I have no legal recourse. I have nothing left to do but tell my
story, in hopes that others will read it and avoid the pain and
suffering that this organization has caused me. I am told that my case
is unusual, However, I have read the stories online of others like
myself who have had devastating experiences with Landmark Education. I
participated in The Forum in January of 1998, and signed up for The
Advanced course at the end of The Forum. During the time between courses
my life seemed to be right on track and I was functioning just fine. I
was more than eager to take the $700+ "Advanced Course". In my eyes my
life needed a little shaking up. When I signed the paperwork, I never
expected that my life would be turned upside down and my mind would be
so shaken that I would wind up on a psych unit on anti-psychotic
medication.
I can recall at the beginning of the Course that we were given the
instruction to "be coachable". In Landmark being coachable means letting
go of your questions and accepting everything that the leader of the
session says without inquiry. I remember at one point dredging up a
horrid experience form my past and laying myself open for scathing
criticism. I was required to place blame on myself for a rape that I had
survived about five years previous. Somehow, my mind shut down after
that. I was gone, unable to function at any rational level.
I have some vague memories of being driven home. Landmark dismissed
me from the session before it ended. They sent me home in a daze, unable
to function in the real world. That night I can remember my fears being
laid so bare that I was afraid to sleep. I was certain that if I slept
that I would die. I did not sleep the next night either. Finally on
Tuesday, the day I was to go back for the evening session of the
Advanced Course--I wound up on the psych ward at my local hospital.
I was so open to suggestion that I believed that I was under attack
by vampires (I had caught an episode of Buffy at a friend's house on my
second sleepless night). I was very involved with the Internet so during
my second psychotic break I hallucinated that I was a computer. I also
had delusions of being a river and various other things. I was mostly
catatonic and could not communicate normally, as I was under the
impression that I was speaking with others telepathically. To put it
mildly--I was a mess.
I spent seven days in the hospital and hallucinated for at least five
of those seven days. I had lingering fears for months afterwards and
still shake when I talk about the experience. I lost most of my memory
of events from both before and during the Forum. It has taken me over a
year to piece my life back together bit by painful bit.
I accused my father falsely of sexually abusing me during this break.
I am certain that I will never fully regain his trust or our once close
relationship. Landmark Education destroyed my life.
I have several other friends who are involved in this
organization--they are completely lost to me. I have spoken with them
since their participation and they seem like zombies, incapable of
making decisions for themselves.
There is no doubt in my mind that this organization is destructive.
The most charitable thing I can say about Landmark is that they are a
very slick sales force.
I hope that this information helps some people. Please be aware
[Landmark] is NOT harmless. It is NOT safe, and it is NOT the answer to
your questions about life. What Landmark is--is [like] skydiving with
your sanity. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to pack your own chute.
Many people make it out in one piece--however, others do not. Perhaps
you should:
· Ask questions and do not sign any forms.
· If the person persuading you to take the Forum cannot answer your questions--tactfully decline their invitation.
I cannot stress this enough. Do not wind up being a casualty of this
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CORPORATION. Like any other CORPORATION they do not
have the interest of the consumer in mind--they are simply designed as a
self-perpetuating money-making machine. They do not look out for
participants, but they do cover their asses when it comes to potential
lawsuits.
DO NOT BECOME A VICTIM!!!!!! --stay far away.
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