I think Landmark Education is either a LOVE IT or HATE IT situation. There are people I know that…read morewill agree with me, and other friends that absolutely swear by the good that Landmark does, and continues to do, for their life.
What I am about to say is no different than the methods of EST, SUMMIT, LIFESPRINGS, etc. And, since it is founded by a former leader of EST - it's no surprise that it is similar in many ways. Also, if you conduct your own google search, you'll find a mix of the wonderful things they've done, as well as many legal actions filed or accusations. You'll find everything said from Brainwashing, to cruel, to harsh, to even blamed for suicide, etc etc.
It's a major financial commitment to take the first course ($700/$1000), and it's a majorly intensive workshop. Lead by a brilliant orator, it's very inviting in its premise, and cleverly enticing to make changes to your life.
The first night had a couple of hundred students in attendance, and a large staff of both paid and volunteers (advancing/current students). It's fun, emotional for some, and kind of exciting as stories are told of successes and lives transformed. Students, of course, at all different levels of readiness and emotions, are led voluntarily to share at the mic. Others are skeptical and reluctant, maybe shy, to open up.
Day 2 gets more interesting, and unfortunately, alarming. Tactics are used to break you down. Starting with the first few people that shared openly and quickly, who were all very emotional. The leader just blasting them, yelling at them -- all very vulnerable souls. It also raises the brow for a handful of people (maybe 25%) -- that led to a feeling of brainwashing. Relentless pounding at nice people with major problems, until they would take ownership for bad things that may have happened to them in their life. It was very hard and uncomfortable to watch, and sit as either an active or passive participant.
At a lunch period, several of us gathered to discuss what was happening, and we shared in the uncomfortable feelings we had. So much so, 4 of us planned to escape at a break -- knowing that we had to resort to a quick exit or be chastised or jumped on to try and talk us out of it. Day 3 was not going to get me, nor was I going to continue to witness demeaning practices against the very vulnerable. These are master manipulators for some of us, and others -- exactly the right dose of hard instruction.
So in the end, it's a chance you take with any investment -- this one, for yourself. For others that I know, they love it and have advanced thru numerous other classes and instruction, certifications, and goals of leading in the future.
As for me, absolutely no way.
