tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post114339576930182147..comments2023-10-09T22:44:56.500-07:00Comments on WHAT enlightenment??!: A Call To Action And A Letter To Bill O’ReillyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-64875625753072378642012-01-27T18:17:32.149-08:002012-01-27T18:17:32.149-08:00whale hears the thing ladies and gents =
" ....whale hears the thing ladies and gents =<br /><br />" . . is it all just “crazy wisdom” or maybe a guy with a god complex who still harbors ill will toward his mommy? Nobody knows.<br /><br />Nobody really knows."<br /><br />true true ~ nobody nose BUTT if it walks like a duck, smells like a taco, and dances like a hooker it probably is one.themeanderingmushroommanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06306475296407734732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1153433776763635092006-07-20T15:16:00.000-07:002006-07-20T15:16:00.000-07:00A. Cohen is a vampire, a fraud, and he clearly rep...A. Cohen is a vampire, a fraud, and he clearly represents a serious danger to naive and gullible spiritual seekers.<BR/><BR/>Clearly, as evidenced in previous comments, even some of his now ex-followers are so "messed-up" that they care not, nor are they willing to do anything about preventing other unfortunate souls from straying into his sinister web.<BR/><BR/>It is sad and even disgusting, that such people would continue to foolishly defend an individual such as A. Cohen who has manipulated and abused so many. <BR/><BR/>What is the matter with such people? Why have they left Cohen, but then still excuse and defend him? They are just as complicit as he is if they try to excuse, rationalize, justify, or defend, or even simply turn their heads and ignore Cohen's twisted actions, manipulations, and personal abuses to them and others.<BR/><BR/>A. Cohen is just as manipulative, deceiptful, and as dangerous as was the likes of Charlie Manson, Jim Jones, Franklin "Bubba Free" Jones (Adi Da), Sai Baba, the Hare Krishna cult murderers, the Sant Mat cult gurus, and more recently the new guru-couple: Bhagavan Kalki & Amma.<BR/><BR/>This A. Cohen character should be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. He should be jailed and sued for libel, and his cult dis-banded. He is a fraud and a vile disgrace to the great tradition of true esoteric spirituality and mysticism.<BR/><BR/>One of my oldest best friends just happens to be the brother of Brit Hume of Fox News. I am referring this entire case to him personally to pass on to FOX, Bill O'Reilly, etc. etc.<BR/><BR/>PO'ed Old Man, rest assured that this sob A. Cohen's guru days are numbered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1149230439489946182006-06-01T23:40:00.000-07:002006-06-01T23:40:00.000-07:00It says Andrew got paid $52,000/year.Hardly what I...It says Andrew got paid $52,000/year.<BR/><BR/>Hardly what I call 'living like a billionaire'.<BR/><BR/>Probably as much money PO'ed man makes off of Social Security.<BR/><BR/>And one more thing that has been missing.... <BR/><BR/>Where is PO'ed's daughter? If she is so messed up she should be on here giving her account. Instead, its some protective grandfather breathing fire, who thinks that O'Reilly 'No Spin Zone' is good media, and is using the usual 'Im a veteran' argument.<BR/><BR/>I wonder why she didn't talk to him for five years. He's probably an old republican coot. <BR/><BR/>I actually empathize for her. Now she is probably surrounded by people who definitely cannot relate to her after five years with Andrew Cohen's spiritual community.<BR/><BR/>This guy's idea of spirituality is probably watching sunday night football.<BR/><BR/>my cynical two-cents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1144858448350384692006-04-12T09:14:00.000-07:002006-04-12T09:14:00.000-07:00So, we should determine where the extorted money w...So, we should determine where the extorted money will do the least mischief and act accordingly?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1144803108679889902006-04-11T17:51:00.000-07:002006-04-11T17:51:00.000-07:00> Looking at the revenues > collected by Andrew an...> Looking at the revenues <BR/>> collected by Andrew and Jeffery <BR/>> Carraria, one wonders why a <BR/>> dedicated worker putting in 35 <BR/>> to 45 hours per week gets paid <BR/>> $0. <BR/><BR/>If someone is working for free, and doesn't have a gun to his or her head, I don't feel it's much of my concern. Let the person decide for himself what to give, what to negotiate for in return.<BR/><BR/>Let the information and opinions flow freely, but don't force anyone to do or refrain from doing what they want. Where's the need to "bring Andrew down"? Why? Anyone who doesn't want to be under his thumb can decide to do so for themselves.<BR/><BR/>If you crusade to the IRS to take Andrew's money, I have absolutely no faith at all that the government will do any less mischief with it than Andrew. Likely, a whole lot more mischief.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143835528678849032006-03-31T12:05:00.000-08:002006-03-31T12:05:00.000-08:00Gee, Cathy Snow is sure getting used. Looking at ...Gee, Cathy Snow is sure getting used. Looking at the revenues collected by Andrew and Jeffery Carraria, one wonders why a dedicated worker putting in 35 to 45 hours per week gets paid $0. I see by looking at the previous Guidestar financial docs that she has never been paid. Wonder if she has been thanked? Wonder why Andrew and Jeffery don't donate their time and efforts to the cause? Looking at the dollars and cents aspect of this story leaves me feeling disgusted.<BR/>Guess the fact that she is just a "woman" makes it easy to use her and abuse her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143729006187941292006-03-30T06:30:00.000-08:002006-03-30T06:30:00.000-08:00I definitely hope he will hear you out and spin th...I definitely hope he will hear you out and spin this guy. You are right, it is a disgrace.Nunziahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07201789717250578040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143654137622256442006-03-29T09:42:00.000-08:002006-03-29T09:42:00.000-08:00With regards to the comment about being 'sick'...T...With regards to the comment about being 'sick'...The Man said, remove th log from your own eye, before removing the splinter from the other persons.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143644952445516252006-03-29T07:09:00.000-08:002006-03-29T07:09:00.000-08:00Open letter to Enlightennext Inc Board DirectorsNo...Open letter to Enlightennext Inc Board Directors<BR/><BR/>Non Profit 22-2951275<BR/><BR/>Impersonal Enlightenment Fellowship Inc<BR/>850 Summer Street<BR/>Lee MA 01238<BR/>Lenox MA<BR/><BR/>Andrew Cohen<BR/>Cathy Snow<BR/>Robert Voss<BR/>Jeffrey Carreria<BR/>Gerard Senai<BR/><BR/>The Board directors of Impersonal Enlightenment Fellowship Inc are by definition fiduciaries, this is a legal duty that takes precedence over the narrower roles you may also play within the community of Andrew Cohen.<BR/><BR/>As fiduciaries, you are each responsible for setting the strategic direction and policies for Enlightennext to achieve its mission .<BR/><BR/>You represent Elightennext Inc to the public and are answerable to it. <BR/>Unlike any volunteer, advisor or special-interest member, you are "legally" <BR/>accountable for the effective and appropriate use of the nonprofit’s monetary and human resources and for the health, sustainability, and vitality of the organization.<BR/><BR/>Because of your special responsibilities, fiduciaries are called upon to ask the difficult questions and to make hard, even unpopular decisions.<BR/><BR/>It is the board that may have to prompt the executive director to consider budgetary cuts, to shift direction to meet changing community needs, or to think more strategically about potential growth opportunities. It is the board that is legally responsible for ensuring that Elightennext is forfilling its legal and statutary obligations as a registered non profit organisation.<BR/><BR/>It is the board that must decide to ask an executive director to step aside.<BR/><BR/>Fiduciaries are also responsible for the board’s own health, effectiveness, and sustainability. A well-organized, engaged board can carry out its oversight duties effectively, while a dysfunctional or passive board cannot.<BR/><BR/>Part of the board’s role then, is to structure itself appropriately, recruit and replenish its membership, orient new members to their critical role as fiduciaries, train and develop its leaders, and provide for succession planning.<BR/><BR/>The board, too, may need to decide to ask its board chair to step down, an under-performing board member to resign, or to revamp its board’s governance or committee structure to meet changing needs.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately, a director is more than just a volunteer, or advisor, an ambassador or advocate. Although these roles are all important, they are only pieces of the overall charge – as a fiduciary on behalf of the public.<BR/><BR/><BR/>The board must – first and foremost – be able to recognize and describe its accountability, asking the questions: How does our organization define its community? Who is our constituency? Who are we accountable to? Any member of the public may ask you for this information<BR/><BR/>Why ask these particular questions first? In an alarming study of boards in New York and Connecticut published in The Nonprofit Quarterly (Summer 2002), Judith Miller found that when nonprofit board members were asked about their perspectives on accountability, over 70% of them believed that they were accountable only to their fellow board members, or to no one at all.<BR/><BR/>Miller also addressed the “dual ownership” responsibility that nonprofit boards have: board members have both a legal responsibility to discharge a public benefit/purpose, and an ethical obligation to meet the expectations of those on whose behalf the organization exists. John Carver, one of the founders of the more traditional policy-governance model, uses the term “moral ownership” to describe this dual role. How can a board assume “moral ownership” if it is not clear who, in fact, it is accountable to?<BR/><BR/>May I sugesst that in this regard both members and ex members still share "moral ownership" of Elightennext Inc. Further that as Board Members you expected to determine Elightenext Inc's policies and procedures . They are the safety steps you take to ensure your ultimate service works smoothly. <BR/>Without them, if anything goes wrong , you can expect your critics to look for your policies and procedures — and to blame the board if they are not in place.<BR/><BR/>So what kind of policies and procedures should you have? Although they will vary somewhat according to the size and type of organization, here are some<BR/>suggestions:<BR/><BR/>Board policies<BR/>Board job descriptions<BR/>Board self-evaluation<BR/>Board nomination process<BR/>Conflict of interest policy<BR/>Confidentiality policy<BR/>Personnel policies<BR/>Hiring and firing policies<BR/>Harassment policies<BR/>Whistleblower policy<BR/>Conflict of interest and confidentiality policies Others Document destruction policy Code of Ethics<BR/><BR/>I request that these policies be published immediately and for you to advise the owners http://whatenlightenment.blogspot.com of their location so that interested parties and members of the public may view these documents. <BR/>Please send these documents to whatenlightenment@hotmail.com<BR/><BR/><BR/>The conflict of interest policies are especially important.<BR/><BR/>These policies will help avoid intermediate sanctions penalties — and the headlines of your local paper or people like Bill Oreilly taking an interest in your affairs. The IRS considers these policies so important that it now requires organizations seeking tax-exemption to submit conflict of interest policies along with their Forms 1023.<BR/><BR/>Significant and serious allegations have been raised with respect to the proper conduct by directors of Enlightennext Inc of their fiduciary responsibilities. We ask those directors to respond to those concerns or we seek the investigation of the Attorney General so that the public may be satisfied as to the proper operation of Impersonal Enlightenment Fellowship Inc.<BR/><BR/>A public charity is an entity that is nonprofit, which has a primary purpose to provide assistance or service benefiting an indefinite portion of the public other than the nonprofit's own membership. In addition to philanthropic organizations and foundations, a few examples of public charities include nonprofit hospitals, universities and schools, churches, social service providers, museums, cultural organizations, and youth sports organizations.<BR/><BR/>Charities provide vital services in our communities. They also enjoy certain benefits due to their tax exempt status, and assume certain obligations as a result of those benefits.<BR/><BR/>The Attorney General's responsibility to represent the public interest in the proper use and solicitation of charitable funds includes the authority to take steps, including lawsuits, to ensure that charities are meeting donors' expectations, that charitable donations are not diverted or wasted, and that charities are acting as responsible stewards of their assets. The Attorney General's authority includes protecting the public from both fraudulent or deceptive fund-raising practices and the misapplication of donated funds. In addition, the Attorney General has authority to ensure that charity officials fulfill their fiduciary duties of loyalty to the charity and of due care in properly seeing that the charities carry out their mission.<BR/><BR/>As such I have copied this email to David Capeless District Attorney and representative of the Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly . We are seeking that the Attorney General make further investigations so that ascertain whether this non profit is being properlyu conducted according to law.<BR/><BR/>Att David Capeless<BR/>District Attorney<BR/>OFFICE ADDRESS: 7 North Street<BR/>P.O. Box 1969<BR/>Pittsfield, MA 01202-1969<BR/>PHONE: (413) 443-5951<BR/>FAX: (413) 499-6349<BR/><BR/>Hal please publish this letter it has been sent to the Attorney General Tom Reilly , District Attorney David Copeless, Enlightennext Inc Directors (Andrew Cohen,Cathy Snow,Robert Voss,Jeffrey Carreria,Gerard Senai) and Fox Television (Bill Oreilly)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143575908987567762006-03-28T11:58:00.000-08:002006-03-28T11:58:00.000-08:00To the poster who seems to think Andrew is Jesus, ...To the poster who seems to think Andrew is Jesus, and this blog is run by Roman persecutors:<BR/><BR/>What is "sick?"<BR/><BR/>What is sick is letting a serial abuser like Andrew continue his abuse without speaking out<BR/><BR/>What is sick is not warning others when someone who pretends to be a spiritual teacher is an authoritarian manipulator and exploiter<BR/><BR/>What is sick is not stopping the insanity and cruelty by Cohen that has been amply documented on this blog, but instead enabling it by your silence and inaction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143575463907333852006-03-28T11:51:00.000-08:002006-03-28T11:51:00.000-08:00The previous post compared Jesus with Andrew. This...The previous post compared Jesus with Andrew. This is the fundamental illusion here. Spirituality is about calling a spade spade.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143571082152289692006-03-28T10:38:00.000-08:002006-03-28T10:38:00.000-08:00It seems to me that in order to legally stop Andre...It seems to me that in order to legally stop Andrew Cohen, you’d have to have proof that he did something to break the law.<BR/><BR/>For instance, if someone voluntarily gives his organization money, I don’t think there’s much that can be done about it (except to expose him on web sites such as this).<BR/><BR/>I’m guessing that he keeps his finances in good order and everything is accounted for according to his status as a non-profit.<BR/><BR/>But what about the physical assaults? If several people took him to court for the face slapping and throwing of paint, and there were witnesses, then maybe he could be charged. I don’t know, I’m not a lawyer, but I’m guessing that’s a possibility.<BR/><BR/>Bill O’Reilly probably wouldn’t touch it unless there’s hard evidence. A person in this country is innocent until proven guilty. At this point, aren’t all of the allegations against Andrew hearsay?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143566623962552372006-03-28T09:23:00.000-08:002006-03-28T09:23:00.000-08:00Some of you would have been the ones standing at t...Some of you would have been the ones standing at the side of the road, in Jerusalem, 2000 years ago, shouting 'crucify him', and P O'ed old man would have been one of the supporters of the Roman Empire trying to stir things up, without a stitch of true love in his heart...p.o.ed because of his granddaughter...otherwise probably not even giving a hoot...is it fair that one grumpy old man looking at things from a particular viewpoint should cause so much trouble? And, remember that this blog is made up of former Cohen people, and that virtually anytime anyone with something positive to say has come on, he/she has been attacked. This whole thing is disgusting, cynical, narrow-minded, and undignified. It makes me sad, because I have spent so much of my time believing that we, the 'spiritual seekers' really want something different for this troubled world. Maybe Cohen isn't the answer, but neither is this. Is P.O.ed old man now the leader of the righteous brigade taht will correct our wrongs and establish a wonderful new and just world? And, will Hal then feel satisfied that he got in the last word, rather than his former Master? Sick, sick stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143562496913873042006-03-28T08:14:00.000-08:002006-03-28T08:14:00.000-08:00For those who haven't noticed the link at the bott...For those who haven't noticed the link at the bottom of the main post, there's an interesting discussion about current events here on Jody's always interesting and enlightening blog <A HREF="http://guruphiliac.blogspot.com/2006/03/will-right-wing-come-after-cohen.html" REL="nofollow">Guruphiliac</A>. Jody is a bit critical of this blog's apparent running with O'Reilly fan rabble rousing. (Jody, like a good jnani, has an interesting but critical perspective on most things).<BR/><BR/>Anyway, as I couldn't help saying on the subject over at <A HREF="http://guruphiliac.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Guruphiliac</A>, although I usually try to stay as far away from the cliche zone as the spin zone, sometimes strange times make strange bedfellows, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend.<BR/><BR/>And, Paula, there would be a lovely irony to have Cohen--who is reported to have supported Bush's invasion of Iraq and to have disparaged students who did not as being wimpy bleeding heart liberals virally infected with the "mean green meme"--spun dry on high by O'Reilly.<BR/><BR/>Personally, I'd rather rhumba with Red Emma than tango with O'Reilly, but a girl can't always dictate who signs her dance card.dharmacloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04553435403371336386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143551635992103942006-03-28T05:13:00.000-08:002006-03-28T05:13:00.000-08:00In response to Barry and others who object to some...In response to Barry and others who object to some of the more recent tone on What Enlightenment?, I wonder how they would expect the dialog to progress. The critics of this new tone of “blood baths” and “public ridicule” would have us instead confine ourselves to private letters to Cohen and company, or to refraining from calls for Cohen’s public censure. Where will the cautious, civil approach lead us? Is Cohen really going to respond meaningfully to “careful, honest, respectful” letters written to him in confidence? Really, are we to wait for that, when in 20 years he has not once taken any criticism to heart and apologized and changed any of his ways?<BR/><BR/>Yes there is a calling here to “incite public ridicule”, but isn't the general public the arena we all have to live in, and live by? The issue of Andrew is much bigger than just a family feud, which we should all keep confidential and under wraps. In fact it is the "family" aspect that Andrew has used successfully all these years to keep everyone quiet and allow him to carry on without any monitor on his terrible ways. <BR/><BR/>So if things do get pretty ugly, and publicly so, isn't this just a part of the inevitable process of throwing open the blinds and letting the light of day into what had been a dark chamber of private horrors? Isn't this kind of secrecy what an abuser uses to protect himself, and keep on doing what he likes, year after year?<BR/><BR/>No, let's let all the laundry out to dry, publicly. It's the only way to stop any serial abuser I've ever heard of.<BR/> <BR/>And I have to say that my goal in all this is more than just some personal resolution and personal peace of mind, my goal is to see the serial abuse come to a complete stop. Full Stop.<BR/> <BR/>A former studentAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143535543719494142006-03-28T00:45:00.000-08:002006-03-28T00:45:00.000-08:00Dear Friends old and newI have resisted posting an...Dear Friends old and new<BR/><BR/>I have resisted posting anything on this blog until now, since although I understand from my own experience (15 years as a student of Andrew’s) how important it is to be able to freely discuss everything that happened within his community so that we might find our inner peace again, I have often been really ill at odds with the brickbats flying from all sides on the blog. And never more so than now. I am shuddering at where this is all leading, and I heartily agree with Barry, in that I have no wish to see Andrew “go down”. And in answer to Hal’s last posting, it is one thing to cast light on all the really heavy things we went through in Andrew’s community, so that others can be forewarned and go in with their eyes wide open, but it is entirely another to heap destructive vengeance upon it. Although I can’t speak for others, I think it’s a safe bet to say that most of us former students feel the same way. After all, surely it was being sickened by such “eye for an eye” mentality which spurred us on to follow the spiritual path in the first place?<BR/><BR/>It seems no coincidence to me that this sudden aggressive change of tone has come in the wake of one of the most beautiful and striking postings I’ve read on the blog – that of Roberta. You didn’t have to agree with everything she said in that posting (I for one, didn’t) to be hit by the radiant spirit shining through. Everything in me was crying, “Yes, yes, yes!” to that wonderful spirit. God knows, Roberta has faced it all in that community, and had more than her fair share of grovelling in the deep dark holes, and to hear her speak in that liberated way made sense of everything which has gone before. Yes, we have all gone through incredible challenges and suffering, disillusionment, anger, intense guilt and shame, so much guilt and shame, driven to the edge of real insanity, and it has taken me nearly four years to rediscover that inner peace which I felt so blessed to have been graced with during my happier times as Andrew’s student. I was horrified to read Mario’s piece about Caroline – I wept and wept when I read it. Then again, equally horrified to read Stas’s revelation about Vimala Thakar’s letter to Andrew in which it became clear that she did not support Andrew’s demoralising treatment of us women. This particularly drove a knife through my heart, since I was one of the band of women Andrew took to meet Vimala when we all disgraced ourselves in such a victimised and hopelessly pathetic way, and lost in my own neurosis, I never recovered from this crazy meeting.<BR/><BR/>And there is more that I have heard since which has made my heart shrink and quiver, yet, and I say, yet, there is that place always alive and moving inside every one of us which genuinely is untouched by all of it, and it is that which Roberta shared with us in her beautiful writing. It is the place Andrew spoke about when he captured our hearts, and it is the place which sages the world over are speaking about. And I share with Roberta her sense that even though we have all been to hell and back, there is a whole incredible world out here outside Andrew’s community and we are all an intricate part of it. We don’t need to hang our heads in shame, we are not burning in hell (as I thought for two long and painful years that I was), and thus we do not need blame and vengeance to become whole. <BR/><BR/>Wouldn’t that right all the perceived wrongs if we who have left Andrew’s community were all able to stand united as sane, whole, loving human beings, living with true independence in Oneness?<BR/><BR/>With Much Love to you all,<BR/>Paula<BR/><BR/>paula.hollings@freeuk.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143511031885162182006-03-27T17:57:00.000-08:002006-03-27T17:57:00.000-08:00I applaud the old man and wonder about all of us w...I applaud the old man and wonder about all of us who still uphold a belief that spirituality is somehow above humanity, that spiritual charity, whose objective is to educate people and advance human evolution, should somehow be left unchallenged and allowed to continue with its criminal tactics of mental and physical abuse, deceit, lies and extortion, leaving in its wake human casualties instead of human victories.<BR/><BR/>Dragan<BR/>solray@btopenworld.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143505624566784742006-03-27T16:27:00.000-08:002006-03-27T16:27:00.000-08:00Hello,I wanted to drop you a line after reading th...Hello,<BR/>I wanted to drop you a line after reading through your blog. I found it shocking, disheartening, honest, forthright, and very necessary.<BR/> <BR/>I don't know Andrew Cohen and have never been a student of his in any fashion. However, I did have a very powerful "awakening" experience a few years ago and have struggled to integrate and make sense of that experience since then. To a certain extent I can empathize with Andrew -- I know that these kind of experiences can be very profound and charged with a certain degree of luminosity. Having others around who validate or inflate that profoundness can make it all the more difficult to come back down to earth. Yet, even an "enlightened" human being is still a human being and it's important for any sincere seeker to be aware of that. You have done a service for seekers everywhere.<BR/> <BR/>Regards,<BR/>TessaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143502628034973882006-03-27T15:37:00.000-08:002006-03-27T15:37:00.000-08:00I'm sorry but I think the actions of Andrew have ...I'm sorry but I think the actions of Andrew have gone way beyond the realm of polite dialogue--physical assaults, pouring paint over a student, confining students to rooms painted with "blood," demanding large "contributions" for "karmic debts", psychologically traumatizing an elderly woman leading to her death, psychologically traumatizing a fragile woman leading to her suicide attempt--the list of abusive conduct goes on and on.<BR/><BR/>It is hard to fathom the depths to which the situation sunk--and that we were part of it! But, as is said, it is the truth that will set us free. I think we who can see what has happened and what is happening have a duty to warn others and stop the deception. The point isn't to "embarass" anyone--it is to warn and prevent further harm. I applaud those who are brave enough to put themselves on the line and try to stop the deceit and abuse.Halhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06673589586433735208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143501709973706892006-03-27T15:21:00.000-08:002006-03-27T15:21:00.000-08:00I have to agree with Barry. I am pretty disturbed ...I have to agree with Barry. I am pretty disturbed by what's taking place on this blog right now. Like Barry, I don't support many of the actions that have been described here on this blog that have taken place in Cohen's community. I have done so by addressing my concerns via letters and dialogue with Andrew and members of the community. They have responded and there is a dialogue is taking place in both directions, carefully, honestly and respectfully when and where possible.<BR/>It seems that this blog now jumps to support spilling blood and at attempts to take the situation down around Andrew. Yuk!<BR/>Headlining Pissed Off Old Man's efforts to go to Bill O'Reilly? Please! With all due respect to PO'd Old Man's, I thought this blog had a little more sophistication in its discourse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143499266419437852006-03-27T14:41:00.000-08:002006-03-27T14:41:00.000-08:00I've got to respond and say that I seriously objec...I've got to respond and say that I seriously object to the tone and intent of the recent posts by Aaron and PO'd Old Man. Free exchange of information, experience and opinions is one thing. Attempts to create a media scandal and incite widespread public ridicule cross the line as being vicious and petty. I feel these posts also color this blog with quite a different tone (in a negative sense) than has been expressed up until now. <BR/><BR/>Without defending any of the actions that have taken place, I just have to say that whether you like them or not, actions within the community cannot be understood or judged without understanding the context within which those actions take place. <BR/><BR/>Barry Gross<BR/>gross.barry@gmail.comBarryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11359020659559597991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143488590374550472006-03-27T11:43:00.000-08:002006-03-27T11:43:00.000-08:00Ok, we’re not all going to agree on Bill O’Reilly,...Ok, we’re not all going to agree on Bill O’Reilly, who is undoubtedly controversial in his own right. But the point here is to expose Andrew Cohen for his corrupt and abusive practices, so let each do what they find is most effective. <BR/><BR/>I have just sent the following letter to several of the media in my area. Feel welcome to use it or modify it as needed. <BR/>- a reader<BR/><BR/><BR/>Dear Editor,<BR/>(magazine, newspaper or TV station)<BR/><BR/>There is a growing controversy swirling around a western Massachusetts guru named Andrew Cohen, accused of authoritarian physical and psychological abuse and financial exploitation of his followers. His organization is called EnlightenNext and is located at the 220 acre Foxhollow estate in Lenox MA. <BR/><BR/>Recently, reports have emerged of a former student’s attempted suicide and the death of an elderly woman several years ago both linked to psychological trauma and harassment at the hands of Cohen and his group. Numerous reports exist of the use of physical force and intimidation, humiliation and mind control techniques on disciples, and the use of high pressure techniques, including ostracization, guilt and the threat of further abuse to extract large financial “contributions.” Many students have fled the group’s Lenox compound in the middle of the night. One heiress was “persuaded” to lie to her family in order to make the $2 Million contribution that made purchase of the Foxhollow estate possible, and later fled to escape further abuse. Former students have gradually been revealing the depths of disturbing authoritarianism and manipulation hidden behind the group’s slick and sophisticated “evolutionary consciousness” veneer.<BR/> <BR/>(It is a coincidence that Foxhollow is located only a block from the former estate of the Bible Speaks Church, where the famous trials occurred in the 1980’s over undue duress being applied to donors of that commune. The donor won her case.)<BR/> <BR/>To date almost no publications have covered Andrew Cohen and his organization, except for some fawning press arranged by Cohen’s active PR department. Yet this controversy is now reaching a boiling point – wouldn’t you want to be actively involved in covering this important breaking story? <BR/> <BR/>There is a website covering this controversy, published by ex-students of Cohen’s, called WHAT enlightenment? This blog contains many well documented stories of abuse, including physical assaults, financial extortion, and extreme psychological abuse. <BR/><BR/>http://www.whatenlightenment.blogspot.com/<BR/>and also http://essentialwhatenlightenment.blogspot.com/<BR/> <BR/> <BR/>I feel that this is a very important emerging story that your media outlet would do well to cover in detail.<BR/> <BR/>Sincerely,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143480406154740442006-03-27T09:26:00.000-08:002006-03-27T09:26:00.000-08:00I, for one, think his being brought down by the fa...I, for one, think his being brought down by the fallout from his organization's financial practices is just fine! Anyone who has kept up with this blog knows how destructive this man has become. He apparently carries on with impunity like a power-drunk, sadistic dictator, and has very likely ruined, or at least damaged lives over the years. This activity should be sanctioned under not for profit status? I don't think so!<BR/><BR/>However - speaking of "abuse and exploitation" - Bill O'Reilly???<BR/>Jees! Talk about power mad, narcissists! I do think a more suitable rep to spearhead this whole thing might be found. I wouldn't trust BO'R any more that I would AC!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143477602844547102006-03-27T08:40:00.000-08:002006-03-27T08:40:00.000-08:00The Problem with GurusHere’s an interesting dilemm...The Problem with Gurus<BR/><BR/>Here’s an interesting dilemma regarding all of the back-and-forth about the voracity of Andrew Cohen’s enlightenment.<BR/><BR/>Nobody knows if Andrew Cohen is enlightened, except—maybe—Andrew Cohen himself.<BR/><BR/>Nobody really knows what Andrew’s intentions are, or if he is really doing good on such a grand scheme and we are just too dumb and too far down on the Spiral Dynamic food chain to figure it out.<BR/><BR/>With spiritual gurus, we are always at square one. Do they know anything, are they frauds, is it all just “crazy wisdom” or maybe a guy with a god complex who still harbors ill will toward his mommy? Nobody knows.<BR/><BR/>Nobody really knows.<BR/><BR/>So, that leads us back to practical solutions. Maybe Andrew Cohen is enlightened, but we don’t know. Here’s the thing, though. We can follow the chain of evidence in terms of the legitimacy of things he is involved in that aren’t part of the enlightened universe. Okay, maybe he is a master on the spiral dynamic food chain, but he still runs a business, and last time I checked, businesses don’t obey the rules of Andrew Cohen’s universe. Does being enlightened also mean you are required to run a fraudulent business model? Is part of it that you are required to drive fancy cars, wear lots of cheesy looking vests, play extravagant drum solos and extort money from your disciples?<BR/><BR/>I’m just asking. Many people obviously care a lot about Andrew even after he has sliced and diced them and thrown them out with next morning’s garbage. Despite Andrew’s claims that enlightenment is “impersonal” and that your history doesn’t matter, a lot of his ex-followers still care about “poor” Andrew’s history and personal care. They don’t want to cause him unnecessary discomfort. Too bad for them, these feelings aren’t mutual. Too bad for them, Andrew will hang them out to dry and then laugh at their misfortune. Just a few more cases of collateral damage on the road to group evolution.<BR/><BR/>My point is this. Look at the evidence. Maybe he is enlightened. He can be enlightened in jail. He can be enlightened working at a grocery store like thousands of other regular people who do just fine working at grocery stores or other menial jobs. Can’t Andrew handle coming down to earth like everyone else?<BR/><BR/>I have read a great deal of Osho’s discourses and books. My teacher studied directly under Osho (Bhagwan Rajneesh). He was at least as controversial a figure as Cohen and yet his words resonate with me. I believe he offered something to my teacher and therefore myself.<BR/><BR/>But I am glad Osho’s group fell apart and I am glad that at least one of his disciples went to prison. At the end of the day, his report card on the physical plane stunk to high heaven. His movement was utterly corrupt. <BR/><BR/>Like any extremist group, Andrew Cohen’s gang of fools will also bite the dust. And when they do, it isn’t going to matter to me whether or not he or any of the others are enlightened. <BR/><BR/>It might make a difference to Andrew. Because when the shit hits the fan and he ends up relatively alone, he’ll finally be left facing the truth about himself.<BR/><BR/>-Aarongnizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18043750358888135458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8775078.post-1143467563233910172006-03-27T05:52:00.000-08:002006-03-27T05:52:00.000-08:00Let me just reiterate the point: The only way Coh...Let me just reiterate the point: The only way Cohen is going to be taken down is if he cooked his books, lied about qualifying as a non-profit, or is proven to have extorted money as is claimed on this blog.<BR/>I personally have no vested interest in him being taken down, aside from the fact that I find his stated views to be utterly preposterous.<BR/>If people want to be taken in by a scam artist like Cohen, far be it for me to stand in their way.<BR/><BR/>Aarongnizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18043750358888135458noreply@blogger.com