Why is landmark forum a cult

I felt like offering up some other of my defects--of which there were plenty I already knew about before this moment of enlightenment--to win people to my side, to have their looks of empathy after the session, as everyone else who had sobbed about their faults had as well.

What is worse than a know-it-all who could not admit she was a know-it-all? Sophie seemed exhausted as I just repeated my question, and repeated again that behind my question was just intellectual curiosity about how the Forum worked.

Not my break-up with my boyfriend, my miscarriages, my mother speaking with an accent when I was five years old in a New Jersey kindergarten. This is why your life is a wreck. This is why nothing works for you. Go on, continue. But I urge you to spend the weekend questioning your integrity. We stood in silence in a truce. Sophie froze with an icy smile. I realized I would probably not be able to get the private interview I wanted with her for my article.

I would be shunned. The extent of my unpopularity was revealed when I sat down, and all the participants avoided my eyes, except three people who came and put their hands on my shoulder, as if I needed comfort for my "humiliation.

Why were they all waiting in gleeful anticipation for me to break? What does this say about group psychology? Sophie announced a break herself right after our conversation, as if she too was disoriented, as revealed by the uncharacteristic lack of charisma in her face and her stiff shoulders.

But when she came back, she was ready. She pointed her finger at me and said: "Karin is a journalist. The crowd nodded. She could have substituted "communist" or "non-patriot". The effect would have been the same. The irony was that I had no problem with the Forum. I did experience my own breakthroughs. I was glad I went. I did see how I used my past in my future; I did contemplate the rackets I laid on my friends and family.

I thought overall this was a healthy experience. I just did not see any reason to 1 prevent critical thinking and 2 make evangelism the marketing strategy of the Forum. It also disgusted me to see people unwilling to have their transformative weekend tampered with by critical thinking.

One participant at the break said he objected to my critique of the Luther and Gandhi references. True my point was valid, but couldn't I accept that a mass of average people might get so much mileage out of the inspiration of being compared to these great leaders that I was spoiling their fun if I was too logical and "intelligent" about it?

Another thought I was being needlessly picky when I pointed out that using Sarkozy as an example of integrity he sticks to his word; he admits his Carla Bruni affair in public pointed out a rather shallow rightwing prejudice. The last hours of the Forum were thankfully devoted back to the life lessons of the Forum, rather than the push to call every last friend we knew to come on Tuesday night, so that one day the world could be "transformed" and we would live in a community of the Forum--an urging that inspired one woman from Slovenia to vow to open the Forum in her country, as well as a man from Spain to do the same.

Instead, Sophie gave a brilliant, truly brilliant, performance of how human beings are like donkeys this said, running around the stage following an imaginary carrot at her nose , who are always pursuing an imaginary "someday" of satisfaction.

She repeated the most original philosophy of the Forum, one that I was quite taken by: don't change your life, transform it. Change is based on adjusting, modifying, always having the past dragging behind you like the chair she dragged behind her, in demonstration. Transformation is simply deciding and declaring a new way of being, tout court.

She also gave a mini-lecture on existentialism, citing Shakespeare's "sound and fury signifying nothing" as well as a little known poem by e.

Create your meaning; there is none inherent in the world. Do not live in hope, but in action. As throughout the Forum, she sprinkled her lecture with an inspiring array of quotes, including my favorite: "A successful person goes from failure to failure with enthusiasm" Churchill and concluded, per forma, with moving descriptions of Gandhi and King.

Sophie was a gifted speaker, who kept our attention and enthusiasm during each twelve hour day, making her speeches seem original, with personal anecdotes; only later, searching the web, do I find the same speeches cited by other landmark leaders: the "nothingness" argument, the "Citizen Kane". It is a script. The concluding remarks were powerful. Sophie had tears in her eyes as she thanked us for letting her serve us. I found the same speech on the web. She also mentioned her personal life again, how upset she had been when on her honeymoon, as a young girl married to an elderly millionaire, the man sadly had an aneurism and died leaving her millions , and how she would have continued to live in disappointment, with rackets, but the Landmark convinced her to leave the past behind.

At the end of the day, I found the Forum innocuous. Hence before signing up with the Landmark forum, please think for yourself and read carefully the agreement that you are signing! Dude, ur blog is like reading my heart. I was also so bummed out with the forum. I tried to reason with him that whatever you say makes no sense. Each experience teaches us something good and something bad. No wonder people would have to do more and more forums to wash off their sins.

Well said, even I have observed the same. The way there used to explain in such a high level confusing English and calling everyone stupid idiots allawys blasting etc… Actually not addressing the problem in simple straight way and try to fix the conclusion on u and if some one trys to counter he will be branded as uncoachable.

I have abserved many people issues mostly their are related to family issues relationships with parents Wife kids etc.. There start asking for enrollment of all those people by calling them and inviting them on Tuesday session. When ever u ask some questions it will be directly or indirectly avoided. There will be hardcore selling for Advance course right from 2day and you have only 1day left to accept it or u will miss the bus.

Specially at this cost. And there solution is like final for our worst miserable, stupid, Nonsense, …….. Life For small pitty issues their try to make it so serious issues and forces us to get enrolled ur family members also so that u will not have any issues with them in future. Great Review Ajith! Very helpful! I was almost going to enrol for this program, as you rightly said, influenced by a friend.

But now when I think about it… this program is just not meant for me. Must say gud review as some of my friend suggested me to attend this session. Hi Thanks Ajith.

You have enlightened me. I was about to sign up under pressure from a person that matter. I would have killed the coach, if I would have been in your place. I wonder why nobody who has attended the Forum says anything bad about it. All praise it like anything but no one could explain or convince me what actually will happen there.

Well actually no, the only person paid is the head coach and its a very normal salary given to a person at a high level. I attended this course few days back. I am a doctor with a successful professional and family life. I grew up with great values thanks to my parents and teachers. I went there because one f my teacher an accomplished person of international repute advised me to do so. I went there to enjoy my 3 days that were extremely difficult to get as I am a private Practioner having my own hospital and know about a different technology on thaught management.

Somehow, my view are totally different. I would say I enjoyed this course. To learn anything new, one has to be open and receptive. I could have never learnt my medicine without being open and getting judgemental in first years itself. Hence I had decided not to be judgemental till the course ends and follow whatever my leader of course my own decision to choose it. Here is what I learnt from this forum:. Live in present and try to forget all that has become past!

It was a great experience knowing how and what determines my behaviour in different situations. Once you know the reason, you have endless opportunities to manage your thaughts and hence your life.

Integrity is key to success. Our mind always keep talking to ourselves…the thoughts are based on our previous experiences. Need to get aware of why this is continuously going on and this awareness helps me taking decision on my own not in an automatic mode. I am working on it and finding better control mainly because I became aware of it. How to take on a group of odd people from all cadre and manage the 3 days course smoothly and confidently.

There are great things to learn from forum leader if you consider yourself in his place. But whatever I read was theory and the forum was a Practical. And once you see it You never forget. Thanks for this blog as it gave me opportunity to challenge myself and grow.

Sir Happy to see your view point about land mark forum and what you have taken from it. Could you please give your review about the leader and his gesture in more detail? I am glad I read the review. I am not reachable by force I know. If people working for Landmark and volunteers, then where is all the money going?

Thousands of participants paying Rs 16, each. Not sure if u r still available to respond but i dont agree that only hrad coach paid amd all others are voluntarily participate. No one in this world does anything for free. It is a MLM, One or the other way. I think is review is a must read before attending the LM forum. What a waste of 3 days. Thanks a ton for the review.

Thanks a lot for this info! Thanks for your review. Yesterday evening, one of my close friends wife gave me the leaflet and requested me to find out about this course. Her husband wanted entire family to join landmark forum. Most of the marketing companies in such businesses use such dirty tricks to influence people. I am very sure that people can be changed only through love, joy and enthusiasm. Unless you accept the person with his faults and unless you love someone unconditionally and keep infinite patience, you can not transform his life.

Infact, every person gets transformed on his own and not by forced measures. You are just with that person to help him. It will take lot of time for Americans to understand unconditional love. Its not in their culture at all. We go to motivational leaders, psychiatrist when we feel things are not good, nothing is happening, life is miserable but when we never ask even ourselves when we feel good or when we are happy.

The entire topic is about 5 words 1. Integrity 2. Fact and story 3. Wheel Complete and connected 4. Life is nothing and Meaning less 5. Always Already Listening. The Landmark Forum works when we start applying the stuff to areas of life that are important to us. In any case, they do offer your money back if you are not willing to be coached as per the design, as Ajith himself has mentioned in the original post.

After I left my expressions on 17th March I have been following your article and comments closely. Well honestly no good comments for this forum has come till date and I am happy to know that people are getting aware. I will be more happy to see comments from people who have attend this course and tell exactly how do they feel. I love photography and can attend a session to become better at it, beacuse its my interest.

But still landmark people chase you like anything to influence you. I wish your article to get global and get recognised so more and more people get influenced by this rather than Landmark.

Sandeep, Thanks for getting back again. The only problem I see is that I cannot always endorse the authenticity of all comments and commenters. Human Being is a meaning making machine..! We all derive some or the other meaning out of every action and inaction around us, We love and live that..! The same thing is being demonstrated here.. Nothing wrong about it..!!

Landmark Forum has put me into actions without getting stopped by the meanings my mind makes out of everything around me.. It has given me an access to sideline all the disempowering conversations which come my way, be it in my personal or professional life..

Increased productivity, improved relationships, and more importantly me being at peace with myself taking my life to the next level is what i have now..!!

I m writing because, a very near and dear person in my life has forwarded me this link to read on as i had asked him to go for the Forum.. Nothing comes easy if we want to work on anything authentically.. For that, one has to confront himself or herself within, rather than the outside world.. My frens have shared a glimpse of it above.. Going beyond my otherwise constant judging and evaluating mind, m game for all sorts of confrontations within myself for taking my life to the next level..

This is for me, ther might be something different for others.. As i watch a movie, i do ask my frens to go for it, if I like it.. I do marketing for that movie and dont get paid for it even.. Likewise, yss I do marketing for LF and will keep doing that, coz i am a stand for my people of my life to explore for themselves how they can carve an extraordinary but simplified life for themselves as i see LF as a clearcut pathway for myself..! You have written about contents and how it is benefitted you.

Ajith, I can feel your comments. I am looking forward to join the course for my personal growth as well as for having merrier relationship with my better half. Can this course be beneficial? Your advice is commendable. Monali in her comment. Probably one of them could help you with an answer. And after reading this blog I am regretting.

Is there any chance to get my money back? You might be the VP of the company, but you are a student here. Please leave your ego out of the gates otherwise there is no learning happening.

The course of Landmark Forum or any other landmark programs are confrontational in nature. Most of us are interested in intellectual orgy or psychological amusements. I have personally seen high-profile executives, businessmen, actors,lawyers et al exercising and expressing their wisdom for first two days only to break down on third day when they really confront the lies and the impact of those lies that they keep telling to people around them and more importantly to themselves.

But after that confrontation, they experience the kind of freedom and fulfillment that they never experienced ever in their lives.

Hence landmark forum is transformational in nature and not informational. You might not find any NEW wisdom in it but you neither would find its methodology of teaching anywhere else. So, this program is not for everyone.

Its a serious work on yourself for 3 complete days uninterruptedly. There might be times where you would not agree with something, there might be some conversations where you would want to fight with the coach, there might be conversation where you would would want to walk away and sleep. Its a roller coaster ride but if you play to the design, I can bet my heart that for the price of landmark forum there is no other program and I ASSERT this that there is no other program in the world which can alter your life the way landmark forum does it.

For Rs. Yes, we do ask you to share our programs and ask you to invite guests. All the business generated is through word of mouth. In cases where people have felt pressured, we take note, apologise accordingly and take adequate improvement steps in the training and development methodology so that people have the choice to take actions instead of experiencing pressure.

So, to sum it up, I very strongly recommend this to everyone. Just as we need academic education, we need this education too. Disclaimer: I am not an employee of Landmark nor their official spokesperson. I was also in your stage 12 years back when I did it.

By the way, Landmark Forum did not work for you because you did not complete the program as per design hence your review is incomplete too. For the people who agreed to Ajith view, That is how we human being live, when your close friend recommends you landmark, you check on net and actually search for negative comment.

Finally you end up trusting stranger Ajith and distrusting your close one, how funny! What I have written is an impartial review based on my experience of attending with LMF for two whole days off the three which was utter nonsense in my opinion.

But I am not even telling people not to go for it. Let them figure out themselves by attending it if they wish to do so. The way, the people from landmark and my friend who invited me to attend and join LF was very cheap and creates doubt. Sameer, The language and tone of your post suggests that you have motive in writing the comments. Ajeeth just narrated his experiences chronologically for people to decide. Ajeeth though stranger had gone through the program, while your friends may not have gone through the program.

Dear friends, I attended this course only few days back. It mostly works for people who are keeping grudges for long time in their heart. I saw drastic change in my son in law. My mind was peaceful but now at more peace after attending the course. I did Landmark 2 months back. I also had dealt with many challenging circumstances in my life.. So, my point was — whats the point in landmark? But I am a very selfish person. I will do anything which will improve my own self.

So, I decided to try landmark keeping my ego aside. Most things that LF says is what I knew. But it worked like a place where I could apply it in my own life.

In the past too, whenever something had worked, I had applied LF fundas distinctions, in their word. Like, if something goes wrong, I would analyse what I could have done to change it around. This way I would be in control of the situation. I regret having not attended it long back 3 years back. I had resistance because I lost my fried to LF and he bacame a real pain.

But reality is, its difficult to, unless there is a structure for it. But be selfish, do attend LF. Let your friends know abt it too! An update — ever since I made the about post, I have been attending the weekly seminars.

Its working wonders! And things are moving like never before! My family shares this perception. Suggestion to those so opposed to landmark. You get the theory without the practicals! Mindblowing course it is! Shook my identity a great deal! Thanks for your detailed Explanation about this forum … one of my close friend just attend the LF last week and insisted me to join to make my life more meaningful..

I did the course in June , when I was still a college student, without any of the baggage that many older people have w. I did the program merely out of curiosity, and must say that the program has really made a lasting impact on me, how I deal with things, and has set a good base for me to build my career over the last 15 years. Most of us tend to analyze the conversations, which is ok, but may not make much of a difference to forwarding our commitment.

The Landmark Forum Leaders get aggressive with us at times shout, make statements that we may not like to make us inquire into our lives, get to the impact of our current situation inertia?

The different language is used to help us articulate our thoughts and actions — similar to the way doctors learn medical terms and MBA learn jargon to communicate with others in their community. I agree on the marketing part, and it may be perceived as a bit too much, but it is basically to help you practice the technology of Enrollment, one of the key pillars of success along with Integrity and Relationship.

We get results in life by creating something as a possibility and then enrolling others into that. Bringing people to the Landmark Forum Evening Session is a measurable outcome of you doing Enrollment conversations, but this can be used anywhere in life closing deals, improving team productivity, better relationships, etc.

I would invite you to participate in the Landmark Forum once again, with an open coachable? Like the Landmark Forum leader says, just for the 3 days, try out the technology as something that is possible plausible and do the assignments writing the letters, calling people.

In the last 16 years, I have seen hundreds of people turning around their lives, and creating breakthrough results in areas that are important to them. Definitely, there is something in the technology that works. Thanks ajith. I was being called by a man whom I do not know much. You can say he is just an acquaintance and definitely not a friend. I kept on avoiding his marketing call. He claims to have achieved the so called transformation.

At the same time it is true that I am going through a bad phase of life both in personal and professional front and surely waiting for a paradigm shift. Some of the comments suggest that coachables are likely to get result provided they stick to the programme for 3 days. I am still in dilemma as I find no comments supporting your view by those who completed the programme. I am eager to see some more reviews before taking the final call.

Amit, what I summarized here are my candid views on how it went with me. It might work for others, just like some commenters here have claimed in their long comments.

The fact remains that I still hate it! I got your point. In fact while searching for reviews in the Internet I came across your view which is very well written conveyed with great conviction. It is more than convincing. I simply appreciate you. Nonetheless, the point of Rohit your reviewer also drew my intriguing attention.

He took the emotional tormentation when he was quite you and did not have any baggage good or bad. His view is rather positive which put me in dilemma. Nothing else. My good wishes with you.

Thanks and regards. Jaya, I am not sure about that part. However, everyone that gets signed up is always via a friend or well wisher. No one gets a commission for introducing you to the landmark forum and making you register. In fact, for a long time, it operated in India as a Section 25 company. Its useful if you try to understand and start taking action. Only one aspect is bad that is insistence. That becomes irritating when they say that call ur friends and relatives to attend this course.

They are bloody cheaters. Most shameless beggers whom I have seen on earth. I talked to a so called leader stupid today and ultimately got no answers what I wanted. He says you need to experience it in 3 days. That means he is directly seeing his profit as business and not willing to give me solution.

We are all educated and with high morales. But such shameless people try and exploit floor their survival and keep their business moving. They are beggers and do this shamelessly. Better to lead your life the way you want instead of getting trapped into such ventures.

Please educate Ione and all. I wish to see this organisation close down. Hi Leelendra, I spoke to many people who have attended and I had mixed opinion so far. We all tend to stand on this thin wall of making a decision on either side. Dont Regret!!

One thing which I followed consistently — If you have signed for it and going for it go with open mind that you will learn something, comments says that the forum have something for everyone but you should have the willingness to see it and accept it. Hi Ajith, Wonderful blog from you. I read your blog and all the comments. In my company many friends have been pushing me to attend this Tuesday session. I have not been able to attend their briefing session as they call it because of some work at home etc but I find that everytother day, some or other person keeps on pushing me to attend.

Your blog and all comments have put me at ease. I have decided to fight this nonsense and I will refuse to attend this session at all. I have not attended any day so cant comment on their content but the marketing seems superb as friends are so insistent and hell bent to get me enrolled in the session. Thanks a ton for blog Ajith. Keep sharing good views with people. I am not going to attend the LF now, ever. Vow, you spoke my heart out.

But, there was this another guy and he looked so very hesitant but was finally made to accede by those guys. I actually feel sorry for him. I hope there is some legal way of stopping them from this emotional blackmail thing!

Is there any? Three days is short period for any transformation. It all boils down to passion and open mind. I happen to read your review by chance.

I did not know about LF prior to this. I feel myself fore warned on this now. This comes right after the happiness that you will portray. It was the most impactful thing in my life.

No one needs it. But you should come with me! You will get so much out of the course, and what you get is different than what I get. It always is! I know I sound crazy. Just trust me. Once you experience this new openness that you discover in the Landmark Forum, you want others to have the same thing. You will be a recruiting maniac, but not for any other reason than because you want others to have what you have.

There is no tracking of recruits, or commission on who you get into the program. You just want to share this with others! The course runs Friday morning to Sunday night, and then you return to work on Monday morning totally different. One of the major areas of change will be in how you talk. You will start using words in new ways, describing events with adjectives that are not typical. You have just learned all this new language, so as I said earlier, it all sounds a bit clunky coming out of your mouth.

This new game is to be the author of a life you love. To write a life that you want, and create new possibilities for yourself that connects you to the world, and to the community in new ways. Landmark Education is an amazing company that is focused on teaching people how to live a more powerful life.

There are far more that have had great experiences, changed their lives, started their own businesses, reconnected with loved ones, etc, because of what they learned at the Landmark Forum and in the rest of the Curriculum for living. As with most things in life, the ones that love it just go forth and conquer.

As a writer now, I thought that I could do my part as a Landmark Grad to spread the positive word, and encourage some people that may be on the fence about enrolling to tip the way of courage , and go. I write about things that I have struggled through, or struggle with, not things that I've mastered or are immune to. I was a District Manager by age Read the whole story here. There was ONE area that I focused in on to cause all this success and it has little to do with me!

View all posts by Nick Glassett. The truth is that if you understood the numerous psychological processes they used on you you would feel used. My guess is that you would also rationalise the negative impact the trainings have on many people as being their own fault. Why do you think they emphasise keeping your word? Do you think it might have something to do with the fact that, once they get you to agree to bring in new recruits they can hold you to it?

Got it. I mean, the transformative work that landmark does in incredible. Do you think the studies cited by Landmark are reliable? Do you know that they claim that what they do does not remotely resemble brainwashing or thought reform?

If an organisation is willing to mislead you on these issues, how can you trust that they have your best interests at heart?

I see that critical comments are not posted. This is precisely what Milieu Control the first condition of thought reform is all about. Only allow perspectives which support your narrative. This is what the trainer does during the Forum.

Wake up. Really nice that you got so much out of it, happy for you that it helped. When I read your story, it seems that you were not very confident and I am not sure Landmark is the solution to that? Introvert, awesome, be proud! I am sorry it took Landmark to tell you that you are good the way you are! Interested to hear your thoughts on this…. Yeah it really did help me a lot! Same for my Mom and dad, and numerous aunts that have attended the program.

So as far as aftercare, they actually offer a great program called the Landmark Seminars that they give you free tuition to. I wanted very badly to attend them though!

For some, that could be terrifying, I assert warning: LE Lingo here! Landmark exhibits all aspects of cult behavior. I hope the money, headaches, gaslighting, and exploitation all work out for you in the end.

Rest assured, I will not be silenced. If this comment somehow manages disappear as well, I will pursue the same legal actions I have already had to several times in the past to ensure that people can hear from an unfiltered perspective what is actually occurring in this cult religion rebranded as self development seminars.

Thanks for your input Steve!!! It changed my life in a positive way that is truly hard to put into words. I have had no contact with anything Landmark related is 2. Sounds like Landmark had a similar but opposite effect on you, and I feel for that. Please feel free to vent as much as you want here, I promise to listen with an open mind and big heart.

Have an amazing day, man! The man said he actually started to shut up and listen to people in social situations, and you expect him to delete your comment and silence you? Oh I guess they were the same point. Hey Kevin!! And yes, I do think it can have that effect on everyone. Thanks for reading and thanks for the comment Kevin!! I guess the Landmark operatives in her programme were happy with the results as she has gone through all four stages to become a leader herself.

Amid controversy over his convoluted tax records, he left the country in and slid into obscurity. Like a successful grad of its own program, Landmark has shed its past hang-ups and realized Breakthrough Results.

Landmark relies entirely on word-of-mouth advertising. The yoga apparel chain Lululemon pays for its employees to enroll in Landmark. At the start of my session, we were asked to affirm that we were attending of our own free will.

A couple of people who confessed otherwise were asked to leave. The profitable field Landmark helped pioneer is now crowded with life coaches, time-management gurus, and productivity bloggers. And maybe survive the recession. Yet if Landmark is just another outpost in lifehacking country, why does it seem so insidious? Part of it is the in-your-face, hard-sell ethos embedded in the corporate DNA it inherited from est.

After finishing the Forum, I received calls asking me to volunteer at the Landmark call center and come in for one-on-one coaching. The company also vigorously guards its reputation from critics. I first heard about Landmark while working as a Peace Corps recruiter. Applicants described it as a professional development seminar—most had been signed up by employers—and gave glowing reports.

I forgot about the whole thing until a generally sane, well-meaning friend called me one weekend with a frog in his throat.