like you did not benefit from attending then ask for your money back. If you choose not to ask for your money back then like many other respondants have said "Quit playing the Victim".

PSI is simply a class which provides you with the tools to look at how you are living your life. If you are truly satisfied with your life and you are being perfectly honest then right on for you!

My personal belief is any organization that attempts to bring about a better world should be supported. That does not mean that I or you will agree with all the policies or practices of the organization. However if you look at the positive impac that many PSI graduates have had on their communities how can you find fault in that.

My suggestion to the original author is rather then finding fault, take some responsability and make a difference. What are you doing in your life to help your fellow man? Open your heart to others and let go of your anger and you will be suprised what you find in return.

Sending some Love your way...

I am about as involved in PSI as one can get. I am as regular a fellow as you would like to know, a husband and father, active in my community. I coach little league, go to city council meetings, vote.

After taking the Basic in 1998, staffing several times, taking all their advanced courses and sending friends, I am glad a friend asked me to go. I can not speak about other peoples experiences but I can tell how the classes are run.

First it is just a class, most people go, get something or not and go along with their lives. There are rules, big surprise, however in my opinion they are just common sense. Be on time for class, heck we had the same rule in kindergarten.

As for not being allowed to go to the bathroom that is just a plain lie. There are breaks every 2 hours or so, even the Facilitator has to pee. If food is not provided (which it usually is not) you are encouraged to bring snacks and eat during breaks. I would not want someone chomping away on chips while I am trying to listen to what was being said. In my experience no one has ever been blocked from leaving the room for any reason or at any time. The other rules are just as simple.

Yes, there are other classes, yes, there is a video presentation, yes, people ask you to go. PSI is a business, however most of the people who are involved are not paid employees. Please do not confuse the people with the company. Regarding the advanced seminars I went, I got something out of it, you might too. No different than someone suggesting a movie or a restaurant. Feel pressure to go, try this No thanks, I do not want to go. I still have my friends, I am still married, and that part is better than ever. I still have my free will.

Get over it, call the company get your money back, buy a 27 inch TV and sit on your couch. As for me, I am going out and have some fun.

I did some of the PSI Seminars stuff about 5 years ago. I know exactly what you are talking about. I don't feel like I've been ripped off in anyway by PSI.

Some of the people involved in Large Group Awareness Trainings (LGAT) are pretty messed up and can be a little over the top. Some people "get religion" from going to PSI, Lifespring, EST, Forum, etc. when they try to "recruit" friends/families/co-workers they can be a little heavy-handed.

If you want your money back from PSI you will need to finish the seminar, if you don't you are giving them $400. I have had some friends take the seminar and everyone that has has thanked me for it. On top of that I personally guarantee to my friends that I'll make up the $50 difference.

Yes, the seminar can be traumatic, it's supposed to be. The whole point of the thing is to see how you think and act in certain situations.

I hope you get your money back and that everything works out for you.

I feel that everyone has a right to feel the way they want to about the PSI Seminars. For me the experience was tremendous. I was 20 years old when I attended Basic and attended with my mother. At that time I had no communication with my parents and I was in an abusive relationship. I was a very closed off person at the time. By the end I had grown very close to my mother. The day of graduation my father showed up from Reno to congradulate my mom and I. It was so great because by Sunday I wanted my dad there.

After I went back home I started to realize that my life could be better. Now I am almost 21 now and I have changed my life completely. I am still going to college and working really hard to get good grades. I dump the abusive boyfriend I had and now have a better relationship with my family, friends, and MYSELF!

I have a new love and he doesn't hurt me in any way. I guess we all have our opinion about PSI. My sister doesn't want to go and I have never forced her into going. I have never tried to recruite anyone to go because the seminar was a self discovery for me and just me.

We all need to remember that people react differently to those kind of seminars and just because someone had a bad experience doesn't mean it's bad.

Another great thing that came to me from the seminars happened this last month. My parents got into really bad debt over the years and my mom covered it up. My mom finally told my father and they are going to work things out. My father went to basic about 3-4 years ago and then went to PSI-7. He told my mom that if she had told him the news 5 years ago they would be divoriced. Now he has a new outtake on life and the love he has for my mom and his children.

PSI uses a controversial technique know as Large Group Awareness Training similar to the techniques used my EST, Lifeawareness, etc. Basocally it involves assembling a large group of people in a room for lengthy periods of time and breaking them down physically, with few breaks, sleep deprivation, and emotionally in order to build them back up again.

For many, like my husband, who bring emotional baggage with them this can be a very traumatic experience. These are canned seminars that are taught by individuals on the payroll of PSI. They are not professional educators, facilitators, social workers or psychologists. The purpose of the $400 weekend seminar is to get you to come back for another and another and another and graduate through the program to the tune of about $10k in addition to having your recruit your friends and family.

Following this seminar, my 40 year old husband came home to inform me he no longer wanted to be in this relationship and no longer wanted to be a father to our son.

He desired to explore new relationships with women AND MEN!!! The whole time he was talking to me he was very animated and excited, totally unlike the man that I know who is normally very reserved and skeptical. He then attempted to borrow over $3000 from a home equity line of credit to attend a 10 day male bonding seminar offered by PSI.

Separated for over a year now, I was forced to declare bankrupcy since he quit his job and left the state to "find himself." He recently called me to tell me that it was a terrible mistake and he realizes that even though he was unhappy at the time he feels he was deceived and manipulated by PSI seminars.

Since then, I have also met a young high-school age girl who has already attended three of these seminars with her parents! So it doesn't just stop with the individaul. PSI Seminars, is a huge money making machine and care nothing about the individaul. They only care about getting you to sign up for the next seminar and having you volunteer to staff their seminars so they don't have to pay you and have you recruit your friends and family.

"Sounds like DejaVu all over again." Yogi B.

There is NOTHING new under the sun when it comes to man's connivings. EST, Lifespring and (it sounds like) PSI all plopped out of the same mold.

For some, it may be downright harmful. For most, it will just be a shame to have spent so much good money when you could easily enough go home for a visit and get a good bawling out from Mom. At least she'll throw in a good meal or two, while she builds you up again. Besides that, her advice was more memorable and more useful over a lifetime anyhow. Ya, even the stuff she said, but could not do.

Been there, done that... another bunch of hooey! Est-hole, heh! heh! That's so good and so to the point.

This sounds so much like a PFS, it's unbelievable. I'm glad I saw this report. My husband got an out of the blue message yesterday from a man named Steve. He leaves a message saying, "Hi, this is Steve from PSI. Give me a call at ?? (erased it)." The message sounded like they were friends or something. But my husband never heard of him or his company. Funny, where do these people get our numbers from?

The descriptions of the seminars and the knee-jerk support of the devotees responding to the original post seem really similar to EST. Is this PSI "cult" the same as what EST was in the 70's?

I had experience with an "est-hole" a few years ago. It struck me as a borderline cult because the person continued and continued to try and recruit anyone within a 50 foot radius to attend a seminar. The language was sprinkled with est-isms. It was made out to be some life-enhancing experience, but it seemed to make the people I knew who went through it more drone-like and less of themselves.

The responses to the original poster seem the same, same language, same "blame the victim" tactics. New name, same crap.

Good for you, original poster, for seeing the scam for what it was, and having the sense to get out. I am sorry you lost money, but at least you didn't fall for it hook, line and sinker, and set yourself up to be milked by PSI for the next 10 years.

I just attended the PSI seminar and much like you I was skeptical about the whole thing and not sure about spending the $400. Now I know it was the greatest gift anyone could have given me. They tell you from day one that you chose what to get out of your experience and if that is what you got it is because you decided to get that. I have signed up to attend the next one and the reason you watched the video is so you could make a decision on what you wanted to do next. It seems to me that you are blaming everyone else for things that were in your control and you need to stop being a victim.

I attended a Basic Seminar a year ago, at the suggestion of my brother and his wife. I was rather hesitant about the whole thing because it was, and still is, all they could talk about (every conversation led up to a PSI testimony or truism).

There were some things that turned me off, and I must validate some of your complaints: the Sunday morning sales pitch (especially after an emotional Saturday night) nearly invalidated what I had gotten from the seminar the previous days, as did the pressure for the Guest Event. What really disturbs me however, is the over emotional/angry response in some of the rebuttals toward your complaint.

There were wonderful things I did get from my weekend, not the least of which is a vision of how awesome, unique and special we all are, and most importantly, we are all we have. The group exercises and most importantly the game were instrumental in my growth that weekend. So, like everything else, I choose to take what I like and leave the rest behind. Peace.

I just want to respond to the people who have talked about physically/emotionally being abused by PSI. I have been associated with PSI for over a year now, and while I have not always agreed with some of the suggestions, I have never felt intimidated or been harrassed. CIf I had a problem with someone or something, I simply opened my mouth and said something.

PSI encourages this open discussion. Cults discourage people from this kind of talk. That is what CHOICE is about, and since I have done the seminars, I have realized more choice in my life and that within each of these choices there is a price to pay. Did I spend a relatively lot of money? I suppose. Was it worth it? Every penny. I was not screwed up and I don't feel the need to evangelize "the message" simply because it is very simple and it follows the laws of nature, the laws of giving and being good to one another. Too many people participate in taking from one another.

I believe that PSI is just another group that is promoting peace. Yes, it costs. They are a business and plus, people need to pay something to attach value to a learning experience.
I feel for the people who have negative reactions. Perhaps they are warranted, perhaps not. What I do know, is that is all about listening and understanding another persons point of view in a safe way. Conflict Resolution uses many of the same techniques.

The US Navy uses some of the Team Building techniques that PSI uses. The point is that they have worked.

I also believe that there are people within PSI who can become overzealous. It is not perfect because humans are not perfect.
But it is about growth. And this is something that the human race could all use a little more of.
thank you for listening

I have never been to a PSI seminar, but I do know people who have and were equally disgusted and/or frightened. The words they used including "brainwashing" and "cult mentality." My friend and former colleague David walked out on their seminar and an attempt was made to physically block him from leaving. He has since had to change his phone number because of the incessant calls from PSI.



It may be the best thing that ever happened to you, and if so Godspeed, but that type of environment is not for everyone and you have no right to belittle someone who doesn't think the way that you do.

I have never heard of PSI personally and have no vested interest in this matter whatsoever but after reading this complaint, i checked out another website (just out of curiousity) and found that there is information about this company there.



It was very simple to find, there is a search function on the site, into which you can type PSI and it takes you to a page with a few options, i followed the first link titled "Intruding into the Workplace" and then did a view-find and here's what it says word for word.



/quote

PSI World

Another out-of-court settlement was reached in a case that involved PSI World, a consulting group based in San Rafael, California. The plaintiff claimed that he was impaired after having his emotions manipulated in a five-day PSI World training program and that this caused him later to lose control of his car, crash, and get hurt. He said he was physically and mentally exhausted after what he described as emotional ten-hour sessions in which participants were asked to act out mostly negative situations. He also went without sleep on two nights in order to complete homework assignments. "There was no clock and no one was allowed to wear watches," he said. "We were going long periods of time without eating and without breaks."



While PSI World admitted no guilt, and its lawyer said there was no merit to the claims, PSI World was reported to have paid a six-figure settlement to have the case dismissed.

/unquote

I wish I had looked up the Rick Ross website that you referred to in your letter before my original rebuttal a few moments ago....



I searched his site completely and there is nothing, absolutely nothing, in regards to PSI Seminars....

I am confused....

I would venture to say that you operate from the

"If you can't dazzle them with the truth, baffle them with @*&%@$" point of view.



Your letter was filled with accusations that were untrue.

PSI supplies drinks and snacks at every break

PSI encourages comments

PSI encourages a money back guarantee

PSI encourages honesty

PSI encourages keeping your word (thus expecting you to show up on time)

PSI encourages committment

PSI encourages positive talk....Oprah doesn't even allow negative talk on her show!!! (Because it is ineffective!!)



PSI discourages food and drinks in the class just as in any other classroom--grades kindergarten through college....because it is distracting!!



I staffed seminars to give back to people like you, in the hopes that you'd open your mind and grow!!



I encourage you to look at you and stop being a victim!

I will not make any judgement about your experience in my response to your concerns except for this. It is quite irresponsible for you to spread a rumor that you "heard" about an attack. It is equally so with those who allowed the comment it on this site. Other than that I will only share my experience.



I have attended all of the seminars offered by PSI Seminars and have offered the Basic Seminar to all of my employees. Let me make clear that the Psi Basic is a seminar, nothing more.



Personally I took the opportunity to get everything I could from the Basic and I was the first person in my class to sign up for the next seminar.



The results that I was able to create in my life using the tools I learned are priceless.

My relationship with my wife, children and other family members is at a new level. I was NOT screwed up before the class. I have only made things better. I have been able to make a career change without giving up the business that I own because of what my employees, my partners and I learned in the seminars.



As far as volunteer staffing, I do it because I get to give back and help others recognize their untapped potential. When I help others, my batteries get recharged and I have the opportunity to take a look at what is working and not working in my life. I then can make adjustments accordingly.



The bottom line is this. I have attended other seminars to increase my personal and professional effectiveness. PSI Seminars is the best I have found. When I find something better I will tell you about it. Until then I will spread the word about this company because they do not promote their business any other way.

So you attended the PSI Basic and did not get anything out of it for yourself and now your mad that YOU spent $400. At any time did anyone say you HAD TO STAY THERE? No I do not believe that they did, YOU had a choice the very first night to stay or LEAVE. From the sound of your complaint YOU chose to stay.



Do you remember at all that the class has a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE????? It would seem that YOU forgot about this or did not care about trying to get your money back.



YOU say that PSI is a cult. Really? I'd like to see what your life is like. I have seen only good things come from my association with PSI and the positive things that have happened in my community as a result of people from PSI takeing an interest in how their community could be better.



Accept responsibilty for the decisions that YOU MADE and quit being a victim to yourself.