Sometimes when I hear people talk about personal development programmes such as the Landmark Forum, particularly those with no actual experience of them, I realize there are a lot of new age stereotypes of them – that they are about some mystical experience where we all chant and hold hands and feel good about each other.
In my experience, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, my own experience of such programmes is that they require one to be uncomfortable, look at aspects of oneself that might not be flattering – take an honest assessment of oneself that is far from some sort of feel good affirmation as could possibly be. This isn’t to say it’s about beating oneself up or feeling bad earlier. It’s about that honest look. For what purpose? Performance, I think. What one wants to accomplish. If you have no ambitious goals, then personal development isn’t really required, is it?
I read about one person’s experience of the Landmark Advanced Course today, and I was struck by the audacity of their goals – they seek to write a book, buy a house, get in a committed relationship, start an organization, even work for the UN.
In the course she looked at creating a life of affinity, grace and dignity, and to do that she had to give up where she acted superior to other people.
I was clear from what she wrote that affinity, grace and dignity were not an affirmation, a mantra or a way to feel better about herself. They were a direct access to those very ambitious goals.
Here’s this woman’s post about her experience of Landmark’s Advanced Course.
