My mental health is rapidly deteriorating

[Diana]

If one can move beyond the mythic tragedy of Donald’s death, and believe me, one can, after a decade or so, barely, one begins to see the inherent humor in that human, prideful assumption that one can control one’s destiny by doing only what is seen as right.

I understood what Carla meant, because I had a very tragic chapter in my life that I can look back on today and I can see the humour in it. All I feel today is gratefulness, because it taught me sooo much. I jokingly refer to it as my PHD in psychology :-)

There are many reasons why a person would commit suicide, and it is a choice. I don't understand Carla's comment. Maybe in context it would make more sense. But pride is not always a factor.

That's what we call in cult psychology "blaming the victim". There is a big difference between Christianity and a cult. Christianity doesn't practise excommunication, shunning and dissociation... breaking families apart. Christianity doesn't have a climate of extreme fear, as you have in cults (I am not referring to bible cults). There is no recovery for the victim if you tell them it's their fault, or "some responsibility must be had", as you put it. That is the worst thing you can do to someone in trauma. They have been brainwashed. A cult psychologist follows a sequence when working with a recovering cult member, it's almost like leading them out of a maze. The first thing that needs to happen, is the cult leader must be exposed, and then the "teachings" must be pulled apart. This is the most traumatic phase for the cult member, it's the greatest betrayal. They say they feel as if their souls have been raped. If this is not tricky enough, it requires an ex-Scientologist to aid a recovering Scientologist, it takes an ex-Jehovah's Witness, to treat a recovering Jehovah's Witness, and so on....

Once that is done, recovery can start. We don't know why some bounce back quickly, some take longer to recover, and a few never do. I guess you have never been in a cult, Diane. I have "unfortunately" gotten myself involved with a group when I was very wet behind the ears, and my curiosity and gullibility didn't help. They are mentioned on this forum from time to time, named after a star constellation. As tragic as that was - there are even suicides in this group - I look back on it today with no bitterness, just gratefulness and humour.

No I have never been involved in a cult.

I don't see any of this having to do with blame. If someone is recovering from cult involvement, I wish them the best. But one makes a choice to get involved to begin with. Then one makes a choice to follow. Yes, there is much brainwashing in this world, such as popular media for example. You don't have to watch it or listen to it. All I'm saying is that there is responsibility in making the choices we do make. If someone was forced or kidnapped, that would be another story.

Would you like one polarity to vanish, before all will be well in your view?

All is not well in my view while there is suffering. I don't care what Ra, or gurus, or Basha, or any other being claims is the ultimate truth. Truth, awareness, consciousness, discernment, etc. are something I am responsible for regarding myself.

PS. Are you a Castenada fan? You should read Amy Wallace's book, you might see things differently. These individuals, like Castenada, are capable of mind control on a level you can't even imagine.

It matters who the person was/is... it always matters...

I like the Castaneda books. Castaneda was an author who wrote about his experiences. I'm not aware he was anything else. I don't even care if he made it all up, which I don't think he did, but it's not an argument that has any meaning for me because I'm not a follower. I'm not interested in debunkers, or people who have stories of victimhood, but I sincerely wish any who think they have been victimized healing and well being.