Thank you. This is very timely for me as I just walked away from a newly formed community that was already allowing hate ideas to be spread under the guise of openness to thought. I'm old, and in my day, I saw the same pattern of ego-inflatedness of the leader (as you describe, to one degree or another) in most groups that I did during my guru-hopping days.
I went over this video twice and again listening while driving to church. In 1979, I became a Christian in a group later to be known as the International Churches of Christ cult. It is amazing the parallel between your experience and mine. The Spirit revealed to me years later, that I had been witnessed to many times by other Christians, but I rejected them and their message. The ICC (Crossroads movement then I believe) had the only people I would listen to and hear the gospel. It was necessary for me at that time.
Your summaries of lessons learned reveal the mind of a Learner, that of a Student. It has occurred to me, the path which leads to re-unification has always been single-track, albeit one paralleled at times by those of our guides. I suppose this partially explains the rarified nature of this part of our journey. Thank you for sharing sir.
Excellent presentation and perennial warning. I was a member of this school in the early days, alongside Stella Wirk (a founding member) and Karl Werner (the winemaster). Having found a Gurdjieff-Ouspensky bookmark, I joined in the freshly-minted Atlanta Center, lived in the teaching house there, and later moved to San Francisco (the 4-story Gough Street house, in fact). I travelled to the 'Farm,' or 'Renaissance,' as it was called in late 70s. I can say I dined in the Lincoln Lodge, visited an Airstream or two, and marveled at the large wine goblets and fine Meissen china dinnerware. I collected every copy of the beautiful Renaissance Journal, which was compiled, edited and printed by students (I even helped with some of the proofreading). After a few years, the 'teaching payments' became too great and I was eventually turned out for insufficient payment. By 1979, I was gone and only years later learned of the unfortunate turn my beloved school was to take. However, I enjoyed the company of a small band of remarkable seekers who shared a passion for the ideas. I was sad to leave and I miss them still.
Thank you for this. We see this happen time and time again. Spiritual abuse is particularly devastating because it goes to our deepest most vulnerable selves.
It was your testimony written in a book that made me aware of that danger. Thank you for your courage to pull the veil, as I still encounter up to this year, members who have joined the same group and don’t have the courage to leave, rather they keep the wrong teaching mixed in order to attract more followers so they go up their false ladder. Thank you for your courage, honesty and warning through your testimony. Blessings Always.
This seems to happen in every man made movement., religion etc. It is called being human. How can God be turned into an institution? Where is the freedom to " Know Thyself"? We can be grateful for the lessons inherent In being true to our self, finding our courage, and growing into being able to see clearly and staying true to our true self as we walk the path of transformation. The tests and lessons become ever more subtle, but these earlier lessons which were learnt keep us on the narrow edged pathway, with no glamour, no selfishness and no ego driven illusions. Thankyou so very much Ted. Spot on as always...
Magnificant - experiencial common sense radiating Christ Consciousness. The hungry ghost shamans are still working hard in plain sight it is so refreshing to hear this Thankyou for your service.
Thank you for sharing your journey and for all the heartfelt lessons learned. Your experience led you to teach the truth, the real truth. Thank you 🙏🏻 ❤
Spirituality for sale. Exactly. I too was a member of that school at about the same time and I thank God I had the sense to walk away. As an aside, how could anyone take seriously a guy who wears that floral suit?
Interesting, well considered documentary... Viewers might also examine the book, "Lightning Thunder Cows - Countering the Myths of Big Death, Big Religion, Big Conflict, and All Other Fearful Big Ideas". It can be accessed via the various Amazon book outlets... In some respects it covers some similar ground as your video, but is also different. Best wishes to you, Theo, and all :)
I was on a dangerous path until the Lord took a hold oh me and said " follow me " ❤
Thank you. This is very timely for me as I just walked away from a newly formed community that was already allowing hate ideas to be spread under the guise of openness to thought. I'm old, and in my day, I saw the same pattern of ego-inflatedness of the leader (as you describe, to one degree or another) in most groups that I did during my guru-hopping days.
Thank you pastor Ted! One sage said, - there are as much paths towards God as features of faces of the people.
When they attempt to access the inner chamber without the presence of Christ, of Holiness, without humility. Without a wedding garment.
Thank you for sharing, still after 59 years, have no community.
Feed your flock, my brother. We are listening. 😊
The Kingdom Of God Is Within!
Kingdom of God is already present for those who understand the secret message of Jesus.
I went over this video twice and again listening while driving to church. In 1979, I became a Christian in a group later to be known as the International Churches of Christ cult. It is amazing the parallel between your experience and mine. The Spirit revealed to me years later, that I had been witnessed to many times by other Christians, but I rejected them and their message. The ICC (Crossroads movement then I believe) had the only people I would listen to and hear the gospel. It was necessary for me at that time.
Your summaries of lessons learned reveal the mind of a Learner, that of a Student.
It has occurred to me, the path which leads to re-unification has always been single-track, albeit one paralleled at times by those of our guides.
I suppose this partially explains the rarified nature of this part of our journey.
Thank you for sharing sir.
Excellent presentation and perennial warning. I was a member of this school in the early days, alongside Stella Wirk (a founding member) and Karl Werner (the winemaster). Having found a Gurdjieff-Ouspensky bookmark, I joined in the freshly-minted Atlanta Center, lived in the teaching house there, and later moved to San Francisco (the 4-story Gough Street house, in fact). I travelled to the 'Farm,' or 'Renaissance,' as it was called in late 70s. I can say I dined in the Lincoln Lodge, visited an Airstream or two, and marveled at the large wine goblets and fine Meissen china dinnerware. I collected every copy of the beautiful Renaissance Journal, which was compiled, edited and printed by students (I even helped with some of the proofreading). After a few years, the 'teaching payments' became too great and I was eventually turned out for insufficient payment. By 1979, I was gone and only years later learned of the unfortunate turn my beloved school was to take. However, I enjoyed the company of a small band of remarkable seekers who shared a passion for the ideas. I was sad to leave and I miss them still.
Thank you for this. We see this happen time and time again. Spiritual abuse is particularly devastating because it goes to our deepest most vulnerable selves.
It was your testimony written in a book that made me aware of that danger. Thank you for your courage to pull the veil, as I still encounter up to this year, members who have joined the same group and don’t have the courage to leave, rather they keep the wrong teaching mixed in order to attract more followers so they go up their false ladder. Thank you for your courage, honesty and warning through your testimony. Blessings Always.
This seems to happen in every man made movement., religion etc. It is called being human. How can God be turned into an institution? Where is the freedom to " Know Thyself"? We can be grateful for the lessons inherent In being true to our self, finding our courage, and growing into being able to see clearly and staying true to our true self as we walk the path of transformation. The tests and lessons become ever more subtle, but these earlier lessons which were learnt keep us on the narrow edged pathway, with no glamour, no selfishness and no ego driven illusions. Thankyou so very much Ted.
Spot on as always...
Magnificant - experiencial common sense radiating Christ Consciousness. The hungry ghost shamans are still working hard in plain sight it is so refreshing to hear this Thankyou for your service.
Thank you for sharing your journey and for all the heartfelt lessons learned. Your experience led you to teach the truth, the real truth. Thank you 🙏🏻 ❤
Spirituality for sale. Exactly. I too was a member of that school at about the same time and I thank God I had the sense to walk away. As an aside, how could anyone take seriously a guy who wears that floral suit?
Grace and Gratitude 💛 💫 🙏
Beautiful speaking voice. Elegant articulation.
Interesting, well considered documentary... Viewers might also examine the book, "Lightning Thunder Cows - Countering the Myths of Big Death, Big Religion, Big Conflict, and All Other Fearful Big Ideas". It can be accessed via the various Amazon book outlets... In some respects it covers some similar ground as your video, but is also different. Best wishes to you, Theo, and all :)
Whoa! That was *really* interesting, Ted.
Outstanding!!!
Mahalo nui loa. Thank you very much. With aloha.
Thanks for sharing your story
Remarkable!
The leader's wardrobe...
Always good to see burton exposed
💙
What is the opening music? ❤
Pachelbel's Canon in D Major
Jai, Dmt; all else, all else is mere Dream.
🙏🤍☦️
Grace and Gratitude 💛 💫 🙏