A really interesting study just came out today from The American Psychological Assn.

The upshot is that felt success (vs. that only measured by material and social accumulations) can be measured simply by one's sense of:

1) Closeness (to intimates in one's life) and:

2) Competence (at what one chooses to do for work in the world)

Pretty straight forward, eh?

Ah! But -- then.. the mind back-flashes to past obsequious workshop moments -- intertacting with fellow yuppie / aspiring-yuppie Lazaris cult members..

all the time that wierd, cult-fueled: hyper self-conscious / hyper socially distant stiffness in the air.

A real drag on some of the romantic dates I went on with fellow Lazaris cult members, over the years... LET ME TELL YOU! Talk about feeling perpetually watched, UNclose, and (consequently-) INcompetent.

Steve

You said: I believe most of the materials are still defensible in and of themselves.

I would be hard pressed to find a popular source that is not defensible. No matter how many contradictions may be found, a believer will find a way to defend the material.. This applies to everything from inspired material to the writings of Dr. Laura.

I have MANY problems with the materials. I have stated and debated some of them. Others I have not. I understand how you and others may draw different conclusions.

However, no matter how many ways I choose to I look at it, it always comes back to the lies on the Hidden the Broken Alliance tape. This was said by Lazaris, not CS. I find what he said about Peny and Michaell to be indefensible and material. I can not view it any other way. I was betrayed by Lazaris.

As often discussed often, most of what Lazaris says has been traced to others. I'm not surprised some of it works.

So, how effective is the packaging of ideas that Jach/Lazaris has put together? I would LOVE to be able to survey/interview a large cross section of current and former followers.

My general observation has been that the Lazaris followers do not rank well in the following areas:
* Financial success
* Relationship success
* Social success
* Health success
* Happiness

Sure, some people have had successes in some areas. With what certainty can these successes be attributed to Lazaris? Many other causes are possible, the most notable being the general maturing that most go through over a 15 or so year period.

Cheers, Craig