Invitation to Take Part in a Research Study

I got a note tonight from Colleen Russell, MFT, a therapist and cult counselor in Marin, CA. An associate of hers is conducting research and would very much like to have the participation of former cult members. I hope you will considering taking his short, web-based survey.

"I want to say at the outset that at this point in our research we are simply trying to validate a new measure -- the PBS. (Pathogenic Beliefs Scale...those inaccurate, self-limiting, and self-sabotaging beliefs internalized through throught reform and also formed in childhood). Many, if not most, measures in psychology are usually validated on samples of undergraduate psychology students. My goal for validating the PBS was to generate a wide and diverse sample of respondents: janitors and judges, drug addicts and doctors, students and stock brokers, etc. Toward this end, I felt it would be very helpful to have former cult members in this validation sample.

"Once the scale has been validated, we can begin to assess whether there are different patterns of beliefs in different groups of individuals.

If you are interested in taking part in the survey, please email Colleen Russell,LMFT,CGP for information.

Welcome, new contributor Laurie!

We are very excited to announce that tonight TMFB commenter Laurie has graciously accepted our invitation to become a contributor to TM-Free Blog.

I will leave it to Laurie to tell you a little bit about herself. We saw in her a strong, unique voice who has been contributing her insights and compassion in our comments for some months now. We are pleased she is taking this next step in posting to the main blog page. We're sure you will be impressed with her writing as well.

Contributors are given free rein to publish unedited, uncensored. (We only ask that they agree to our Mission Statement.) They also are given an equal democratic vote in major decisions that affect the Blog.

Please welcome Laurie in the comments below.

New Online Cult Support Group Starting

For those new to TM-Free Blog, I am a co-founder of TMFB and founder of TranceNet.net.

I am also a licensed psychotherapist who has worked with over 2,000 current and former cult members since 1995. I've worked specifically with ex-Transcendental Meditation members.

Starting Wednesday evening, October 1st I will be holding an online cult support group at public-talk.com. (I am in the US Eastern Time zone.) It will meet once a week.

I designed the group for people who left their group, but still face challenges functioning in life. Difficulties might include: career/education, relationships, finances, health, depression, grief, shame, re-establishing spirituality -- pretty much any challenge caused by your time in your cult. (You might be interested in reading a list of post-cult symptoms at http://KnappFamilyCounseling.com/cultsymptoms.html .)

Some benefits people report from cult support groups:

• Great chance to share experience in a safe, moderated space -- ask questions and get answers!
  
• Confidential, safe, and secure
  
• Support from people who experienced what you did -- and don't think you're crazy!
  
• Work with a therapist who understands -- I spent 20+ years in my own cult
  
• A place to share and learn solutions that have worked for others
  
• Inexpensive access to professional therapeutic help (as little as $10/session)
  
• For many people, group may be faster, more powerful than individual counseling -- and less scary!
  
• Downloaded transcripts let you re-read and consider insights at your own leisure
  
• Learn crucial info on cult recovery

The group is open to anyone who is recovering from cult abuse by any group. The group is limited to 10 members, first-come, first-served -- you might want to make your reservation soon.

To learn more -- or if you have any questions at all -- please write me at jmknapp53@gmail.com.

Look forward to recovering with you!

J.

About Me:
I am a 23+ year former member of Transcendental Meditation in recovery from cults for 13+ years.

I've been a cult activist since 1995 and have worked with over 2,000 current and former members of eastern meditation groups, new age groups, multi-level marketing groups, christian/bible-based groups, and many, many more. I have specifically worked with over 1,000 former TM members.

I became a mental health professional in 2005 as a licensed psychotherapist (LMSW). You can read more about my practice at http://KnappFamilyCounseling.com/ .

MUM plans to start medical school

One of the latest announcements from MUM is a plan for a medical school: "preliminary plans for Maharishi College of Perfect Health, the new medical school of Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, USA."

MUM goes on claim:
At the College of Perfect Health, students will learn the best that modern medicine has to offer, including the most advanced medical technologies. Training in modern medical modalities will be complemented with education in Unified Field-Based medicine in a complete and thorough way.

What is interesting is that MUM plans to start offering pre-med classes, to later funnel students to the medical school:

'M.U.M. will provide pre-medical students with the opportunity to prepare for their medical training in a low-stress environment, without the endless hours of study common to most pre-med programmes,' commented Dr Schneider.http://www.globalgoodnews.com/education-news-a.html?art=122028544213903526

Odds are this is just another grand plan that won't go anywhere. They will have untold problems getting accreditation. Separate and apart from the goofiness of "unified field medicine," MUM's reputation is unlikely going to get it a med school. In the last 20 years, only one allopathic medical school has opened, though there are now about seven in the pipeline. The practical problems for MUM are likely insurmountable. But can't have that negative thinking, can we. :)