I've been on retreats with a few different groups. Most have similar dynamics and similar personalities:
1.) Your ass-kissing sycophants 2.) Self-styled -new age guru wannabees 3.) Movement police types 4.) Spiritually greedy - take every course they can find 5.) Permanently unhappy complainers 6.) Fixers, who wanna fix everybody 7.) Needy sex players - who use courses to get laid 8.) The know-it-all doctrine parrots 9.) Let's not forget - genuine seekers...there are a few. There are a couple of things I like about AOL - 1.) They let you own your own stuff - that is, they don't coddle you. 2.) They really do know how to have a very fun time. Haven't been for a few years, but I was very shocked on my first course when after is was over everyone piled into a van to go see Amma - and the course leaders thought that was cool. I genuinely like the people I've met there. I am on hiatus from groups though.
