Hey curious cats!! If you’ve ever wondered what The Landmark Forum is really like, I’m here to give you the real deal.
What is The Landmark Forum? According to their site, it’s a course designed to bring about positive, permanent shifts in the quality of your life—in just three days. You’ll experience a new and unique kind of freedom, effectiveness, and power—the freedom to be at ease in any circumstance, a new effectiveness in areas that really matter to you, and the power to make what you’re committed to into a reality.
I completed the Landmark Forum this week. I feel very compelled to write this blog because I’ve been resisting (fiercely resisting) Landmark for about 5 years. Countless people have approached me about it, suggested I do it, even offered to pay for me to do it. I heard so many things about how “it would change my life,” but never really got any real insight into what was going on there. I also heard all kinds of crazy things about what it was like: that it’s a cult, that you have to talk about intimate details about your life on a microphone and then you get yelled at, that they force you to call all of your exes, that you aren’t allowed to leave the room to go to the bathroom, that they force you to take out your credit card and register for more courses.
As you can see, I had a million ideas about Landmark. I constantly judged people in my mind for being “soooo Landmarky” and I was completely sure I didn’t want to do it. Even more importantly, nobody could “make me do it.” #rebel
But as part of my 2014 Comfort Zone Crusade….I decided to register for Landmark.
Why!? Well, I finally met someone whose experience really inspired me. We were out having dinner and he started sharing some of the ways he looks at life and the ways he works through different struggles. I was completely mesmerized by his outlook on life. He was committed to living a life of sheer excellence. Committed to breaking through his own comfort zone to transform what he thought were his limitations. Committed to being unreasonable in order to make his dreams come true. He spoke so confidently about the possibilities that were available to him, and to me.
I told him about an issue I was struggling with. He talked me through it in a way I’d never even considered before. He showed me how to break out of the stories I was living in, how to pull myself out of the sea of emotions I felt like I was drowning in. Something immediately lifted, even if just slightly.
“Whoa. Where did you learn all of this!?” I asked, with my eyes wide.
“Have you heard of Landmark?”
Oh boy.
It was the first time I’d actually felt lit up on the inside when hearing about Landmark.
I left the dinner feeling kind of high. Like anything was possible, and that what he said had already changed my life. Really. Suddenly, a song quote popped into my head…“you have to try it if you’re ever really gonna know.” I decided it was time to blast through my comfort zone and see what all the hype was about. Honestly? I wanted what he had.
I went online and registered, and I immediately started judging myself, and thinking about what people in my life would think. OMG, I can’t believe I actually signed up for Landmark, who AM I? (Why was I making it SUCH a big freaking deal? I don’t know, it seems insane now).
Landmark seems to be the the type of thing that everyone has a million questions about and nobody really knows what goes on until they experience it. Kinda like Burning Man, maybe.
So now that I’m on the other side, here are some answers to the questions I had before Landmark. If you have others, please, ask in the comments!! Please note I’m not affiliated with Landmark in any way and I wasn’t asked to write this blog.
I’ve attempted to put together a balanced overview of the good and the not-so-good. As T.I. would say… “I got love for the game but hey, I’m not in love with all of it.” :)
Is Landmark a cult?
The answer to that is no, but I just freaking LOVE when people dismiss things as cults, it’s funny, like what is that about? I really like immersing myself in things like that, I love investigating, especially when people say something’s culty. Landmark is taught by lots of different teachers, it’s a course. They call it a “curriculum for living” with information you can choose to incorporate into your life or not. You pay to learn, and to be “coached” by a Landmark coach for the weekend on how to have positive breakthroughs in different areas of your life — and then you leave. You can take more courses if you want. You can never step foot into Landmark again if you want. It’s really not that different from going on a retreat where a specific teacher is sharing their specific teachings, and then you leave and decide what to do with those teachings. Do some people get SUPER into it and end up following the teachings in a more dedicated way than others? Of course. Yes. As with any teaching or curriculum. Some people devote their lives to it and speak constantly in “Landmark lingo,” and that may seem nutty to you (I know it seemed totally weird to me!!) Most people, however, take what they want, take what seems useful for their lives, and leave the rest behind. If you’re a strong person who can make your own choices, you should really have nothing to worry about.
Do they really keep you in a room for 13 hours a day, for 3 days straight?
Yes. The days are long. You’ll probably get tired. I was exhausted by the end. The deal: you are in a large room with lots of chairs and a stage where the course leader teaches from. There were 165 people in my course. There are Landmark signs hanging around the room that say things like “Transformation: The Genesis of a New Realm of Possibility” and “A new view and experience of life emerges as constraints from the past disappear.” (Reminded me of the signs hanging up in 12 step meetings, actually).
The day begins at 9am and ends roughly around 10pm, it may go a little longer. There are breaks every 2.5 hours. There are a few 30 minute breaks throughout the day, and then a 90 minute dinner break around 6pm where you can leave and go out to eat. During the breaks, you are given assignments to do. These assignments are suggested and encouraged, but not forced. You can do whatever you want.
A good amount of the time is spent learning about the concepts that Landmark teaches for living life powerfully and living a life you love, which I personally thought were really helpful. The rest of the time is spent with people sharing in front of the crowd and working through whatever they want to create a breakthrough in.
Can you eat and drink?
In the actual classroom, you can only drink water. There is a break room where you can eat food during breaks. I suggest you bring something to eat during the 30 minute breaks, but you are allowed to leave and go get food quickly if you want. I brought Larabars (I don’t think I’ve eaten that many Larabars in a 3 day period, ever)! Oh, also bring your phone charger! They have charging stations and you’ll want to be fully juiced.
They suggest you don’t drink alcohol or do any drugs for the duration of the course.
Is it true that you’re not allowed to leave the room to go to the bathroom?
No. I heard that before I went, but it’s not true at all. You can leave to go to the bathroom as many times as you want, without restriction. I will say, however, that they tell you the more time you spend out of the room, the less you will get out of the course. I honestly do agree with that, I wanted to be in the room every possible moment so I wouldn’t miss an insight or someone’s breakthrough.
Do they really force you to get up and speak on the microphone about your personal life?
Not at all. They encourage people to raise their hands to get up and share what they are struggling with so they can be coached in front of the group, which helps everybody. If you don’t raise your hand, you won’t be called on. Even though public speaking makes me insanely terrified, I did choose to get up on the mic and get coached through something. Believe me, when you’re in the room, you WANT to raise your hand, because it’s fun. I never thought I’d say that. I was so scared before I got up there on the mic. But after a day in the Forum I realized that everyone’s scared and everyone wants to look good in front of everyone else. And truth be told, I really did want to be coached and possibly have a breakthrough with a situation. It wasn’t that big of a deal once I did it.
Do they really yell at you and “break you down” on stage in front of everyone?
Haha. Well, listen. They don’t YELL at you, but I would definitely call it tough love. In an awesome way. My course leader was hilarious and honest.
Here’s what happened when I went up to the mic:
I stood up and told a story about a relationship in my life, something I’ve been working through for a long time. This relationship is one of the main reasons I went to Landmark. I spilled all the beans about it to 165 people staring at me.
The course leader’s response? “Your life is absurd.”
Me, laughing: “I know. It’s so gross.”
Course leader: “You’re living in a Disney movie fairytale or a country western love song or something. Your problems are way too small. You’re just not up to anything big enough in the world. You need to solve bigger problems. You’re like a leaf in the wind with this person, you let a fantasy dictate everything you do. It’s holding you back from actually taking responsibility for living the life you really want. What could you create in your life, and in the world, if you stopped living in Disneyland? If you didn’t spend all your time focusing on this, what possibilities would you want to create for yourself?”
Me: “Yeah. I know. Well, I want to create the possibility of being free, strong, powerful, authentic, expressive, creative, sexy….and totally unmessablewith.” :) (unmessablewith is a term the course leader made up: the quality of being able to stand in the face of any circumstance and generate possibility instead of being thrown off course).
Course leader: “And THAT, my dear, is powerfully attractive.” (Hoots of agreement from men in the audience).
Then we went back and forth a little more on it, about the actions to take in order to create those possibilities. So, yeah, it definitely felt like “tough love,” but she wasn’t yelling at me. In fact, it was endearing. We were all laughing. And honestly, I agreed with her. She simplified things down enough for me to be like, dude, snap out of it.
I won’t and can’t comment on anyone else specifically, but a lot of the topics were MUCH more serious than mine and everyone experienced profound realizations by being coached up there. Yeah, a lot of people cried.
I went to Landmark wanting to work through a certain situation, but I ended up feeling like I had a clean slate for creating whatever I want in every area of my life.
Do they force you to make uncomfortable phone calls to people in your life?
Again, there is no forcing, but they do encourage you to make phone calls to people on the breaks and to redefine what’s possible in relationships where you’re struggling. People reconnected with family members they hadn’t spoken to in 10 years, were honest with their husbands and wives about things they’d been lying about, and more and more. When they shared about it afterwards, it was like a huge weight had been lifted off of their shoulders that they’d been carrying around for so long. It was pretty beautiful and magical, to be honest.
You don’t have to make phone calls. I didn’t call the person I mentioned. But I did make calls to my family to tell them how much I appreciated them, and I called a couple of friends to tell them some of the things I realized, and I thanked them for supporting me. I also made calls just to touch base with people who weren’t in the Forum, so I could snap out of Landmark-ville for a second.
Aren’t they SUPER salesy and weird? Don’t they force you to sign up for additional programs and bring everyone you know to register for the Forum?
Yes, they have very aggressive marketing tactics. Nobody is forced to do anything, though. If, like I mentioned earlier, you feel capable of making your own choices, you can walk out of the room without signing up for anything else. Nobody is going to tie you down. I knew going into the Forum that they were going to be very salesy about me bringing friends to register and about getting me to register for the Advanced Course. I made the decision before I went that I wouldn’t sign up for anything while I was there (they encourage you to sign up while you’re there, of course, which is aggressive but probably a smart business move on their part). I made the choice to go home and let it marinate for a few days, because I promised myself I would. Taking that space felt good to me, and ultimately I did sign up for the Advanced Course. From what I’ve heard from a bunch of friends who have done it, the Forum is about chipping away at all the BS that’s holding you back in life, and the Advanced Course is about what you can create in the world, and reaching a new level of mastery in every area that’s important to you. And if you know me, you know that shit is like crack to me. #forreals
The whole thing kinda reminded me of the Life Extension scene from Vanilla Sky. So creepy I know, but Vanilla Sky is one of my favorite movies of all time, so that’s actually kinda AWESOMESAUCE.
“Your life will continue as a realistic work of art, painted by you minute to minute. You’ll live it with the romantic abandon of a summer day. Or a great movie. Or a pop song you always loved. Savor the knowledge that everything is simply improved. It’s all just around the corner. A living dream.” Haha!! I’m soooo nuts.
Do you become a robot or alien after attending Landmark?
Maybe. :) But that’s really irrelevant.
Bottom line?
Landmark is a rollercoaster. You will probably hate parts of it. You will probably experience moments of ecstasy. You might feel your mind get completely quiet for longer periods of time than it ever has before. It is super trippy and at times you might feel like you’re in complete bonkersville.
It might make you think very differently about reality. It might help you drop some of your BS and live life more powerfully.
It might do nothing for you at all. You might just fall asleep in your chair or disagree with every word you hear.
I really got a lot out of it, and I’m glad I did it. I met some great people. My mind was blown by some of the concepts. I feel like I can actually get onto the court of life and be a real player instead of being in the stands. And I’ve done a LOT of self-helpy stuff in my day. :)
Would I recommend it to everyone? No, I can’t be the one to decide that. If you feel inspired to attend, I say try it. If not, or if you think this whole thing is completely weird and nutbally, don’t do it.
The absolute most important thing I’d tell someone considering it is this: if you aren’t willing to go in with a completely open mind and the full understanding that you have the power of choice, or if you’re going to be bitter and complain about the hours and the marketing tactics, it’s probably not gonna be your thing.
Anything else you wanna know? Let’s hear it. Comment below and I’ll answer honestly. Don’t be shy.
Kelsey says
Thanks for sharing this Jenny!
jenny sansouci says
You’re welcome Kelsey! You know where to find me if you have any other questions. :)
Charles Crawshaw says
Hi Jenny,
It’s been a while since your post; 2014.
How are you doing now? Have you continued with other seminars/programs with Landmark? I did LEC work from 1993 – 2003 and it’s STILL making a MASSIVE difference in my life. Thanks for introducing me to Gravatars too…rebuilding my internet tv station as we speak using word press so I can certainly see this would be useful. Trust you are enjoying the Olympics, much possibilities! Charles x
Charles Crawshaw says
Oops..a little scrolling revealed you graduated from the Advanced Course:What’s the possibility you invented for yourself. What future are you living into or is that the old advanced course?! :)
alison says
omg!!!!!
i swear sometimes we share a brain. and, you obviously know that we don’t actually know each other…which is why it’s so funny to me. i TOTALLY relate to this entire thing about landmark. i’m also sober and friend of bill’s for 9 years.
anywho…landmark has been popping up for me for YEARS!!!! a couple of ppl invited me a long time ago and i was newly sober and thought landmark was definitely a cult.
then someone else brought it to my attention a couple of years later. but the guy had kind of dissed me, so i was not into his pitch.
THEN…on a road trip from san fransisco to humboldt county, without even ever knowing about cafe gratitude, i discovered one in healdsburg and read about the owners and how they were all hype on landmark. my mind literally almost exploded.
now the only thing preventing me from landmark is the fact that i have a 15 month old and can’t quite wrap my head around how long it is.
i know i will go. and i will probably love it. and then i will be one of THOSE people. but i pretty much already am.
thanks for ur post…i felt like i was there. :)
jenny sansouci says
Wow! The universe is funny like that, huh? In my experience, it was put in front of my face at the perfect time, when I was finally open to it. Your intuition will tell you if it’s the right move.
Hahaha “and then I will be one of THOSE people. but i pretty much already am.” – that’s funny, and exactly how I felt too. I was like, I’m already obsessed with this stuff, let’s take it to the next level.
Cheers:) Good luck if you decide to take the course!
Faith says
Hi Jenny,
Would you call this a motivational seminar? Is it like a Tony Robbins style event? Thanks for the info!
jenny sansouci says
I don’t think they call it a motivational seminar, but I’m sure some people do experience it as motivational. They refer to it as transformational education.
I’ve never been to a Tony Robbins event (maybe someone else can weigh in), but I think they are pretty different. No walking on hot coals at Landmark. :)
Greg E says
Note that Anthony Robbins went through the Landmark curriculum, and at one point required all his employees to take the courses too… so the correct phrase might be “Anthony Robbins is like a dumbed down, more commercial Landmark Forum.”
jenny sansouci says
oh snappppp
Joe Bains says
I’ve been on the Tony Robbins course and have just signed up for the Landmark forum.
The Tony Robbins event is definitely not dumbed down, its a life transformation rock concert on steroids.
Melinda Parris says
Joe Bains, I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic, after doing Landmark!
Monica says
Hi Jenny,
I just did landmark last month and signed up for the advanced course as well. I agree with what you said here, the ups and downs, and that it should be a personal decision to sign up.
Love that you posted answers to all the questions you had about Landmark too, since it can feel like a mystery going into it!
Cheers to transformation and never ending personal journey!
jenny sansouci says
Nice! Yeah, I felt like it was necessary because this is the kind of blog I would have wanted to read before signing up. I wanted to kinda bust through the BS and just lay out the real deal.
It’s so different for everyone! Which is why it’s cool.
Aly says
Who was your forum leader?
jenny sansouci says
Josselyne. Aka Joss the Boss.
Michelle Goldblum says
Such a good one Jenny! You totally “got it” xx
jenny sansouci says
Thanks Michelle. :) OHHHHH landmark
Lisa Bair says
Jenny- You did such a fantastic job explaining what The Landmark Forum experience is like. I went about 8 years ago because my husband completed the course & begged me to go. Our marriage was not going well & I would not admit it or see my cause in it. It changed my whole way of thinking. Both of my adult children went & then all of us completed the rest of the curriculum together. Quite a family bonding experience. Today, my husband & I are still married & we “talk Landmark” as part of our communication. However, no matter how hard I tried, I could never get the message of what it did for my family across to others. That is why I’m so impressed with your explanation. You’ll love the Advanced Course!!!
jenny sansouci says
Lisa, so cool about you and your hubs!! Nice work. :) I’m pumped for the Advanced Course.
Deborah says
I completed the Forum in May of 2012 because of what happened between my daughter and me when she completed it. The transformation in her was so astounding that her sister and all three of my teenaged grandchildren also did it. The quality of our relationships now in our family is truly remarkable. I have found that continuing to stay in the conversation through seminars and assisting at events continues to deepen and make clearer and clearer how I get in my own way. Then I make choices about taking responsibility for my life. Those choices and resulting actions are where the power is for me!
jenny sansouci says
Deborah, thanks for sharing that about you and your daughter and your family. Super awesome to hear. I witnessed a lot of family reconnecting stuff in my Forum and it was really cool and beautiful.
Renee says
I did the Forum (after much resisting also) in September 2010. I ended up doing the Advanced and the SELP. Exactly one year later I was driving to Florida living out my dream for the new life I had created for myself. I never would of had the courage to take that leap without Landmark. They showed me how to get real with myself and drop the BS about why I wasn’t living the life I wanted to live. Those 3 days was the start of transforming my life and I will forever be thankful for giving in and signing up for the Forum. Thank you for a wonderful synopsis of what being at the Forum is like. Im sharing your blog with the hope that it sparks enough curiosity in someone to just try it. So so much to gain if they just try it. :-)
jenny sansouci says
Thank you for sharing the blog, Renee! I hope it helps people. I’m inspired by your story. I already feel like everything I want for myself is so much more attainable, and already happening. :)
Tabassum says
Hi,
Thanks for the great article. I just completed the whole series. My SELP course ended on Tuesday. Anyway, I wanted to say I really enjoyed reading your article. The forum changed my life for the better and I love assisting to see others transform. I am very happy for you. I have met some great people at Landmark and always look forward to being there. You will love the Advance Course. It was my favorite.
jenny sansouci says
That’s what I keep hearing from everyone, that Advanced is where it’s at!!! Psyched!
Josselyne Herman-Saccio says
JOSS THE BOSS now i like that nickname..usually I get JOSSIBILTY :) Glad you got value out of being in the Landmark Forum and I know you will LOVE the Advanced Course…if you need anything let me know :)
jenny sansouci says
OMG!! JOSSIBILITY, commenting on my blog…possibilities really are endless. :) Thank you for a powerful Forum. See you at the Advanced Course…until then, I’ll be out in the world being unreasonable.
Josselyne Herman-Saccio says
cant wait to see you again!
Spencer Tribwell says
This is so rad. Landmark Forum Leaders are the best. Stoked to meet Joss The Boss and any and all of you out there transforming life on the planet. Great article. I’ll share with people who need a read or something to focus on other than my shares. Thanks!
TJ says
Loved your summary!!
Thanks for sharing it!
jenny sansouci says
Thanks for reading!
Nathan Black says
Great blog! Love your sense of humor and honesty. :) I completed the Forum in 2004 and absolutely love the life I now have.
jenny sansouci says
tee heeeeeee thank ya!
Janelle says
In fact they did everything you heard before attending, only now you have (their) a positive view of it. They did originate from a cult, they are aggressive, they brain wash (softly), and I’ve seen people, friends and relationships destroyed by ‘confessions’. Sure people get some good learnings, but there are other, gentler, kinder, self-empowering (not ongoing-Landmark-marketing-attachment) ways to do all of that.
jenny sansouci says
No matter which way you want to look at it, I have my own view of it now based on my personal experience in the Forum. Like I said, it’s not for everybody. We all approach these kinds of things from a different perspective based on our our own life experiences and circumstances. If it doesn’t work for you/the people you know, that doesn’t mean it’s not helpful for others. It’s an intense thing, and I personally am OK with intense things. Not everyone is. It’s a completely enter-at-your-own-risk situation, and they make you sign a LENGTHY contract about all of that, saying you should NOT register if you are uncertain about your physical, mental or emotional ability to participate.
Sarah says
It was one of the most horrendous experiences I’ve ever had, people were left heartbroken. They bullied people, told them their lives were awful and tried to break them. They were into it for the money and pressured you into getting others to join. The people who enjoy it and think positively of it are the brainwashed ones who probably had such a crappy life to start with they will accept anything that lets them join in and be a part of something. Truly awful cult that should definitely be shut down.
Melanie says
Sarah – it’s unfortunate you had a bad experience and you feel the way you do. I completed the curriculum between April-Nov 2013 and while I admit some of the tactics are “pushy” the idea of bullying is not something I agree with. Like Jenny indicates, there is a lot of tough love going on. I still feel overwhelmed sometimes by some eager participants (including my husband) and have been known on occasion to tell someone not to “landmark me”. However, I do have choice in how I handle these and no matter how irritated I can get there is one thing for sure that Landmark has given me my life back. The program is designed to have you take an honest and often times difficult look at your life, what you’re holding on to that’s keeping you from getting what you want and moving forward. I closed a chapter of my life that had me living as a abuse victim for over 20 years, in doing so it may have contributed to the end of a relationship of people very close to me. Doing the right thing isn’t always easy and it can get messy. Regardless of the outcome, I now have a rekindled relationship with my godmother whom I hadn’t spoken to in almost 8 years and my voice has been heard. Is Landmark right for everyone? No, as Jenny also said only you can decide if you’re ready to take this journey. Be clear in your choices and if you are a “no”, you are a “no” and they will respect that.
jenny sansouci says
Sarah, I know this comment is coming a little late but I just wanted to say I’m sorry you had such a bad experience, I know it’s not for everyone, but I did want to disagree with your comment “the people who enjoy it are the brainwashed ones who probably had a crappy life to start with.” That is not true, my life was AWESOME before Landmark and became better afterwards because of the shifts I had made in my relationships, my strength, and my perception of life. I had a few things I wanted to work through and I knew I needed some help working through them. Landmark ended up being exactly what I needed to hear at the time. That being said, I may not have been as accepting of it at different points in my life. So while I appreciate you sharing how you felt about it, the truth is, some people do get positive insights from it, even if their lives weren’t “crappy before.”
Eric Schneider says
Thank you for being willing to share your life with us, Jenny. I’ve done the Landmark Forum, and all of their courses, for 22 years. Out of the Advanced Course in 1992 I created my career as a Teacher of Forgiveness, which gives me great satisfaction, and I’m in the marriage of my dreams – pure creation of love daily.
Out of assisting (volunteering) around MANY Landmark courses over the years, I was “the Midwife Husband” at my 2nd son’s underwater homebirth in 1990, and I now manage my wife (different wife) Susan’s music career as “The Space Lady.” [Susan is a Landmark Graduate for 5 years now.] Actually, it was I who got her out of retirement in 2012, four years after we’d met and three after we’d married. , helped her get a record contract (yeah, vinyl) and good-paying gigs, and am now assisting her London producer to map out her first club tours (She was a successful street musician for twenty years before this.) Our first tour is this March on the West Coast and then the UK in April.
Susan and I are currently registered in Landmark’s year-long Wisdom Course (starting in a few weeks all over the country and in London). Out of just being REGISTERED – and not even in the course room yet – I’ve had a two breakthroughs!
1) In my Forgiveness work, I met a woman on FB who wants to sign the people up so I can just show up and lead Forgiveness seminars. I can stop trying to do it myself!
2) I’ve disappeared one of the main things I did that was driving my wife crazy by getting upset when she was late and had forgotten our appointments – or not keeping track of time – and I was causing tension between us, when I ‘d thought all along that I’d been doing the right thing, and she was just hopeless in that area. I gave that up just the other day. Now, she doesn’t have to make time agreements with me. And if she does, I’ll support her gently in keeping them, making sure that she wins.
I’m going to share your blog with many people, Jenny. Thanks again. And thank to the staff and program leaders of Landmark Worldwide!
jenny sansouci says
Wow! Thanks for sharing your story and thanks for sharing the blog. :)
Sierra says
Hi Jenny!
This is such a wonderful explanation of Landmark. Thank you for taking the time to put this into words. I think it will open the door for so many people! I’m also pretty sure my mom was in your forum. She completed it this past weekend with Josselyne and 165 other people. Josselyne is incredible! Anyway, just wanted to say thank you and I hope you write another post for the Advanced Course – it’s so wonderful!
jenny sansouci says
Congrats to your mom. Cool to know we were in it together!
Jeanne says
I’m SO happy to hear more insights from the experience. I’m pissed I didn’t get a call :( JK I love you lunatic! xx
jenny sansouci says
hopefully our 4 hour phone call on saturday night made up for it:)
Hadley Gustin says
Thanks for all of this insight, Jenny! I have been considering attending Landmark for the past few weeks now since Integrative Nutrition encourages all of its employees to attend and offers to pay for it if you go. It never quite resonated with me, though, at least not right now, and after reading your blog and learning more about the specifics of the Forum, I know my instincts are right about it for me at this point in time. I really appreciate you sharing all of this information and look forward to reading many more intriguing and fabulous blogs from you! :)
jenny sansouci says
Yeah, I knew about IIN encouraging the employees to do Landmark. I believe lululemon does too. Kinda cool to have a workplace that supports people in this kind of stuff. Thanks as always for reading the blog:)
Paul Shandling says
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for your authenticity, there I said it, a Landmark word.
What is available in the Landmark Forum is the you you’ve been looking for your whole darned life. I did the Forum in 2000 and am now an Introduction Leader. I have coached courses and transformed
hundreds of lives, all I truly believe, for a better world. if you’re ever in Chicago, please come by our Center. P.
jenny sansouci says
I will do that, Paul. :) I love Chicago.
Ritu says
That’s so interesting. Thanks for this post Jenny. I randomly ended up at a Landmark thing last Tuesday – I thought I was going to a group for abused women with a friend but entered a giant conference room with a stage and a lot of smiley people instead. My friend left me there and went off to an advance course herself. My review… I liked parts of it and HATED other parts of it. I loved the “coach” in front of the room. He was real – very markety – but real. But the “grads” were too excited about their own transformation and did not know how to listen. The moment I mentioned that “I am not going to sign up today”, the grad next to me, my partner in the sharing so far, literally got up and left. At that point, I had had enough of not being heard to and feeling pressurized so I left during the break. I do feel like I want to give it another shot though and with next time since I will know what I’m walking into, I will hopefully be more openminded.
jenny sansouci says
How funny Rits! I hear you, I probably would have been a little scared if I didn’t know what I was stepping into. Let me know if you do end up checking it out again. :)
Brian says
Thanks for the post! Since attending the forum 3 years ago, I came out of the closet, ended a 14-year marriage, quit drinking, lost 35 pounds, ran my first Tough Mudder 13-mile/29-obstacle race (before I could not run .5 mile), started 4 businesses (2 of which failed), had my first kiss with someone I was actually attracted to (at the age of 35), and created an annual food festival in a city where no one knew me (was subsequently featured on 4 tv stations). This was also shortly after I sold my three restaurants and moved from Washington DC to Austin. Other than that it didn’t really make any differences in my life :)
jenny sansouci says
BRIAN, you are completely UNMESSABLEWITH!!!!!! WOW. Congrats. Time for me to get to work…
Jojo says
Such a great explanation about Landmark. Thank you.
jenny sansouci says
Thanks for reading :)
Jacque says
Great explaination of Landmark. I have been taking courses since 2000. My second favorite course is the Adanced course – my favorite is the Wisdom course – that course is a 10 month journey where you get Landmark in plain english. If you like the advanced course – look into that one for sure. The focus is the conversations we live in (i,e, “money doesn’t grow on trees”) and how that affects not only us but the world around us. I can attest to the fact that my family, my work, my circle of friends have had crazy good things happen and most have never set foot in a Landmark course.
jenny sansouci says
Ooh, cool. Thanks for sharing that!! I’m taking the Integrity course starting this week. I’m psyched.
Sharon says
Hi Jenny
Brill article, thanks! I’m so glad that IIN encouraged us to take the Landmark Forum. And that the teachings from both IIN and Landmark are so in tune. Both courses are transformative!
And, at nearly 60, I’m about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, which I absolutely know I wouldn’t have done without enrolling in Landmark.
jenny sansouci says
Yeah, totally. I agree. :) IIN and Landmark were both big game changers for me.
Jennifer says
Well said! I’m sharing your blog post with all the people in my life that I think would really get something amazing for themselves from Landmark.
I agree – it was sort of a love / hate relationship, and definitely transformative. My one friend keeps saying, ‘you’ve gotten more stuff done (all stuff of my dreams) in one year than you have in your whole life! And that’s pretty much true!
I also want to add that I have been to a Tony Robbins Fire-walker event – and did one of his courses on cassette tapes a billion years ago – and His IS more a “Motivational” theory – with some good tools and ideas. Landmark is not that. There is something much more life-transforming in it. Plus the great tools you walk away with for ‘living the life you love’. The salesy-ness of it is a turn off to many of us, yet, I’m glad that I went on to do the Adv course and now SELP – WHICH I DOUBLE LOVE!
I’m not however much of a ‘rah-rah’ for it, which is why I am so glad you wrote this article that I can share, and hopefully my peeps will come to the upcoming intro night and then decide for themselves!
Woo Hoo! thank YOU!
jenny sansouci says
Thanks so much for sharing that!! And I appreciate your input about the Tony Robbins events. Glad you liked this post and can share it with people!! Fun:)
Melanie says
I also did Tony Robbin’s “Get the Edge” CD program just over 10 years ago and while it helped me get out of a “post-university, what am I going to do with my life funk” it didn’t have the same lasting effect that Landmark has had. Tony is very inspirational but he is just one man with his stories, tips and suggestions. What makes Landmark work so well is that we get to share in the humanity and journey of others through their sharing in the course. Every Forum is different because the group of participants is different, there is much more interaction and connection between people. Like you Jennifer, I’m not good at sharing with all my friends and would not tell someone “you HAVE to do this” but I am happy to share my achievements and my “ah-ha’s” and if people are interested I’d be happy to take them to an introduction.
Jennifer says
p.s.
When I heard that part about being “unmessable with” I totally wanted that! And- I’m getting there!
xoxo
jenny sansouci says
Haha!! Yes!! I’m becoming more unmessablewith each day ;)
kirk says
jenny, this is amazing. not because of landmark but the way you wrote it and how you addressed all the issues. i hope people appreciate how gifted you are at getting messages across with your words because it’s really special
jenny sansouci says
thanks, k-master! and hey, if you really want the life of your dreams…you should come with me to a landmark intro night. i kid, i kid (sort of). #disneyland
Kara says
This is really awesome! I got a lot out of it too. Enjoy the rest of the ride!
Kelsey says
Thanks again for sharing all these experiences Jenny. I just attended the Landmark Forum last weekend and feel roughly the same as you said you did about it. I definitely got a lot out of it. Here’s the blog post I wrote about it in case you’re interested: http://theseheartwords.wordpress.com/2014/02/23/the-landmark-forum-a-review/
wyldkat says
I just finished the Advanced Course in Seattle. I really appreciated the approach to the work we did this weekend…it’s not at all like the Forum, except that it’s in the same room, the same three days, breaks, etc…and you don’t review Forum concepts except as a reminder of things that prevent us from having breakthroughs.
What was really exciting, though, was a new access to language and how language shapes our reality, everything we say and do. As a speaker and leader in social justice, I have understood what it means to be in action, but that role for me in life has a new clarity.
Ida Centineo says
Came across your blog on Google. I’m a Landmark graduate – did the Forum and Advanced Course 7-8 years ago. It was an extremely powerful experience for me. My life totally changed as a result of this work.
Has it been perfect? No. Do I live in a fantasy? Absolutely not. Have I had my share of ups and downs since the course? Yeppers! No question! But how I now handle it, manage it, view it, perceive it, deal with it, etc., etc., etc., – COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY CHANGED FOREVER!!!
I get out of my own way, get out of my head, get out of my story in record time now! The power to do that propels you forward in life. Staying in your story and wearing the pretty hat at your own pity party keeps life stagnant and keeps you spinning your wheels.
Every misstep is an opportunity… Don’t forget – A slingshot gets pulled backwards before it’s shot forwards!
That’s what Landmark did for me! Brava Ms. Sansouci!
Lori Marie says
Hi Jenny, how was the advanced course for you? Did you blog about it, or can give me some insight in how you felt during and after? I just completed Landmark Forum a couple weeks ago, and next week I do the Advanced Course and I will admit am a bit scared after reading the disclaimer they send you to fully register. Thanks!
jenny sansouci says
Hey Lori, I did the Advanced Course and I’m glad I did. It was much more in depth than the forum. It triggered a lot for me but I learned a lot too. :)
Haydee Alonso says
Jenny,
I came across your blog because I am reviewing (taking the Forum a second time) this weekend and was hoping to find a list of of things I should bring. It’s been ten years since the first time and I got there the same way you did: I knew a lot of people who had done it and they all recommended it, but, it wasn’t until I met someone that I really, really respected/trusted that I pulled the trigger. And I’m very glad I did – the third day I felt the weight of shame and grief and thinking that I wasn’t good enough physically lift off of my shoulders.
Thanks for writing such an honest, clear summary of your experience. I don;t agree with all of Landmark’s methods – but they are easy enough to avoid/ignore. The freedom from my self imposed limitations is truly priceless and worth a few irritations and all that flourescent lighting. :-)
Steph says
Hi, I just stumbled across your page totally by accident (I’m in London) and I loved your blog post! So spot on! I finished my Forum a few weeks ago and have just started my seminars.
I’m also massively pro-active about self help, developing and learning to constantly discover deeper meanings, create better relationships and live in balance with my mind, body, soul and the world. I’ve just trained as a life coach and am also a yoga and Pilates teacher and am now training to be an Ayurvedic Practitioner. I went to a friends evening 4 years ago and pretty much dismissed it as not for me. I’d just trained as a Meisner actress and that felt like intensive CBT therapy! I felt they were too pushy and overly ecstatic! But very recently I also met a guy who’s honesty, presence, passion and authenticity really moved me. He is creating an exceptional life for himself and I was so inspired by him. I knew that even with all the various amazing courses I’d completed, I still felt stuck in my life.
I was quite resistant the first two days and felt like I wasn’t really getting much out of it. The third day was a mega breakthrough in an area I had’t even thought was a problem! I realized I was angry with my sister for ‘always leaving me’ (totally untrue of course), which led almost immediately to another HUGE breakthrough in realizing that I hold my relationship with my sister up as the most fulfilling one of my life and look forward to having the same/similar with a life partner. And hey presto, I always pick men I know will leave me! CRAZY behaviour for someone who thinks they are relatively grounded and aware! I had no idea I was doing any of this. I was convinced the frustration I felt with my sister was just me being judgmental. Needless to say it’s transformed our relationship and I’ve already started dating more realistically, which is terrifying but very exciting :)
I’ve also signed up for the Advanced Course as I knew immediately it would be helpful.
Brian your story was MEGA inspirational!! I cant get over it! And Ida, I’ve copied your comment about the stories and pity party for my notebook as it was awesome :) Thank you all for sharing!! I’m sure I will have ups and downs but this was so inspiring to read today.
Landmark can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, balanced diet :)
Meg says
No, it’s not like Tony Robbins. His events got me all hyped up but never really did anything long-term for me.
I disagree that you shouldn’t go unless you have a open mind. I went VERY skeptical. I had my arms crossed for the first five hours or so. lol.
Despite myself.. I started to get REALLY interested bc it was making a lot of sense. I went to an salesy intro thingy 12 YEARS BEFORE. I too hate anything that seems to be even slightly pushy. And I am NOT an group, club, joiner person. I’m an independent thinker. My friends meant well insisting I go.. I regret not listening to them. Honestly I think my life would have looked completely different if I’d gone then.
No, the organization is not perfect. The jargon can be a little annoying, etc., etc. It won’t make your life PERFECT in three days but it does change lives bc often people realize something that was holding them back that they had NO clue about.
I’ve tried a LOT of things because I want the most out of life. This is the best so far. Be brave. ;-)
jenny sansouci says
Nice outlook. Thanks for sharing. :)
ggg says
Hi,
If others are considering the Landmark as a brainwash, I consider then that they are using good kind of soap :)
Judith says
Jenny,
I have read all that you did and I have a few concerns. I don’t do religion because I’m opposed to mass indoctrination of the the ignorant. From what I understand they basically combine deconstrucionism (in my opinion, anyone who hasn’t read enough philosophy to know what that is or if they don’t start the course with it, then no one should go) with combination of semi-cultish and interogation techniques — dark rooms, isolation from the outside, wearing people down with exhaustion, peer pressure, limited food — with charismatic but forceful leaders. I am plenty strong enough and studied more than enough philosophy to “get it”, but it would be very difficult for me not to interject philosophical questions and defend people getting reduced to tears by “tough love”. Plus, who the heck wants to sit in a dark room for 30 hours? If it’s such a great thing, why not open it to everyone, everywhere, outside, take questions without personally attacking people as their response, not make you sign huge documents, etc. If people are suspicious, it’s because they are setting it up that way. Why would they do that if it’s all positive and good? Strange way to approach something that clearly has some good in the message but totally screws it up with the methods and messengers. How did you stand not challenging the things you disagreed with and defending those being “abused”, “yelled at”, whatever?
jenny sansouci says
Hi Judith,
Totally understand your concerns, but just want to clear up a few things.
1 — it’s not in a dark room. It’s in a regular, large, well-lit room with chairs and a stage where the leader teaches from, pretty much like any other seminar.
2 — it’s not “limited food.” You have lunch and dinner breaks that are pretty long, so you can go outside and walk around to get food, go to a restaurant, etc and eat as much as you want. You can also bring snacks, you just can’t eat them inside the main room. You can take them to the lobby of the building and eat them.
Aside from that, your points are valid. I don’t think the experience is “all positive and good.” In fact, I did challenge many of the things I disagreed with. I got in arguments with people and I even cried multiple times. (This was in the Advanced Course). But I think it was worth it and I learned a lot.:)
Donald Adiska says
Thanks for sharing ;)
And thank you for an honest and thoughtful review.
Landmark people tend to get so fired up and enthusiasts that the seem like a cult. Cults force you to achieve their goals, while Landmark asks you to set your goals and then provides the framework for you to achieve them.
It’s not for everyone (many Landmark people don’t believe that), but I think for someone looking for a support structure or some guidance and insight into their own minds – it’s a great possibility.
I don’t work there and am not active.
meme says
hi jenny, i’m one of those been fighting it for about 5 yrs too, my ‘logic’ being its for the weak people, and i already have all the answers inside me so why do i pay an outsider to ‘tell’ me, etc. but as you said somewhere, i’ve already obsessed and spent so much wasted energy on ‘should i or shouldnt i’ … i’m moving towards it as a comfort zone + curiousity challenge.
one question i do have – did you find the after effect wear off over a year or so, did you feel you needed to follow up with another course to keep the ‘buzz’ going ?
Thanks, meme
jenny sansouci says
Hi Meme, there is definitely a “buzz” that you have for awhile right after attending Landmark that wears off after a bit, but I don’t think that’s any different than any other seminar, book, teaching, etc. Of course, you have to re-visit the material sometimes and keep it at top of mind in order to practice it continuously in your life. That being said, though, there are DEFINITELY a few concepts that are just second nature to me now – especially the “story” concept (i.e. what’s actually going on vs what’s our “story” about what’s going on). I’d personally love to review the forum (take it again at a discounted price) now that it’s been 2 years since I originally took it, just to see how the information would resonate with me now.
Dr Rama says
Hi, Jenny,
I happened to read your blog with interest, word by word, without missing any. I just googled Landmark and hit your blog. I too have heard about Landmark and the hype in India. I wanted to understand what all people had to say about it, before signing up for it. Your blog seems to be the most honest. But I have a question. There are quite a number of blogs which criticize Landmark saying it is ‘dangerous’! I am unable to decide whether it would be really beneficial to me or my wife. We don’t have any serious problems in life and we are married for 35 years now! But my wife insists we should both attend, although I have told her I don’t intend to. In India, you know the course is pretty expensive for middle class people like us. May be, you could throw some light on whether we should both attend.
jenny sansouci says
Hi Dr. Rama,
As far as whether or not Landmark would be considered “dangerous,” that would be for you to decide for yourself based on any history with mental illness, etc. They will give you a contract to read and sign that goes over every reason not to sign up, so that will give you a better idea and you’ll have to make the choice for yourself. For me, it was not dangerous.
As far as Landmark being better than Eckhart Tolle’s teachings, I can’t say that – Landmark is an immersive experience, it’s not something that you could just read out of a book. I think they are completely different (not necessarily saying that the content doesn’t overlap, but the landmark forum is a course/curriculum – it’s different than reading from a book or watching videos).
Dr Rama says
There is one point that I missed out in my previous post. I had read Eckhart Tolle and also listened to his numerous youtube video clips. His technique of staying in the present moment impressed me immensely. In fact, to some extent his books brought about transformation in my life and the way I have learnt to tackle it now.
Will the Landmark course be better than Eckhart Tolle’s teachings?
This question assumes, of course, that you must have studied Eckhart too.
Now you may respond please
Jennifer says
Hi Jenny,
It was great to read your blog and everyone’s comments. I too stepped into the Landmark Forum completely unprepared, just knew I was going to show support for a very dear friend who participated and understood it was the last closing day and I was invited along with her few other beloved friends and families to share her experiences.
When she initially told me about it over the phone the day before, I had finished telling her that just a week and a half before, I had experienced an incredibly mind blowing, emotional breakthrough- while catching up with another very close friend we had in common. You see, I have been struggling with severe depression, anxiety, and lived an extremely unhealthy, self destructive, self masochistic life for the past 20 years. About a month ago, which was about 3 months after what must have been my 4th suicide attempt in my life time- I had a very faint urge to get out of bed and call a friend and make plans to visit her and just catch up.
I found myself rambling on in the car while I was sitting in the passenger seat while we were on our way to run a quick errand. To make the long story short, few hours later I found myself sitting in her living room- actually HEARING what she was saying, which was nothing I haven’t heard before, but I knew something strange was happening. I started to freak out because I didn’t know what it was, and then just like that the “breakthrough” happened, and I realized that when I was 16, a simple incident, a simple phrase that my mother confessed to me as part of helping me understand why my parents were getting a divorce. To realize it was those few words “I am sorry, but I never loved your dad- we both didn’t know eachother, we got married, because..well I was pregnant with you”. My world turned upside down and I couldn’t stop crying because the pain of that moment came crashing down on me. I realized at that moment that I declared myself the reason that my parents who obviously are so wrong for eachother got married, if I hadn’t been born, brought into this world- none of their horrible past would have had to happen. At that impressionable age of 16, at that moment I had claimed myself as undeserving, unworthy and erased that memory- and lived the past 20 years collecting evidence to prove to myself that I didn’t deserve any good thing happening to me.
I was a successful designer, but every two years I would burn out, irresponsibly quit my job and fall into a dark hole and shut out the world. I tried therapy, took the anti depressants, after multiple failed suicide attempts, I voluntarily admitted myself to a mental clinic..twice consecutively. It was so painful, I couldn’t forgive myself. I was resentful and destroying my life with my own two hands. But as much as I knew only I could help myself, I help utterly hopless and helpless. I knew I had loving family and friends worried sick, but I couldn’t accept their love and heal.
Anyway, sorry the story got long again. The point is that I had a breakthrough and literally felt the presence of God that night. I actually heard him speak through my friend and I blew out a candle to signify my spiritual rebirth as a god fearing person. I was baptized right after, and for few days was walking on cloud nine, feeling anything was possible.
Then after the adrenal wore off, I was afraid again. Thinking now what? What happened to that glorious feeling of freedom, when did the doubts creep back in? But I had the support of my dear friend who was present at the breakthrough and witnessed my rebirth. For two weeks she guided me to not lose track of my progress and positive transformation.
Then I get the call from the other mutual friend- the three of us were like sisters we didn’t have. We have known eachother for 18 years and were there for the toughest and the most joyous moments in eachother’s lives. I was thrilled she had just completed a course called Landmark and listened to what she was telling me, and was skeptical but supportive and promised I would meet her at the forum.
I cried numerous times as I heard people share their stories, I felt compelled to get up on the mic and share my story but chickened out. However, I was determined that the timing of my breakthrough and being at that forum that evening was not a coincidence, I truly believe that it’s God’s work, he led me there..everything happens for a reason. I instantly realized I must take part in this program which has drastically brought forth changes in my dear friend, and I wanted my personal transformation already kick started by the breakthrough learned from my ‘rebirth’ experience a month ago.
Yes I agree that they are very aggressive, and yes not everyone signed up. But I, along with the friend who helped me with the breakthrough, we both found ourselves squeezing eachother’s hand and knew this was our chance to change our lives. We were both open minded and ready to find out what has been preventing us, face our fears and be free and really live out our lives the way we design it to be without fear.
And I have to tell you, I have yet to start my forum- it’s not for another 2 weeks. But my transformation has already begun and going strong. I have already reconnected with many many friends and old bosses and already have had few job interviews to reclaim my passion for denim (I design jeans for a living). I wake up with hope and am productive, I actually am expressing clearly and fearlessly. My communication with my family has never been better- and I have never felt better. I am so excited to find out just how much better things will get AFTER I actually complete the forum mid October. And already thinking about the advance course as well. I have never ever posted comments on a blog before, never spoke infront of 150 people life I saw at Landmark, but the shocking truth is that I know I can, just never had the courage to try..but already see myself on that mic to share my story and inspire and motivate others, and can’t wait to be inspired and motivated through other’s stories for those 3 intense days. I know I will cry and heal and come out of it a powerful, unstoppable being, free from her past and hopeful for the tomorrows to come.
I wanted to share my story to anyone interested in considering Landmark- it’s totally your decision. I didn’t decide because I was forced, I truly felt that jolt of unwavering motivation, and I feel incredibly blessed that things happened the way it happened.
Thanks for reading my long story, and I will be back to comment more after my forum is over. :)
Vanessa says
Hey Jenny… I was gifted the three day forum and I am excited (not taking mine until January 2015). I searched back in your blog to find your post on it, because I remember seeing on instagram a while back that you had attended. How did you feel about not being able to take notes? That’s the only thing that’s really irking me a bit. I know, generally speaking, what i’m stepping into and feel the same way you did about the sales aspect. I intend to leave my cash, credit cards and checkbook at home. :)
Andrew says
This is a spot-on review of Landmark. I, too, resisted it for YEARS because the hard-sell marketing tactics really turned me off. I found it off-putting when people I know would call me on the 2nd day of their forum begging me to come because it somehow really reminded me of religious missionaries trying to recruit other people. I also think that’s where a lot of the “cult” stuff comes in.
But I found Landmark tremendously useful as a way of looking at life and I learned a tremendous amount from the experience. Really, I’d pay a LOT more to do a version of Landmark where they were constantly upselling me or trying to get me to recruit my friends. I’d love to just go somewhere with a Landmark coach and get down to brass tacks without all the marketing.
Joan Marshall says
I too was approached to do the “Landmark course” what? when I delved in to self development long long ago. It was the generosity of a very caring gentleman who asked me to get the first book
“The Sky Is The Limit” written by Wayne Dyer from that book to many books by Louise Hay and I have never looked back. I was told I would take ten steps forward in my way of thinking and ten steps back that is true because society and Parents condition us. Why would someone like me want to waste $500 on Landmark. I am a realist no excuses for people who say you are being judge mental you are only judge mental when you do not know the facts when some situation is blatantly thrown in your face deal with facts and not airy fairy excuses of being judge mental.
Manthan says
Thanks for writing this Jenny, It will be useful to tell my friends about it… Congratulations for ‘what happened’ to you over there, I liked your ‘story’ ;)
Hank says
Thanks, Jenny! I attended the Forum also and got a lot out of it. There is pressure to tell family and friends to sign up for it, but they would get something out of it, no question. I signed up for the advanced course as well, and am really psyched. My approach to this curriculum is to enjoy it with an open mind. Others will see what you have and want it – attraction, rather than promotion. ;-)
shirley says
Hi Hank, I am considering do the advanced course having just this weekend gone completed the forum, & tonight the last tuesday of the 3 days then will be the follow up 10 days. I want to ask you if you did the advanced & was it worth it? Regards Shirley
Shedward says
Hello Jenny. Happy Anniversary to the article! It is (was) well said and well written. Your words are right on and relate very much to my experience at The Forum. I recently attended the October 2014 session in the Boston area. I also attended The Advanced Course in Dec. 2014 and currently taking The Landmark Seminar Series – Breakthroughs: Living Outside the Box to deepen my exploration & transformation. BTW, Vanilla Sky is one of my favorites too! Peace.
Annemarie says
I would like to thank the author of this blog for her refreshing view of the Forum. I just completed my Forum this week end in Chicago. And I would like to let everyone know. I got my life back and my voice. Its interesting to see the negative comments on the Forum and the comments on the restrictive practices “the Forum” supposedly does. I for one didn’t leave starved or sleep deprived..
Its funny how much we run ourselves ragged in the game of life. Running our families and working late hours for our business and yet giving oneself 3 days to explore why something is not working for us is a cult. Last time I looked this program is not a court required treatment center. Yet, I believe just as Jenny stated if you aren’t ready to listen and be open to what the Forum has to offer. Then the B.S. story you walked in with you will leave with.
My own personal reason for doing the Forum is that I thought I had been unhappy with my business and I was going to develop new perspectives to address this. Lets face it most of us have spent 100s of dollars on self-help books to assist us with the reality. Instead what I received from “the Forum” was a new way of communicating with myself, my loved ones and my clients..It took me out of my head and placed me in action to just ask better questions and make declarations about what I deserve for myself. I did the work necessary and came away with a new perspective and a non fear of getting my power back.
If one thing could come out of doing a weekend. Then just having a conversation with someone that I hadnt had in 10 years and feel complete about it; then it was worth it. “The Forum” only makes you aware that we have “now” there are many in my life that have passed and I never had that conversation. Is that worth 3 days. We spend more on our lattes every day then on 3 days to become complete.
For those of you looking to be “in action” in your life I applaud you. Congratulations do the work and stop finding people to surround yourself that will feed into the B.S. believe. Something brought you to the forum and stop blaming a “Forum”leader for yelling at you. Yelling is what you hear. What I heard is stop the insanity and wake up. If you want a better life and peace. You are resposible.
Remember DWIT “do whatever it takes” you have the ability to have an extrodinary life.
Kayvan Sylvan says
I did the Forum back in December of 1989. This was before Landmark Education was formed.
The BEST course I have EVER done. It literally changed (for the better) the course of my life beyond anything I could have imagined.
Since then, I have reviewed the Landmark Forum a few times. Each time, it has been incredibly transformational. This work is a miracle.
I THOROUGHLY recommend it to everyone. If you are anywhere near San Jose, get ahold of me and I will get you to an introduction. In fact, we have one coming up in a week or so (Wednesday February 18th) led by a Landmark Forum leader.
Thank you for your post, I very much enjoyed your sharing your experience!
Susan says
Hi Jenny, thanks so much for your post. I am taking a Landmark Forum next month and since I registered I’ve heard lots of bad experiences and received some “culty” comments. So was wondering what to expect, if I’m doing the right thing, etc… Your post put it in perspective for me.
Lauren says
I’m taking the class in Dallas in April and I’m very nervous/excited about what I can get out of this whole experience. I’m very nervous about being judged by everyone in the room, I am terrified of public speaking but I know I’ll want to go up to the mic and say what difficulties I’m going through in my life. I want this course to change the way I look at life but I don’t know how I’m going to be able to do that if I have this fear inside from stopping me to do so.
Katie says
before I completed the forum I was cynical and reigned to my life as a single, 22 year old welfare mom with two kids.
Since the forum I’ve gone to college for a certification, held a great job for over a year, gotten engaged to the man who introduced me to landmark, travelled the country with my kids for a year straight (which included two trips to Disneyland), I have 2 apartments now, one in Arizona and minnesota, amazing relationships with most of my family, and so much more! Oh and I’ve completed the advanced course, SELP, communication course, and I’m currently in the ILP. :)
Feel free to contact me if anyone wants to have a conversation! :)
Bruno says
Did you complete the advanced course? What did you think? I just completed before him and I am debating on signing up for the advanced course. Any insight you can give me would be amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Bruno says
That was supposed to say “the forum”*, not “before him” ugh, Siri
Ryan says
Great honest review of the forum. I just attended one and I agree with essentially everything in this review.
S says
Seems they prey on people who have a low self esteem, or a lot of turmoil or issues in their life. Her friend asked her to go there, of course he was pressured to bring someone to sign up.
I have read so many reviews on this. Yelp is a great one. I am wondering if your plugging this thing is your way of repayment?
I know of a person who was pressured to take the courses and as soon as she ran out of money… poof gone….. no further interest by Landmark. She finally had to disassociate herself with this …. Just a financial drain.
I read articles that they start charging your credit card if you don’t sign up. Emails and addresses for this place is very difficult to locate. If you don’t bring a person or persons to the Wed night friends and family, you are told you are being resistant. Not koolaid but close.
jenny sansouci says
Hey S, what do you mean by me “plugging this thing as a way of repayment?”
I paid for the Forum, I paid for the Advanced Course. My blog had nothing to do with that payment.
I wrote this blog to share my experience because I wished someone else had written one like this before I went. These are the questions I had about Landmark and I wanted to answer them. That’s it. :)
It’s not hard to find physical addresses for Landmark. They are on the website. http://www.landmarkworldwide.com/who-we-are/contact-us/contact-your-local-office
I don’t know of any instances where they charge your credit card for anything you didn’t purchase.
Landmark isn’t perfect as I’ve mentioned in this post, but some of these claims are simply untrue.
Bunny says
Did the Landmark Forum in Vancouver, BC this past weekend. It wasn’t for me, as I have already processed everything with my biological family, and don’t need someone to tell me that “even if you don’t love them, you should still call them & tell them that you do.” How INAUTHENTIC is that.
The whole discussion around ENROLLMENT is creepy. They brought it up over & over & over & over & the sales tactics were over the top ridiculous. If the course is so amazing, why the need to push it like that. They kept pushing us to say we would bring people to a Tuesday night meeting (which I will most decidedly not be attending) and then started spewing off stats on how many people certain people have brought in the past, as if it was a contest.
When I told them I wasn’t buying in 100%, they told me I was stuck in my rackets, and would never ever be happy in my life unless & until I followed their program. Wow. Felt like people would start speaking in tongues at any moment. Then when I explained that I didn’t agree with every single thing, they looked at me with the saddest puppy dog eyes.
I think it was a cathartic experience for a lot of young folks who had never done something like this before (spoken openly and honestly with their friends and family members or examined their past in detail).
Not for me, was a total waste of money.
jenny sansouci says
Yes, I experienced some of that too. I had to miss my Tuesday night of the Advanced Course because I had a flight, and many people said to me, “Do you not want to live a life that’s powerful, and a life that you love?” And I was like, dudes, I can live a powerful life without attending the Tuesday night. So chill out please. Haha. It ended up being fine. :)
Markb3699 says
As a Landmark graduate, I have to say: Good work. You captured the essence of the Forum while keeping an objectivity usually missing in other journalistic investigations of the Forum. I found most of your observations right on the mark.
jenny sansouci says
Thanks!
Priya says
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for this post! Very insightful :) Can I ask about your experience on the Advanced Course? Did you do the Self Expression and Leadership Programme too?
Priya xoxo
jenny sansouci says
Hey Priya, the Advanced Course was way more intense than the Forum but I am glad I did it. You really need to go in there with an open mind but ALSO remember that Landmark is not the entire world – you still have your own personal choices and you don’t have to totally buy into everything. I wish someone said that to me before I did the Advanced Course, because I struggled with that a bit. But overall I learned a lot about myself!! I think it was worth it.
jenny sansouci says
And no – I didn’t do the SELP
shirley says
Hi Jenny, thank you for laying Landmark out they way you have. I wanted to ask you, as this article is a while ago now how the Advanced Course has worked for you. Just this weekend I did the Landmark forum and a whole heap of ‘stuff’in my life known & unknown has left me a bit depressed and unsure. I haven’t had a breakthrough as a lot of people did but am going tonight for the last night of the forum & then following up with the 10 weeks. I just wanted to ask your current thoughts about the course & advanced course & if it has had a positive impact on your life to date? Would really love to hear from you as I have been googling Landmark & too have found some negative things about it – cultish, just after vulnerable people’s money blah blah but I don’t want to get sucked into that. Regards Shirley
jenny sansouci says
Hi Shirley, sorry for my delay in replying to this. The Advanced Course was NUTS but I’m glad I did it. It was way more intense than the Forum and really triggered me in a lot of ways. But I don’t regret it. I learned a lot. :) There were some negative things about it but at the end of the day I actually do understand why they structure it that way. I think if you go into it with an open mindset while remembering that you don’t have to buy into every single thing that goes on there, it’s a great experience.
BASAVARAJAIAH says
Registered for ILP starting October 2015, this education must be included at school level
Hank says
Hi,
I did the Forum last year in September. I got my relationship back (and better then it ever was) and I feel happier and less stressed. I was never pressured, never pushed and I met a lot of nice people. Great course.
Hank
Melinda says
Hi Jenny, great write-up! I did the Landmark Forum in 2008 with no idea what I was getting into, my boss wanted me to go so after resisting what I saw as “giving up my weekend” for about a year, I went – and there’s been no looking back since then! For me that 3 days and an evening (it’s not complete without the Tuesday completion session) were like a complete mental workout and spa. My brain got stretched and massaged and scrubbed clean, and the world became a place where I can now create life how it works for me, rather than being a victim of circumstances, as I’d seen myself prior to the Landmark Forum.
What I signed up immediately was the Assisting Program. This is not your typical volunteer program, it’s a training and development program in the Landmark curriculum, and the amazing thing it’s free.
I did the Advanced Course about 6 months later, and the ILP 2 years after that – plus I’ve done 3 seminars a year either as a participant or as part of the Assisting Program.
Why do I continue my participation? Because what Landmark offers me is a community that stands for me as big as I can see myself and bigger, and provides the tools and coaching to fulfill on any possibility I create for my life.
What I really want to mention is about this talk of “pressure”. I have never felt any pressure to sign up for anything or bring anyone. I’m in the same courses, though, right? My point is, it’s all in how we hear it. The way I’ve heard it, from my very first Landmark Forum, is that part of creating a world that works for everyone, starting with me, is going to be having my friends, family, and co-workers aligned – in our goals and our methods. Just like if we are all going to coach a swim team, it makes a huge difference if we are aligned in our plan and our methodology.
As a result where I had good relationships with my kids I now have AMAZING relationships with my kids, and I have also created fabulous relationships with my siblings, my parents, my friends, and my co-workers – many of whom have also done the Landmark Forum but not all – however with this education we are now all aligned with how we be with each other, and we be in a way that has elevated us from a family that grumbled at and about each other on holidays, to a family that has fantastic, loving, and fabulously fun vacations together!
Does some of this sound like lingo? Great, get yourself into the next Landmark Forum and find out what it means and what it can bring to YOUR life!
(BTW for those who have been dissatisfied with their experience, are you aware that Landmark promises satisfaction or money back – if it’s been years you may not be able to redeem that promise, but they are committed to your satisfaction – which by the way does take participation on your part. It’s not a magic wand. It may take more than you’re willing to give, and that’s okay. It’s up to each of us to choose. Just like someone who wants to play the violin, it takes more than buying an instrument and paying a teacher. Although I entered the program skeptical and cynical and resigned, once I got, for the first time in my life at age 54, that I could actually participate in my own life and design it, that I could CHOOSE what my life looks like, my days of being a victim were over forever!)
Thanks, Jenny, for providing this look at the Landmark Forum for people who want to know a little something about it and are suspicious that their friends and family who are so excited, are lying to them or trying to sell them something – isn’t it crazy that we even think that way? Yet we do, and we wonder why our lives don’t work the way we want them to!
Chinarut says
wow jenny! I found your article Googling “why is the Landmark Forum not considered therapy” and really inspired by how you shared about your experience! the way you bolded key statements and succeeded in using everyday language is what I think I wanted to do after my Landmark Forum back in 2001 but didn’t quite succeed and unfortunately turned some of my friends and colleagues off. Now that it’s been so long, I’m starting to realize a lot of my share are just about things I’ve created in my life and the difference I make – it’s no longer about the Landmark Forum or teaching people distinctions – it’s kinda nice :)
i think it’s also awesome you are still replying to posts here 2 years later! it must be great to keep the conversation alive like this and hear from all kinds of peeps! it’s nice to see most of the comments here are very positive and you haven’t gotten any trolls!
in any case – just wanted to give you another kudos – ditto to a lot of what has been said! Look forward to hearing what you get out of reviewing the LF and if you decide to do the SELP! either way, I’m clear you’re creating an unmessable community! :)
Noelle says
I went with a friend from church to a Landmark meeting. (She’s been taking classes since the 1980’s.) I liked a few things I heard there, but told them I wasn’t going to sign up for anything that night. I didn’t. But the things that I learned were valuable and I wanted the opportunity to learn more. Almost 2 weeks later I signed up for the Forum, and am looking forward to learning more ways to change my perspective as a way of getting more of what I want out of life. :-)
Greenleaf says
I signed up for the Landmark and will be doing it this Memorial Weekend. Im terrifed actually. But I need some sort of direction in my life. I cant seem to let go of shit. So is it brainwashing? Did you get that feeling? did it change your perspective on life and more importantly do you use it in everyday life? I have heard that you are made to feel you are the reason your problems arose or that your to blame. Any feedback on that? Thanks for responding. I dont know that I will check this but if you could email me at mikeyhalsey@gmail many thanks maam and hope all goes well.
Jen says
Thank you so much for sharing! I just signed up for the course because my friend told me it would change my life. Although I did sign up for at the place, which I was kicking myself for at the end of the day, I am determined to get the most out of it that I can and see how it goes regardless of the reviews and negative “cult” feedback. This was a good review! Thanks for taking the time to write this.
WndrGuy says
HI Jenny,
Great read. I am taking the forum in September. I was wondering what the ideas are pertaining to relationships and marriage? Do they believe in physical encounters and stay committed? What is their general take on close relationships?
Tara says
Your blog along with all the comments is a reminder of why I need to get back into the conversation.
I have been involved since 2004 with my last participation in 2014 when I stepped out of the Team Management Leadership Program (TMLP) premature (dropped out).
I allowed BS to hold me back and made excuses for BS.
Since then some wonderful things have opened up, however, being in the conversation could open up so much more.
Thanks for sharing Jenny! Thanks for reminding me!!
Mark says
Great blog! Yes once we get transformation, it is very hard to keep it on ourselves. We simply want to other people have what we got. I used to be very resistant to inviting other people into the forum. But then I realised, we either do it or not do it, why are we so significant about it?
In my view, Landmark did not hold anything back. It even gave me the tools to say no freely to Landmark (rather than just being at the effect of it).
Also, I think Landmark actually gave its customers the space to think about terrible things about Landmark. Hey, landmark itself might not even care what we think about it, why do we care? :)
Syl says
Jenny!
Thank you so much for writing this article. There is so much BS out there about landmark education, written by people who have never even attended or who left after a few hours and never got to experience the benefits.
I have taken various courses with landmark since 2002, sometimes with periods of several years where I’m not participating at all, and I can guarantee that it is definitely not a cult. You can be involved as much or as little as you wish.
I have done other forms of personal development work over the years, I’ve been very disciplined about how I go about living, and all of it has contributed to me building an extraordinary life that is beyond my wildest dreams. And when I look back, I know that it all started with me taking the landmark forum into thousand two. That was the wake up call, and the catalyst that led me to take responsibility for my life, then to imagine, create, and get to work on an amazing existence since then. Probably the biggest Takeaway I got from landmark was giving myself freedom. Freedom from the petty anger that sometimes showed up in me, freedom from taking things personally, freedom from letting outside forces (people or circumstances) dictate how I’m going to feel or react. Freedom every day to know that only I determine what kind of life I have. I wish every person on The planet could live with this sense of freedom. To anyone “afraid” of what might happen in Landmark, I would say: be more afraid of an unexamined life, one where you’re still living out old patterns without even knowing it, and then wondering why things aren’t changing. Make no mistake: Landmark isn’t for the faint of heart, you will be challenged and you will be put back in the drivers seat of your life. But you have to be ready to do it.
Goldbir says
It’s 16 years ago now since I attended landmark forum. I stayed involved for a couple of years but nothing since. But I have to say it’s probably the thing that created the best positive change in my life. Beforehand I carried a lot of subconscious anger. But that disappeared. It allowed me at the age of 40 to begin loving my mum. And 5 years after the forum I met my now husband after having previously struggled to maintain relationships. My take is that it’s a perfect tool for getting really clear on yourself. I think it is too pushy in its approach and that’s a shame. But it’s always a choice and for me I’m so glad I started that journey to valuing my life and all those in it. This year I had a large cancerous tumour that I’m now clear of. But it was a great feeling before my operation to realise how perfect all the people in my life are and how there was nothing to regret.
Ann says
Interesting comments. I was invited to a Landmark seminar 20 years ago in Atlanta. It was horrible. Bullying, shouting, yelling, shark-like sales tactics — all under the guise of “don’t you want to be happy”? Question—if Landmark is the KEY to ultimate happiness and is the ticket to breaking through personal barriers that hold us back, why then isn’t Landmark affordable for everyone? If Landmark and the people who profess it to be life changing, why then do they not offer it for a price everyone can afford? Think about it — who wouldn’t want to change our world by making everyone happy? Yet, Landmark is outrageously expensive. Another question — if Landmark is the answer to ultimate happiness why isn’t EVERYONE jumping on board? The very same tactics that Landmark uses is right out of the Scientology playbook. Screaming at others and telling them “you are not worth it”, and brow-beating them into submission is nothing more than emotional water-boarding at a high price. I’m happy to read that most of your commenters had a good experience. For me and my family and friends who know all too well about Landmark, we choose to stay away — far away.
Lorraine says
Thank you so much for this. I was curious to know if they give you reading material or worksheets to take home for review or to brush up on the concepts or is it all lecture?
Puneet Singh says
Thanks Jenny for sharing this blog. Your life was awesome and after doing landmark it has become better. What do you wanna sum up? If vanilla sky is your favorite movie you better watch ‘A clockwork orange’. Recently I attended a landmark introduction meeting and was utterly disappointed to find out that it’s nothing beyond showcasing one’s product and then pushing one to buy it. To me it’s only for those who had a problematic childhood/past, estranged relationship, relationship woes or living with a guilt or with a sub set mind. The introduction meeting which I happen to attend was sort of a family affair. X didn’t have cordial relationship with her in-laws, Y was whining due to no success in his life, Z was complaining of generation gap and so on. We all are solely responsible of our words and actions in life. At any juncture one just has to close his/her eyes and look back at the retrospective. A movie kinda rolls in front of your eyes dating back from your childhood to till date. Here I would like to confront everyone with, “who is the coach and who all are coach able?” The coach is the one who is defining everything in his/her own perspective/convenience and coach able are the ones who are embracing it without even questioning it. We all are aware of our actions, right or wrong. Why not to curb it then and there itself instead of completing it? First we commit mistakes and then we repent upon them. The forum may work for those sub set minds or confused lot. Anyone who can take responsibility of his/her own actions doesn’t need any insight. Why can’t we learn on our own? Why do we need someone to cram our head with the same? We all as humans have been gifted with an analytical mind which is capable of thinking analytically as well as logically. So why defy the logic? The introduction leader asserted that whatever she was saying is not true. Its like the matrix. See the spoon bend but then there is no spoon. LOL. The job of mending and amending is never ending. It goes on. I am happy that you were able to transform your life but the involvement in others getting transformed in not understood. The introduction itself appeared to me as an amalgamation of science, cognitive behaviour, psychology, sociology, zen and buddhism in the name of transformation. The very day you held yourself accountable of your actions you are transformed. A mediator is not required to do that.
jenny sansouci says
Thanks for your comment, Puneet.
This blog was meant to describe what it’s like in the Landmark Forum, not to say anyone should or should not do it. It’s something I was curious about for years, and I wanted to go in order to answer all the questions for others that I had myself.
It’s definitely not for everyone but I learned a lot and got some very cool perspective shifts that I don’t know I’d necessarily get from just sitting by myself and analyzing my life. I found it to be a cool experience.
To each their own. Some people love and some people hate it. As it is with everything in life! ?
jenny sansouci says
Thanks for your comment, Puneet.
This blog was meant to describe what it’s like in the Landmark Forum, not to say anyone should or should not do it. It’s something I was curious about for years, and I wanted to go in order to answer all the questions for others that I had myself.
It’s definitely not for everyone but I learned a lot and got some very cool perspective shifts that I don’t know I’d necessarily get from just sitting by myself and analyzing my life. I found it to be a cool experience.
To each their own. Some people love and some people hate it. As it is with everything in life! :)
Puneet Singh says
Yeah, very true Jenny and I agree to it. But it’s a question of analytical/logical thinking. Your blog starts with, “Hey Curious Cats!!” Curiosity did kill the cat. LoL. I am not averted to the idea of transformation but the hard pushing selling tactics they resort to. It’s a matter of my choice whether to enroll myself for the forum or not. I didn’t like the pushiness at all. It was kinda an assertion that my life would be miserable if I do not attend the forum. It’s very difficult to part with one’s ego. Landmark somehow manages to tackle the issue to a great extent. I don’t even term it as a cult for it has nothing to do with the religious beliefs of the people. Overall, I am very happy for those who have got some positive values from the forum or are able to reshape their lives. It has surely given them some very good reasons to face the life as it comes to them.
Prince says
As most people said here, Landmark is definitely not cult. I would like everyone to see what we feel about the landmark forum here > http://guidea2z.com/is-landmark-forum-a-cult-or-mlm-scam/
Svetlana Ostrovskaya says
I took landmark starting yesterday february 3, 2017 in Chicago, IL and today the coach (his name is Paul and I am not sure about last name) told me I am uncoachable and I need to leave seminar. I still do not understand why. All I asked yesterday after the coach spoke for 4 hours with himself without engaging audience if there is a way that people can share their stories as well during first day of landmark. He answered yesterday “NO. I am doing all talking today.” I said was ok with it, after all it is just a question. But today he decided to take revenge on me, called me in front of the audience, and he said he will personally train me to solve all issues in my life. I told my story to audience. Main reason I am at landmark I said that I am real estate investor and want to improve myself in what I already do may be get more confidence when working with people during real estate transaction. I told my story getting involved with real estate. After all real estate is a people business and I just wanted to improve my confidence and improve productivity making more real estate deals this year. This was my story. Paul asked why I have problems getting friends. I said: “I have no problems with getting friends. I have a lot of friends.” He asked why I am angry, I said I am not, just trying to get value out of seminar. He asked why I am so emotional when I speak to audience and I said I am ukrainian and in my country all speak with emotions and I do not want to change it. By the way many people like my presentation style and my accent, so why changing it, it does not prevent people understanding me or making friends.
He interrupted me, told me to stop talking and said he will teach me. I was not sure what he wants to teach me and I asked “can you teach me how to become millionaire?” more like a joke and to keep up with the conversation. Paul could easily turn my question into a joke but he did not, Paul got even more upset with me, he told me to leave the seminar, because he said I am not coachable & I am not allowing other participants to get value out of seminar.
There is some problems with this Paul, he is having issues with people asking him questions he does not like, also he has no sense of humor. How he can teach other people how to live their lives if he has personal issues he needs to overcome.
I also did not like that everything that people spoke about on seminar was their fault. For example one woman that left husband who is an alcoholic admitted that she struggled asking him to stop drinking for many years nothing changed – man kept drinking. So she left her husbands and feels happier now. Now, Paul told her to come back to her ex-husband and apologize. I think it is simply wrong. There is nothing this women did wrong. There are lots of alcoholics in my country which destroys marriages and there is nothing women can do unless man wants to stop drinking. Sometimes separation from an alcoholic might be a best choice for women to have a better life. Paul told this women to come back to ex husband, apologize and continue to be as miserable as she was for many years. I would say come back if man wants to get sober and get back with his wife, otherwise if only women wants this marriage works this is unacceptable. This type of coaching can destroy some one else’s life. Those people who came to seminar already have low self esteem, and Paul makes people think of themselves even smaller during the seminar instead of encouraging living life at their own terms and get out of bad situations they already are with other people.
Also I did not like that they pushed for 2 days to sign up other people to this program. After all
if people like landmark they recommend it to their friends. I got home at 12am on train after the seminar and wondered what I will do with piece of paper they gave me to signup my friends to landmark, my friends will think I am crazy calling them so late about landmark
After seminar I called one of my friends and told all about the seminar and my bad experience with it. My friend said that I am awesome and I should not listen to anyone. Even if 140 people liked the coach, they all could be wrong and I am right. I was happy to hear this from my friend. Also my little girls said they missed me and glad that i am home (my 8 years old said she missed me so much that she used her magic powers to get me back home)
I have learned that having friends and family is worth more the entire landmark experience
I went to landmark to understand I do not need it.
All I want to say is this: do not wait for some guy Paul from landmark to come and teach you how to overcome all issues in your life. This guy has his own problems to solve and can not help you, your happiness in your own hands. If you have not spoke with your spouse for years, DO IT, if you need to change your career, DO It, do not wait for someone else to come and solve your problems. Your life is in your own hands.
Sunita Sharma says
One of my friend who attended the all basic, advance and leadership course insisting me since last two year to attend and now decided to enroll for my self and friend paying 650$ fee as gift to attend the class. I do not know how landmark going to transform and create possibility for myself and my life. I have read some comments and anyways I will attend forum with open mind.
Paul C says
Well said Jenny. For people who are curious, I did not take the Landmark Forum but knew someone who did and he had an amazing transformative experience. So did his father who was a stoic and reticent ex-cop. I saw a lot more acceptance, openness and willingness to communicate in that family afterwards.
I of course was very curious and my friend was willing to share as much as he could. He in fact went to the advanced course immediately and became an instructor. Through his instruction, which was tough but sympatico with me because we were friends, I gained most of the insight into what is offered in the course over several weeks without doing the course itself. There were things left out here and there and I could have got more out of it by going myself but my friend was generous with sharing, was a great instructor and I really ‘got it’ in a major way that has left a permanent impression on me. It left me as a non-victim in my own life. A person who blamed everything around me for how I was choosing to perceive things. I was able to see and think clearly for the first time ever. It was a profound wakeup and that is the intention. Giving up being right for simply being is a very difficult thing for people to do. It didn’t take away my critical thinking ability but it certainly toned it down as it was wrapped up in bias and limited stories about everything. Seeing clearly was something I wished others to be able to do. If it were possible, the world would unquestionably be a better place for it. That’s why so many people want others to do it. It feels like the greatest gift you could give them. I know that seems strange to people and they try and scrutinize it and take it apart piece by piece and smell it to see how much poison there is in it and kick it to see if it attacks them. The unknown part of it is the unknown part of themselves and that scares people so they call it a brainwashing cult because they can’t wrap their head around why people want them involved. To them people aren’t naturally good and giving, they’re selfish and stupid.
I well understood psychology beforehand, Philosophy and Zen Buddhism and got something from those. Especially Zen Buddhism. This takes the ideas and makes them into practical tools that dismantle the ‘meaning making machine’ that is the brain. It’s a shortcut or a hack to something people spend decades to come to in their lives. You are left as yourself but distilled and purified without the additional junk you go around with and have to deal with constantly. People think they can do this on their own and they have no idea just how saturated in lies and illusions they really are until they see all their choices coming from the same repeating sources within tbat aren’t immediately apparent. That is something people do not see or don’t know that they dont know until they know. You can’t know until you go and do it. You can’t really understand it or talk about it. It’s only half concept, the rest is a doing, happening action. You cant truly see yourself with all your acting without interacting. You cant know yourself without knowing your reacting.
Some people get shaken up very badly from the experience and are left feeling confused or think they are in trouble without their old stories that they cling to as if who they are isn’t always present at all times. No one told them to think differently at Landmark, they just showed them how THEY already think differently and some people cannot face that and go on the defensive or even offensive. I think as a result, their thinking goes something along the lines of ‘No one shows me how ridiculous and silly my brain actually is and gets away with it!’. To me when I’ve seen that kind of reactionary behaviour online I just always see pride which is one of the worst most limiting feelings a person can get stuck in. Its probably the biggest limitation of all of them. Some people dont want to be presented with options or different points of view. I believe these people have more potential to create problems and harm to others around them than anyone else. Toxic is a way to describe a level of stinginess that forces their reality to be your reality and accept no alternatives. When you are in the company of someone who is a tight construct with seams welded together they will decide what is right and wrong about everything around them and a position of authority is the only way for them to not be questioned and to be untouchable. Its you who’s going to be out of line, everytime. I believe it is this kind of person who is the antithesis to this course in human development. These people won’t like it, will resist it and will condemn it because it attacks that and they’re not going to let go of their very special constructed way of being that people around them dont find as very special or important at all. When I hear people put this course down with absolutely nothing good to say, I immediately dont like them. Like someone who’d kick a puppy in the face. I generally assume that this is not the sort of person who is caring, open and accessible but closed, uptight, hostile and angry. Before the ham sandwich an a**hole. After the ham sandwich, an a**hole. Get it? There’s no changing some people and no satisfying them. Complaining and bitching is a sport to some people. As is making others around them wrong, miserable or responsible for all of their own misery. They won’t like this course because maybe the pain of facing up to all the misery they’ve created for others might be too much to bear once they realize it was all from themselves. Or they just won’t care. ‘How dare you try and make me self aware?’.
This may be some elaborate story ive created about these people who are extremely negative about this course. It’s also possible that it’s true in many cases. That’s one kind of person. A really, really awful instructor might explain the rest.
Sorry I wrote a novel but I have a lot to say. Its difficult not to judge people that criticize something as amazing as this course is but I don’t work for or have any ties to Landmark, so I dont have to care about P.R. I’m just a guy with an opinion.
95% of people will gain an invaluable experience from this. The 2% of mental breakdowns are tied to ego anyway and was inevitable when the world doesnt match up to exact expectation. The 3% of Impossible sociopaths will hate it because not caring at all works much better than learning anything. There is though, a good 95% chance that YOU will like it.
Elle Nicole says
I spent thousands of dollars trying to get my husband back but with no results. after much searching and frustration and much wasted on other so called spell caster, only Dr Mack could bring my husband back permanently. Dr Mack is the most amazing and most powerful Man that I have ever come across with, last week when i contact Dr Mack by his email Dr_mack@yahoo. com to cast a spell that will bring back my husband, and at the 10th of May my husband called me 3 times and sent me 2 love text messages!! I saw results within 4 days of the casting, I am very excited my husband is back now, i am so happy that Dr Mack brought the love of my life back..
Lee says
Just read your blog on Landmark, i have resat my forum 3 times and done my advance once all since i think 2008. The only thing i haven’t got sorted in my life is my 7yr on again off again relationship with my partner. He’s done his forum and got confronted on the last evening of his advanced course so never completed it. My comment is i never realised my relationship sounds like the one you described while on stage with the leader. I’ve been waiting for my relationship to turn into the one i have envisaged in my head i wanted it to be. I’ll be using a zimmer frame before that ever happens.
Thank you for giving me a light bulb moment. X
Go the Landmark Form!!
Mark says
So interesting to read this. I did the original est training in 1979 and the est 6 day in 1981 as well as Seminars from 1979-1983. est definitely gave me the ability to think beyond my thoughts about myself; the story I told myself about who I was. I “got” that I didn’t have to be controlled by my thoughts about my weaknesses. I used these skills to have career successes that I never could have achieved without the Training.
The Training influenced me as a husband, son, and father. I’m 67 and still use what I got from my experience. Landmark sounds very similar to the est Training. Except for the fact that the Training was 4 days over 2 weekends, your comments mirror my experience. I never “pushed” the Training on my kids. Last month on their own initiative they told me they are signing up for Landmark. At that point I told them that I did the original est Training and they are “stoked”.👌🏻
Anna Lee Olgin says
I’ve done EST, all the seminars and classes. The only one I didn’t do was Self-Actuation. However the Wisdom course was my favorite. All in all I am thankful for Werner Erhard for creating the EST and also for Landmark. As a result, I am at peace and have been for several years. I started in 1977 and kept taking the seminars for over 30 years.
Bethany S says
I bet your reaction after that conversation where you felt so inspired by someone who’d been through Landmark was priceless! especially because you’d been so against the whole thing up until that point. Your “review” of the Forum seems so personal and I appreciate it.
Sinclair says
“Would I recommend it to everyone? No, I can’t be the one to decide that. “ Thanks for being honest. too often I read or hear about stuff like this and the person INSISTS that EVERYONE should do it, and I just don’t think that’s true. if people are called to do it, they should but they shouldn’t feel pressured.
Oscar Gonzalez says
I don’t know why anyone would spend money to go to one of these things if they’re not going to even try to be open minded about it. you gave it a chance and it seems to have been a good experience for you, and that’s great.
K says
Hi there! I am supposed to the course this weekend but I am 7 months pregnant and not sure if it’s the best time for me to do the course due to how intense it may be emotionally and the length of each day and how far along i am in my pregnancy. Just curious on your thoughts! I know you’re not a doctor and can’t give medical advice but curious on what your opinion is.
MARK BAUSCH says
I did the forum in 1989 at Edison NJ and then the 6 day volunteer program held in upstate NY. With the brief coaching from a Representative I was able to get take 3 days off from the business I was in when I thought I could not even take one day off. And then signed up for the 6 day Volunteer program 2 months later. I did several courses after that. The result was transforming for my life and I was empowered to makes changes in my life for the positive that never would have been possible before. It opened the door to a totally new reality, a much more empowering one.
Darcie Smarrelli says
Jenny, it’s great that you shared this with everyone. I attended landmark a year ago at the urging of a friend. I think the most difficult thing for me was the phone calls. I chose to make a call to my dad. We’ve had an up and down relationship for most of my adult life. Our relationship is still a work in progress but the communication is there.
Chris Dawson says
Finished the Landmark Forum a couple years ago and changed my outlook on pretty much my entire life. True, the course is not easy and the experience is even exhausting – but what you get out of it is special. Thank you for the read!
Lottie says
Thank you for this article … was interested in taking the landmark forum, but have been procrastinating. I have signed up this morning and can’t wait!!