When I did the Landmark Forum, I was following in the footsteps of the most badass people I know – and I learned some invaluable life lessons. So why did I find myself asking; ‘is Landmark a cult?’ By Ruby Warrington. Images: Alex Prager for Garage Magazine.
Half way into day three at the Landmark Forum, I was ready to run for the hills. Along with 150 or so other people, from every walk of life, I had been cooped-up in a windowless basement in midtown Manhattan for almost 13 hours a day straight, whilst being told that everything I knew about myself, about my beliefs, and about the world, was an illusion. An illusion created by my “always listening” mind (Landmark speak for the ego) to avoid taking full responsibility for my life.
The course leader was busy psyching the crowd up for the “big reveal” – the key teaching of the Forum that would come later that day, embracing which, we’d been promised, would lead to a life of “infinite possibilities”. So long as we “enrolled” everybody else we knew into the Landmark conversation too (at $600 a pop), and then committed to an on going ($900+) study of their “curriculum for life”.
All around me, people had already been having life-changing epiphanies as they’d worked the course – coming out from behind their “rackets” (“fixed ways of being that result in persistent complaints”) and calling friends and family members they had been “pretending” things were cool with to “cough up the fur-ball” of their most shaming truths (‘Mom, I never come visit because actually it felt like you never really loved me’).
Encouraged to publically share their breakthroughs, there had been tears, and there had been cheers. And here I was, feeling an almost physical repulsion to the teachings. Earlier, we’d been asked to identify our “strong suits” – coping mechanisms we’d adopted at key points of trauma in our lives, which had become “ways of acting and being you rely on to produce results and make it in life.” Which, obviously, had to go, along with all the other “stories” you told yourself about…yourself.
I’d identified one of my strong suits as what I always considered a healthy degree of scepticism, or discernment. It’s what made me a good editor. But now it felt like a straight jacket. I’d paid my money and I wanted a breakthrough too! But all I could think, as I took in the scenes around me, was; “OMG this is actual brainwashing in action. Why did nobody warn me Landmark is…a cult?!”
The “c-word” hit the headlines last week, in the aftermath of the HBO documentary Going Clear – an inside expose on the Church of Scientology. And watching the opening scenes, in which they described the Church’s central process of “auditing” members in order to process their limiting beliefs, I was taken right back to that basement room in the Landmark HQ.
Was Landmark Scientology lite?
The dictionary definition of “brainwashing” is; “to make (someone) adopt radically different beliefs by using systematic and often forcible pressure”. True, nobody forced me to do the Landmark Forum – I actually decided to sign up because I knew so many amazing, go-getting, and seemingly highly-evolved individuals who’d done it, and I basically wanted a piece.
But the constant pressure throughout the course to “enrol” our friends, co-workers, and family members definitely crossed over into coercion territory in my book – echoing the way Scientologists are asked to “disconnect” from any people in their life who don’t adopt the teachings of the church. It’s also the kind of behaviour that gets organisations labelled “cult”, opposed to simply “community” or “club”.
The fact that during Landmark I was also confined to that one windowless room for three consecutive 13-hour days, with minimal breaks for food, and asked not to take notes or go to the toilet (this used to be enforced rigidly, but nobody actually stopped me when I did sneak out for a restroom break), also felt a lot like “systematic” pressure to adopt their teachings.
Then there was the bizarre lingo and double-talk they used to scramble my synapses and “re-program” my thinking. Overall, by the time I left, my scepticism very much intact, it felt simultaneously like a narrow escape…and like there must be something really, really wrong with me.
Watching Going Clear (named for the ultimate goal in Scientology – a mind that’s completely “clear”, or washed, of negative beliefs), the phrase that kept returning to me was; “the Emperor’s New Clothes.”
You know the story right? About the sneaky tailor who convinces the Emperor his “invisible” new suit is actually made of the finest cloth. In fear of questioning their leader’s beliefs, the Emperor’s subjects go along with it – complementing him on his beautiful new clothes, despite the fact they can see for themselves he’s naked.
And this desire to conform is something I felt they played on at Landmark, too. Deeply rooted in our most basic psychology, human beings are pack animals after all. Positioning yourself as the outsider is also something akin to suicide on a primal level. In ancient times, distancing yourself from the tribe was a sure-fire way to get killed by predators, or die from lack of food and warmth. Going along with what’s being indoctrinated therefore is not only preferable, it’s the only truly “safe” option.
Did that explain why everybody around me was whooping and cheering when the “big reveal” finally occurred…while it seemed to me like the biggest “racket” on the planet?
Coming out of Landmark, I immediately wanted to speak to the switched-on women I knew who’d done it too. I was desperate to know if they’d felt the same as me – or if I was, in fact, a hopelessly repressed freak-a-zoid, too scared of facing my own demons to even acknowledge their existence. The overarching response I got was that yes, it was a huge shame that there was so much cult-like emphasis on “enrolment”, and the accompanying financial hard sell. Because the teachings in and of themselves were awesome…right?
And here comes the really interesting part. Seven months on, I can see that they were absolutely right – and that the Landmark Forum was one of the most pivotal experiences on my inner journey to date.
We are all slaves to our monkey minds; we do self-sabotage with the stories we choose to believe about ourselves; and we do have to allow ourselves to be vulnerable, to “look bad”, and to see beyond the illusion of reality, in order to evolve into the highest expression of ourselves. It is in this place of ultimately authentic self-expression that a life of infinite possibility lies.
Behind all the crazy linguistics and mental manipulation, these are the central teachings of Landmark (and of Scientology, from what I’ve read, not to mention Buddhist philosophy!). With hindsight, I can see how having them strong-armed into my psyche over that one mind-bending weekend last September forced me, on some deep level, to accept and work with limiting parts of myself I used to believe were unassailable.
I’ve since had the kind of searingly honest conversations with my mother that have taken our relationship to a whole other level. I no longer blindly accept what my belief system tells me, and look instead to the cold, hard facts of life.
And if I railed against actually calling any people in my life to “get complete” during my Landmark weekend (I had a lengthy email exchange with my mom, and called a friend to confess a very innocuous white lie), I have since embraced the concept of not sugar-coating stuff for fear of upsetting people, or getting a bad reaction – and seen massive benefits. All common sense stuff, actually, “but delivered in an environment of startling intensity,” as another journalist wrote about Landmark.
As for the “big reveal”? You’ll have to do the Forum and find out what it is for yourself. And if that means I’m now “enrolling” you – well, there must be some chinks in my sceptical strong suit after all.
Have you done the Landmark Forum? What did you get out of it? Connect and share your stories on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook
To find out more about the Landmark Forum and their courses visit Landmarkworldwide.com
It is a shame that edgy clever writing trumps actual non hysteric critical writing. Unless a blogger speaks in dramatic terms and applies some clever edges to their story, who is going to read it? Here is an example. What you wrote about bathrooms and the rooms and the hours was written to promote the ominous view you wan to promote here. The actual truth is just not that interesting so how can you just write the plain old straightforward truth right?
“cooped-up in a windowless basement ”
In Manhattan I assume real estate is expensive. Landmark chooses locations where they can afford and that are easy for people to get to. Some course rooms wind up in lower levels others wind up in huge rooms with floor to ceilings windows and doors on every wall.The criteria seems to be to rent a room that can seat 150-200 people comfortably and that a class can be conducted free from outside noise.
“I had been cooped-up in a windowless basement in midtown Manhattan for almost 13 hours a day straight,”
This is nonsense. Chickens that we eat are “cooped up” against their will and then killed and eaten. You were not “cooped” up. You were informed before hand that those were the hours of the Landmark Forum and being an adults you chose to attend. You were also informed before hand when the bathroom breaks and meal breaks were and in the Landmark Forum is was presented that it was important not to miss parts of the course so they ask people to go to the bathroom on scheduled bathroom breaks. This is not unusual or rational, the person you are paying $625 is telling you hot to get the most out of the thing you are paying for, the instruction manual if you will. And you did not have to be there nor do anything the way it was designed. perhaps you thought they should be presenting The Ruby Warrington Forum instead of the Landmark Forum, one designed by you? And what would that course be like. Transformative? Perfect in every way? Enlivening? Held outdoors and run for 60 minutes? And free?
I am obviously irked by bloggers who just write for show and lie in the process.
It is a shame that edgy clever writing trumps actual non hysteric critical writing and thinking. Unless a blogger speaks in dramatic terms and applies some clever edges to their story, who is going to read it?
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Here is an example. What you wrote about “bathrooms” and the rooms and the hours was written to promote the ominous view you seem to want to promote as a backdrop to your brilliant writing. The actual truth is just not that interesting, so how can you or anyone just write the plain old straightforward truth right?
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“cooped-up in a windowless basement ”
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In Manhattan, I assume real estate is expensive.
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Landmark chooses locations where they can afford and that are easy for people to get to. Some Landmark course rooms wind up in lower levels while others wind up in huge rooms with floor to ceilings windows and doors on every wall.The criteria seems to be to rent a room that can seat 150-200 people comfortably and that a class can be conducted free from outside noise.
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“I had been cooped-up in a windowless basement in midtown Manhattan for almost 13 hours a day straight,”
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This is nonsense. Chickens that we eat are “cooped up” against their will and then killed and eaten. You were not “cooped” up. You were informed before hand that those were the hours of the Landmark Forum and being an adult you chose to attend. You were also informed before hand when the bathroom breaks and meal breaks were and in the Landmark Forum it was presented that it was important not to miss parts of the course so they ask people to go to the bathroom on scheduled bathroom breaks. This is not unusual or rational, the company you are paying $625 is informing you how to get the most out of the thing you are paying for, the instruction manual if you will.
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And you did not have to be there nor do anything the way it was designed. Perhaps you thought they should be presenting The Ruby Warrington Forum instead of the Landmark Forum, one designed by you? And what would that course be like. Transformative? Perfect in every way? Enlivening? Held outdoors and run for 60 minutes? And free?
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Clearly I am irked and annoyed by bloggers who write for show and basically lie in the process to make themselves sound hip and edgy and superior to the thing they know so much better than.
Ruby, I totally agree with your POV , that these forums are an effort towards cult building.
Though , I have not wasted my money and time in trying out such ventures, since my psyche and intuitive vectors do not allow me to do so .
These forums take in account , that 98% of the society is disturbed and mainly due to two major factors:-
Firstly , money ! No matter how much you make it, you still need more .
Secondly , either you can’t keep your family happy or you don’t have a family to go to .
So , its the sensitive nerve which is easy to pinch .
And wow ! Let’s make money out of it .
If the participant is allowed a days break in between and allowed time to question, he would not come back (lol)
Also , if you are wise enough to understand all this, you will not need to be with those 200 of the lot .
Pivotal point of self happiness lies in drawing a line of satisfaction for yourself .
Be aware, well realize , your weak as well as strong traits .
Live for yourself and not to display to others around you , whether friends or foes!
We are offered a simple and a happy life at birth .
But we turn is murky and complexed !
Just finished Landmark this weekend. Anyone that believes LMF is a cult didn’t really understand the forum! It makes perfect sense, it’s not religion, nor brainwashing, isn’t manipulation, changing, forcing, pulling, or pushing. It could be considered an empting out but not really. You can’t understand it till you show up and do the work. If you get it you want everyone else to “enroll” because you are finally free of the constraints you didn’t even know you existed. BC we are all wired the same this world is full of hatred, cynicism, judgement and unhappiness. But those who claim they have the key to happiness surround themselves with unhappiness, and remain complicit. I highly suggest you step outside of your zone and into a LMF you won’t miss your happy machine self I promise!
I just finished the punishing 39 hours of the Landmark Forum and considered leaving several times because of the drawn out ways of explaining very simple (in hindsight) concepts in addition to sitting in uncomfortable chairs for hours and hours and hours and hours (in a windowless room). The one session about Life being empty and meaningless took over an hour for the leaders to attempt to explain to a confused group and only 30 seconds for one of the attendees to break down into a very meaningful visual and suddenly it made perfect sense. Life (in and of itself – which are the words they left out to make the point clear) is empty and meaningless and can be filled with whatever I choose – not what other people’s words and actions or inactions suggest I fill it with. I’m glad I did it and have signed up for the Advanced Course against my initial better judgment. I didn’t have a big bang epiphany. It’s kind of growing on me like a flower blooming. The whole thing can feel extremely humanistic but can also be seen as another way of stating what Jesus has been trying to get us all to do over the last 2000+ years: give it all up to Him and go live your life (while focusing on Him). Truly transformative.
Ruby, like you I did the Forum (and the advanced course) 20 years ago because the most badass people I knew had done it. Not only that, I was in a relationship that wasn’t working and had a two-month-old baby. My partner and I both did the work to try to have breakthroughs in our relationship. We did– it didn’t save our relationship in the sense that we stayed together, but it did give us new language to communicate with each other and we managed to coparent effectively until his death a few years later.
Landmark Education was life changing for me, as it is for the vast majority of people who do it. It gave me the confidence to create a new life for myself. I went on to have an accomplished career as an artist, went back to school in my late 40s and got a bachelors and Masters degree– all as a single mother. I’ve become a recognized writer in my field and my first book comes out this year. These were all things I might have done anyway without the Landmark work; I have no way of knowing. However, it did provide a psychological framework and level of confidence I don’t think I had.
20 years later and I’m still so glad I did the work. I’m like you also in that the only thing that’s so distasteful to me is the hard sell. it might be the thing that prevents me from getting back into it. I can see why people think it’s cultish based on the level of exuberance people come away with and that imperative to enroll people, but “cult” is the wrong word,I think. Not sure what would be a better word. It doesn’t really matter. People will think what they want to think, and say what they want to say about it. But the fact is far more people’s lives are transformed than are those who resist the transformation. I think it’s true that we get out of something what we put into it.