What is the Landmark Forum and is it a Cult?

What is the Landmark Forum and is it a Cult?

Have you heard of the Landmark Forum and want to know what it is all about? This video gives an honest review on my own experience of the Landmark Forum and the things I enjoyed and things that I didn’t enjoy about the program.

Many people wonder if Landmark is some sort of MLM program or pyramid scheme because of the way they sell the program. Although they can be a little pushy on sales, they are not a pyramid scheme or cult. (At least in my own opinion!)

The Landmark Forum is a three day personal development program that is held all over the world. During the program, there is a Landmark Forum leader who leads a generally large group of 100-200 people.

The weekend will allow participants to see themselves in a different light and they will be encouraged to work in groups to overcome obstacles in their lives.

The goal of the program is to allow participants to “bring about positive, permanent shifts” in their “quality of life” (taken from the Landmark Forum website).

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Much love,

Estelle

[estellemae]

*WAS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT THE LANDMARK PROGRAM THAT SOUNDED USEFUL TO YOU? OR ANYTHING THAT SOUNDED OFF PUTTING?*

[ljubalicious]

the long day and the homework is a brainwash tactic lol. Leaving no room to process. Major Red flag

[GullibleTarget]

My friends tricked me into a introduction. I felt so duped. Hrs and hrs of people telling me what to think and then pushed into paying for the first course. I declined and then they called me and it was like talking to a hypnotist. Telling me things like: But you DO want to join and self improve, you said so yourself. Oh..you DON'T want to improve yourself?" I called my friend who tricked/introduced me and she coldly replied:'well, you did give them your word'. And I was like:' I said I was going to THINK about it and the answer is no! But they kept pushing, I had to hang up." She was completely unsympathetic. Made it sound that it was my 'fault'. Now, these friends are quite wealthy. And I kind of suspect that the husband needed guidance in his life since, he was born wealthy but doesn't do a lot with his life. Until he found Landmark. He got his much younger wife(my friend) into it. I'm not saying that it's wrong but it came across as a bit 'culty' and a bit indulgent. 300 pounds is not a lot when you don't have to work for your houses and car. It is a LOT when it's 25%of your pay slip.

[ermacheton]

I Personally took the whole curriculum of living at Landmark, almost 9 months into it, and yes most of my transformation started at Landmark, and I'm very thankful for it, but I understood at some point that if I wanted to make a difference for myself and a strong new World I needed to have a "check out date" from Landmark, people that are still in Landmark after several years, have built a "WORLD" only inside the 4 walls of Landmark, only, and that is what's dangerous about it. Landmark wants you to stay "INSIDE THEIR WALLS" forever. I experienced Landmark and I've got "WHAT WAS IN FOR ME", but I knew that playing their game forever would have been a dangerous indoctrination..

[HDnatureTV]

The Landmark Forum is commercial version of EST from the 60s. From AI ChatGTP "EST (Erhard Seminars Training) was a personal transformation program founded by Werner Erhard in the 1960s. The program aimed to help people improve their lives by focusing on their own personal responsibility and their own ability to make changes in their lives. EST was popularized in the 1970s and was known for its intense, emotionally-charged workshops that often lasted several days. Participants were encouraged to examine their lives, confront their fears and take responsibility for their actions. The program was controversial and faced criticism from some who saw it as a form of brainwashing or cult-like behavior. Despite this, EST became a popular movement and many people credit it with helping them make positive changes in their lives. The program later evolved into Landmark Forum, which continues to offer personal transformation workshops to this day." Most people can't pitch Landmark, but I will try to explain it and why it upsets so many people. Spoiler Alert. Basically, it is an experiential hardcore class in Buddhism without mentioning it or Zen. There are a few basic concepts and learning their lingo like Psychologists do, too. What upsets people is that it can turn your vision of your world and yourself upside down. It will make you question everything including yourself and your purpose and meaning in life. Most people that walk out early are very religious with God being their center of the universe. Like Buddhism, the forum is more of a philosophy not a religion and thus does not address the existence of God except that it may be a manmade construct. The forum allows you to re-interpret and build your new version of the world through shared activities. For example, we all have a soap opera story that we all believe and live that limits us in life with limiting assumptions like I could never skydive, etc. What happens if Landmark gives you Buddhist eyes and you see and hear things as they are without all the emotional interpretation?! For example, what does the word gun mean to you - freedom, security, danger, fear, etc? What does the world money mean to you - freedom, power, corruption, capitalism, bad or good? What if it is as simple as "a gun is just a gun" - no meaning. Whatever meaning you give to it is exactly what you give to it just like money is just money - nothing more or less. To put it another way, a rock is just a rock, it is the human brain that interprets the meaning of a rock, gun, and money. The human brain is a meaning-making pattern recognizing machine creating stories (pictures in clouds), with emotional meanings - thus we interpret the world and create a story and purpose and meaning around us. Otherwise, a tree (without a brain) exists in the world and responds without judgment or feeling. Thus the 'enlightenment' is to realize this and be able to step out of your emotional manmade world and see things how they are - "it is what it is". Whatever happens, happens. Living presently without letting emotions control you or your past (stories) that stop you from becoming who you want to be. The problem, is that the forum can really @#$ with peoples minds making them question everything - who am I without God? Who am I without my past, my story, my memories, etc? What could I be if I let go of the negative past and start anew? I was able to have profound insights and get past my father's death haunting me for 10 years just by writing a goodbye letter to him - that removed survivor's guild - one of the exercises. (The forum also has a lot of 12 step practices minus a higher power and homework similar to amends (so you will be contacting people that you don't want to in order to close those stories) At the end, you will with the class say that "the world is "meaningless"" (and it is from a rock's viewpoint and with Buddha eyes seeing things how they are not how you want them to be or judge them to be.). It can be some very scary and therapeutic stuff. Huge breakthroughs happen - with parents and children reuniting - including myself with my Mom, I had not really talked to her in a few years).... where I changed and learn to accept her (flaws and all) as who she is not how I wanted her to be. Powerful stuff. Every actor, writer, director in Hollywood (and most do) take these classes as you will see and experience huge dramatic character arcs - love, hate, tears, etc and great true melodramic stories. For example, there were powerful stories of molested child forgiving their stepdad who then showed up and they embraced on stage! Not that their act was forgiven and it is wrong (damn stories and judgment again.) but you can try to separate the act from the person and let go of the painful story so you can move on with your life - (sounds almost Christian). Now, can most people do this in 3 days? No. But those that put the time and energy in can, like rehab, clean up their life and write a new story for their life (leaving the self-defeating stories and relationships behind them - thus "enlightenment." Sadly, Buddha went through many re-incarnations ie lives to awaken to this state. We only have one life - maybe. ;-). That said, if you are going through some hard times, it can truly change relationships and perspective on the universe and who you are. In closing, when I have a cancer test (post Forum), I try not to get scared, but rather say - what happens - positive or negative - is going to happen. period. I will deal with the results when they arrive. Cancer is just Cancer. I separate my meanings like Cancer=Death which is what most feel scared. Note, some cancer survivors said it was the best thing that ever happened to them to change their lives for the better like quitting smoking. I don't let myself write scary stories if I have cancer and how that would affect me and others. If it does happen, only then will I plan to take the best actions I can take. Anyway, I recommend the forum with the caveat that IT IS CULTY. They use group pressure and want you to bring all your friends and family to the forum and get them to enroll in the classes. I stood firm saying, I will recommend it, but I am not going to be your salesman and drag people there. Also, you will notice a bunch of happy smiling people like you'd find in a church or Scientology. Those are merely the true believers, you can choose not to make the Forum your life, cult, or religion. You can choose to learn from the "GURU" forum leader, and then move on with your life if you "GET IT" that's forum speak. I spent 6 months going through several classes enjoying the intellectual exercise like a psychology class. After, 6 months I left and never looked back till today. Check out THE GAME (the movie) with Michael Douglas - it is very much the perfect metaphor of the forum where your definition of reality gets questioned. I'm sure the writer went to the forum as there are too many inside joke and forum lingo. If you have mental illness or strong addictions - the forum strongly recommends as do I - DO NOT GO. You have to be strong to deal with the emotional issues, sleep deprivation, and the hardcore drill Sargent like forum leaders that will get in your face and challenge every thought you have, break you down, and build you back up like Full Metal Jacket (the movie). This is why many people consider it a cult with high drama and emotions but hey it's a lot cheaper and less creepy than Scientology and you won't be excommunicated or asked to leave your nonattending friends and family. Now that is what a real cult is plus donate your $$$ to the Guru.

[glennwhisler]

Sounds a lot like Scientology....no thanks!!

[MrJoeyhito]

If you desire a never ending sales pitch and pressure to invite friends, please, by all means register for Landmark Forum.

[MissCane]

LANDMARK sales pitch: 'You don't know what you don't know" Profound.

[harrycallahan]

I did the EST Training in 1982 along with many of their workshops/seminars. I even volunteered to work for free in their area center and facility. I read many postings about Werner Erhard, EST, Forum, Landmark, etc...I find it interesting that most comments are love it or hate it. Many claiming the Training has changed or improved their life and many claiming these organizations are cults. If existential thought, philosophical thought, religious thought, spiritual thought, or whatever is of interest to you then take and participate in these courses. They are not a cure all to one's life or the solution to real mental and emotional issues. If you like it great. If you don't like it that's okay too. The truth is the extremes that people post about this are exasperated comments. Personally, I wouldn't waste another nickel on any of these programs. I've paid my fees, done my volunteer work, and I got something out of it but certainly not a cure all to my own personal and life problems. I do not experience my life as a sense of euphoria as many believe initially these programs offer. Keep it in perspective and it is okay.

[nareshchandak]

Please stay away from this marketing/sales gimmick.... They spend half the time to only pitching for other courses...

[MichaelYoder]

Landmark is a business about making money - you can get a lot of the same stuff from books at the Library (for FREE). Landmark is a rip off and Scientology-lite...

[meadowswta]

Why do ppl look on the outside to find there inside.

[jay]

I attended it for 2.5 days. I still see my coworkers as assholes because they really are.

[susies]

Sleep deprivation + food deprivation = cult. What is the tax filing status?

[johnd]

Landmark has close ties with the MLM industry. Follow the money trail.

[greendayze]

Landmark for me just clarified and brought action to many quotes, values, morals, concepts and things already floating around in life and society. Things I understood but had no idea how to put into action in real life or apply to my day to day life. I've been on a long journey of inner growth, self improvement, spiritual practices, science, philosophy anything to do with existence. This brought all of that together and into the real world. Made ideas and concepts and nice ideals realistic. It gave me ways to actually apply those to my daily life. The clarity and freedom this gave to so many floating ideas and ways I wanted to be was life changing for me. Something is only a cult or obsession just like addiction when YOU attach to it to much. Attachment is suffering. Landmark simply is a discussion between people. That shows you that's how people grow, we can only learn so much alone. For me landmark gave clarity to the parts of us that work by nature and always will the primal processes and mechanisms that don't disappear no matter how modern the world is now we are still but human. Once you understand those you understand how alike we all truly are the basic level. Then you see what you have built on top of those basic instincts. What has made you, YOU. For me this was skipping ten years of learning through slow life experiences. I now know who I am and why I do what I do. And I'm so grateful it didn't take another ten years to get here!. It took my own self discovery during a conversation with other people ready to dive in to the same thing.

[alexjones]

If hear people questioning if something is a cult then it is. You cant trust those who claim to present the truth as they are usually paid to do so or else delusional cult members. I have never run into an instance where people were calling into question whether some organization was a cult and it turned out not to be one.

[gloriapichardo]

I gave so many years of my life to this cult! They make you sign something and progam you that it isnt a cult! But God knew my heart! And He saved me from this crazy place! I pray for this ppl. JESUS IS THE WAY THE TRUTH! 🙌 🙏

[DDFaye]

When I did the "Forum" (initial weekend course) 20 years ago I was so turned off by the pressure and pseudo-psychology coming from the "forum leader", who was not a psychologist, but a businessman. It was during the "making people wrong"/"already always listening" spiel and ensuing case scenarios (where participants got up and spilled their beans into a microphone in front of the whole audience) that I determined this was not for me. A woman discussed having problems with her husband, who verbally abused her and was often angry and short with her. The forum leader always brought her narrative back to how she was "closing of her mind" by judging her husband, and not really listening to him.
The hard sales pitch was another major turn off. Also the lack of bathroom breaks and being forbidden to WRITE ANYTHING DOWN the entire time you were in the 3 day session. You see, writing some of this new (and often convoluted) information down would have allowed more people to engage in critical analysis, which would not benefit landmark.

[sharmisthakarmaker]

I did both the forum and the advanced course, and the first day of the seminar series. I wouldn’t say landmark is a full blown cult, but they have very strong elements of a cult. The staff members were weird, pushy and creepy. The system is a paradox and a big fat hypocrite. I did gain a lot out of it, however the cons, by far, out ways the pros. I demanded a full refund because I cannot support a business that does not practice what they preach and who abuses the participants through manipulation and gaslighting.