Same stuff, new package
For the most part, the new age self-help books that are flooding bookstores around the world are harmless enough, offering inspirational ideas that make readers feel good about themselves for a few hours, a day or two, maybe even for a week.
For a few lucky souls, perhaps their lives are changed forever (hopefully for the better).
However few consumers realize that the content of the majority of self-help books is recycled, unoriginal trivial feel good advice.
For example, how often does one find this type of ‘enlightened’ advice?
- Know what you want
- Create your vision
- Recognize what might be in your way
- Manifest your intention
Yes – in just about every self-help book and program out there!
So plagarism (or paraphrasing if you prefer) is rampant in this industry, however I discovered an even more troubling aspect, most of these authors and self-help new age gurus use techniques that can be traced back to Scientology and EST (Erhard Seminar Training).
The links are not difficult to trace.
Werner Erhard dabbled with Scientology, and when he left he began to develop his own EST programs.
EST was later renamed Landmark Education – same program, new name, and still going strong.
Simultaneously another company was formed, Excellerated Business Schools, created by Marshall Thurber, protégé of Werner Erhard.
Excellerated Business Schools conducts a program called “Money & You”, using techniques similar to EST.
Many of the authors of self-help books, present and past, as well as many others who are both ‘authors’ as well as seminar organizers, are ‘graduates’ of the “Money & You” program.
Common to them all is the penchant to seduce consumers into purchasing their books and attending their programs.
In most cases the consumer wastes a few dollars on a book.
Beyond that, additional money can be wasted on seminars, coaching and questionable investments.
In the worst case, clients of these new age gurus may end up dead in a sweat lodge.
What puzzles me is that there has been no exposure in the media showing the links between these self-help new age gurus and organizations like Scientology and EST.
More on that later…
nemesisthree 