Modern Occultism, Part III: Human Potential, Psychedelics, and LGATs

Join us for the third and final part of our three-part series on the History of Modern Occultism as we delve into the history and mechanics behind Landmark Worldwide, an exceedingly popular large-group awareness training (LGAT) seminar that has been emulated by hundreds of similar “transformation businesses”—from Tony Robbins and Keith Raniere (NXIVM) to Avatar, OneTaste (Orgasmic Meditation), and countless little “authentic relating” and “heart-centered” coaching and MLM groups.

We’ll explore the unlikely combination of influences that led to the creation of Landmark Worldwide—formerly known as “EST” and “The Forum”—including the philosophies of Martin Heidegger, Alexander Everett, William Penn Patrick, Dale Carnegie, Aldus Huxley, L. Ron Hubbard, and a daring young encyclopedia salesman named John Rosenberg who combined them all together into the most successful LGAT business of all time … and in the process reinvented himself as Werner Erhard.

We’ll examine the metaphysics at the heart of Landmark’s training, including the technology and techniques it attempts to use to achieve lasting “transformation.”

Best of all, we’ll take a look at what actual research says about the possibility of lasting change, and actually learn something factual about the limits and possibility of self-reinvention.

To kick off our journey, we will watch the highly seductive documentary, Transformation: The Life and Legacy of Werner Erhard (2006). If this film doesn’t raise your hopes and get you excited about what’s possible when people finally get their act together and live up to their true potential, nothing will.

METHOD

• Please watch the whole film beforehand. Click here to watch.
• During our Meetup, we will rewatch a few key clips together and discuss them.
• We will examine the historical influences that led to the emergence of the self-help, human potential, and LGAT movements. Additionally, we will explore the conditions that made these phenomena possible in the first place.

Get ready for an enlightening and thought-provoking discussion that will challenge your perceptions of personal growth and development. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Landmark and its impact on individuals and organizations.