Wanderer

Anything Spiritual ain't for sale...anything for sale ain't Spiritual. Just sayin'.

The only reason I got involved at all was a woman! I met her while she was working in a Radio Shack store, & I was in there to buy parts. I heard her talking about God to the customer at the counter while I shopped, and somehow I was attracted to her. We met later, and we went to Twig, I took PFAL, an we fell in love. Three years later...I'd had enough and left the area. That was 1982, and we're still in touch a few times a year, and...Wait for it...She is still in a splinter group! Glad I left, but there is still a place for her in my heart.

In Syracuse NY, (early 80s) Steve Zolezzi had some leadership ability, but the rest of those clowns...brick is a bit too kind. In Albuquerque NM, (Mid 80s) those people had some serious issues. I'd paint them as just plain mean, once I saw their true colors,I had little to do with them. Wanderer

A roll of toilet paper? Oh wait... that's not alive!

I can forgive the man, but that does not require me to forget the facts. There is still a spector in many of the splinters "Teaching" and using many of the same control techniques. It must end.

VP was a sexual predator, who should have spent time behind bars. He took a position of authority and used it to satisfy his carnal wants. A sick, sick man, and I'm sad to have had anything to do with him or his ministry.

Excellent comment T-bone! As I left TWI, I went back to school, where I was forced to think on my own, and as it was a technical disipline, also to troubleshoot...to examine a system (Actually any system) and determine the faulty part. Applying these skills to the TWI machine was just short of frightening. So many broken parts. where to start?

I took the advanced class...against my better judgement, as I was quickly distancing myself from TWI at that time. I remember one leader thinking he, "Caught me" faking. In front of a class of maybe 20 folks, he had me SIT w/interpretation, again and again and again, maybe five times in a row before God told him it was me genuine! I WAS MAKING IT UP, due to peer pressure. I love to talk, I could have gone on and on if he wanted, but that wouldn't make it any more or any less genuine. I agree the post above comparing it to hypnosis, or meditation. Although I've attended churches that encourage meditation (Unity, and "Science of Mind"), people have confided to me that they fake meditation too!

They have you "Put it in the lock box"

In the old Greasespot, or perhaps Waydale, there were threads with estimates of the shrinking cult, but whats the population these days?

I think peoples attempt at unconditional love is what attracted me to TWI. Looking back it was the rank & file believers, not the leadership that exhibited this. Some leadership seemed to practice a sly tricky version that seemed kinda' underhanded & slimy. I honor those who really tried.

I remember my first private reproof session. As the LC was just warming up, I was thinking "What the F$%k is this?" Of course, I'd been in the military and yelled at by real professionals, for things even less significant, so I was easily able to maintain my composure and my identity of self. I'm sure he thought he really gave it to me good, but it was just water off a ducks back. That was the first time I heard the term "Greasespot", it also marked the day I KNEW TWI was a farse. In the end he complimented me for being "Meek", but if he'd been talking to God at all, he would have known I was planning my exit strategy right then and there.

How about a showing with audience participation like "Rocky Horror Picture Show", we could all yell "A$$hole" every time LCM shows his face?

Foot_On_A_Rock, I think the reason I recall those days is that they paralelled the time with my first serious relationship. It was the time of spititual awakening within me...It was a tender time and unfortunately wrapped up in the malestrom that TWI is. I share my heart on line to attempt to help myself and others, not to nitpick anothers journey through life. I wish for nothing but happiness in where ever you choose to fellowship, but for myself TWI is not the way. Don't think for a minute that my life has been hollow, wounded, or devoid of spiritual experience. Quite the reverse. I've had a very fine life, raised a nice family, and had the opportunity to live in some very fine places. I have seen God move, and place his hand upon my life, I believe I am often "In the right place at the right time", to help Him help us. If my life passed away this very day, I would say I had a full satisfying life.

Foot_on_a_rock, actually I wanted badly to really believe, but there were too many inconsistancies, too much fluff and not enough substance for me to take it, "Hook, line & sinker". I tried, I really did, but when I questioned teachings, nicely, with scolarly work , and was rebuked, I realised they knew it was wrong and chose to keep the wrong teaching. At first I was welcomed, & encouraged, used as a positive example. Once I questioned I was cast aside and whispered about. It was then I first heard the term "Greasespot". With TWI you are either "On the bus or "Off the bus", there is little room for thoughtful people, and eventually that is made clear.