Some time ago an extraordinary event occurred in the US. Three people died at James Ray’s, “Spiritual Warrior” retreat, which was meant to be a breakthrough type experience where people ended ‘all’ limitations and learned to master ‘The Law of Attraction’.

Similar self-growth retreats are going on all over Australia and the world and it’s pretty weird stuff dressed up as personal empowerment.

For these types of weekends you will pay as much as $10,000 (a certain well known UK figure is going for $25,000 for a weekend at the moment). James Ray was a star in the movie, ‘The Secret’ and appeared on Oprah, Larry King, and other shows. He is a part of The Transformational Leadership Council, a number of members with whom I have trained with many years ago and found to be somewhat dubious in their marketing and persuasion tactics – including one fantastic sales line: “If you don’t have the money go and get it from your grandmothers savings, such is the importance of this information”. (It really wasn’t that important or good, and I didn’t have a grandmother at the time so the tactic fell somewhat short)

In James Ray’s last training, something went terribly wrong.

He personally led a sweat lodge ceremony where three people died. A criminal investigation is going on, but it is clear these people were pressured to stay in the lodge even when they were in great distress. By all accounts another 48 people were taken to hospital. The amazing thing is that James Ray in no way holds himself or his organisation accountable for what happened and is even attempting to reframe it as a positive thing – such is the man’s delusion.

So why am I telling you this. Well it’s quite simple. When I first started in this industry my intention was to help people foremost in a clinical setting, assisting them to overcome issues such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, self worth issues, trauma etc. I also enjoyed coaching people in the areas of personal and business success and development. What I wanted to do however was do it in a very different way to what I saw happening. I wanted people to fully grasp that I personally had no special powers or ability; I simply became good at what I did by putting the time and effort in and involving myself as fully as I could in the experience of life.

I wanted to make absolutely sure that people understood that it was knowledge and personal application of that knowledge that held the power not the individual teaching the knowledge.

I had personally witnessed too many times to mention so called personal development superstars getting mixed up in the cult of personality and starting to believe that they had some kind of special powers (they don’t by the way) while acting in self deluded and messed up ways.

What I am wanting to suggest is that when seeking a course of learning, you want to be inspired and enjoy the presentation of the material, but at the end of the day always remember that the person teaching it does not have anything special about them, they might have talent and utilise that talent but that does not mean they have access to some special knowledge that you too can’t find for yourself.

In fact, I would go as far as to say that if they claim anything other than good old fashioned time, energy and effort went in their skill and ability development you undoubtedly are dealing with some who most likely needs psychological help. If the individual claims that they can resolve, cure, eliminate ALL of your personal problems and have THE ONLY way of you achieving this, again, they have most likely forgotten to take their medication or know full well what they are doing to get your money and they will inevitably value their own financial or ego gratification above normal, everyday integrity.

Enjoy the trainer but go for the knowledge, Learn, don’t be told, think, don’t be persuaded, seek, don’t be given and you will be honouring your own journey – not borrowing some one elses.

posted 2010 Jun 30 by Alistair Horscroft