Education for Living Seminars

Hi D.,
I attended two Landmark series, or Curriculam for Living, and had an extremely powerful experience. By powerful, I mean I was able to confront many of my personal issues that were limiting my ability to be authentic with others. I attended two 3 day sessions when I was in college, close to 10 years ago, and I truly belive that as a result of the series I live a more authentic life...true to who I really am. I understand why you may have a cynical view, as did my friends and family, because often times you expect the "big change" in the person to fade or just "go away" fromm seminars that may sound similiar. However, any time you experience a positive life changing event, you want everyone to experience it also, so you are eager to share it with everyone around you. I truly believe the series made a difference in the way I relate to others and I can honestly attest that I live a more authentic life with my loved ones, both family and friends, because of the Landmark Series. I still live by two of the greatest life lessons I learned in the series : "Breakdowns lead to Breakthroughs" and "Expectation lead to Disappointment". If you aren't tied to the way you "expect" something to turn out, you can't be disappointed when it doesn't happen.

Have faith that your friend just wants to share her amazing experience, even if you aren't interested.

Take care.

I have a friend who did it and my brother was big into EST (frm which this comes from) and Landmark seminars (the next incarnation) as well. He think's they're the best. I know my friend who did it had a positive experience as well.

I think people can and do get a lot out of these but, and this is just my opinion, a lot of it is common sense. You can google the seminars and read about people's personal experiences. I don't remember reading anything horrible, I just never did it. Probably because my brother was just so gung ho on it for so many years that it turned me off. I'm kind of cynical that way. Yes, I did glean some good stuff from him but not enough for me to want to spend the time or the money.

I think some people might do better with these things than others and I am just not that sort of person. Maybe your friend is the type that enjoys or benefits from these things. For some people, I imagine it probably is a lot better than just reading a self help book and it probably helps to go through it with others.

WEll, D., my advice would be to trust your instincts. Even if it is working for your friend, it may not be what is best for you. Check it out and if you still feel the same, then back away politely. No big deal. Surely your friend will understand...

C. P

I have not personally attended the Landmark trainings, but have attended one very similar. I can say that they transformed my life. And yes, much of what is learned is common sense, but so many people get so caught up in the every day "drift" of life, that they are just surviving every day. There is so much more to be had from life than just surviving.

I understand that it feels like your friend is pushing you & maybe even telling you that there is something "wrong" with you that would have you need these trainings. That is not the case. Your friend sees something in you that they believe could be enhanced by this experience.

I think, when it comes right down to it, the questions you ask yourself are these:
How good of a friend is this? & Do I trust them?
Do I feel a sense of "something missing" in my life? (by the way - there IS NOTHING missing - that would just be a mis-perception that SO MANY of us feel at some point)
Am I willing to take a leap of faith with this friend to find the part of myself that I didn't even know existed?

Just FYI - My experience was life transforming. Where I attended training was not a religious group, but I would say it was a spiritual experience. I went through the trainings 6 years ago. My family all thought I was nuts & that I was a part of some sort of cult that was gonna take over my life. I can happily say that they were mistaken. I have a better relationship now with every person in my life than I have ever had. My Daddy passed away this last June & if not for the trainings, I would have missed out on the best 5 1/2 years of my life with him. We had a good relationship before, but we had a wonderfully, warm, close, beautiful relationship afterwards. I would have had many regrets after his death if not for these trainings. But I now have none.

I hope this helps.