So Day 3 was pretty interesting and worth the price of admission. However, Landmark is neither for the weak of mind nor heart. If that doesn't apply to you, then the Forum might be worth your time. I've heard mixed reviews about the Seminar Series that comes free with the fee for the forum and the Advanced Course. The forum's got something for everyone.
Somehow, they seem to have stumbled upon a system that reliably produces an "Aha!" moment for most people. Do this exercise, say these 3 things, etc and blammo! Epiphany! Eureka.
There's something like this in MBA training called the Five Forces Model. You supply all the inputs of info, talk it through and presto -- you see something you didn't see before. A blind spot. Or an opening.
I can see now why people don't talk much about what happens at the Landmark Forum, and just urge you to check it out for yourself. It's not that anything really wacky happens per se. It's that the process is best left untouched so you don't spoil the surprise of discovery for someone else. It's sort of how movie reviews can sometimes tell you so much about the movie you don't want to go -- or the trailer that you can tell has all the best jokes in it.
The feeling one is left with after Day 3 feels to me like when you've cleaned out a junky closet and thrown a whole bunch of stuff away and sorted the rest. It's kind of refreshing. However, I could do with about 50% less of the pushy peer-to-peer marketing stuff. I have a feeling that once the hippie generation retires, Landmark may ease up on that a little. If you just ignore that and try not to get too sucked into that aspect of it, Landmark is kinda cool in how it works.
So what did I get out of it? What's my revelation? See me after the jump...
So what I thought was a minor epiphany was pretty major once I started talking about it. You may know that my father had a massive near-fatal heart attack/stroke when I was 5 and my brother 3 1/2. He spent maybe a year in the hospital and started coming home for weekends and then for good. When he first started coming back, I thought he'd be like he was before. But my lively, animated, funny, engaged father had become a passive, silent, still and angry figure. Of course he was angry. The former professor was paralyzed on the right side of his body and had a vocabulary of 10-20 words. His mental faculties were intact. He had just lost the power of speech and was trapped inside an uncooperative body.
What also got me was that he couldn't say my name or my brother's. I'd been Cheryl or Puddin' or Chocolate Puddin' or Sweetheart or Babydoll. Now my new name was Girl. And my brother was called Boy. Because that's what my father could say.
And I remember how angry and terrible that made me feel. I was also resentful because he could remember my mother's name. He called her Carmen. That just pissed me off even more. Why her and not me or my brother?
We were a close, loving family and so this type of anger and resentment was threatening to family solidarity in a difficult time. My brother and I weren't really allowed to be upset about Daddy's new names for us. We had to make it okay. The feeling of de-humanization and de-individualization-- not such a big deal in the grand scheme of things. But of course -- it had an impact.
All this time, somewhere deep inside, I hadn't let go of this. Hadn't even realized what a defining moment it had been for me. All this time, I'd held on to this part of the story and the anger inside, managing to overlook the following:
1) My father never gave up trying to say our names and 2 years later, I can still remember when he said my name to me again and how it felt. 2 years later. He had that kind of dedication. He was that kind of man.
2) The fact that my father couldn't say my little brother's name meant that he could not say his own name for a couple of years either. They had the same name.
3) The miracle here is that even when he couldn't say his own name, even when there were only a handful of words left in a brain shrouded in his own blood, one name never left him. And that was the name of his bride. That's the power of love.
So, um, did I get my $440 worth? Well, certainly this opened up a whole different conversation among my brother, mother and myself. Even though what my family went through was very painful (which is why I know we have avoided talking about this for so long), there's also some much love and hope to take away from this experience. And I never saw that before until the Forum.
Now, might I have arrived in this same place at some point? Maybe over the next 10 or 20 years. So I'm grateful to have gotten there sooner rather than later.
I did the Landmark Forum a long time ago and it looks like Landmark Education finally listened to its customers and you can now watch introduction to The Landmark Forum online and choose whether or not to attend with out any pressure at all. It is definitely worth checking out: www.landmarkforumintro.com and you can e-mail the link to anyone you think might be interested.
Posted by: Michael | August 14, 2007 at 02:54 PM
Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more.
Posted by: jordan retro 4 | July 05, 2010 at 03:02 AM
This is definitely a blog worth following. Youve got a great deal to say about this subject, and so much knowledge. I think that you know how to make people listen to what you have to say, especially with an issue thats so important. Im glad to know this blog. Two big thumbs up, man!
Posted by: Puma shoes | July 12, 2010 at 05:02 AM
What a fun pattern! It's great to hear from you and see what you've sent up to. All of the projects look great! You make it so simple to this.Thanks!
Posted by: Chanel Bags | July 14, 2010 at 03:19 AM
Seeing your post come accorss in the online,form it remind me a large number of languge knowledge.Thank you.
Posted by: Supra Dixon | July 21, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Life have happy and angry, my shoes have good and bad too. Everything have two sides. we choose happy more, the same as we choose a pair of good shoes suited to me.http://www.obhandbags.com/
Posted by: Juicy Couture Handbags | July 25, 2010 at 10:13 PM
Nice job and good work.It is a Great website that i have ever seen.You guys awesome.The information from your blog is precisely wonderful, and your blog design is beautiful. It is so great that i can find the website.
Posted by: Supra TK Society | August 05, 2010 at 09:14 PM
Your literary grace intoxicating! It is not bear to forget! Fascinated by your blog! Well you can make friends?
Posted by: puma shoes | August 06, 2010 at 08:21 PM
wow your photos look amazing and great! excellent advert. it even makes me want to start stitching. and yah, i would totally rather buy a red needle, so when it drops on the floor i can see it!
Posted by: Asics shoes | August 08, 2010 at 10:24 PM
You'd think they would be able to figure out that since I already have both a Visa and a Mastercard with them I'm unlikely to need another card from them. You'd also think that since I have never ever run a balance I'm an unlikely candidate for one
Our store offers youall kinds of favourite products like Jordan Retro 1
Posted by: Jordan 11 | August 16, 2010 at 09:48 PM
If you are in uncomfortable position and have got no cash to get out from that, you will require to receive the loan. Because that will help you definitely. I take short term loan every single year and feel good just because of that.
Posted by: MORTONMay19 | September 25, 2010 at 09:14 PM
yes you are right!
Posted by: Air Jordans | November 11, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Green Leaf is excellent, imo.
Posted by: nike air max | November 12, 2010 at 04:20 AM
I want to bring out the secrets of nature and apply them for the happiness of man . I don't know of any better service to offer for the short time we are in the world .
Posted by: air jordans | November 12, 2010 at 10:00 PM
*Good health, like air, is essential to human beings!*
Posted by: air jordan | November 15, 2010 at 10:43 PM
LALA....BECAUSE OF YOU...GO GO GO TO THE HAPPY HOME.O(∩_∩)O~
Posted by: Air Jordan 13 | January 20, 2011 at 02:56 AM
Wow, that you are astounding. I've been subsequent parts of this exceptionally strict schooling regimen and I didn't even know! I have to be a all-natural...no wonder I glimpse and experience amazing so much from the time. It is difficult being this awesome isn't it?
Posted by: Coach Bags | February 25, 2011 at 07:40 PM
All of the projects look great! You make it so simple to this.Thanks!
Posted by: ClubPenguinCheats | March 23, 2011 at 04:11 AM
This is a good topic, I like it. Profound knowledge of the course,
I also admire. It let me know more, enriched my knowledge. I should
thank him, of course, he must also spend a lot of energy and time,
I like this article, thank you!
Posted by: Gucci shoes wholesale | April 09, 2011 at 06:09 AM
I usually don�t post in Blogs but your blog forced me to, amazing work.. beautiful �
Posted by: Kid Express Doris | April 28, 2011 at 07:39 AM
VRy interesting to read it :P :D
Posted by: Satchels | June 01, 2011 at 07:35 AM
Very good web page, where did you come up while using the info in this piece? I’m pleased I discovered it although, ill be checking back soon to see what other posts you might have.
Posted by: cheap oakley holbrook | June 02, 2011 at 10:50 AM
My friendS told me that this blog is competitive. i will continue to read.
http://www.nfljerseysmalls.com
Posted by: discount jerseys | June 04, 2011 at 04:10 AM
Interesting article. Were did you got all the information from... :)
Posted by: Carry Ons | June 07, 2011 at 11:34 AM
お世話になります
Posted by: カード現金化 | June 15, 2011 at 02:55 AM