tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post957024089547793950..comments2023-03-25T07:38:57.396+11:00Comments on Worldwide Happiness: My Close Encounter with the Andrew Cohen CultUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-84224217077083246542013-06-09T16:50:22.218+10:002013-06-09T16:50:22.218+10:00Yep, they are judgemental, yet blind to their own ...Yep, they are judgemental, yet blind to their own faults. Indeed, I heard that AC takes photos of people when he sees them demonstrating what he calls "the devil's smile". But that devilish smile is caused by pretending to be good and moral the rest of the time - it's just an energetic balance to the false pretense.<br /><br />Nevertheless, I think AC and his followers are innocent in the sense that they don't know any better. They think they are doing the right thing. They are just deluded.Martin Giffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023228201802051052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-78689651802531821072013-05-14T06:05:02.256+10:002013-05-14T06:05:02.256+10:00SO glad to see you call the Andrew Cohen cult exac...SO glad to see you call the Andrew Cohen cult exactly what it is -- a cult. A few years ago I took a course in chinese medicine from a cohen cult-member who used the course as a cover to proseletize the cult. It was very offensive, and several people left disgusted. This person is close to the inner circle, and used humiliation and demeaning remarks on anyone in the course who refused to come to a cohen meeting. That included me. His fundamentalist approach to spirituality, obvious lack of original thought and pressured speech were enough to tell me this was a cult he was involved in, and to stay away. Also had a HUGE ego, while telling us the ego was evil and had to be destroyed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-75109483523606544872013-03-21T19:44:39.132+11:002013-03-21T19:44:39.132+11:00The problem with J Krishnamurti is that he cuts at...The problem with J Krishnamurti is that he cuts at the leaves rather than at the root of illusion. I think his private life also demonstrates that he was a hypocrite. But no one is perfect.Martin Giffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023228201802051052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-37974062866292321752013-03-18T23:18:50.981+11:002013-03-18T23:18:50.981+11:00Hi, I recommend the teachings of J Krishnamurti fo...Hi, I recommend the teachings of J Krishnamurti for those disillusioned with the contemporary spiritual scene. He advocates doubt, and stipulates, like Buddha, 'Be a light to yourself.' Always welcome advice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-23288027846408329362012-12-19T10:43:42.967+11:002012-12-19T10:43:42.967+11:00No. I wish I was a good dancer, though.No. I wish I was a good dancer, though.Martin Giffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023228201802051052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-89565029501031962732012-12-19T08:55:08.804+11:002012-12-19T08:55:08.804+11:00Dear Martin
Are you related to Joseph Gifford, Am...Dear Martin<br /><br />Are you related to Joseph Gifford, American dancer? Just asking because I heard he also follows Cohen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-13547612467182854992012-05-29T23:33:43.270+10:002012-05-29T23:33:43.270+10:00Yes, it's a more hospitable world in many ways...Yes, it's a more hospitable world in many ways...<br />Not to mention the huge increase in people's reaching for teachings on growth etc....as well as the simultaneous availibility ot such Teachings...Of course it's not a safe pursuit...Perhaps we care more about the teachers that we do the Teachings....and therefore we get disapointed.....They are people too<br />Oh no!!!!<br />Best<br />Jacques bessinjacques bessinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10031248612669989891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-39311712858687229332012-05-29T16:16:34.967+10:002012-05-29T16:16:34.967+10:00Jacques wrote: "I wouldn't want to futz w...Jacques wrote: "I wouldn't want to futz with this computer as I know nothing of how it works...Same thing with the world."<br /><br />Good point. <br /><br />I guess where I differed to Andrew Cohen was that he thought that morality had to be added to enlightenment, whereas I think lack of morality indicates lack of enlightenment or the presence of excessive pressure from the ignorant world. Even lack of enlightenment is probably caused by an ignorant world. Hence, the bottom line seems to be to improve the world.<br /><br />Overall, I think the world is improving. I mean 200 years ago, you could go down to the town square and see a prisoner executed or tortured. The progress since then seems to be about improved education and improved living standards. So fixing the world might simply mean contributing to those causes.<br /><br />But, yes, it's hard to know. Any kind of investment suggests attachment and that attachment can spoil the improvement. At that point, I reckon, you can only shrug your shoulders and do the best you can. Or find out how the computer works.Martin Giffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023228201802051052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-72868559149114541182012-05-29T02:31:24.931+10:002012-05-29T02:31:24.931+10:00Martin, What is " moral "? Definitely a...Martin, What is " moral "? Definitely a construct of the collective ego....Isn't it a collection of shoulds and should'nts which vary according to culture and circumstance ? <br />A perfectly " moral " person in our generally accepted sense would say that is is not right to hurt another human being. Yet thousands of perfectly " moral " persons routinely march off to war, totally justified in their minds and hearts that it is now " morally " right to go and kill others....<br />In the end isn't it up to me to decide what is " moral " ? that's what we do anyway , let's be honest.<br />Strangely those who have been truly enlightened have also been harmless .... ( of course we would have to agree on the meaning of enlightened and harmless....I'm happy to provide the definitions I use ) )<br />As far as changing the world, I for one am too lazy and since I don't know " how " reality really works and also don't know the remote consequences of my " do gooding " I'll refrain from such lofty goals and be content with contributing to a good mood in the moment and place where I am...<br />In my humble opinion, seeing the illusions I am working under is a full time job.<br />I'll leave the world to its creator..<br />I wouldn't want to futz with this computer as I know nothing of how it works...Same thing with the world.<br />Offered in a spirit of gratitude.<br />Jacques bessinjacques bessinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10031248612669989891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-83353871683857441242012-05-28T16:15:39.524+10:002012-05-28T16:15:39.524+10:00Hi Jacques,
Thanks for your comment.
Andrew Cohe...Hi Jacques,<br /><br />Thanks for your comment.<br /><br />Andrew Cohen basically agreed with your view until Papaji started offending him. Then Andrew thought the theory needed changing, i.e. that the experience of peace, belonging, freedom, etc., isn't enough because it doesn't necessarily make you a moral person.<br /><br />I think Andrew has a point that an enlightened person should be above hurting others or at least they should be able to admit when they are wrong. But that's a pretty simple point. Andrew's reaction of creating a whole new philosophy of enforced morality seems to be an over-reaction. And it ironically led him to hurting many others in a much worse way than Papaji hurt him.<br /><br />I think we also need to consider that the current world does not support good behaviour because it places unnecessary pressures on us, and we are surrounded by ignorance. Therefore, we should change the world too.Martin Giffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023228201802051052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-53132734479793902622012-05-28T04:07:25.038+10:002012-05-28T04:07:25.038+10:00hello folks,
How sad to hear all these stories of ...hello folks,<br />How sad to hear all these stories of manipulation and greed ( for fame, money power etc...).<br />The " spiritual" game is great business these days... Since most of us humans have a deep seated belief that somehow we are not OK and need to improve ourselves, we can easily fall prey to anyone with enough " balls " to tell us they know exactly what we need to do....To obtain the ideal....Non disturbance...( a plain english word for Freedom from pain discomfort disaproval , being ignored or being belittled )<br />That's The holy grail out there...<br />They will even talk about being in the present moment ( the latest twist ) while making this something to strive for ( which of course takes one out of the present moment ).<br />All the while , it's very possible to experience " higher states " without much mumbo jumbo. ( the complicated vague and obscure language is used to take folks on a long and tortuous journey...)<br />In simple english , if One is in a lower state ( anxiety , fear, confusion ,anger etc... ), one can simply decide to get out of it. Then look around oneself and answer the question : is everything good enough right now (apart from the answers provided by the mind , it will be, 99.99% of the time. _)<br />The fact is that if one is breathing...all is well.<br />Once this has been established ( by answering the question truly, not just mentally ) one will then be in. a state of " contentment "( a state of not needing to change anything ).<br />Once one is in that state, one has already shifted and can get into a state of enthusiasm , or interest or joy, by simply " acting " enthusiastic , interested ( in just about anything ) or joyful.<br />Notice that this can only be done in the present moment...no need to " try " to be in the moment.....<br />Try it.....It's fun...<br />It also takes care of most of our questions about life...spirituality...by rendering them irrelevant...<br />If I indeed have a choice of which sate of being I live in at any time....I don't know about you, but it good enough for me.....Unless of course I get greedy and want to experience even higher states....bliss...grace....inspiration....<br />funny thing is those seem to come and go when I do the simple work described above...wanting them seems to keep them away...<br />Just my experience...do with it what you will...<br />all this offered in a spirit of gratitude for being able to do so . <br />No fee !!!!<br />Best wishes.<br />Jacques Bessinjacques bessinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10031248612669989891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-35010072697687537432012-03-19T21:48:07.860+11:002012-03-19T21:48:07.860+11:00I too just stumbled onto your blog. My wife has be...I too just stumbled onto your blog. My wife has been involved for a couple of years in an on-line offshoot of Cohen's led by a Craig Hamilton. She has become distant from me, our kids, and isolated from friends. She's now wanting a divorce as she says she can't share her spiritual path with me. Looks like Hamilton has perfected Cohen's techniques of breaking up families and is now doing it on-line. People need to be warned of this - they are preying on vulnerable people. Very sick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-62966771897802030262012-01-30T16:06:10.480+11:002012-01-30T16:06:10.480+11:00Hi Anonymous,
I agree that it was a good lesson. ...Hi Anonymous,<br /><br />I agree that it was a good lesson. But it would be so much better if we could learn these simple lessons much faster!<br /><br />I like Joel S Goldsmith. However, I think it's only part of the deal. In addition to being and realising perfection now, think we are also here to consciously manifest our potential.Martin Giffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023228201802051052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-66552767950559872592012-01-29T23:13:57.460+11:002012-01-29T23:13:57.460+11:00I stumbled onto your blog entry quite by chance, b...I stumbled onto your blog entry quite by chance, because someone had mentioned Andrew Cohen in an Amazon review. Never heard of him before, glad about that.<br /><br />I also had a very brief brush with a cult. I think the false teacher lesson is a valuable lesson, so you can consider yourself lucky. Some take much more than a year to learn that particular lesson.<br /><br />You may want to look into the works of Joel S. Goldsmith or Ernest Holmes. The truth is within you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-77100823317621146032011-11-16T08:45:09.702+11:002011-11-16T08:45:09.702+11:00Yep. Imagine how it would feel to call yourself a ...Yep. Imagine how it would feel to call yourself a guru and to have others calling you their guru and to call them your disciples. Such nonsense! We are all human beings in the same boat together.<br /><br />Thanks for the Daniel Ladinsky quote and link.Martin Giffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023228201802051052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-75471656541334141722011-11-15T14:00:09.877+11:002011-11-15T14:00:09.877+11:00oh and I thought this might be apropos:
"The...oh and I thought this might be apropos:<br /><br />"The words guru, swami, super swami, master,<br />teacher, yogi, murshid, priest -- most of those<br />sporting such a title are just peacocks.<br /><br />The litmus test is to hold them upside down<br />over a cliff for a few hours. If they don't wet<br />their pants ... maybe you found a real one."<br />(from below)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-ladinsky/maybe-the-best-lay-in-tow_b_373872.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false" rel="nofollow">enjoy</a>A E Neumannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-34188214258486688762011-11-15T12:38:18.527+11:002011-11-15T12:38:18.527+11:00I'm in total agreement, Martin. Wanting to be ...I'm in total agreement, Martin. Wanting to be and be called a "guru", already gives off the stench of self-serving BS. Heaven forbid that one's realness and human kindness would speak for itself. :)A E Neumannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-16600043064147562162011-11-14T08:53:49.562+11:002011-11-14T08:53:49.562+11:00Andrew E. Neuman,
Well, yes, I think Cohen is rat...Andrew E. Neuman,<br /><br />Well, yes, I think Cohen is rather fascinated with the drama of his life. In his first book "My Master is Myself", he kept going on about how great he was and how he was surpassing his own guru.<br /><br />Somewhere he said that gurus fall for money, sex, and power, but I think you are right that fame is another trap.<br /><br />But being a "guru" is already dodgy, isn't it? Who would want such a label and such a role? It's all spiritual drama. Sure it's good to want to help others, but labels like "spirituality" and "guru" and "disciple" just create further illusions. Whole naked reality is better than spirituality, I reckon.Martin Giffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023228201802051052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-41894884779813821342011-11-13T12:34:12.308+11:002011-11-13T12:34:12.308+11:00Martin, thanks for the response to this half-jokin...Martin, thanks for the response to this half-joking post. I think Cohen has become a parody of himself. Being in it for the "money" is just a metaphor for the striving for fame, recognition, respect, etc. on the worldwide mess of the "spiritual" stage. And yes, I do think this has become important to him - he has gone from being on his high horse, a virulent critic of other teachers to everybody's pal and colleague, apparently to establish a larger name for himself. Underneath, he's still the same snarling (yet insecure) alpha dog to his students. Sometimes all you can do is laugh at all his posturing.Andrew E. Neumannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-49383070389985240802011-11-07T15:19:50.363+11:002011-11-07T15:19:50.363+11:00Andrew E Neuman,
Points for creativity! But do yo...Andrew E Neuman,<br /><br />Points for creativity! But do you really think he's in it for the money? <br /><br />I think he's honestly idealistic and even makes some good points. The problem is that he is also very deluded. So he harms others physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually - all in the name of idealism and enlightenment.Martin Giffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023228201802051052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-78727347792199948702011-11-05T16:57:18.945+11:002011-11-05T16:57:18.945+11:00For the next step in Evolution® buy my book, sucke...For the next step in Evolution® buy my book, suckers!<br /><br /><a href="http://atman.net/guruphiliac/EnlightenMad_lg.jpg" rel="nofollow">EnlightenMAD</a>Andrew E Neumannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-40792341236839150632011-07-08T20:21:01.644+10:002011-07-08T20:21:01.644+10:00Well, I would not say he's insane. I'd say...Well, I would not say he's insane. I'd say he is narcissistic and a bit megalomaniacal. Basically he has issues - but we all do in this crazy world.<br /><br />I only make a fuss about his case because it could be the start of a new religion. His followers believe he is Jesus or Buddha and they are all very determined to create a revolution. Scary. And he is flat-out wrong about important things. He thinks:<br /><br />1. ego is evil,<br />2. morality is crucial.<br /><br />That taps into a very cold, dark, rightwing place in the human psyche that can lead to violence and totalitarianism.Martin Giffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10023228201802051052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7420597270601386333.post-2716860391286194612011-07-08T13:55:27.345+10:002011-07-08T13:55:27.345+10:00I bought Cohen's 8 CD audiobook and found him ...I bought Cohen's 8 CD audiobook and found him to be narcissistic and insane too. I did not hear any truths from him. His whole "integral" gang are great infomercial hosts bilking the spiritual community. Their "lie" is to get you to believe in an "intelligent designer". Anyone seeking outside themselves for truth is already doomed. For pure teachings limit your reading to Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie, and Peter Ralston.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com