Landmark, Culver City CA

I've found that Landmark's programs have supported me in accomplishing things I otherwise wouldn't have done, or at least not done as quickly. And many of the other participants who continue in seminars and other courses are inspiring to be around!

The distinctions I've encountered in Landmark's programs have had a major positive impact on my life, my work, and my relationships with other people.

I first did The Forum years ago and continued with the work for ~5 yrs, then I stopped when I went to law school. I always missed it, though, and returned to it about 1.5 yrs ago. And I'm so glad I did!

This Forum likely has benefits for some people; just not for me. I spent 14 hours there the first day and 8 hours the second day. I was looking for a way to help me with my creative business, but I left when I realized the information and exercises didn’t apply to me. They kept saying the following session would be powerful, but I was let down each time, so I left early on the second day. It just wasn’t for me. I could tell, however, some people there were really moved. I’ve already attended some pretty big leadership courses and this forum wasn’t offering me anything new.

This has tremendous potential if done right but unfortunately a large room where only a handful of the same people get to share is likely not the most effective. I would strongly suggest smaller groups where everybody gets to participate. I know there were a lot of people left feeling incomplete. There was a man who was yearning to share. You could tell he had a heart full of things he wanted to just get off his chest. Sadly, when he jumped on the mic and started to ramble the instructor had him sit back down and stopped him from sharing even though he had been trying to share for so long and was clearly asking for help. I am left feeling a little uneasy about the mental status of a lot of people in that room. The content is good, it definitely stirs a lot of emotions that any human being has accumulated throughout their lifetime. It helps point to the life events that have molded you to become the person you are. They suggest that you close those circles by reaching out to the people involved in those events. All that is great. Sadly, it's the delivery that leaves me feeling like it could be so much better. There is never a true opportunity to work through the emotions brought up by the content of the seminar. You can briefly come up to the Mic if you are chosen but in a room of 150 plus people that is not practical. Even the people that came up were left with unresolved issues. Throughout the whole thing they will keep saying “Your Landmark is coming”. I’m sure some people will have some much needed breakthroughs, especially if they have always seen the world through a negative lens. That said, a big part of the attendees will be left feeling confused. A lot of people I spoke with throughout the seminar had the same feeling. We couldn’t decide if this was a personal development seminar or a recruitment scheme. Throughout the whole thing they keep asking you to think of people in your life that could benefit from this experience and to make sure that you invite them for your “graduation” in order for them to sign up at the promo rate. I noticed the reviews say something about brainwashing. I can see what they mean. A big part of the seminar is a discussion on “rackets”. This ensures that anytime a participant tries to question their experience they remember that it’s them being negative. That it’s their “racket”. I am left feeling a bit uneasy about the experience, especially for some of my fellow participants. There was a lady who kept crying and crying and kept raising her hand and she never had the opportunity to discuss what was causing her that reaction. Again, it has tremendous potential but it also has tremendous flaws in its delivery. There were many people who clearly did not get the closure they were looking for. The majority of the three days will be you getting lectured and in between you might have about 2 minutes to briefly discuss with the person you are sitting next to. Truly, it would be much better to do some lecturing and then break into small groups to discuss. The assistants in the back are good. Honestly, much better than the lecturer. Sadly, you can tell the lecturer has been doing this for a long time and has moments where she comes off as jaded. During a participant’s sharing, the host demoralized the participant by stating “Dad problems are a dime a dozen”. Woaw. All in all, I am a bit concerned but mostly indifferent. I did get some value and for that reason I wouldn’t deter anyone from trying it out for themselves. Some people really did have some great breakthroughs but a vast majority of the participants were left feeling confused and unable to question anything because that would mean that your “meaning making machine” is creating a negative meaning to your experience.