For the Tuesday night Canada West Coast Masterclass led by Jonathan, We need some way to get feedback to someone about the Masterclass and the leader of the masterclass.But it has been hard to reach people at the office. And there is no built in way. We're giving it anonymously due to backlash we've seen people receive. We love the overall Masterclass so far and will look forward to keep continuing. However there are a few problems that have creeped up. We're in a new era at Landmark, and there are ways we don't operate or treat people anymore. But some of this is still happening in the masterclass. stuff the leader is still doing or people are still doing to support the leader. Please stop calling us at home if we miss a session, under the guise of we're just checking on you to see if you are okay. We didn't opt in for this, ask for this, or request it.And it comes across as culty, pressuring, and strange. Please stop.It just puts people in a very uncomfortable situation. These are the things that make us hesitant to bring guests or bring more guests. Please stop the we're going to call you at home, or single you out,or put you on the spot, or moralize, or get us in the class to pressure or make other people uncomfortable if they are out for a session, or a few minutes late, for the masterclass, or have to be off camera for some part of it. or behind the scenes talking about, we're going to put people in another room if they don't do this or that. What was happening the other night. It was not Jonathan being Jonathan, and not in a really so new way of empowering people way. We also don't rail into people anymore. We ask for permission to interact in a certain way with people. Also, the leader needs to remember the Masterclass is not the Landmark Leadership academy. It is also not the military. This is a Masterclass, not the military. Nobody signed up for bootcamp or to be railed into. There was an interaction with a young man last week that made people very uncomfortable. Not in an Awesome Landmark Forum way. Jonathan was interacting with the young man who is in a very tough situation. We won't say the name of the young man or the details of the situation, as that is confidential to the seminar. We would not even use the leader's name except that then there'd be no way for anyone who can do anything about it to know which leader or course we were talking about. But we would not be surprised if you ask Jonathan if he doesn't immediately know exactly what interaction you were talking about. Compassion, listening, presence, all of it was out. Jonathan was not his usual open or even strongly standing for people self. Something else was happening. That may have something to do with the similarity of what the young man was dealing with connected to maybe something that was personal to him. It was also a guest event night, so Jonathan only did this, and only kind of uncomfortably put people on the spot, and was this way when the guests weren't in the room. He was just like you're responsible for your situation, you're getting something out of it, you're responsible for your situation, without listening to what the young man was saying anymore at all. Not like an inquiry. Like he was stressed. And wanted this to go on. And like it was just, it really was just something else. And then as soon as the guests were back into the room was a completely different person. Thank goodness none of our guests were accidentally in that room while Jonathan was interacting with this young man that way. With how the leader was being with this young man it seemed like something else was taking over stress or well being or something. It genuinely did seem like, is Jonathan okay, what is he doing, why is he being that way. There was also a guest he had there that was personal for many reasons so maybe that had something to do with it. But the new Landmark Worldwide exists to empower people. Including people in tough situations. And just something else was going on and something else was happening. We don't want the seminar to suddenly fall apart, or to stop being great, or maybe for a guest to get accidentally treated this way, or witness this kind of thing. or someone who may be bringing a guest or has a guest. or suddenly everyone starts getting kicked out the seminar for not being perfect and it starts breeding like this fear and something else in the environment that is not a great way to grow the seminar or inspire people to be inspired, or even share more of themselves, and bring guests. And there have been a few of these things in the Masterclass. But the interaction with that young man, as well, as in anyway putting people on the spot of railing into people, is not something we want to see happening again. It was also the Creating Happiness Seminar for goodness sake. Hard to tell a guest that this, or dealing with people this way is what the Creating happiness seminar or any Landmark Seminar is all about. read more

To anyone who deals with Landmark customers directly, that is in person or on the phone at this center.  Please stop lying Please stop lying Please stop lying Please **stop lying** to people on the phone or in person to get them to do things. And please stop pressuring. And please tell other people to stop Lying and pressuring people just to grind through and fulfill an objective. Lying includes exaggerating. And Making Stuff Up that sounds good in person or over the phone just to make something happen. and PLEASE STOP CORNERING AND PRESSURING PEOPLE ONCE YOU ALREADY HAVE THEM IN THE COURSE BECAUSE YOU THINK IT'S OKAY THEN, OR THAT NO ONE OUTSIDE THE COURSE OR GROUP WILL KNOW. PLEASE STOP GETTING TOGETHER AND DECIDING PUSHING AND PRESSURING PEOPLE IS OKAY BECAUSE IT FULFILLS THE COMPANY MANDATES AND FULFILLS LANDMARK'S OBJECTIVES. That includes people registered, or registering in, or thinking about registering in, or even withdrawing from, or transferring between courses.  Having had someone take a course at Landmark within the last couple of months, I have to give this feedback to the Seattle Washington front office here specifically and to the center. This kind of behavior from Landmark employees and volunteers embarrasses people and makes it hard to recommend programs and events there, when this type of behavior is happening.  And we have to teach people how to get around some of this, meaning to deal with as little of this as possible, to try to get to some of the value out of the content that is or can be so helpful in the courses. No one should have to get around the bad, or pressuring behavior, of the employees or volunteers to get to the courses. Please give more space, and breathing room, and presence and listening, and then even more space, and generosity to the people you are interacting with, on the phone and in person. Please don't guilt, shame, grind, manipulate, cajole, people into registering, or staying in, or registering for the seminar, or the next thing,or try to force, convince them, cajole them, manipulate them, grind them, corner them, scare them, pressure them, and force and push them... into being in a group, or doing another program, or into showing up for, participating in, or speaking in, or doing other optional or simply recommended activities events programs, calls, evenings or into bringing guests or more guests.or really into anything The feedback was that this aspect of attempting to do and then finally doing the course was exhausting.  Really just completely exhausting.The times I've run into it as well, I would agree it is completely exhausting. By the way getting people to do things using lying exaggerating, or pressure, builds up resentment and that should not ever be the feeling that Landmark is ever leaving people with, or that a professional organization that says it's out for people, that is out for people, should be leaving people with. Dealing with Landmark personnel should not be a draw back or exhausting part of the course. It should be an enjoyable spacious space. And a great listening. On the phone. And in person. This cultural mandate and habit of grinding down on people, while calling it supporting it shouldn't be a problem still, and it is exhausting.  Be there with people and actually listen to them. People don't have space to think, breathe, choose, or even AGREE with you because you're just grinding them into a corner and not listening at all. And not giving any space or breathing room guilt lies manipulation enough of this. please. put a stop to this within the office and the organization. please. Seriously Seriously stop it. Find another way.  This drawback is exhausting. 4 stars for the content of the programs. 1 star for this kind of continued behavior from the personnel. read more

Ramon, or better called Superman, was an enor help to me when I was attemp to sign into my account. He is fun, friendly and generous! I love The Courses that I have taken at Landmark. My life just keeps being more wonderful each day! cindy K. read more

I took the initial weekend program and the master class in 2015. Part of both sessions were interesting and inspirational. I did feel that I learned about introspection, listening to others and some other useful self-management applications. About 25% felt well managed and it felt worth the time and money. However, one woman brought her two sons, both freshmen in college. They were obviously bored, lots of eye rolling, to the point of distraction. They didn't return for the second day and the class leader -- a woman who helped found EST -- made all of us wait until these two kids showed up. We literally sat there doing nothing for nearly three hours until finally someone physically went to their home and dragged them into the place. The leader was trying to make a point but really, it was just a massive waste of everyone's time. Everyone is supposed to come back for the "graduation" the following Tuesday night. When I took the advanced session, I was having my second book published and had a book launch event at a bookstore that Tuesday night. When I signed up, i was assured this wouldn't be an issue. I had this same EST woman leading the session; she's incredibly abrasive. On Sunday afternoon, she spent 45 minutes getting every single person to bully me into agreeing to MISS MY OWN BOOK LAUNCH so that I could attend the Tuesday night session -- which I know is just a sales event. In the end, I said I'd come after it was over just to get her off my back. . She gave me mobile number to people in the group and all day that day, I had 25 people calling me -- even during my event. Two people from the class physically showed up at the bookstore and grabbed my arms and forced me to leave as soon as I had signed my last book. The leader berated me for missing the evening session -- even though nothing really happens, they just ask people to stand up and say what they learned and then spend the rest of the night selling the guests on the course. Ever since then, I am called regularly to attend other sessions even though I have repeatedly asked them not to call me. I have contacted the office, I have contacted the national headquarters. Nothing works. If you take one of these classes, you will be hounded for life. read more

What a racket! No integrity, it's all about the money baby! In my forum, we actually had a revolt, people were fed up with the obvious techniques of beating down the class with hours of forcing you to stay in your chair and listen to this bull. The last part of this seminar is spent trying to get you to call your friends and family to come in! This is a high pressure sales seminar wrapped into a self help/ religion/ psychology/ cult atmosphere. DONT FALL FOR IT. read more

Read Nathan K's review. I'm having the same problem he had: How do you explaining what is impossible? He gave it a go, and I think he really summed it up well. However, it's really long, and you have a short attention span, so read this at least: "Want to lose some weight? Go to Jenny Craig. Want to see why you do nothing about your weight? Or wanna create a context for losing weight that inspires you? Do the Forum. (I've lost 12# in 2 wks!) Want your marriage to work? Go to a marriage counselor. Want to see why you're committed to things staying just the way they are--and griping about it? Do the Forum. Want a better job? Send out resumes. Want to see why you're committed to things staying just the way they are--and griping about it? Do the Forum." Yeah. Nathan also said this: "Landmark Education is about the context of your life. You are used to working and focusing on the content of your life--moving the pieces around inside the box. To you, the box is invisible, you only see the pieces. The context of your life, the box, is the meaning you've given the content. Gaining the ability to see the context of your life is the ambition or promise of many disciplines. Landmark delivers it in 3 days." Thanks Nathan. Here's my contribution: This is one of those moments that I wish we could give extra stars. Like... what if once, ONLY ONCE, in your entire Yelping review career, could you give 6 stars instead of 5? Maybe just ONE review in your entire collection can have 6, and you can change it, but the previously 6 star review goes down to a 5? That would be pretty cool. And in that world, Landmark would get 6 stars, and I'd be bitching because I can't give it 7. Now, many people have asked me, "Will, you all of a sudden are alive. Like, you were in black and white, and you're in color. And we always thought of anyone around us, you were the one in color. But now you're REALLY IN COLOR, like what the hell? Gimme some of that!" Because I'm inspired. Why am I inspired? To really explain it would take me about 40 hours doing this really amazing methodology to explain it. And why do that, when there is a guy at Landmark who can do it better, has been doing it better, and you can get the experience the way you're supposed to? I've been asked, "Is it a cult?" No. "Is it 'positive thinking?'" No. "Is it a scam?" No. "I read on the internet that it's like Scientology and they're going to brain wash me and take all my money." Nope. They're not. In fact, several very successful companies require their employees to do Landmark as training. And they're successful companies. There's a reason. "Like who?" Here's the example that really snapped me in, got me to really get into the game and play it, rather than sit in the stands and watch: Remember when Apple Computers was tanking back in the 90s? And then all of a sudden they came out with "Think Different" and the iMac and OS X and iLife and the iPod and the iPhone and all that shit that even Windows users are forced to admit they like and admire? Apple hired the business consulting side of Landmark to come in and help them figure it out. Their stock went from $8 to $80 then split and jumped to like $60. So let's put it this way: Yes. Sure. It's brainwashing. They're brainwashing you into being an inspired, fulfilled, productive, ALIVE person. They're saying, "hey, you're doing fine. You're successful and you're living and you've got a life that 90% of the world wishes they had. But you're still unhappy with it. Here's how to be happy with it." All the cynics say, "Well, they MUST be getting something out of it! I'm going to get SCAMMED! They're going to TRICK ME! I don't NEED THIS!" Yep, Landmark does get something from you: you pay for the training (like you would for any training, and if you compare it to other training seminars, it's MUCH cheaper, and way more effective). And then Landmark gets to continue on their mission of getting more people to be living happy, fulfilled, inspired lives. Because what happens when everyone around you is happy, inspired, and fulfilled? Just imagine it for a moment. Consider it possible, and toss away the cynicism and skepticism and 'but that's not reality' bullshit, and really just imagine that. Pretty awesome, right? read more

This place was an okay place to go for personal and professional help I did end up taking a course and was actually kinda disappointed. You see everyone has their own experience at this place and I totally understand that. But the reason I was so disappointed was because they have you in a class for what 3 or 4 days for like 9 hours (give or take) but the whole time just felt like one big advertisement!! Like they would talk about something good for a bit but then bam! A whole hour of them talking about getting you to join their next course. But to be honest the whole experience wasn't to bad but did feel like a waste (in my opinion) read more

I can't say enough about the Forum and Landmark's other programs. Since doing the Forum - my life is unrecognizable and not even what I imagined possible for myself. I recommend it to everyone I meet. 3 days, and an evening... and your life completely transformed. I did the Forum my first time over 7 years ago. Before the Forum I worked for my mom, and was living a life that I thought was what I wanted... but really I was scraping by, and complaining about it all the while. I was divorced, single mom, barely making enough to make it in Seattle. A friend of mine introduced me to the Forum. For a year. That's right, it took me a year of complaining to him about all the stuff I didn't like about my life and not doing anything about it. Finally one day he asked me "Hey, what if instead of me giving you advice you just did this course and got what it is would make the biggest difference for you." At that point I said yes. Now - fast forward almost 8 years. I now work at a little (BIG) online bookstore you might have heard of for the last 5+ years. The business I once worked at for my mom closed down and I left that business with a new context for life, and what I could create. It was an open ending and new beginning. A space to create whatever I wanted for myself. In my time at this "bookstore" I have created several dream jobs for myself. I have worked in roles that normal people might think I am unqualified for because I lack a piece of paper saying I am qualified be an expert on the subject. And what I have is something many people don't have: An insatiable appetite to make a difference. Another thing I think is really important to say is, the Landmark Forum made the biggest difference in my life as a single mom. My son is 13 now - he was 6 going on 30 when I first did the Forum. Before the Forum, when I got stressed I would have to leave the room to yell in my pillow, or heaven forbid - lose my cool in front of him. I felt alone, trapped in my own lonesomeness and unable (and unwilling) to ask for help. I would complain about being a single mom, being too busy, and never having enough time. My son and I are flourishing now! My relationship with his dad is one of cooperative parenting, love and partnership. I definitely didn't think THAT was possible!! Last year his dad joined us in Seattle for his birthday. This is the first time he has joined us for his birthday since our son was 3. Also - my son and I created some new ways to play with grades this year that took the drama out of how we relate to grades and school. His grades jumped from c's and d's to a's and b's within a matter of 6 weeks. I live a life that is filled up with social stuff (I am the chief fun officer at work) and stuff with my son, vacations, workouts, creating my business, family and travel as well as a new dream job. I get that I create not only my life, but the framework I give it. Life is just lifing.....and who am I being in the face of it? read more

Landmark will try to make you think you're greatly improving your life and possible of anything, making more money, vacations more available, even romance. Day one they make you call a family member or friend you're estranged from....Yeah, it feels good, you're elated. After that its high pressure sales to recruit everyone you have a relationship with. It's a great scheme to drain your pocket book. Be warned!...yes you do feel good after a class. Is it worth hundreds ranging to thousands of dollars?... don't think so :/ read more

I don't want to go into detail about what happened here. I don't deny that Landmark may help some people but the tactics they use to achieve results are extremely questionable if not completely immoral. I attended a Landmark forum, three day course and left halfway through it. I went to this course with a friend who finished the entire course and came out with the same feelings as me--saying it got even worse after I left. I had read so many glowing reviews online. I read people saying that clearly the ones against Landmark, calling it a "cult", had never actually done a Landmark forum. I read that the people who negatively reviewed it were liars or uncoachable. "Committed to being mediocre" and "creating a racket about the methods of Landmark" are other phrases I read a lot. It made me feel really uncomfortable with leaving this review. I don't want to leave it, but I feel as though it's my duty to warn other people about what I experienced. If there's one thing I have a problem with, it's an institution that ostracizes and makes "wrong" every person who disagrees with them. Have a problem with the Landmark forum? You need... the Landmark Forum! Clearly, if you have an issue with them you are stuck and not willing to change or accept help. You have to look PAST their immoral business practices, you see! Who cares if it's immoral if it helps you?!? No, just no. After a horrific experience in which I witnessed extreme psychological abuse, conditioning and reprogramming techniques (akin to brainwashing), public shaming of anybody who asked questions or criticized the leader, a man who was too "difficult" being asked to leave, and a leader telling people that their concept of reality was inaccurate and that they needed the forum to see the truth about reality, and a forum leader who told someone that their Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was THEIR choice, I had to leave. I had to. I'm sorry Landmark but what gives you the right to play therapist? I know you have a lot of fine print protecting your from that accusation but you have told people who have been through severe trauma that the trauma was their fault, and that if they learn to stop "blaming their rapist for their problems" it will get better. No, that's not how people recover from trauma. Do I agree with the basics of what they teach? Sure. And no, they didn't withhold snacks or shame people for going to the bathroom (maybe some forum leaders do, mine did not). I think there is a lot to be gained from authentically evaluating yourself and asking if you are just making assumptions or if you are viewing things objectively. I just disagree with their tactics of forcing people to have emotional breakdowns and then conveniently placing themselves there to pick up the pieces and give them a new authority. I'm not going to go into detail about the specifics, again, because I don't really want to dig all that up. I will repeat that yes, maybe these methods work to help some people but forcing breakdowns on people and then uplifting them with your "religion" to get through life is not ethical. Maybe they want to be part of that religion and that's their business. They also say that the forum won't work if you don't tell everyone about it, and that you are selfish if you don't share it. I don't like being pressured to sell something to my friends. If I think something is going to help them, I will share it, I don't need a dictator standing in front of a crowd telling me I am obligated to tell others about the money I just forked over. I don't need someone telling me that I don't love my friends and family and that I'm a bad person if I don't tell other people about the forum. It just isn't for me, those same concepts taught by landmark are common in both pop psychology and regular psychology. Finding the right kind of therapy is probably a lot better for you and healthier than paying somebody to break you down and humiliate you in front of other people. For the record, this didn't happen to me. I kept my mouth shut and didn't allow the forum leader to talk to me that way. I am saying this based on what I witnessed the leader doing to other human beings and did not take their statements personally at all. On top of all that, they continue to harass me and will not stop calling me about signing up for more things. They just won't leave me alone! I would not suggest this place to anyone. There are better ways to get help. PS: if there is any dispute to the authenticity of this review I will gladly send a yelp moderator proof of my attendance here. read more

Seems that either people love or hate Landmark...I have very mixed feelings. First of all, taking the Landmark Forum was one of the best things I've ever done for myself. I put 100% into it, as I was in a lot of pain at the time, and it worked wonders. For the first time in my life I had felt completely free of the self-imposed limitations I had put on myself throughout my life, and re-gained some of the childlike wonder of the world I had lost so many years prior. And in the Advanced Course I experienced one of the deepest spiritual experiences of my life. In one of the modules I'd experienced, for the only time in my life, the flow of energy that I can only describe as an ocean of one-ness...in which there was no 'me' or 'you,' but simply the energy that flows through us all....which I've never perceived before or since but very much aligns with what modern science describes as the truer nature of reality. I also got great stuff out of the Self Expression and Leadership program. So much that I signed up to volunteer to be a coach for that same program. However, after a couple of years of deep involvement in Landmark, I had to step away from it...which will probably be for good. The biggest trouble I have with it is their aggressive word-of-mouth marketing style. They use their powers of persuasion to lay a big fat guilt trip on you to enroll everyone you know into their program. At first I was totally on board with it, yet after hearing it over and over and over again it got tiresome. I finally stepped away from it because of that culture of 'enrollment.' It was tough trying to form real relationships with people I'd met there outside of the context of their courses. I'd commonly have other people I'd met there calling me just to 'chat' and 'see how things are going,' and yet in almost every conversation, it would ultimately lead to an invitation by them to come to check out the latest course they had taken. Seems innocent, right? Well, after this happening several times I began to doubt the sincerity of the call, and the sincerity of the 'connection.' I was also tired of being asked over and over again by the trainers and coaches about what's the 'next course' I was going to take. And nobody, especially the trained staff, would take a simple 'no' for an answer. It was always followed by an invasive line of questioning about my motives and whether or not I really cared enough about my life to make the right choices for myself. I.e. If you care about yourself, you'll sign up for this course, and if you don't sign up it means you don't care about yourself. Silly landmark. I was also pretty embarrassed when I brought a friend in to an introduction to the Landmark Forum. She chose not to sign up, but as we were leaving, the trainer stopped us and put the hard sell on her to sign up. I stood there watching as he used those aggressive selling techniques on her...which didn't work, obviously. I felt stuck in the middle as I respected her decision while he did not. I was sad to step away because it truly did help me...though it was ultimately a question of boundaries for me, something that the culture of Landmark doesn't respect. Also, the prevelant attitude there is that Landmark is the one and only true path towards the life you want to live. While Landmark's content IS incredible...there are many other great personal development courses that honor and respect people more sincerely. Two of which include The Mankind Project (for men), and the Woman Within (for women) - which both have very rich and powerful courses, without all the drama. read more

I held off in doing Landmark for three years. But seeing as I'm close to graduating from college, I figured it would be a great thing to do before getting out into the "real" world. And I couldn't have been more right or wrong. I say that because it was such a great experience, but I should have done it sooner! I learned SO many valuable things that really transformed my thinking about how I operate toward others, toward myself, and toward life! I got soo many things from this past weekend that I can't even explain them all, but here is a sampling: I realized that my best guy friend of over a year (and friend of four years) who I had been treating like shit, I was only treating like shit because I was trying to keep him at a distance because I was afraid of getting into a relationship and getting hurt (as I did my past relationship). On the first day of Landmark I faced those fears, called him up, and now we are dating and embarking on an amazing new level of our relationship. I also realized that I had been completely unreal with my dad for about 3 years ever since he moved out-of-state. We hadn't had a genuine convo where we actually talked about what was going on instead of saying "How are you?" "I'm fine." So I called him up and we are beginning a new great relationship where we actually share with each other. For the first time in a while, I actually really meant it when I told him "I love you." Now fast forward to one of the most important things I realized, and it would have only been possible through the Forum, and it's seriously saving my life and relationships from here on out: I had been living with a lot of resentment and anger. Making people "pay" for what they had done or said once yesterday, or maybe 10 years ago. Why live like that? I'm the one pissed off and not feeling good, so why the hell was I doing that to myself? Landmark not only made me realize this, but realize that I really can choose what I feel- whether I get pissed at the car in front of me driving slow on the road or thinking "they don't know I'm in a hurry so why should I get pissed?" REALLY makes a difference. Not only do I feel better, I can live with compassion and love instead of resentment and anger. Now this is only a sampling of what Landmark made me realize. Landmark didn't "brainwash" me, tell me to think a certain way, or take certain actions in my life. It simply gave me the tools to realize on my own what I had been missing out on life, and how I could transform from someone really cool (because I was totally fine beforehand) to someone truly great and fantastic. If you don't have problems in your life and think you don't need this, then you are the perfect person to do Landmark. If you have unresolved issues and a few skeletons in the closet, then you are the perfect person to do this. If you are unsure of the future or may be stuck in a rut, then you are the perfect person to do this. There is no reason not to do Landmark! Not only will you be bettering yourself, you will be bettering your life. You are awesome, but now it's time to step it up and become amazing!!! Oh, and for the record, this isn't a cult. My mom kind of thought it was, but after attending a seminar with me, she didn't think it was anymore. And she didn't sign up to do the Forum either. That was just fine she wasn't pressured to do it or anything. read more

Interesting! I have mixed reviews. I have been yelled at that I MUST take Landmark - by someone with a degree in international business who ended up washing windows- umm not a great recommendation! One friend took a training; told me it would change my life as it did hers. Wel, she did change her job- from within a company - already had a salary and longevity - she tried to tell me this woud l be equally easy to apply to getting into a company. MMM maybe not. Another compadre is still not working because he decided to do one thing and it didnt work out.Then I am involved with someone with a good heart who couldnt figure out her community assignment and kept asking me for more and more help. FED UP! I called the office and spoke with the coordinator. I am invited to a free seminar. He listened - no yelling, no screaming, just non-judgmental listening. He corroborated that which I thought - they have much good to share BUT an individual must use that which is taught. I also think that people are ready to make changes in their lives more or less deeply and commited at some times than others. I expect to try out a workshop and gain from it. It is definitely worth looking at .. but one must take responsibility for on'es own discovery and opening into a world. read more

It was more like a group therapy rather than a seminar. It was rather an exhausting and disturbing public psychotherapy done in the most pitiful way. I felt that the attendees were emotionally manipulated to feel good about themselves in a way that mainly severed the Landmark interest. I left in the middle. I wrote in length about my experience with the Landmark Forum in my blog, http://aforlifestyle.blogspot.com/2014/11/why-i-left-in-middle-of-landmark-forum.html read more

For me, this was a truly amazing experience that will literally have an impact on every moment of my entire life. My friend had told me I could benefit from this type of coaching and, while I agreed with her, I really had no idea how effective it would be. The best way I can describe the experience is by saying that Landmark showed me how there really is no spoon and why that is such a wonderfully meaningless thing. read more

What is Means to Get Complete. Last weekend I took a 3 day class that taught me how to put my past in my past where it belongs, so that I am free to create a future unconstrained by my past. I've done it before. This was my third time in 24 years. And no matter how much I think I've got it all figured out, or how many times I participate in this class, each time I take it, I am able to peel back a few more layers of bullshit. This time, I learned that there were some things in my life that I hadn't taken full responsibility for, specifically regarding my previous marriage and divorce, and also about my finances. I avoided talking about some things and swept them under the rug hoping that they would disappear on their own. Things I said and did that I haven't fully acknowledged or asked forgiveness for. And I haven't been as diligent with earning money or managing my finances as I know that I am capable of. All things I blamed others for instead of taking full responsibility for what happened. What I have learned is that any and all unresolved BS remains in my space and prevents my full expression, restricts love in my life, and restricts my earning potential until I acknowledge it and clean it up with other humans. Good news! Even if someone dies or they don't want to talk to you, there are still ways to get complete and move on. I am told that AA and other programs also have techniques to help participants clean up their past. But I like that the leader differentiated Landmark by saying that Landmark not only gives you ways to clean up your past, but also gives you specific tools so that you can create a new future, right now, from nothing. I like that. I like having the opportunity to re-create my future when I say so. One that allows me to be the best me possible as soon as I recognize where I've been less than straight about my BS. The class is very different than when I last took it only 14 months ago. What's changed? It's more focused on making sure that you get the results listed above. It's less in your face, and there is more emphasis on the ability to powerfully choose what you want for yourself. Much less sales-y. It seems that they have been responding to customer feedback. Thanks Landmark. Do I think you should do the Forum? You betcha. If you are human, have a past, and you want a future free of your past, then go find a center and take the class. I promise that you will create a new life in 3 days that you couldn't imagine before. It's time and money well spent. read more

This establishment should be fined for the amount of damage caused to individuals who signed up for a seminar to improve their life. After the first day I asked for a refund; instead of working with me they turned it against me to infer that I needed their help the most. No doubt there is a narrow audience who need this aggressive approach to blaming something in their past to account for the place they have landed in life. The facilitator will be excited to twist your story to his benefit and call you a loser. I found the overarching theme of this seminar to be the "get out of jail free" card. It teaches how to live your life without accountability. Strengthen the healthy relationships you have or make new ones instead of wasting your time here. read more

I began my life as a Landmark Graduate in 2009 in San Diego, CA. I have never looked back since that first Landmark Forum. Now that I'm a graduate of the entire Curriculum for Living, I can imagine how my life would be without it. With the help of Landmark, I was able to leave behind a life in which I was existing and create the life that I wanted. Specifically I was able to leave a marriage that was no longer working for me and do it with love, respect and integrity, and begin to live a life filled with love and nurturing with my two best friends. Together we created a home where everyone could be who they wanted and live the life they chose. As all 3 of us became graduates, we created the possibility of moving our lives from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest. Three months from the idea that we would move, we were settling into our new lives in Seattle WA. With Landmark, everything is possible. Everyday is new. Every moment is an adventure. Thank you Landmark for giving my family the freedom to live life to the fullest. Reyes Carranza Kent, WA read more

Run forrest run! no seriously, run. I took the Forum last weekend and allowed myself to experience transformation. This is a course for anyone who is looking for, striving for, an authentic life. It was encouraging to know Lululemon puts their employees through Landmark and many other corporations. The Forum leader referenced many many leaders of today and in history who experienced Landmark (they even ran a seminar for the Dalai Lama and 300 monks in the foothills of Tibet) I did witness perhaps 2 people, out of a sea of 100's that resisted the inquiry we were asked to make within our own framework of being. It's unfortunate for those who decided to push back and "judge" the intentions - if it's good enough for the Dahli Lama then it's good enough for me, and it was. read more

I have personally done several Landmark events, and greatly enjoyed them. I experienced a great shift in my life from attending the events and spending some very intense and long weekends working on some fundamental issues I wanted a shift in. I believe I got much of what I expected from landmark. The only reason Landmark gets a 4 star rating from is due to their heavy brainwashing techniques and hard sales practices. I have never run across an organization that sells this hard, builds into their curriculum so much 'enrolling' and somewhat cult-like evangelizing methods. If it weren't for that, I would say this organization a five star. As long as you are careful to not get pulled into being sold and 'enrolled' then you will do great and have a fun time. read more

This is the single best thing you can do for your life! Run, don't walk to sign up for the Forum, a 3-days-plus-one-evening transformation workshop. Guaranteed to give you a whole new future of possibilities for all aspects of your life, this company keeps its promises and delivers results. You will have amazing breakthroughs right away! I had a new job offer immediately after the Forum, and my relationships to work and family are transformed. Landmark also offers free leadership training in their "assisting program", where specific detailed instructions for being effective in a business setting are transmitted. Amazing. Life-changing. Don't wait to check this out. It's currently $395 for the Forum and a 10-session seminar. read more

If I could give Infiniti stars I would. I have resisted writing a review because to list off everything I've gotten out of the Forum as well as other courses and seminars with Landmark would take me forever.. So much. I was destined to be a righteous angry cat lady waitress in an underwater condo, just what the world needs, another one of those. I am literally the opposite of all that now. Dogs, career, point of view, home. I have more friends then I know what to do with! I have an impeccable relationship with my mom! My grandma (who was anti landmark) and I were extremely close when she passed, she said I was her angel and she was mine.. That would've never happened without the forum. I am eternally and existentially grateful. Life is too short to not see what's on the other side of $585 and 3 days! Your dream job? The love of your life? Your passion? Financial abundance? The social life of your dreams? What is it?! Register and then message me and tell me what it is you found out! I am so in love with this work!! -I also want to put in that many of the negative reviews are from people who haven't done the forum or didn't complete it, would you give credit or validity to a restaurant review or movie review if they hadn't even gone to the restaurant or movie? read more

BEST thing I ever did (and I've done a lot of cool stuff). Doing this course completely changed my relationship to my family. We are all friends now. This would never have happened if I had not done the course, I was at my wits end about my relationship with them. In the course I spent 3 days with 120 other people, looking at the things I made up about the world and my place in it. I'd been saying some horrible things to myself, and it was making me miserable! (and my relationships suffered). I'm 100% more peaceful and happy. When I think about my family, I feel warm and loving towards them. PRICELESS. It takes something to think about one's own negative habits and stop the habit of negative self talk - but Very empowering when I did! Sometimes people are not ready to do this work. I didn't like the idea of inviting people to come and do the course, then I realized that my friends were suffering due to the negative stuff they were telling themselves and that in 3 days or so of the Forum, they could be free and happy - WHY would I not share about something so AMAZING! Now, most all of my friends have done the Forum and I win, because now instead of listening to how bummed they are about their lives, I get to hear about how they are being of service in the world, or making big art projects or having wonderful relationships. read more

Before coming to this center I researched everything thoroughly. The cult accusations etc. Ended up still coming for the forum and have not regretted it. I understood the distinction of what people say and do around me and how I respond to it. This has improved my relationship with my family and has improved my business. So excited for the advanced course so I can grow more! read more

Absolutely the most life changing experience i have had. This education is really phenomenal. Its experiential, so unlike most learning we have done in our lives. Its difficult to describe, so I will share one of my experiences: I let go of a story I've had for 22 years (that I didn't know I had) that I couldn't be loved. I thought that because my parents were married after I was conceived, they didn't really want me. So, fast forward to my 20s: I never really believed my boyfriend when he said he loved me, I always thought, "That's nice, but I know you don't really." Now I hear him say he loves me and I actually feel it. If that's all I got out of it I would be thrilled! So, 100% recommended. Thanks for reading! read more

As good as it gets! My life has been transformed! I had spent so much $$ on self help books, counseling, and have attended personal growth seminars and church and leadership events. And I'm not really that screwed up!! I just like growing and becoming a better version of myself!! There is nothing that cleans the canvas and sets you on a clear path like Landmark. My marriage, my family, my business and my finances have hugely improved over the last few years applying this work to myself. There is nothing that identifies your blindspots for you and gives you the tools to move past them. Nothing has been able to reconcile relationships like this either. Or in such a short amount of time. If you're hungry to have the good life, start here. Anything you want in life is possible. read more

Best weekend ever! Learned so much about people and life in general. Long class but well worth it!

Landmark Forum is fantastic! I did it about 12 years ago and I am still using the tools. I recommend everyone do it. If everyone did the forum and used it to better themselves and their life, we would be living in a very different world; a better world. Imagine if we could all take responsibility for ourselves, our actions, without blaming others for everything wrong in our lives. What if it was easy to forgive and love again. Imagine you could create the positive things you want to have happen in your life, rather than recreating bad relationships, bad jobs and the same kinds of dramas that continue to replay in your life. Couldn't you benefit from having tools to comunicate and listen more clearly to better all your relationships? Then wouldn't it be great if everyone in your life also had these skills? You have to be willing to stop playing the victim. It helps to be ready to get honest with yourself. Do your best to be open to what they are saying and listen like you don't already know all the answers. Try to be open and ready for something new. Even if you don't participate in the process of sharing, it's still wonderful to hear about everyone's "break-throughs" all weekend long. It's inspiring and it really can change your life, but you have to be willing to do the work and get over your stuff. No one can do that for you. Many blessings on your journey and I hope you get as much out of this as I have. read more

Best thing I ever did. If you take the Landmark Forum and try to answer the questions you're asked, you'll find that you don't know yourself anywhere as well as you think you do. The great thing is that if you want to make some different choices (and get some new results) you'll have a diverse community of people who are there to support you. I've never seen or done anything else quite like it. It defies description, you just have to do the Forum to get it for yourself. read more

There are a lot of passionate opinions about Landmark, as much as anything that impacts life as personally as this does. For me, in 2001, my wife and I had been married for 10 years and didn't know how to make it work - we were very close to calling it quits. Then, a friend at work had her do the Forum and it gave her access to a way to be about our relationship that completely altered our experience of each other. I registered for a weekend that was 4 months later and our relationship was already headed in a much better direction when I could finally take the course. 17 years later, there's very little in my life that isn't a direct result of what I've gotten out of our participation here. The house I live in, the cars we drive, the businesses we own, are all inside of the freedom to be and act as we truly are, without having to hide some feeling of inadequacy or being a fraud around other people. My wife and I play some very big games in business, our marriage, life in general, and we'll celebrate 28 years together next month, on vacation. Landmark is a tool, and has the ability to do really great things. So does a hammer. And while a hammer can build a beautiful house, it can also smash your thumb. We don't blame the hammer when our thumb gets hit. A lot of the negative reviews here are from people who never completed The Forum. Some of the others got hung up about "marketing", yet they don't have a problem with eating at McDonald's or drinking Coke. There's nothing at Landmark that says you HAVE TO market for them. There IS the obvious benefit that if someone you live, work or play with ALSO has the freedom to be and act in life without carrying around a bunch of baggage, they are a lot more fun to be with. Part of the reason that everyone has such a difficult time trying to explain what this does is because what I got out of the Landmark Forum is specific to what I was dealing with in my life, with my unique set of circumstances, experiences, and the conclusions I arrived at about how to survive it all. YOU are dealing with a whole different set of those things, so what I got was very different than whatever you will get. AND, what you will get will depend on how far you are willing to go with the tools - doing the homework, really taking the intellectual effort to discover for yourself where these distinctions apply to your life and how you've become the person you've become so far. As you might imagine, that's nearly as impossible as describing what it is to eat a chocolate bar to someone who has never seen or even heard of a chocolate bar. You kind of have to experience it - my telling you will never get the job done. If someone invited you to do the Landmark Forum - I'd say that if you trust them, if they are your friend, they aren't steering you wrong. Trust them, register, take the coaching, do the intellectual effort, do the homework, be authentic about it. Given that 93% of graduates say the Forum made a profound and lasting impact in their lives, you have a 93% chance of it turning out pretty good for you too. read more

I can't say what it is or isn't, all I can say is even now some 30 years later I find myself using the thing I learned to : move forward when stuck on something, create a possibility that has life run smoothly and goals met miraculously, be with all kinds of people without attachment to my opinion of them, and just be successful in all areas. Before the Forum I was extremely shy and awkward with people(fear mostly). I have since spoken in front of thousands of people. That was a direct result of being in the Forum. read more

I've done the Landmark Forum, Advanced course, Self Expressions & Leadership program, and I even "volunteered" as a coach in the SELP. At first I got a little self-improvement out of it but, as many others have pointed out on here, I got tired of their hard-sell tactics and pseudo-sciencey brainwashing techniques that tended to leave both my heart and my wallet empty. Let me preface by stating: Landmark is a FOR-profit self-help company, which ought to be an oxymoron but is just moronic. They beat you down psychologically and use guilt to get you to "enroll" and "register" people. They immediately pressure you to call all your family and friends and get them to pay to do the course. They never stop this pressure, everything is about enrolling and registering everyone you know. The idea is, in 'teaching' you to hard-sell everyone you know, you'll somehow gain hard-sell, pushy, get-what-i-want life skills that will translate to other areas... I've found this not to be the case for myself and others who've done the courses. There's a great investigative documentary out now about Landmark's shady business practices: "Journey to the Land of the New Gurus," produced by France 3. (Landmark had to close its operations in France because of the many unpaid workers it was using to run its day to day operations there. This is same the model they use all over the world, but I guess in France brainwashing and bullying people into working for you for free is illegal. The publicity the documentary generated was integral to Landmark shutting down in France. Look it up). Landmark managed to suppress the video for the most part. The company will sue you if you refer to it as a cult. That fact alone should raise red flags. (I'll probably get a 'customer service' phone call from them just for posting this review... they are very aware of any and all public criticism). AVOID! Go to Tony Robbins instead, or just meditate, or do something social. Anything's better than this. They'll suck up all your time and energy. They'll never leave you alone about paying and registering for the next 'class'... you're never 'done' here... they will always hard-sell you until you forcibly say no... I don't appreciate their extremely shady MLM-type business practices. I can't believe I was foolish enough to dedicate so many hundreds of hours and several years of my life to this gibberish... and I see many people who spend even MORE time than I did here... I was there 4-8 hours a week... OH! and once you 'finish their curriculum' (remember, you're never really 'done'), they'll start pushing you really hard to work for free as an unpaid intern. I've seen many work 15-30 hours or more per week here, UNPAID. It's really a bad deal! Steer clear people. So thankful I got out a few years ago. My life has been so happy and free since leaving Landmark. Leaving gave me a lot of clarity and direction in my life. Only reason I stuck around so long was that many of the people there are actually good people who mean well. I had personal friendships with many who worked there. But as far as a business, or getting any results out of this program... good luck. You're in for a world of pain here in my opinion. Don't go down the rabbit hole. AND FOR GOD'S SAKE DON'T LET YOUR KIDS ANYWHERE NEAR THIS PLACE!!!! Wish I could get my time and money back now. Spend your money on ice cream or yoga instead. Let your therapist brainwash you instead. At least that person might have some credentials!! read more

I woke up late, and rushed to get my son ready for school today. Of course he does what every other 8 year old does when in a time crunch. He takes his time to get ready, adding a few minutes here and there taking a bath, finding his clothes that magically disappears over night, not turning out of bed on time, playing with lego etc. Upset that we were being late I started to stress and raised my voice demanding that he get ready. Rushing to get out the door there was no time for breakfast, or preparing a lunch. As we were walking to school I felt so bad and guilty for blaming my son for being late, and I could see it in his face how sad he was too. When I really tell the truth I know it was becuase I woke up late that we were so rushed. And I noticed that I was really mad at myself for being late, not upset with my son. In that moment I remembered the possibility that I invested for myself in the forum, of being present and compassionate with myself and my family. If was compassionate I wouldn't be upset with myself nor my son, I would be present to how much I love my family. And if I was present I could see that all there was to do was to get dressed, prepare for school and then leave with no reason to be upset. I turned to my son and apologized. He turned to me and gave me a big hug, he said he apologized too. I was so relieved, and happy that I got to send my son off to school without any upset. Before the landmark forum I would have been upset, angry and frustrated when things didn't go the way I wanted them to go, and it would linger for days. After the landmark forum I can catch my self in the moment and clean up anything with anyone, not having it linger. read more

I have hired people for a living for over 19 years. I have worked for Microsoft, Amazon, Deloitte and am now with zulily / Liberty (HSN/QVC). It is my profession to engage with individuals and hiring managers to find the right match in the right job. I am responsible for negotiating offers for candidates as well. Since participating in the Landmark Forum, I find that my conversations with my candidates has organically shifted into a different type of conversation. They are not just candidates but human beings, with dreams, aspirations and goals. Now my conversations are on a much more human level. It is not about what I want them to do but what they want for themselves. Even if I am not able to hire someone, I make an authentic effort to give them something that they didn't have before they spoke to me. I am committed to being authentic with individuals the desire to work for our company. I am committed to them having a very positive experience on a human level. It creates a win/win situation and is good for business. : ) read more

Total brainwashing, they hounding me for months to buy into that total Kool aid program, save your money for real therapy. Hmmm? Your never done with the program. Opps, got to spend more money to get fixed. read more

First off, when considering a 'personal growth' course, and reviewing what grads think of it, maybe consider who you're listening to. I've been a successful trial atty, a well paid IT consultant, married to a high-ranking govt official, 5 kids who love me and have college degrees. I'm the main cook for a community supper 1st Mondays. Was recognized for giving legal advice at a free clinic. I was a regular church-goer for 20 years. Been pen-pals for 10 yrs with a lifer in Angola. I confess. I'm a groupie at Landmark. I first did the Forum in 1988. My wife's comment upon my return to the TriCities was, "I didn't know this about you before you went, but you've had a stone face for years. Now you don't. Go get some more of whatever that is." My kids have done the Forum, my dad, my brothers. My wife did it in 1976 the first time it came to Seattle. All her sisters, some of her nieces. About 50 of my friends because of me jumping up and down saying, "Whoopee Whoopee you gotta do this!!" Explaining what it is is impossible, and now i'll explain that--which is impossible too. Landmark Education is about the context of your life. You are used to working and focusing on the content of your life--moving the pieces around inside the box. To you, the box is invisible, you only see the pieces. The context of your life, the box, is the meaning you've given the content. Gaining the ability to see the context of your life is the ambition or promise of many disciplines. Landmark delivers it in 3 days. Well, actually they deliver a good look in 3 days. Taking action on what you see is a gawdawful life-long work, and they have inexpensive seminars to keep you at that work. Want to lose some weight? Go to Jenny Craig. Want to see why you do nothing about your weight? Or wanna create a context for losing weight that inspires you? Do the Forum. (I've lost 12# in 2 wks!) Want your marriage to work? Go to a marriage counselor. Want to see why you're committed to things staying just the way they are--and griping about it? Do the Forum. Want a better job? Send out resumes. Want to see why you're committed to things staying just the way they are--and griping about it? Do the Forum. Because the context of your life is invisible to you, describing what seeing it is like is impossible. Describing how to get you to see it is impossible. I recommend Disney's The Kid with Bruce Willis for an example of seeing the context of a life. My wife just summed it up: Landmark is about developing a relationship with your mind--instead of BEING it. If you understand that, you're either fooling yourself, or your middle name is Dalai. Here's another try: there's a lot about your life and why you do what you do that you don't know you don't know. More that you don't know you don't know than what you do know or know you don't know. Still with me? So the Forum is a modern Socrates standing up front, leading you thru some thought experiments ("OK, try this on. Suppose you . . .") The cumulative effect of these thought experiments is that you see things about yourself you never knew. Some of these things are hilarious, like you start the Forum whining that your spouse doesn't understand you as well as you understand him/her. And after one of these thought experiments, it comes to you, "Geez! NOBODY could understand me--because i'm sneaky and I hide my life and thoughts." And that will probably set you laughing. Or, you start out whining your life sucks. And then you see that the context of your life is, "I'm a victim." You see that like you never saw it before. But that ain't funny. Probably wanna barf on that one. To sum up, how could someone who's done the Forum tell you what you don't know you don't know about your life? And if they could tell you, telling you wouldn't do you any good. You have to unconceal it yourself, and go "AHA!" Oh, Hell--sum up? Can't. Just have to shut me up. Here's another slice at this thing, The Landmark Forum: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/05/18/090518fa_fact_lehrer Walter Mischel tested kids' self-control and delayed-gratification and found that "metacognition" learned early made a huge difference in a life. That's what the Forum is! It is "live theatre" with a series of "try this on" exercises, that cause you to become conscious of how you think. Being conscious of your automatic thought processes allows you to manage your thoughts. The ability to manage your mind gives you an enormous head-start over the rest of our race. With this proviso: YOU manage your mind inside YOUR values and commitments. Landmark doesn't tell you what values or commitments you should have. As a friend put it, "If you are committed to being an ass-hole, you'll come out a more powerful ass-hole." He's got it right--except my experience with Forum grads is that when human beings get conscious, they get generous, forgiving, and contributin read more

The only reason I give 4 stars is because of one thing: marketing and it's not even bad. Granted, you have to give them credit for staying in business for SO long merely because of word-of-mouth. However, it can be a little over-the-top when pushing people to sign up for a class, especially for some people who have a hard time simply saying "No." There is a certain type of language that goes on at Landmark, and they have great strategies but it can be pushy. Now, if you are a strong-minded individual like myself and you simply can't make it to the very next class available well then you have to just put in the extra amount of effort in explaining as to why you can't make it. Some people simply don't want to explain to a stranger why they can't come to something (which is valid) but Landmark sees right through that and hits your weakest points. What I would prefer? Maybe a strategy that doesn't make the person feel bad for saying no. No is a perfectly fine answer and, believe me, many people have said no to me when I ask if they were interested in the program. It is not an insult but I can see why people would feel bad for saying it. What Landmark weeds out of you is all your weaknesses. All those little voices inside your head saying that "you suck... you can't do it... It's not worth it.." or even judgments about other people. Landmark looks at the only person you can blame about why your life isn't exactly how you want it: YOU! It is not there to FIX someone. It is there to activate things that you already know. It helps you conquer your fears and inner demons and opens you up to living a life that you have only imagined. Like I said, these classes are not really here to "fix" you. If you need fixing, please go see a therapist or psychiatrist. These classes are here to activate an entirely new outlook on life that is totally inspiring and fulfilling. I have been through the 3 main classes and I am definitely NOT stopping there. Living, really living, without the extra baggage is what this program is designed for. For those that are non-judgmental and are mutable - you will absolutely love it! Yes, it gets personal. Yes, you may have to speak in front of alot of people. This class really makes the shy guy Joe Shmoe a vibrantly, confident individual capable of anything that comes their way. For those that are seeking a bigger life than the one they are living, I full on recommend this place. Any age, any color, any gender, any dreamer. It's simply amazing. read more

It's funny how negative reviews about Landmark are removed from this site. I know because I wrote one myself! Whenever you see a glowing review of Landmark you have to take it with a huge grain of salt. For instance, if a participant gets up in front of a seminar and says "I got a 10% raise as a result of my participation in Landmark," did he really get the raise? Maybe, but you have to realize that many people are using the "technology" of creating possibility and enrolling others in that possibility. If he has enough "integrity" and enrolls enough people in his possibility, then the possibility will be true, but if it turns out not to be true he is supposed to recognize his lack of "integrity" and go on creating new possibilities. He could keep recreating the possibility every day and never actually receive the raise, but the uninitiated might take him at his word and believe he had. Similarly, reviewers here will try to enroll you in the possibility that their experience was "life changing" and allows them to "live powerfully" and so on. How many of them go home to an overdue mortgage, marriage in shambles, failing business, etc., only to recreate the possibility and illusion that everything is perfect and amazing every single day? read more

Best thing I have ever done. I experience more power, freedom and capacity to produce results in every area of my life....on a daily basis. Love, Love, Love! read more

I did the Landmark Forum back in '98 and have been using what I learned since. I know I wouldn't have had as easy a time running my own business without that leg up. Worthwhile for anyone. Don't let someone who is over enthusiastic about it put you off. They're just excited. read more