Re: [FairfieldLife] Re: Gurus Purnima

[awoelfleba...@yahoo.com [FairfieldLife]]

---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <steve.sundur@...> wrote :

 Yes, I saw the Scientology documentary, and yes there are similarities between 
Scientology and TMO in terms of their cultist aspects, and quite a few more 
differences, I'd say. 

 I spent a good eight years (from late teens to early 20's) totally immersed in 
the cause, and yes I do enjoy rehashing my experience, both good and bad.
 

 But, this "interest in what happened then and what is happening now" often 
takes the form of a continual bashing of everything about it, both now and then.
 

 And, even that is not so bad if you can manage to do it without a lot of 
distortion.
 

 I really think, based on those who post here or used to, that one's compulsion 
to continually harp on about the Movement and its dead guru were the ones who 
fell hook, line and sinker for all of it. I am not sure there is one alleged 
fact of what MMY did or didn't do posted here that has not been posted or heard 
about numerous times before. I get it: some will support the Movement and MMY's 
memory in an ongoing way and others will continue to drone on about it 
negatively forever more. I have asked this question once and I will, 
rhetorically, ask it again. Has anyone here actually changed the mind of 
someone, really altered their stance, on anything here at FFL? Did anyone 
saying MMY is a great guy change the opinion of the other guy who says he was a 
fraud? Did the person who holds to their stance that they have had great 
experiences with TM and its founder ever read a negative review here and 
suddenly realize what their experiences were and how they perceived MMY was all 
bunk? I'm thinking I know the answer to that but I could be wrong. Srijau could 
be reassessing everything as we speak based on Geezerfreak's thoughtful and 
studied recent posts.


---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <geezerfreak@...> wrote :

 I've seen these kinds of comments from R and others over the years. Basically 
it boils down to "it was years ago, what's yer problem, get over it!" 

 Why is this so hard to understand? We (those of us who were knee deep into the 
TMO during the 70s and early 80s) spent the better part of our 20s and 30s 100% 
committed to the cause. 100%. When others were moving on with their lives and 
starting their professional careers, we were in the trenches, doing our part 
for world peace and whatever else MMY told us to do.
 

 I personally know people in the "108" who lost their entire savings paying 
their way to be there. (NOTHING was given mind you, it was pay as you go.) Once 
MMY knew you were out of money he was done with you. You were of no use to him 
anymore.
 

 Could I say "well, that was their Karma, MMY was actually helping them to 
evolve, so what if they're now penniless and stranded"? I did, many times.
 

 Did I eventually allow myself to think that he mopped up these peoples savings 
like a sponge and then spit them out? Yes.
 

 Have you seen the recent documentary on Scientology called "Going Clear"? I 
strongly suggest it for anyone who was ever head over heals into a cult. Does 
it seem strange to you that those who gave their lives over to Scientology and 
got out are still processing what happened to them while in?
 

 Why does it seem so alien to you that those who spent their formative 20s and 
30s in the TMO trenches would still have an interest in what happened then and 
in what is happening now?
 

 
 
 >What's also sort of interesting, Ann, is that for many, over the years, their 
 >opinion of MMY and the TMO becomes more and more diminished to the point that 
 >he is totally insignificant, but yet, here they are, seven days a week 
 >talking about him, and his organization. 
 
 Maybe Nabby was right, that he was the most important figure in their lives.