I had a very negative experience with LifeSpring. Took it around 1987-88. It was just a little too much like Nazi Germany with a request to agree to something the leader had decided without knowing what it would be in advance. Blind faith. Probably 194 of the maybe-200 people agreed, and there were about 6 of us holdouts. Then the leader got to work on me, singling me out, making me stand, telling me that he would not end the workshop until he had 100% compliance. So (it was the end of the workshop) as long as we held out, he wouldn't end and everyone had to stay. Feeling pressure to let others go home, I capitulated, and when I did, so did the other 5. Today I would have walked out. As it was I wrote a scathing letter to Lifespring and found out later that that particular practice was eliminated from further trainings. And going to EST meetings was also too reminiscent of the Nazis with SS troops walking the aisles making people sit down and not leave. Shudder . . .
Ouch, sounds like an awful LS experience. I don’t recognize the “exercise” you mention— and I did it in the 70s so well before you did LS. I did the Forum years later, which I didn’t like at all. I didn’t want to go but was coerced. I don’t usually speak up but I did there—and my contribution wasn’t part of their script. I felt pretty dismissed by the leader. Upshot: no more of that nonsense.
i gobble up your Letters Home PJ. What makes you tick and the way you share your stories -- i could read all day . How about a book ?
Hilarey bought me a Storyworth subscription and I'm working on a book there. Might be time to put more time into it though.
Unfortunately, it's not a great platform for style.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family! Thanks for another interesting story!
I had a very negative experience with LifeSpring. Took it around 1987-88. It was just a little too much like Nazi Germany with a request to agree to something the leader had decided without knowing what it would be in advance. Blind faith. Probably 194 of the maybe-200 people agreed, and there were about 6 of us holdouts. Then the leader got to work on me, singling me out, making me stand, telling me that he would not end the workshop until he had 100% compliance. So (it was the end of the workshop) as long as we held out, he wouldn't end and everyone had to stay. Feeling pressure to let others go home, I capitulated, and when I did, so did the other 5. Today I would have walked out. As it was I wrote a scathing letter to Lifespring and found out later that that particular practice was eliminated from further trainings. And going to EST meetings was also too reminiscent of the Nazis with SS troops walking the aisles making people sit down and not leave. Shudder . . .
Ouch, sounds like an awful LS experience. I don’t recognize the “exercise” you mention— and I did it in the 70s so well before you did LS. I did the Forum years later, which I didn’t like at all. I didn’t want to go but was coerced. I don’t usually speak up but I did there—and my contribution wasn’t part of their script. I felt pretty dismissed by the leader. Upshot: no more of that nonsense.