To: JON SHIBATA Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 3302 (LIFESPRING) My ex-baoyfriend became extremely in

From: ELIZABETH MOORE
To: JON SHIBATA
Subj: REPLY TO MSG# 3302 (LIFESPRING)

My ex-baoyfriend became extremely involved in Lifespring after a co-worker and
his wife convinced him to attend "the training."  It destroyed our
long-standing relationship, alienated him from his family and friends, caused
him to become a subject of ridicule at his place of employment. They couch the
need for the program in  pseudo-yuppie "be the best that you can be"
materialism.  He went through the basic, intermediate, and LP (Leadership)
training at a cost of somewhere in excess of $2000.  After he completed each
course, he swore that it would be his last..meanwhile the pressure he put on me
to join also was intense.  I thought it was a financial scam, but knew it
employed certain brainwashing techniques that frightened me (I never took the
course, however, did go to one of the free intro sessions because he wasn't
able to recruit enough people to meet his goal).  The whole thing was
incredibly sad and frightening. He underwent a great personality change and
became someone that I didn't even recognize, much less love.  These cults are
destructive...they prey on each person's deep-felt inadequacies. Can't succeed
at your job?  Well, then you need "the training."  Want a true loving
relationship? If you only took "the training" you'd meet the person of your
dreams. For God's sake, want to buy a condo in West LA? Well then by all means,
you need the training...of course we'll syphon off some of that downpayment
money... This organization should be investigated by the District Attorney. As
someone who lost someone I once cared about very deeply...my advice is to
please stay away from anyone who even mentions the words "LifeSpring."