Michael Port speaks out about James Arthur Ray
The tragic death of three people attending a "spiritual retreat" with James Arthur Ray has made me so angry that I'm having trouble finding words to express myself. But I'm going to try because, to me, silence is acceptance---and there has been a deafening level of silence from other "teachers" in the spiritual-help "community." Though, I am not in the "spiritual-help" business, I do write business-help books, and am close enough to, and sometimes, much to my annoyance, associated with James Ray's corner of the self-help market, that I'm embarrassed and ashamed that I haven't spoken up earlier about these teachers and their tactics. What happened in Sedona on Oct 8, 2009 was unacceptable. This is not the first time a narcissistic sociopath with a god-complex has lead people to their deaths and unfortunately it won't be the last time.
I'm not a psychologist nor am I a sociologist but the word that keeps coming to mind when I think of this tragedy is Pathology. According to the New York Times, as recounted by one of the retreat participants, James Arthur Ray told his customers (for that's what they were) that they were vomiting profusely because “you are purging what your body doesn’t want, what it doesn’t need.” That is pathological and, frankly, idiotic. Another retreat participant was quoted as saying, “He told us that it was going to be an intense situation and it was to resemble a rebirthing.” Again, pathological and fantastical. Yet another participant "described a game in which Mr. Ray wears white robes and plays God, ordering some participants to commit mock suicide." Absolutely pathological and sociopathic. The conclusion of the article was mind-boggling, but it's not the first time I've heard this kind of talk: "In a conference call Mr. Ray held [last week] for sweat lodge participants, Dr. Bunn (the cousin of one of the victims) was shocked to hear one recount the comments of a self-described 'channeler' who visited Angel Valley after the retreat. Claiming to have communicated with the dead, the channeler said they had left their bodies in the sweat lodge and chosen not to come back because 'they were having so much fun.' Dr. Bunn had a less charitable view: 'They couldn’t re-enter their bodies because they were dead.'"
According to Ray's website he teaches "practical mysticism." Apparently, this is the kind of "practical mysticism" that gets people killed. From all accounts, James Arthur Ray's tactics at this retreat and elsewhere, are coercive and manipulative, designed to strip followers of their power, and might I add, money. James Arthur Ray used tactics only a sociopathic cult leader would force upon his followers: sleep deprivation, no bathroom breaks, no food and water, ridicule for helping others in the group, ridicule for wanting to stop, and more.
James Arthur Ray invented a world filled with re-birth and mock suicides--his own form of religion and cast himself as God. This religion made him a rich man. Maybe, at the end of the day, that was what this was all about? Maybe that's what Ray's tagline,"Harmonic Wealth," is all about---an expensive new-age religion.
I know it can be a nice escape to imagine we can be "re-born" a better self, experience other worlds, and talk to the dead. I've met many kind-hearted, caring and educated people who claim they can. But, if you can't prove it, it's a fantasy. It may be fun, interesting, intellectually stimulating, and meaningful to some, but it's still a fantasy nonetheless. And, in this case, the fantasy wasn't a harmless experiment in spiritual development but rather a contrived, dangerous, cult-like and deadly "Vision Quest" for people who sadly and mistakenly trusted their leader.
My father and I were discussing what happened in Sedona. He is a Psychiatrist, a medical doctor, with 40 years of experience dealing with mental health issues, and he reminded me that people have a need to believe. Ever since the beginning of civilization people have created gods which, among other things, fulfill the need to have some "meaning" to their existence. Of course the major organized religions provide this avenue of fulfillment. And there have always been new and variant forms of religious belief and worship. Of course there are multiple economic, social, and psychological issues that impinge on this. But to simplify: people have a need for god-heros to worship. This is obvious. Some people, will be taken in by a self-styled demi-god guru who will fulfill their need to believe. If this person has the need to exploit them financially or emotionally (or even physically), they will be easier to ensnare into these aims.
That people can get so fanatically bizarre in the name of (their interpretation of) god should not come as a great shock. Of course, we have to consider that in some settings killing others may be the following the dictates of god -- as with jihadists who love to die in the act of killing others. Of course, they're not the only religion to have killed in their name of their god or at the "request" of their god.
I often feel caught between two worlds---the world of traditional, time-honored medical and psychological practices and the world of ontology or the study of being, existence, from a philosophical and personal development perspective. At times these worlds are at odds and at other times they are aligned. I grew up in a psychologically-minded home. As I mentioned above, my father is a Psychiatrist. My mother is also a mental health professional, a Clinical Social Worker, who specializes in early childhood development with almost as many years experience working with psychologically, physically and sexually abused children. My parents operate with a degree of integrity I rarely see displayed elsewhere. I imagine, it's one of the reasons that I'm so upset by what happened in Sedona.
There is a reason that mental health and psychologically-related professions/industries are regulated. My father reminded me that, In the field of psychoanalysis (and psychiatry) there is a recognition of the concept of “transference” having to do with the transferring of attitudes by the patient (or client or subject) onto the therapist that have to do with one or another real or imagined (or wished-for) childhood relationships. Therapists may use this (by the patient unrecognized and unconsciously determined) attitude to help the patient learn about himself, his attitudes, etc. The counterpart in the therapist (counter-transference) would be feelings and/or attitudes engendered by the patient in the therapist that he/she can use to better understand the patient; of course the therapist must be sure to understand and control and not act inappropriately on this “countertransference.” The point is, therapists may have extraordinary influence over their patients and the patient has great vulnerability. For this reason it is unethical and even illegal (in NY State) for a therapist to engage in a personal (other than therapeutic) relationship with the patient; it would be, by definition, exploitative. The patient is vulnerable and cannot be held in any way accountable; like a child so-to-speak the patient is not considered competent (or liable) if say consent is given by the patient to a romantic relationship. It would be analogous to a lawyer holding a client’s money in escrow who uses it for his own purposes. The same rules would apply to a therapist who does group therapy.
Similar “transference” kinds of feelings can occur in all walks of life. Certainly political leaders or celebrity actors may have that special status that renders them extra powerful for the vulnerable. Clergy and teachers are subject to these kinds of attitudes by the congregant or student, but there are certain rules that govern those situations for the protection of the weak – as we know, there have been many instances of that situation being violated by the person in authority. For that matter “transference” kinds of feelings can even occur in ordinary 1 to 1 relationships. But in those settings there is no protection for the vulnerable because it’s presumed by the law that both participants are on a level playing field.
In the world of spiritual improvement, there is enormous potential for psychological exploitation along these lines. James Arthur Ray, from what I can tell from his websites, doesn't have training in how to monitor physical health or mental health. He certainly isn't regulated. Nor does he seem to follow guidelines that govern religious and educational institutions as it relates to relationships with congregants or students, respectively.
I don't believe any one individual or group or industry, for that matter, owns the rights to personal development and improvement of mental health. However, regulations are needed to oversee people and organizations that address psychological issues, as does (or more likely, did). But, there's a rub. James Arthur Ray's path towards "Harmonic Wealth®" was through his "practical mysticism:" re-birthing ceremonies, mock suicides, extreme fasting, and other psychologically influential practices. Meaning not only was Ray presenting himself as a spiritual guru promising spiritual enlightenment, but also as a business advisor offering profound economic improvement in business. According to an article on cbsnews.com, "The self-stylized success guru says people are ready for his wisdom if "You simply (and deeply) want to make more money and become more successful" and "want to double, triple, and even multiply by ten the size of your business."
I suppose one of the reasons I'm so upset by this tragedy is because I offer business consulting and coaching services and would be mortified to be lumped into the same category as the James Ray's of the world. It seems, to me, that Ray is suggesting that if you follow his particular brand of spirituality and succeed at his vision quests, then all your financial dreams will become a reality. In the world of self-help, I often see a melding of these two concepts. Of course, there is a connection between our level of confidence and sense of self and our ability to succeed at our chosen business endeavors, but when extreme spirituality is used as the primary hook for making more money, all I see are red flags and shell games.
I write and speak on marketing and business development topics for small business owners but I did write one book where I attempted to help people think bigger about who they are and what they offered the world. Would you call that self-help? Yes. Spiritual-help? Maybe. Of course, that depends on how you define spiritual. If you define spiritual as being more purposeful and self-expressed, then yes, you could call it spiritual-help. If you define spiritual-help as dogma driven and anti-intellectual, than no. In fact, I even dedicated a whole chapter, in that book, to "Unhooking for the Guru trap."
Maybe, that's where we should start. By unhooking from the guru trap. Unhooking from the extreme god-complex and simply believe in ourselves and other human beings that actually live, breath, walk and talk on this planet. At least, that might be a good starting point. And, please know that I'm not suggesting anyone should be "anti-god" or spirit. I'm simply suggesting that we be sensible, practical, realistic, balanced and moderate with respect to what it takes to develop both personally and professionally.
Think big,
Michael Port
UPDATE: James Arthur Ray charged with manslaughter in Arizona sweat lodge deaths.
I'm not a psychologist nor am I a sociologist but the word that keeps coming to mind when I think of this tragedy is Pathology. According to the New York Times, as recounted by one of the retreat participants, James Arthur Ray told his customers (for that's what they were) that they were vomiting profusely because “you are purging what your body doesn’t want, what it doesn’t need.” That is pathological and, frankly, idiotic. Another retreat participant was quoted as saying, “He told us that it was going to be an intense situation and it was to resemble a rebirthing.” Again, pathological and fantastical. Yet another participant "described a game in which Mr. Ray wears white robes and plays God, ordering some participants to commit mock suicide." Absolutely pathological and sociopathic. The conclusion of the article was mind-boggling, but it's not the first time I've heard this kind of talk: "In a conference call Mr. Ray held [last week] for sweat lodge participants, Dr. Bunn (the cousin of one of the victims) was shocked to hear one recount the comments of a self-described 'channeler' who visited Angel Valley after the retreat. Claiming to have communicated with the dead, the channeler said they had left their bodies in the sweat lodge and chosen not to come back because 'they were having so much fun.' Dr. Bunn had a less charitable view: 'They couldn’t re-enter their bodies because they were dead.'"
According to Ray's website he teaches "practical mysticism." Apparently, this is the kind of "practical mysticism" that gets people killed. From all accounts, James Arthur Ray's tactics at this retreat and elsewhere, are coercive and manipulative, designed to strip followers of their power, and might I add, money. James Arthur Ray used tactics only a sociopathic cult leader would force upon his followers: sleep deprivation, no bathroom breaks, no food and water, ridicule for helping others in the group, ridicule for wanting to stop, and more.
James Arthur Ray invented a world filled with re-birth and mock suicides--his own form of religion and cast himself as God. This religion made him a rich man. Maybe, at the end of the day, that was what this was all about? Maybe that's what Ray's tagline,"Harmonic Wealth," is all about---an expensive new-age religion.
I know it can be a nice escape to imagine we can be "re-born" a better self, experience other worlds, and talk to the dead. I've met many kind-hearted, caring and educated people who claim they can. But, if you can't prove it, it's a fantasy. It may be fun, interesting, intellectually stimulating, and meaningful to some, but it's still a fantasy nonetheless. And, in this case, the fantasy wasn't a harmless experiment in spiritual development but rather a contrived, dangerous, cult-like and deadly "Vision Quest" for people who sadly and mistakenly trusted their leader.
My father and I were discussing what happened in Sedona. He is a Psychiatrist, a medical doctor, with 40 years of experience dealing with mental health issues, and he reminded me that people have a need to believe. Ever since the beginning of civilization people have created gods which, among other things, fulfill the need to have some "meaning" to their existence. Of course the major organized religions provide this avenue of fulfillment. And there have always been new and variant forms of religious belief and worship. Of course there are multiple economic, social, and psychological issues that impinge on this. But to simplify: people have a need for god-heros to worship. This is obvious. Some people, will be taken in by a self-styled demi-god guru who will fulfill their need to believe. If this person has the need to exploit them financially or emotionally (or even physically), they will be easier to ensnare into these aims.
That people can get so fanatically bizarre in the name of (their interpretation of) god should not come as a great shock. Of course, we have to consider that in some settings killing others may be the following the dictates of god -- as with jihadists who love to die in the act of killing others. Of course, they're not the only religion to have killed in their name of their god or at the "request" of their god.
I often feel caught between two worlds---the world of traditional, time-honored medical and psychological practices and the world of ontology or the study of being, existence, from a philosophical and personal development perspective. At times these worlds are at odds and at other times they are aligned. I grew up in a psychologically-minded home. As I mentioned above, my father is a Psychiatrist. My mother is also a mental health professional, a Clinical Social Worker, who specializes in early childhood development with almost as many years experience working with psychologically, physically and sexually abused children. My parents operate with a degree of integrity I rarely see displayed elsewhere. I imagine, it's one of the reasons that I'm so upset by what happened in Sedona.
There is a reason that mental health and psychologically-related professions/industries are regulated. My father reminded me that, In the field of psychoanalysis (and psychiatry) there is a recognition of the concept of “transference” having to do with the transferring of attitudes by the patient (or client or subject) onto the therapist that have to do with one or another real or imagined (or wished-for) childhood relationships. Therapists may use this (by the patient unrecognized and unconsciously determined) attitude to help the patient learn about himself, his attitudes, etc. The counterpart in the therapist (counter-transference) would be feelings and/or attitudes engendered by the patient in the therapist that he/she can use to better understand the patient; of course the therapist must be sure to understand and control and not act inappropriately on this “countertransference.” The point is, therapists may have extraordinary influence over their patients and the patient has great vulnerability. For this reason it is unethical and even illegal (in NY State) for a therapist to engage in a personal (other than therapeutic) relationship with the patient; it would be, by definition, exploitative. The patient is vulnerable and cannot be held in any way accountable; like a child so-to-speak the patient is not considered competent (or liable) if say consent is given by the patient to a romantic relationship. It would be analogous to a lawyer holding a client’s money in escrow who uses it for his own purposes. The same rules would apply to a therapist who does group therapy.
Similar “transference” kinds of feelings can occur in all walks of life. Certainly political leaders or celebrity actors may have that special status that renders them extra powerful for the vulnerable. Clergy and teachers are subject to these kinds of attitudes by the congregant or student, but there are certain rules that govern those situations for the protection of the weak – as we know, there have been many instances of that situation being violated by the person in authority. For that matter “transference” kinds of feelings can even occur in ordinary 1 to 1 relationships. But in those settings there is no protection for the vulnerable because it’s presumed by the law that both participants are on a level playing field.
In the world of spiritual improvement, there is enormous potential for psychological exploitation along these lines. James Arthur Ray, from what I can tell from his websites, doesn't have training in how to monitor physical health or mental health. He certainly isn't regulated. Nor does he seem to follow guidelines that govern religious and educational institutions as it relates to relationships with congregants or students, respectively.
I don't believe any one individual or group or industry, for that matter, owns the rights to personal development and improvement of mental health. However, regulations are needed to oversee people and organizations that address psychological issues, as does (or more likely, did). But, there's a rub. James Arthur Ray's path towards "Harmonic Wealth®" was through his "practical mysticism:" re-birthing ceremonies, mock suicides, extreme fasting, and other psychologically influential practices. Meaning not only was Ray presenting himself as a spiritual guru promising spiritual enlightenment, but also as a business advisor offering profound economic improvement in business. According to an article on cbsnews.com, "The self-stylized success guru says people are ready for his wisdom if "You simply (and deeply) want to make more money and become more successful" and "want to double, triple, and even multiply by ten the size of your business."
I suppose one of the reasons I'm so upset by this tragedy is because I offer business consulting and coaching services and would be mortified to be lumped into the same category as the James Ray's of the world. It seems, to me, that Ray is suggesting that if you follow his particular brand of spirituality and succeed at his vision quests, then all your financial dreams will become a reality. In the world of self-help, I often see a melding of these two concepts. Of course, there is a connection between our level of confidence and sense of self and our ability to succeed at our chosen business endeavors, but when extreme spirituality is used as the primary hook for making more money, all I see are red flags and shell games.
I write and speak on marketing and business development topics for small business owners but I did write one book where I attempted to help people think bigger about who they are and what they offered the world. Would you call that self-help? Yes. Spiritual-help? Maybe. Of course, that depends on how you define spiritual. If you define spiritual as being more purposeful and self-expressed, then yes, you could call it spiritual-help. If you define spiritual-help as dogma driven and anti-intellectual, than no. In fact, I even dedicated a whole chapter, in that book, to "Unhooking for the Guru trap."
Maybe, that's where we should start. By unhooking from the guru trap. Unhooking from the extreme god-complex and simply believe in ourselves and other human beings that actually live, breath, walk and talk on this planet. At least, that might be a good starting point. And, please know that I'm not suggesting anyone should be "anti-god" or spirit. I'm simply suggesting that we be sensible, practical, realistic, balanced and moderate with respect to what it takes to develop both personally and professionally.
Think big,
Michael Port
UPDATE: James Arthur Ray charged with manslaughter in Arizona sweat lodge deaths.
Comment
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Comment by Nick Snyder on February 12, 2010 at 12:43am -
Hi Michael
Thank you for having the courage to be honest with your thoughts about James Arthur Ray.In my view,the Sedona incident is a very serious event in the self development industry.There were 60+ participants at this 5 day Spiritual Warrior event hosted by James Ray.They paid $9000 apiece to be part of this event.As a leader of this very intense ( "life changing" ) event,it's Ray's main responsibility to be accountable for the well being of all participants.The result: 3 people died / 17 injured.From all reports Ray left the sweat lodge that night,left the State of Arizona & initially stonewalled authorities.By doing this,he is now paying the price by being arrested and is currently in jail.
The bottom line with leaders in the self development industry is - Do they have integrity? There is ridiculous amounts of information out there in the New Age / Spiritual fields.Basically you can say & do anything in an unregulated industry such as self help.As a leader at any event ( not just Sedona ),Ray has a sworn duty to be diligent in the safety of the participants.It's really just a simple human being principle - "Can I trust you?".Well he was not accountable,therefore he is currently in jail.
This event will definitely shake up the self help industry.Are these so called gurus credible? Will there be regulations in this industry.I hope so.
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Comment by Patricia Winston on January 31, 2010 at 2:15pm -
You are soooooo right Thomas!
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Comment by Thomas Mangum on January 31, 2010 at 1:52pm -
A reminder that I alone am my own guru.
Anyone and I mean anyone else sharing what works for them is strictly sharing one possible reality. Always remembering what works for another has no guarantee of success for another, no matter how much you beat it into them.
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Comment by carol dodsley on January 24, 2010 at 9:53pm
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I have already made a comment on this post earlier and expressed my thanks to Michael for posting this but something that stands out is that many of the people who have commented here feel that others not saying anything is a sign of acceptance and I felt that I had to comment on this as whilst this may be the case there may also be other reasons why other people havent commented and perhaps we should not make these assumptions as we do not know what their reasons are for not having publicly expressed themselves about this awful tradegy?
Perhaps other people feel exactly the same as Michael and perhaps they have expressed their feelings but via other platforms?
I don't think we can generalise and say that other people accept this tradegy and waht this man has done without asking them for their opinions and reasons for not doing so?
Carol
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Comment by Rob Thomas on January 24, 2010 at 9:30pm -
Michael, having spent 6 years and about 50k on Scientology, I totally support your position on this person. I am glad you said something and for me, silence is acceptance. For anyone else reading this who wants a perspective from someone who has been in and out of a cult like experience you can always contact me.
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Comment by Patricia Winston on January 22, 2010 at 3:02pm
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Way to go Michael - thank you for putting it out there! The other guru's in the field are silent because they are waiting for the other shoe to drop - also, they are friends, associates and use each others lists to sell their stuff.
I posted on my blog after the third person passed away - my area of personal knowledge is the sweat lodge. I have been privileged to sweat with pipe carrying Native Americans - believe me, I would never crawl into a sweat lodge with the likes of JAR - anyway - the real sweat lodge is NOTHING like a JAR sweat lodge - First - one only fasts the day of the sweat not before - one does not deprive himself in anyway - the purpose of a sweat is communion with source. It is a beautiful experience - if one gets overheated, it's fine to crawl out. With practice you can go through 4 rounds - usually less than one hour.
James Arthur Ray is an ego gone bad - watching his stage act would be enough for me to walk out. He is way passed his use date.
The thing about personal development - in any area - business - self development - buyer beware - most of what you read about on a sellers web site is a claim - look deeper - if what they claim can help you move forward - get it - if not, don't - there is no magic - - "If it is to be, it is up to me." Now, and always. No one can do anything for you - except show you something. It is up to you to apply what you are shown.
Patricia
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@John Curtis - John what an excellent idea which - I have founded the Specialist Guild of Excellence and Success, to help people within the self-help community to create themselves a professional practice and I did this after finding lots of self entitled "experts and gurus" who are telling everyone that THEY will change their lives for them - which is simply NOT possible as the only people who can change anyones life is the person whose life it is.... others can only offer tools and services to help them but not change their lives for them and I am totally against all of the hyped "experts and gurus" who profess to having a magic wand and beign able to change peopels lives for them.
I would be honoured to work in partnership with yourself and anyone else that would like to turn your idea into reality and it woudl be my deep privilege to use the Guild to help/partner with this. As the guild is in its early stages now would be an amazing time to bring its focus & direction into this arena - please do let me know how I can be of service to everyone.
Carol Dodsley
founder of Choose Changes
The Specialist Guild of Excellence and Success
Supporting each other - for each other
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Comment by John Curtis on January 16, 2010 at 10:00am -
It's easy to vilify Mr. Ray, however, the consequences of his actions are now in the hands of the judicial system... but what of the REST of the self-help "industrial complex?" I respectfully submit that we (consumers and producers of self-help) establish the Association of Self-Help Professionals or whatever name seems most appropriate to elevate the professional and protect the public. All that is lacking now is the motivation and leadership. If you consider yourself a self-help expert OR if you are a consumer of self-help products, I urge you to consider working together to turn the Sedona Sweat Lodge deaths into a legacy that salutes the work of the earliest self-help experts like Napoleon Hill, Norman Vincent Peale and Dale Carneige, honors the efforts of well-intentioned, self-help professionals of today and turns the deaths of those who died in the Sweat Lodge... Liz Neuman, Kirby Brown and James Shore into a legacy for the betterment of the self-help profession and society.
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Comment by Patricia Clason on January 12, 2010 at 10:26pm -
Michael, I greatly respect your work and appreciate that you took a stand in this post.. I would take issue with one or two sentences, however I agree that James Ray was irresponsible in this event in so many ways. I have been doing personal growth seminars for 30 years and have always put the safety of my participants first and foremost, whatever the activity. Personal responsibility and accountability is also a key teaching in all that I do, never encouraging someone to give up their own internal wisdom or awareness.
Thank you for your integrity and dedication. I am grateful that in encouraging people to Think Big you also encourage accountability, responsibility, and integrity.
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Comment by Diana swift on January 11, 2010 at 5:23pm -
I totally agree with you, Michael. Having had a background of Mental Health counseling (from MYS, no less), your comments on transference/countertransference are right on the money. In my opinion, a "good" counselor or coach puts the well-being of his clients first, and remuneration is down the list.
This was an inexcusable breech of ethics, in my opinion. In my wellness coaching, clients are honored and respected. Anyway.....I'm so lad you spoke, though I will agree, better late than never.
© 2012 Created by Michael Port.
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