Starting about 2:30 am EDT today, my cult counseling site, KnappFamilyCounseling.com, came under a Denial of Service attack. This brought the site down from 2:30 am until about 4 pm this afternoon. Service has been restored despite the attack continuing. (Say a loud "Yay" with me for my resourceful Internet host, WestHost.com!)
The attack was largely coordinated from six sites around the world, although apparently hundreds of smaller sites are also taking part. A Denial of Service attack (DoS) basically happens when a site is flooded with so many requests for service that the server is overwhelmed. My "hits" went from around 500 a day to over 10,000 during this period. (I usually run 50 to 70 unique visitors a day.)
DoS is a fairly common practice on the Internet, particularly with controversial or disliked commercial sites. Most recently Church of $cientology sites have been under attack from the group, "Anonymous," for instance.
But why anyone would want to shut down a small counseling site like mine, with as few as 50 visitors a day, is beyond me.
I have no idea who is behind this. And the nature of the attack being what it is, with many unwitting "slave" PCs frequently taking part, I may never know.
It's a curious form of compliment, however. Pardon my perhaps misplaced pride, but I assume someone feels threatened by what I offer there.
Please wish me luck!
John M. Knapp, LMSW
http://KnappFamilyCounseling.com/
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Multi Cult-uralism
I've been thinking of an essay about post TM multi Cult-uralism, describing the many former TMers who merrily hop to other cultic groups.
Many former TMers, having awakened to the scam of TM and Maharishi, seek other leaders to define and direct their life with mystical life forces or charismatic pseudo-leaders.
Many jumped to a new mystical guru, Opus Dei, the fundamentalist Church of Christ, Mormon Church, Landmark Education, or entered into cultic relationships. They continue speaking with cult cliches.
A few began their own cult-like organizations, establishing themselves as pseudo-guru. That would be another essay!
I cannot tell you how many said, "Gina, we're still spiritual. We found another teacher, come visit him with us." As if spirituality requires a guru or narrowly defined lifestyle. Out of respect for lifelong loved ones, I visited various teachers and groups. The same loved ones imply that my life is without meaning because I decline group involvement.
So many former TMers continue to require group definition, or continue to believe as Maharishi taught, that a 'living master' is necessary for a meaningful life. They believe the group dynamic validates their individuality.
Cult dynamics continue as followers remain in adolescent adulation, relinquishing life direction, identity and decisions to "a higher authority."
Personally, I consider the "group high" akin to social heroin.
Does decades in a cult create such insurmountable internal fear that a person cannot stand on his or her own?
The quivering-in-one's-boots phase is real but it passes as one gingerly takes the first step and the next until, building strength and endurance, eventually running through one's self-defined life! Freedom is delicious!
But, lo, I've been too busy to write the essay.
Instead, a Canadian reporter spared me the effort. She visited Fairfield and described the continued cult mindset of many who left TM. For a post-TM inspired vision of the gods that direct us, and our human pursuit of their blessings, please read :
Mantra Meditation Reveals a Hidden Agenda: Are the Gods Alive and Well and Working Towards the 'New World Order'
Enjoy!
Many former TMers, having awakened to the scam of TM and Maharishi, seek other leaders to define and direct their life with mystical life forces or charismatic pseudo-leaders.
Many jumped to a new mystical guru, Opus Dei, the fundamentalist Church of Christ, Mormon Church, Landmark Education, or entered into cultic relationships. They continue speaking with cult cliches.
A few began their own cult-like organizations, establishing themselves as pseudo-guru. That would be another essay!
I cannot tell you how many said, "Gina, we're still spiritual. We found another teacher, come visit him with us." As if spirituality requires a guru or narrowly defined lifestyle. Out of respect for lifelong loved ones, I visited various teachers and groups. The same loved ones imply that my life is without meaning because I decline group involvement.
So many former TMers continue to require group definition, or continue to believe as Maharishi taught, that a 'living master' is necessary for a meaningful life. They believe the group dynamic validates their individuality.
Cult dynamics continue as followers remain in adolescent adulation, relinquishing life direction, identity and decisions to "a higher authority."
Personally, I consider the "group high" akin to social heroin.
Does decades in a cult create such insurmountable internal fear that a person cannot stand on his or her own?
The quivering-in-one's-boots phase is real but it passes as one gingerly takes the first step and the next until, building strength and endurance, eventually running through one's self-defined life! Freedom is delicious!
But, lo, I've been too busy to write the essay.
Instead, a Canadian reporter spared me the effort. She visited Fairfield and described the continued cult mindset of many who left TM. For a post-TM inspired vision of the gods that direct us, and our human pursuit of their blessings, please read :
Mantra Meditation Reveals a Hidden Agenda: Are the Gods Alive and Well and Working Towards the 'New World Order'
Enjoy!
Mercury Poisoning related to Ayur Vedic Medicinals
Some old TM friends suffered from mercury poisonings, presumably related to their use of Maharishi Ayur-Ved formulas.
They are wealthy so easily afforded medical treatment, as well as their prior extensive use of Maharishi Ayur-Ved products which created their mercury toxicity in the first place.
They avoided a public suit because they have family still devoted to Maharishi.
However, today's Vancouver Sun reports hospitalizations of Indo-Canadians whose mercury poisoning is attributed to AyuVedic medicinals.
They are wealthy so easily afforded medical treatment, as well as their prior extensive use of Maharishi Ayur-Ved products which created their mercury toxicity in the first place.
They avoided a public suit because they have family still devoted to Maharishi.
However, today's Vancouver Sun reports hospitalizations of Indo-Canadians whose mercury poisoning is attributed to AyuVedic medicinals.
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