Self-Awareness Groups

[grapevine]

My parents had friends involved in those when I was growing up. Advertised them and they said I don't need this manure. Listen to brethern. Confess sins sit on shoulder crying, Sick. And stuff goes on there don't need to hear. Wisdom in not associating with them.

As for Ga's how many times will we get that letter. Like our problem is all they have to worry about. It comes about every few years. Actually letters have not been read for some time in Conference from people that have worthless husbands. I wonder if that will happen soon. After being told not to contact Ga's.

[smokymountainrain]

I'm not doubting it's creepy. It's a feeling so it's hard to pinpoint. Things that creep me out don't bother other people in the least and vice versa. If someone had self esteem problems, writing love letters to themselves might do them some good. I've got a friend that keeps a journal to write everything he is thankful for. He says it helps him keep a good attitude and makes him happy.

I agree. This is mostly why I've decided to stop letting it bother me and just let her be. It still bothers my wife quite a bit and I find myself defending my MIL more often than criticizing her involvement these days. My FIL doesn't like that she does it either, but he has handled it like a champion - I don't know that I would be able to do the same.

[BlueHair]

I'm sorry, but it's difficult to be specific on this one - I'll just say my wife came across some of the "love" letters (I forgot what they called them) my MIL was assigned to write to herself and others and I just remember the word that immediately came to mind was "creepy". The midnight walks in the woods seemed pretty creepy to me as well. Beyond that, I don't have much as I've tried to ignore it lately and just let her be. Overall, I don't think it's a good or positive thing, but it hasn't been the worst thing for her either.

I'm not doubting it's creepy. It's a feeling so it's hard to pinpoint. Things that creep me out don't bother other people in the least and vice versa. If someone had self esteem problems, writing love letters to themselves might do them some good. I've got a friend that keeps a journal to write everything he is thankful for. He says it helps him keep a good attitude and makes him happy.

[BlueHair]

I found some stuff on rip-off report. Some people talked about them asking you to sever ties with family and friends. Staying in training until 2-3 AM. Some even mentioned temple-like rites. Also, there were lots of pro-Impact people refuting all of those claims.

I don't like the idea of asking people to sever ties with family (unless it's an abusive situation). The other stuff doesn't sound too damaging. I've worked a lot of graveyard shifts, so nighttime doesn't bother me. College kids routinely stay up late studying. Most self help books tell you to drop friend that hold you back. I agree with that. You become like the people you spend the most time with. The temple rites thing is strange, if true.

[smokymountainrain]

Bump

I'm sorry, but it's difficult to be specific on this one - I'll just say my wife came across some of the "love" letters (I forgot what they called them) my MIL was assigned to write to herself and to others and I remember the word that immediately came to mind was "creepy". The midnight walks in the woods seemed pretty creepy to me as well. Beyond that, I don't have much as I've tried to ignore it lately and just let her be. Overall, I don't think it's a good or positive thing and would advise people to stay far away from it based on what I've seen, but it hasn't been the absolute worst thing for her either.

What will be most interesting to me will be to see how she handles this letter - my MIL toes the line in terms of church stuff and is mostly of the opinion that church leaders - from the Bishop to the SP to the GAs - are infallible. Now that these infallible leaders have asked her to stop, I can't wait to see what choice she makes.

[Surfah]

I just checked out www.impacttrainings.com and couldn't find anything creepy except for the price. It is $5385 not including the final training (which didn't have a price listed). Of course, back when I was active I paid more than that in tithing each year AND free service to the church. I'd be really interested in hearing exactly what makes it creepy and how lives were messed up.

My ex-wife got involved in a multi-level insurance and investment scheme. She begged me to come to one of their meetings and I could have sworn I was in a testimony meeting. I remember thinking it was creepy at the time. Complete with people crying and telling stories about families they sold insurance to that died a short time after. I get a good chuckle every time I pass a Primerica sign.

I found some stuff on rip-off report. Some people talked about them asking you to sever ties with family and friends. Staying in training until 2-3 AM. Some even mentioned temple-like rites. Also, there were lots of pro-Impact people refuting all of those claims.

[BlueHair]

I just checked out www.impacttrainings.com and couldn't find anything creepy except for the price. It is $5385 not including the final training (which didn't have a price listed). Of course, back when I was active I paid more than that in tithing each year AND free service to the church. I'd be really interested in hearing exactly what makes it creepy and how lives were messed up.

My ex-wife got involved in a multi-level insurance and investment scheme. She begged me to come to one of their meetings and I could have sworn I was in a testimony meeting. I remember thinking it was creepy at the time. Complete with people crying and telling stories about families they sold insurance to that died a short time after. I get a good chuckle every time I pass a Primerica sign.

[byu71]

We got the letter not to contact GA directly this week. Not this one.

I think that letter is going out to wards where there are parents of BYU football players who are RM's and not getting playing time.

[BlueHair]

Don't leave us hanging, I want to hear the creepy stuff.

Bump

[fresca]

I was a bit vexed with this letter as well. I assumed they were talking about self-help groups in general, but then the letter got all specific about pairing up and being out late. At that point I knew it was directed to something specific. I have yet to find out what specific group they were referring to. The one about homosexual acceptance sounds about right, but I don't know enough to say for sure.

[LA Ute]

There is much truth here. When I was a kid when a letter like this was read over the pulpit most of the time no one had any idea what they were talking about.

Yes.

[SCcoug]

I am convinced that 90% of the CHOI is for the small minority of nut jobs living in Utah and Idaho. The other 10% is for CUF and cougar guard.

There is much truth here. When I was a kid when a letter like this was read over the pulpit most of the time no one had any idea what they were talking about.

[Jeff Lebowski]

That link has a date at the top saying: "Published: Saturday, June 9, 2001" which would be more than nine years ago. I don't remember hearing that back then and it definitely hasn't been read in our ward recently.

Do some of these things get sent out over again?

I googled the topic yesterday and saw several links to the letter. I didn't notice the date and assumed it was the same letter. Reading through it again, it sounds exactly like the letter that was read yesterday.

[Scott R Nelson]

This letter was read over the pulpit today in most wards:

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/40005/Members-counseled-about-self-awareness-groups.html

I must confess that I am completely ignorant about these groups. What have I missed that would warrant a letter from the FP?

That link has a date at the top saying: "Published: Saturday, June 9, 2001" which would be more than nine years ago. I don't remember hearing that back then and it definitely hasn't been read in our ward recently.

Do some of these things get sent out over again?

[Spicy McHaggis]

Several years ago I had a friend go through the Impact Training sessions. He begged me to take the course, and even offered to pay for my training.
He finally talked me in to going to an initial meeting, one intended for potential clients but had a lot of people who had gone through the training who were there to testify about what a great experience it was.
It was a lot like a testimony meeting where those who had gone through the training would stand and testify to what a tremendous impact it had on their lives. A young lady stood up and started talking about how the training felt as good as when she would touch herself .....her mic was taken away pretty quickly.
Anyway, those who had just gone through that sort of training reminded me of kids who had just returned from their missions. It took a few weeks to a few months for them to decompress and return to being normal. I'm sure looking back at it, they probably wish they had that money back since nothing really changes exept for short term emotional highs.