Landmark Auckland — Local services in Waitematā

Landmark is an offshoot of teaching via EST 'coach' (Werner Erhard). I did the Forum at the very end of February 2015 and went on to do more courses that year. It was hard work, and this course does attract some very manipulative people who will use the ideas and language involved to put you down and control you. Really unnecessary cruelty at times, but I went back for more as I was determined to get 'better'. I learned how to say no to more courses and unpaid work once I was burnt out. The way the courses are run and designed uses elements of hypnosis, CBT and even Zen philosophy. These courses can trigger anything from mild mania to a full blown mental breakdown, so bear that in mind - I saw it happen to people. I stayed involved in Landmark courses for over a year and was often really wired. If you do it, keep on remembering that they are insisting it is a course, not a cult (and if that's the case can they please stop ringing). It's also not cheap. I think the best thing about it was that there are some lovely people involved, but watch out for the mind-effers! There are dangerous people learning to be even more manipulative there. On the upside: I did find a lot of the work around "the story" of life and how you tell it to be really useful. I also did improve my relationship...

Went as my sister was indoctrinated by the cult of Landmark. As a skeptic, I went in with some reservations, and I’m glad I did. They deliberately change the definition of words to “enrol” your loved ones into the program at a free “graduation” which is actually a 40 min sales pitch. Their “inauthentic” leader lied at the very start of the program about their motives, and when I challenged him directly, chose to deliberately deceive the audience. You’re surrounded by UNPAID “enablers” who are other cult members and graduates, such as the retired, which the company happily exploits. Asking questions in the program isn’t allowed and no notes are to be written down. They’ll start off all friendly then the hammer of authority and control comes down. Do your research - this isn’t life coaching or training or anything you’ll benefit from - it’s a multilevel marketing cult. If you love your family keep them away. If they’ve been, send them to a shrink. Oh, and they took 2 months to refund my parking, and had the gall to suggest it was the parking company to refund me (despite them being the bill providers?). I could go more in depth... but in...

Cult would be a good word, Sure some of the teachings are good but it is all underwritten by their invasive and misleading sales process. They do not take No for an answer. The final night (Tuesday7-10) was made out to be a fun experience for all when it was a flat out average hard sell. Literally made us come in to try and rope our friends and family into signing up.

Anyway, An organisation that makes upwards of 50,000,000 USD a year that has volunteers running the whole thing, if that doesn't throw up alarm bells of being a cult I don't know what would. Avoid, There are better personal development courses out there that don't prey...