Landmark Education (formerly known as EST) seminars

Some of you here may not be old enough to remember the fad that became popular in the early 70s referred to as EST (Erhard Seminars Training). And, from some light research I see that Landmark Education bought the intellectual rights from the original creator of EST.

From Wiki:

The est Training presented several concepts, most notably the concept of transformation and taking responsibility for one's life. The actual teaching, called "the technology of transformation," emphasizes the value of integrity.

Ok, two thoughts here:

1. A good friend of mine from HS attended an EST seminar in the early 70s. She sure didn't absorb the 'value of integrity". While she's not a horrible person she sure did her share of using others in that time period and beyond.

2. A man older than myself at work was telling me today of a girlfriend he had way back when that atteneded an EST seminar and came back transformed, in her words. And said that at one point the lights in the room were turned off, they were all naked and they then had 'encounters'. It was never really made clear to him what these encounters were...though one will surmise, yes?

Flash forward to 2006-7 when I was going thru the change and having all the typical issues that surrond that - mostly emotionally....naturally - my boss went into 'council' mode and then shared that she'd been through Landmark Training and said she couldn't say enough good things about it and I should sincerly consider it (to the tune of something like $500 for a weekend) the same. Check the fees out today for "Wisdom Training" (and who doesn't need more wisdom in their lives, right?):
http://www.landmarkeducation.com/landmark_wisdom_courses_tuitions.jsp

Now, much as I respect my boss - she doesn't seem believe in love. When I asked her if she loved her current beau (after her hemming and hawing about what to do with their situation), she replied "But what IS love?" She believes it's all for 'the team'. That's what you focus on. We're all one big team and the team effort is everything. And, that shows in her daily going's about the work place. I respect her more than I can say, but sometimes I sit back and just watch and wonder about this training she's been through.

So a couple of questions:

1. Who really sponsors this type of training? Is it all private or does it go deeper?

2. Have any of you here either done EST or Landmark training and what do you think about your experiences?

From my observations and what's been told to me from people with the training or know of those who have (which is minimal, yes - but we're here to discuss things, right?) I don't see how it really helps one get by any better for all the cash spent on the endeavour. Personally, I'd rather do Tai Chi to center myself.

Thoughts?

 

sounds like scientology.

 

1. Who really sponsors this type of training? Is it all private or does it go deeper?
2. Have any of you here either done EST or Landmark training and what do you think about your experiences?


My wife was an early trainee and disciple of Werner. She was personally disappointed that He ,"sold out" believing him to be a fallen angel, a victim of his own success. She went on with Land mark and before she ceased activity was a sort of mentor counselor for the west coast for any functional difficulties they were having with their program. She was not involved in any aspect of the financial workings of Land mark other to continue to invest heavily in the program by paying for others to take courses.

I never took any courses but I have attended a few member ship drive or guest nights. My wife never encouraged me personally to take the training saying she didn't think I needed it. One thing I noticed about my experience at a land mark facility is that no one ever graduates, that is, the money keeps flowing in. I think the real value of paying money for the individual is that you are liable to want to protect your investment and therefore be willing to put up with some grueling psychological dismemberment and re-assemblage. I really don't know what Land marks purposes for the money are. I know there are both paid and volunteer staff.

 

I have a family member who did this back in the day before the original guy sold it. He said it helped him a lot but after the dude got all famous and stuff it changed and he didn't agree with it anymore.

 

i remeber est. always wondered what the hell it stood for. my recollection was of it being some sort of enlightenment through spontaniousness sort of thing. or that's what people who were closer to it told me.

i just remember seeing it all over the place, but not really giving it much thought.
i knew a couple of scientologist, which was boring. and went to a couple of hare chrishna feasts, which were mellow and cool.

but est was something, one of the many somethings, that was just there, way in the background, that didn't really get my attention at all.