MindBody Mind Body& & Spirit Spirit
THe JOuRNey
5 corss that col
What is it? Th Jorn is a stp-b-stp procss that wors throgh otional lars to gt to a traatic or that’s casing probls, an rlas it. Branon Bas, who’s wor with slf-hlp gr Anthon Robbins, vlop Th Jorn whn hr football-siz tor isappar aftr sing th tchniq. Sh blivs haling otions can also hal th bo. What happ happens ens? Th Jorn Intnsiv is a two-a worshop. Th first is a sinar, listning to th ias bhin Th Jorn an its hart-waring sccss storis, along with inspiring sic, itation itatio n an vn as sag. Thn, with a Jorn practitionr, participants o a gi itation itatio n procss that tas btwn two an for hors. It tas o throgh or
otional lars – for instanc, an otion sch as angr has anothr otion bhin it, li far. Whn o gt to th otion at th hart of ths lars, it oftn corrspons with a chilhoo traa. Th thor is, o can rlas th spprss otion associat with that or, allowing orslf to hal, ntall or phsicall.
Who’s it good for for? Anon who fls thr’s sothing wrong with thir livs, an who wishs to rsolv probls that ar casing ntal or phsical pain. Anthon Robbins has scrib Bas as ‘a rarabl sol’. What’s not to like? What’s So hav criticis Th Jorn for sipl sing stablish NLP tchniqs. Othrs hav qri Branon haling hr own tor, an th iplication that Th Jorn can hal srios illnsss.
The Journey takes you back to the root of problems
Self-help guru Anthony Robbins
What is it? Lanar For is a vlopnt progra that ais to hlp popl ralis happinss an sccss b giving th th abilit to stp otsi thir sal prspctivs. Lanar is not rligios bt has ias that rsonat with Zn Bhis, Hinis, Fr an slf-hlp grs.
ng e c h a f e yo u r l I f If you’re looking for a shift in the way you you feel feel and behave, the answer may lie in a course of self-development or spiritual study. But which to choose? Spii & Dsiy Spii Dsiy investigates five of the most famous
LANdmARk FORum
Founer Branon Bays
‘IT WORked FOR me’ Sylvia, 34, a teacher from Keswick, Cumbria
‘I was always complaining about some ailment or other, and felt dissatisfied with my friends, family and partner. My doctor could only offer antidepressants. Four years ago, I went to a homeopath, who suggested I try The Journey. Initial Initially, ly, I was cynical, as it seemed a bit schmaltzy. But when Brandon Bays started to speak, I was riveted. ‘She explained how when her tumour was discovered, she retreated to detox. Suddenly a childhood memory of violence flashed in front of her – she’d had therapy for this trauma and thought she’d she’d dealt with it. But when she
released the feeling attached to thememo memory, ry, it coincided ncided with her tumour disappearing. ‘During my Journey, the practitioner took me back
years of resentment flooded away from my body. It seemed such a petty trigger for my problems, but I felt on a high afterwards. ‘My friends soon noticed I was happier, and I’ve continued to be content. I now use The Journey to
‘
About 25 year About yearss of of resen resentme tment nt flooded away from my body. I felt on a high afterwards ’
through all my laye through layers rs of feelings to quite a random childhood memory – my mother shouting at me for breaking an ornament. Another child had done it, but I hadn’t said. About 25
help deal with any issues of unhappiness that crop up.’ Want to knoW more? Cll 01656-890400 visi www.hjuy.c. th Juy Isiv css £375.
What happ happens ens? Th thr-a cors catrs for 75-250 popl, an ach a lasts 13 hors. Popl wor for thr to for hors at a ti, an thr’s vn howor howo r ring th bras. Aftrwars, a lar tals o throgh th philosophis bhin Lanar, sch as whn w gt into a isagrnt with soon, w thin that w’r right an crat a prconciv notion that th othr prson is wrong. This crats a istortion, a ‘ract’ that w gt caght p in. Onc w ta rsponsibilit for this fling, w’ll bco happir. Popl ta to th floor to ‘shar’ lif xprincs. Th lar is oftn togh in his assssnts of th: angr, slf-pit t or sorrow can b ‘racts’ prvnting s fro bing happ. Onc participants ralis th racts th’v bn caght p in, th’r ncorag to hal rifts with thir nw-fon nowlg. Who’s it good for Anon who’s issatisfi bt osn’t now wh, or whos rlationships arn’t what th’ li th to b. Nint pr cnt of thos who attn Novelist Lanar For Esther Freu o so aftr
MindBody& Spirit rconation. Novlist esthr Fr has tan a cors.
What’s not to like? Lanarncorags participants to rcrit to th corss, an so of its northoox thos, such as long hours, hav mad critics wary. So accs it of bing a clt. Bt a study by Profss or Raymond Fowlr, x-chif xctiv officr of th Arican Pschological Association, concl Lanar wasn’t a clt.
‘IT WORked FOR me’ Jenny, 37, a meia analyst from Weybrige, Surrey
‘I found myself in a pretty bad place when I was 32. My f iancé left me for another woman, and my mother had attempted suicide just before this. I was feeling very low when a friend recommended Landmark Forum. ‘After the first day, I felt I’d been hit over the head – it was so long. On the secondday, as soon as wewere seated, the group leader came down very hard on us, shouting that we were failures as human beings and disgusting. It genuinely upset me. But just when you start to believe that could be true, we’re reminded that we can be the master of our destiny, if only we change the way we perceive things. ‘By the third day, I found myself making a tearful call to my ex – I never thought I could forgive him, but I found myself asking for his forgiveness! He was a bit bemused, but it eased the bitterness between ‘
We’re reminded that we can be the master of our own destinies ’
us. Taking three days out made me realise the rackets I’d being caught up in – going over and over my ex’s shortcomings and not taking responsibility for myself. ‘I can see why people are mistrustful of Landmark. We’re encouraged to get people to try it – initially, I was a bit of a bore because I kept telling everyone how great Landmark was. But it gave me the push I needed to get out of my negativity. I’m happier as a result.’ Want to knoW more? Cll 020-7969 2020 visi www. ldduci.c. th
THe ALPHA COuRSe What is it? An introction to Christianit sign for thos who hav ha littl or no xposr to th faith. It was vlop at Hol Trinit Bropton chrch in knightsbrig, London, and mor than two million popl hav on th cors in th uk, an 13 illion worlwi.
What happens? Thr ar 15 tings ovr 10 ws, sall hl in th vning. evryon has dinnr, thn th group lar tals for 30 ints abot that vning’s prscrib topic. unrpinning Alpha is th ia thr ar onl thr possibl was to xplain Christ – h was a (l that h was th son of Go); h was ba (aniplating popl for his own ans); or h was who h clai to b (th Son of Go). Christians bliv h
Singer Geri Halliwell
coln’t hav bn a or ba, bcas his tachings a – an a – sch goo oral sns. Aftrwars, thr’s a iscssion, ring which o can bat with th grop’s lar.
Who’s it good for? Anon who fls lif is not all it col b, wonrs abot th ‘big’ qstions (‘Is thr a Go?’) or is crios abot Christianit. Th avrag ag of attns is 27, an an popl co on th avic of a frin. Gri Halliwll is on of an wll-nown popl who’v bn associat with Alpha. What’s not to like? Critics sa Christianit is still antiabortion, anti-ga-sx an against prarital sx, an as sinnrs of popl who o ths things.
THe HOFFmAN PROCeSS
‘IT WORked FOR me’ Hayley, 23, an Alpha coordinator from London
‘A year ago, I had a job in the City and lived the high life – champagne bars, shopping sprees and a good social life. I thought Christians were needy, old or ill. I suppose I was searching spiritually. I’d visit psychics and tarot readers, and often they were accurate, but after a reading, I’d feel empty. ‘My boyfriend started to go to the Holy Trinity Brompton on his parents’ recommendation. I thought it was all rubbish, but when his grandad died, I attended a service to support him. I was surprised at how relevant it felt to me. Someone there mentioned the Alpha course, and, curious, I signed up. It was absorbing. You could say or ask the course leaders anything – they were unshockable. As part of the
can b in th for of ti an volntring. kabbalah as w now it vlop fro Jwish stics and scholars in 1st-cntury Palstin. Its fonrs bliv that nrolog an astrolog can hlp nloc hin spirital scrts devotee hl in Th Ol Tstant. Maonna
course, we went away for the weekend. I had a very profound experience. I felt God and the Holy Spirit. I felt forgiven for all the things other people could not forgive me for. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. ‘I’ve given up working in the City, although many Christians do work there, and now I work for Alpha, bringing Christianity into the workplace. I’m no longer with my boyfriend – but we’re still good friends. I date, but although I used to live a very sexual life, I’ll wait until I’m married to have sex again. ‘Alpha isn’t a 10-step plan – “Do this and you’ll be happy.” It’s about an intimate relationship with God, and through His love, your life becomes transformed. I was fairly content before, but now I’m joyful.’
What happens? dring a 10-w introctor cors call Th Powr of kabbalah, th basic tnts of th philosoph ar taght, as wll as its practical applications in lif, sch as aling with ngativ otions an xtrnal strsss throgh kabbalistic tools. For xapl, concntrating on cars with on of th 72 nas of Go, an corrsponing positiv antra, ar sai to agicall transfor or livs. Powrfl itation tchniqs ar bliv to bring followrs to anothr ral. Tchniqs sch as rsistanc ar taght to hlp in vra lif – this ntails rsisting an iiat otional rspons to strss an forlating a proactiv rspons. On-onon st is also availabl, as is ho st.
Want to knoW more? Cll 0845-644 7544 visi www.u.lph.g. th alph cus is f d.
Who’s it good for? Thos who want to b or flfill spiritall, an anon attract to th stical si of lif. maonna is its ost faos vot.
kABBALAH tools to hlp o in lif. yo also rconnct to th spirital si of lif – ritals ar plo, sch as lighting canls. Thr ar grop tings organis in th ws aftrwars for post-Procss spport.
What is it? Who’s it good for? An intnsiv rsintial prsonal vlopnt It’s ial for thos who’v strggl with otional progra that’s wll-rspct bcas of its goo isss, or fl gnrall nhapp or ‘bloc’, an rslts – stis hav onstrat that it wors for wish to ov on. yo’r assss for sitabilit conitions sch as anxit an prssion. diffrnt bfor going on th cors to chc o’ll b abl tchniqs ar s to nravl pattrns pass own to cop with what it offrs. Wll-nown graats fro parnts, which cas o to bhav in crtain incl Rthi Hnshall an Goli. was. It also tachs nw positiv was to bhav. What’s not to like? What happens? It’s pric, rawing criticis that yo’ll ta part on th ight-a rtrat with btwn th Procss is onl opn to th 20-30 othr popl. What th Procss os is wor ot walth. yo’r rqir to ct which ngativ pattrns hav bn pass on to o orslf off fro th otsi b or parnts, an o ‘xorcis’ thm – by writing, worl for ight as, which as visualising or bating cshions! Thn o go abot so popl nrvos, an Musician forgiving or parnts an ar taght pschological is ipractical for othrs. Golie
The Hoffman Institute’s grouns
Take time out to fin peace within
‘IT WORked FOR me’ Penny, 40, a finance director from King’s Lynn, Norfolk
‘Doing the Hoffman Process was the most positive step I’ve takento becoming content. After years of battling low self-esteem stemming from my dad’s alcoholism, I had to dosomething for my children’s sake, so I signed up for the Process. I struggled over the week, and was in tears a lot. You’d listen to others’ stories and learn about yourself through your interactions with the group. I even lost some weight as I felt too churned up to eat. ‘On the last day, I wasn’t s ure it had “happened” for me, and I felt up and down. But when I got home, I realised I felt more alive and joyful, and my family definitely noticed the difference. I still get bad days, but they don’t last too long. I stay “present” in my emotions, and I’m not scared by them. I feel grateful for the good things in life. It’s like a light has been switched on.’ Want to knoW more? Cll 01903-889990 visi www.hffisiu.c.u. th igh-dy cus css £2,350, icludig full bd d bd.
What is it? kabbalah (which ans rciving) is th stical aspct of Jais, bt o on’t hav to b Jwish to practis it. Cntral to kabbalah is giving to othrs – th ia bing th or o giv, th or you rcivspiritually and matrially. Giving
What’s not to like? Critics hav point ot that onc in th kabbalah fol, vots incr xpnss for boos, corss an kabbalistic Kabbalah paraphrnalia. Traitional Jwish cars can transform scholars isiss kabbalah as your life bing a ‘fals’ faith.
‘IT WORked FOR me’ Miriam, 31, a charity worker from Lonon
‘I was curious about Kabbalah and meals. I started to give, and as went to a meeting at the London a result, I certainly received back. Kabbalah Centre. At first it didn’t ‘For example, I found a therapy seem to make much sense, but then that helpedme with my ME. It I kept thinking about it and booked wasn’t Kabbalah that cured me, myself on a course. As soon as but I feel there was a link between I started studying, I began to feel more at one with myself. I’d had ME for seven years and was virtually ‘ housebound. At times I had no energy and had to use a wheelchair. Plus, I was in and out of hospital. ‘A lot is made of Kabbalah “forcing” people to give up their riches, but that’s not true. It’s me beginning to give of myself about giving of yourself. For me, and at last f inding something that because I had ME, and felt like worked for my ME. Kabbalah I wasn’t much use, I had a huge opened a door. issue of thinking of myself as ‘I’m far more positive and a contributor. At the Kabbalah outward looking as a result of centre, I helped wrap presents for Kabbalah teachings. a homeless shelter, and at Shabbat ‘Our deepest needs are – the Jewish day of rest – serving spiritual, and I think Kabbalah
addresses this, which makes it so powerful. As it happens, I’m from a non-practising Jewish background, but Kabbalah is open to all. ‘There’s this image that Kabbalah is only for the rich, but it attracts people from all walks of life. I have friends here who are teachers and lawyers. My life is much more fulfilled. I’m closer
Our deepest needs are spiritual, and I think Kabbalah addresses this, which makes it so powerful ’
now to my family and friends than I’ve ever been.’ Want to knoW more? Cll 020-7499 4974 visi www.bblh.c/ld. th Pw f kbblh cus css £220 f 10 ws – ch clss lss w hus.
d n o m m u r d B o r , x e r , m o c . a I l o t o f , s I B r o c
S o T o H P r e t
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