Landmark Education for Adults -- What Do You Think?

Lisa is correct about the principles of Landmark Education coming from Est (which was heavily criticized for being cult-like). That said, I have MANY friends who have been through a variety of programs offered by Landmark and I have watched them grow into incredible people...Landmark gives them some very valuable distinctions for how to live their life in a more powerful manner. I have never been through a Landmark program myself; I've been to a few "information meetings". The biggest problems I see with Landmark are not so much with the program itself, but rather with how dependent some of the participants become on the program. The ideas and principles they learn at Landmark existed long before the program and will be around a long time afterwards...but I've had people tell me that I wouldn't be able to understand a particular distinction because I haven't been through a Landmark program. I've also seen people become "program junkies"....as though the only way they can continue to live powerfully is to attend every single program that Landmark offers.

My personal opinion is that if you're actively looking for opportunities to learn and grow, and you can comfortably afford to attend the seminar, then go with an open and thoughtful mind. If money is tight (which I know it is for a lot of families), put the opportunity on the backburner for now and revisit it later. There are enough resources in the self-help section of Barnes and Noble that have similar underlying principles.

Hi T.

A few of years ago a friend of mine got involved with Landmark Education and was all a gush about how wonderful it was. This friend invited me to a short informational meeting they were having, each person who had finished the weekend seminar was suppose to bring some friend. The idea of this meeting was to spread the word and get more people to come to the next seminar. My friend invited me, so I went. There were things the informational meeting that made me like you a bit wary, so I started doing some research into Landmark Education.

Landmark Education is the current day version of Est which was around in the 70's and early 80's. If you google Est and Landmark Education you will find information about the group and not very favorable. 60 Minutes did a piece on the group, it wasn't favorable and talked about the founder Werner Erhard abusing his wife and children. His one daughter has stated that he molested her.....not someone I personally would want to be taking advice from on how to have a happy life.

There are incidents of people having nervous breakdowns requiring hospitalizations because of what happens at the 3 day seminars. From everything I have learned about Est, Landmark Education and Werner Erhard (the man who started it all) I would stay far far far away!!!!!

I am sure you will get people on here that will say all sorts of glowing stuff about Landmark....I think though you should do your own research and come to your own opinion of the group.....mine is not very good.

My husband was into Landmark when I met him and personally, I thought it was very cult like. He eventually agreed that it was when I finally got him to stop going cause it freaked me out. Now that I think about it, it kind of reminds me of Scientology. If you listen to Tom Cruise talk about Scientology, he sounds a lot like the Landmark people.

You can get the same self-improvement teaching by turning to church for bible studies. I saw that you live in Gilbert, AZ. Try attending Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Chandler. They have a moms group that meets throughout the month and daytime bible studies. You will get truth and self worth and improvement from where it should really come from...God! Good luck.

I have never heard of this before either. I think your right though, it takes time to work on things and really get to where you want to be.

I read your bio about you wanting to become a professional organizer, and I would love to be your first test client and I can give you a testimonial for your website when you build it for your business! I built my website and could help you out with that in exchange for the organizing! We should chat sometime!

K.

Hi T.,
I first did the Landmark Education forum in St. Louis, MO in 1992, since that time I have enjoyed many of their courses and have received huge benefits which is why I keep going back!
What is unique about landmark and why someone can have dramatic results in just a week end is that it is not linear learning. Linear learning is much like a how to book or sitting in a class room learning english, math or anything else. You build on knowledge. The type of education that comes with Landmark is breakthrough! This would me more like learning to ride a bicycle and all at once you get 'balance' and you are forever changed and 'balance' never goes away!
Just do it, you will love it! And experience it don't sit on the sidelines and watch and judge, if you do the forum, be there 100%!
And, I'd love to hear all about it!
Wow, I just read some of the responses, mostly from people who have not experienced the forum. I really don't understand why people get so weird about the Landmark Forum. It seems to me that anything one does to improve oneself or that is good form they do again and again. Such as exercise is not a one time thing, you must do it consistently and regularly and you gain mastery. People learn to gain mastery at many levels. So depending on your desire or motivation to gain mastery of self, physical self, emotional self, spiritual self will guide you where to spend your time and efforts and at what level of mastery do you desire. Many people go to church, however, not everyone enrolls in the seminary and gets a degree. I wouldn't call the person who enrolls in the seminary getting involved in a cult or becoming dependent, they just desire that level of mastery.
I am not dependent on Landmark Education, however, I find that whenever I am ready to take my life to the next level it has been a wonderful playground and arena to do so.
And yes, Landmark has it's own language and distinctions which are very difficult to explain to someone. I wouldn't ever tell someone they wouldn't understand, however, it is an experience which can be difficult to translate. How do you describe learning to ride a bicycle? How do you describe how you got on and fell off and then, like magic, you got balance and that was it?
I hope that someone you know and trust shared Landmark with you and ask yourself if you can trust them. Are they of sound mind and judgment? How is their life going? Are they a productive person in society? Are they just taking from life or are they giving back as well? Are they cynical, opinionated, judgmental? Are they trying to make a difference even in a small way? do they have passion and purpose in their life? Are they up to something?
do they have a love for life and enthusiasm that you want?
The most important thing I got from my Landmark work is a fantastic relationship with my Mother and my Daughter! And that was at a time when I said it was impossible. So it has been priceless for me.

Landmark is a GOOD START! Valid and helpful knowledge.
B. Getel OTR/L CHT CCH
Eclectic Body Work
Tucson, Az.

I have participated in numerous programs at Landmark Education over the course of many years and my participation has impacted my life tremendously – in a very positive way. Landmark’s intention is to examine the things in life that stop us from living effectively. These programs have been of value in my personal and professional life (I am a clinical psychologist and these programs have given me the opportunity to see a different perspective of life, NOT by providing psychological training). Likewise, I think that for the right person, participation in the Landmark Forum could enhance the work being done in therapy. However, Landmark is not psychotherapy and personal well-being should always be addressed prior to participation.

You do not join Landmark and there are no ongoing dues, lifetime membership fees, etc. They offer courses and you pay money to register for each course in which you choose to participate (I think this is one of the many things that differentiates it from a cult) EST was formed in the 70’s when it was considered a cult because of the long hours and restrictions to leave the room. EST no longer exists and Landmark Education Corporation is an enterprise that attracts primarily professional people and offers programs all around the globe (including India, Israel, Australia, etc).

Keep an open mind when you go to the introduction. Focus on whether or not you can see any value for yourself, and try not to get caught up in how happy people seem to be, or weird! Please contact me if you'd like more details.

M.