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Not to be confused with Landmark School.
Landmark Education
Company typePrivate LLC
Industryself-help, self-improvement, personal development, management consulting, continuing education
FoundedJanuary 1991
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Key people
Harry Rosenberg: Director;[1] CEO

Mick Leavitt: President
Steven Zaffron: Director;[2] CEO, The Vanto Group
Art Schreiber: General Counsel; Chairman, BOD; Director[2]
Joan Rosenberg: Vice President, Centers Division; Director

Nancy Zapolski: Vice President, Course Development
ProductsThe Landmark Forum, associated coursework
RevenueDecreaseUSD$77 million (2009)[3]
Number of employees
450+ employees;[3]
800 trained leaders, some of whom volunteer their time;[4][failed verification]
SubsidiariesThe Vanto Group (formerly Landmark Education Business Development or LEBD, from 1993-2007)
Landmark Education International, Inc.[5]
Tekniko Licensing Corporation
Rancord Company, Ltd.
WebsiteLandmark Education homepage

Landmark Education LLC (LE) a prominent 20-year-old personal training and development company which offers educational programs in approximately 115 locations in more than 20 countries worldwide.[3][6][7][8][9]


Over 1.2 million people have taken Landmark's programs. [10] Considered controversial at times, Landmark Education was founded in 1991. It is an employee-owned, private company, headquartered in San Francisco, California whose origins were from the purchase[11] of the intellectual property of Werner Erhard, who developed the est training. [12] Landmark Education has developed and delivered over 40 personal development programs. Its subsidiary the Vanto Group, markets and delivers training and consulting to organizations.[13]

Corporation

Landmark Education LLC operates as an employee-owned for-profit private company. According to Landmark Education's fact sheet, its employees own all the stock of the corporation, with no individual holding more than 3%. The company states that it operates in such a way as to invest its surpluses into making its programs, initiatives, and services more widely available.[3]

As of 2005, Landmark Education stated that they have 200,000 participants in all of their courses annually with 70,000 to 80,000 people participating in the Landmark Forum.[14] Over one million people have taken part in Landmark Education's introductory program, the Landmark Forum, since 1991.[15] Landmark Education reported revenues of $70 million $76 million in as of 2005.[3]

History

Landmark Education, known from May 7, 1991[5] to February 26, 2003[16] as "Landmark Education Corporation (LEC)", purchased certain rights to a presentation known as The Forum from Werner Erhard and Associates.[17] Since then, the name of the presentation has been changed to "The Landmark Forum" and the content has been revised. The group of people who purchased the rights registered themselves initially as Transnational Education, as The Centers Network, and (in Japan) as Rancord Company, Ltd.. Incorporation as "Landmark Education Corporation" (LEC) took place later in 1991. "Landmark Education International, Inc.", the first Landmark name incorporated in the State of California, was filed on June 22, 1987 with Arthur Schreiber named as Agent for Service of Process.[18] In February 2003, Landmark Education LLC succeeded LEC.[16]

The coursework and pedagogy of WEA evolved from est/Erhard Seminars Training, founded by Werner Erhard in 1971. According to Landmark Education, Erhard consults from time to time with its "Research and Design team".[11] Erhard's younger brother (Harry Rosenberg) works as Landmark Education's Chief Executive Officer, and their sister (Joan Rosenberg) serves as the Vice President of Landmark Education's Centers Division.

According to statements made by Landmark Education CEO Harry Rosenberg in 2001:

...Erhard [in 1991] kept the Mexican and Japanese branches of the operation... Last year [2000], Landmark had revenues of $58 million, and ... the company has bought outright Erhard's license and his rights to Japan and Mexico.[19]

The prior president and registered agent of Werner Erhard and Associates,[20] Art Schreiber, functions as Landmark Education's General Counsel and Chairman of the Landmark Education Board of Directors. Schreiber also functioned as Werner Erhard's attorney.[21] Werner Erhard's lawyer, Terry Giles, serves as Chairman of the Board of Landmark Education. According to a New York Times article, Giles was credited with resolving a long standing rift among the descendents of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.[22] [23]


Business consulting

Vanto Group, Inc., founded in 1993 as "Landmark Education Business Development" (LEBD), a wholly owned subsidiary of Landmark Education Enterprises, Inc., uses the techniques of Landmark Education to provide consulting services to various companies. The University of Southern California (USC) Marshall School of Business carried out a case study in 1998 into the work of LEBD. The report concluded that the set of interventions in the organization produced a 50% improvement in safety, a 15% to 20% reduction in key benchmark costs, a 50% increase in return on capital, and a 20% increase in raw steel production.[24] LEBD became the Vanto Group in 2007.

Companies such as Panda Express and Lululemon Athletica pay for and encourage employees to take part in The Landmark Forum. [25][26]

Licensing intellectual property

Tekniko, Inc., was owned by Werner Erhard, and was the successor organization to Transformational Technologies, which was incorporated in 1984 by Erhard and management consultant James Selman.[27] Tekniko Licencing Corporation, a California corporation owned by Terry M. Giles, later acquired this technology. In 2001 Landmark Education formed Tekniko Licensing Corporation, a Nevada corporation, which purchased Tekniko Technology from Giles' company.[28] [29]

Since that time, the Vanto Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Landmark Education, has used Tekniko to license the "Tekniko methodology and intellectual property to a wide variety of corporations." [30]

Course content

The Landmark Forum program takes place over the course of a Friday, Saturday, Sunday and a Tuesday evening. Hours are from 9am to 10pm each of the first three days, and three hours of the evening on the final night.[15] Tuition is about $500 per person [2] in the US. About 150 people take part in each course.[7] Rules are set up at the beginning of the program, such as strongly encouraging participants not to miss any part of the program.[31] Attendees are also urged to be “coachable” and not just be observers during the course.[31][32] The program is arranged as a discussion where the course leader presents certain ideas and the course participants engage in voluntary sharing with the course leader to discuss how those ideas apply to their own life.[15] Ideas presented, asserted and discussed include the following:

  • There is a big difference between what actually happened in a person’s life and the meaning or interpretation they made up about it[15]
  • People pursue an imaginary someday of satisfaction[7]
  • Human behavior is governed by a need to look good [31]
  • People create their own meaning to life – none is inherent in the world[7]
  • People have “rackets”, which are “being right about” or giving excuses for one’s own actions[31][32][33]
  • People can “transform” by simply declaring a new way of being instead of trying to change themselves in comparison to the past[7]
  • Course participants are encouraged to call people they know during the course who they are upset with and either forgive the other person or apologize for their own behavior.[7][31][33]
  • The Tuesday evening involves a presentation at which course attendees bring other people to learn about and sign up for The Landmark Forum.[7][32][33]

Some other Landmark Education courses encourage or require participants to create a community project. [34][35] [36]

The Landmark Forum Disclaimer to be read by all participants NOTICES: The Landmark Forum

Landmark Education Transfer & Cancellation Policy Your registration applies to the specific course, dates, and location you have chosen. All payments are non-refundable. If for some reason you cannot attend the course for which you registered, you may:

Transfer Your Registration

Transfers are available only when program tuition is paid in full. You may apply this payment to another course or person subject to the following guidelines:

Transferring to Another Course You can transfer your registration to the same course on another date or at another location with these guidelines:

The fee for each transfer will be $35. The transfer fee will be waived if the transfer is to an earlier date.

Your request for a transfer needs to be made at least 14 days prior to the start date of the program for which you originally registered and will be granted subject to availability. You can transfer only into a course that occurs within four months after the start date of the program for which you originally registered Transferring to Another Person

You can not transfer your registration to another person using our online system, but you may request a transfer by contacting your local Landmark Education office. Note the following:

Transferring to another person is contingent on the person having completed any prerequisities for the program and meeting other applicable registration requirements. The fee for each transfer will be $35. The transfer fee will be waived if the transfer is to an earlier date. Your request for a transfer to another person needs to be made at least 14 days prior to the start date of the program for which you originally registered and will be granted subject to availability. You can transfer your registration to another person only for a course that occurs within four months after the start date of the program for which you originally registered. Cancel Your Registration

All payments are non-refundable. You may re-register for the same course within one year of the date of your original registration. A $35 administrative fee will be applied.

Notice of Important Information, Health Warnings, and Legal Agreements

You must read the section below carefully and completely.

1. We are pleased that you are going to participate in The Landmark Forum (the “Program”). Many people have found the Program to be an enjoyable and valuable experience. However, the Program is not advisable for everyone. The purpose of this Notice is to ensure that you are not one of the people for whom this Program may be inadvisable.

We take our responsibility and your safety seriously. Please read each section of this Notice carefully and completely so you can make the right decision for yourself. The recommendations in this Notice have been made by mental health professionals who advise Landmark Education.

Although the number of people who have experienced serious problems during or after the Program is quite small, you should be certain whether the Program is appropriate for you. If you have any questions, please contact a mental health professional. We will assume from your participation in the Program and from your declaration at the end of this application that you have a full understanding of each and every paragraph which follows and that you understand our recommendations and will comply with our instructions.

You and you alone are responsible for your choice to participate in the Program and for your own health and well-being at all times prior to, during and after your participation in the Program.

2. The Program is a unique course of instruction designed to support people in being more effective in realizing their own personal and societal goals. Through a series of philosophically rigorous and open discussions, voluntary sharing of your experience and short exercises, the Program provides an opportunity to explore basic questions that have been of interest to human beings throughout time and to examine many aspects of your own life. In the Program, people come to grips with what it means to be human — not as a mere classroom exercise, but as a rigorous inquiry. The Program offers a unique technology through which people create new possibilities for their lives.

3. In the Program, you will inquire into fundamental issues that have been of interest and concern to us as human beings. The experience of the Program is unique to each individual and there is no way to predict in advance exactly what you may think or feel. It is normal for some people to experience unwanted or unfamiliar emotions from time to time, such as fear, anger, sadness, regret, hatred, irritation and impatience. For most participants, exploring thoughts and feelings that they have not fully explored before is a useful and positive learning experience. Some participants have found that exploring life’s issues honestly may evoke uncomfortable and unpleasant feelings. For others, the Program may occur as physically, mentally and emotionally seriously distressing. If you are unwilling to encounter any of these powerful experiences in yourself or in others, or if you have any concern about your ability to deal with such experiences, THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO ADVISE LANDMARK EDUCATION (“OUR ADVISORS”) STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT PARTICIPATE in the Program.

4. Some people experience temporary and not seriously consequential stress during and after the Program. For most people, stress is a normal part of everyday life. However, people who have a history of mental illness or serious emotional problems personally or in their immediate family may be more vulnerable to stress and may experience additional and very severe physical, mental or emotional problems. In people who have physical, mental or emotional problems, even normal amounts of stress from any source may generate severe physical, mental or emotional problems. If you have any history of mental illness or emotional problems personally or in your immediate family, whether temporary, occasional or intermittent, and whether treated or not, or have concerns about your ability to handle stress, OUR ADVISORS STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT PARTICIPATE in the Program. If you are uncertain about whether this applies to you, we advise you to discuss this with a mental health professional before participating in the Program.

5. While it is ultimately your choice, OUR ADVISORS STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU SHOULD NOT PARTICIPATE in the Program if you: (a) have a personal or family history of bi-polar affective disorder (manic-depressive disorder), schizophrenia, acute or chronic depression or other psychotic disorder, whether or not you or they are being or have ever been treated or hospitalized; (b) are taking, have taken or been prescribed to take within the previous twelve months anti-anxiety drugs (such as Librium, Ativan, Klonapin, Xanax, Dormicum or others); anti-depressants (such as Elavil, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Cipram, Prothiaden or others); anti-psychotics (such as Thorazine, Haldol, Stelazine, Risperdal, Zyprexa, Dogmatil or others); any medication to treat bi-polar disorders (such as Lithium, Gabapentin or Depakote); any drugs or medicines, whether prescription or non-prescription, intended to treat or affect mental processes or mood or to treat a chemical imbalance; or anabolic steroids; (c) have an unresolved history of drug or steroid abuse; (d) are or have in the past year been depressed and/or considered or had ideas of suicide, self-harm or harm to another; (e) are currently in therapy and your therapist sees a health reason why you should not participate in the Program; or (f) are uncertain about your physical, mental or emotional ability to participate in the Program.

6. From time to time, during or shortly after participating in the Program, a very small number of people who have no personal or family history of mental illness or drug abuse have reported experiencing brief, temporary episodes of emotional upset ranging from heightened activity, irregular or diminished sleep, to mild psychotic-like behavior. An even smaller number of people have reported more serious symptoms ranging from mild psychotic behavior to psychosis occasionally requiring medical care and hospitalization. In less than 1/1000 of 1% of participants, there have been reports of unexplained suicide or other destructive behavior. While we know of no independent studies to suggest that people who are physically, emotionally and mentally healthy are at risk in the Program, certain persons have claimed that the Program has caused or triggered in them a psychosis or psychotic event.

7. The Program is designed for people who clearly understand they are responsible for their own health and well-being before, during and after the Program. It is not therapeutic in design, intent or methodology and is not to be used as a substitute for medical treatment, psychotherapy or health program of any nature, regardless of what you may believe or have heard from anyone. We advise you that the Program Leaders, staff and people who assist at the Program are not mental health professionals and there will not be any mental health professionals in attendance.

8. If you experience any symptoms or suggestion of mental distress in the Program sessions, during the breaks or at the end of any session, or between sessions, you must immediately inform the Program Leader or the Program Supervisor. In such event, you and the Program Leader will discuss the matter and you will determine what is the appropriate thing for you to do. If you experience any symptoms or suggestions of mental distress outside of the Program, we strongly recommend that you immediately inform a physician or mental health professional.

9. While there are breaks in the Program approximately every 2 to 3 hours, we do not promise that we will always break at precisely that interval. You are, of course, free to leave the Program room at any time. Each day there is one meal break in the late afternoon or early evening, usually lasting about an hour and a half. We suggest that you eat a meal before arriving at the beginning of each day, and have a third meal or snack after you leave in the evening. You are welcome to bring snacks to eat during other short breaks in the Program. If you have a medical condition requiring you to eat or care for some special need more frequently than the regularly scheduled breaks, or need special seating or must stand and stretch frequently or have any other special needs, please notify the Program Supervisor before the Program begins so that appropriate arrangements can be made for you.

10. If you have not been feeling well or if you have been meaning to see a physician or a mental health professional for some complaint, symptom or concern, or if you have had difficulty sleeping lately, or been depressed, it is imperative that you consult with a physician or mental health professional prior to your participating in the Program. Upon request, Landmark will provide you with information required to enable you to make an informed decision about your participation.

11. Although the schedule of the Program usually (but not always) accommodates sufficient time for sleeping, some participants have stated that they did not have sufficient time to sleep or were unable to sleep at night before, during or after the Program. Some people have entered the Program without having had sufficient sleep. For some people, lack of sleep can become a serious problem and may be symptomatic of a mental or emotional illness. If in the past you have become (or think that you may become) ill or seriously distressed because of lack of sleep, OUR ADVISORS STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT PARTICIPATE in the Program. If you do not have sufficient sleep or if you have a sleep disorder during the week before the commencement of the Program, OUR ADVISORS STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT PARTICIPATE in the Program. If during the Program, you feel that you have been unable to sleep or have not had sufficient sleep, you must notify your Program Leader or Program Supervisor at once.

12. If, after your consulting with your medical or mental or health professional, your health professional needs any additional information about the Program in order to resolve your ability to participate, please contact the Registration Fulfillment Manager at the Center delivering this Program who will provide you with such information.

AGREEMENTS

The following Agreements are intended to have legal significance. If you have any questions about their meaning, please feel free to consult an attorney.

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT In order to promote and respect the confidentiality of our participants and our intellectual property, please read and sign the following: I understand that The Landmark Forum (the “Program”) is limited to people who have registered in the Program. In consideration of and as a condition for permitting my participation in the Program, I represent, covenant, warrant and agree that: (a) I have registered in the Program under my own name for the sole purpose of participating in the Program; (b) I will not publish, broadcast or disclose or assist another person or organization in publishing, broadcasting or disclosing the identity, likeness or actual or paraphrased comments, of other participants in the Program, Staff or people who assist during the Program; and (c) I will not film, videotape, audiotape or otherwise record, by electronic, digital or any other means, all or any portion of the Program, and I will not record or take pictures, or assist another person or organization in recording and/or taking pictures of any kind or nature, of all or any portion of the Program or of any participants in the Program, Staff or people who assist in the Program. I will not take into the Program room a tape or video recorder, movie or still camera, or any device, electronic or otherwise, intended to record the voice or likeness of any person in the Program room. I further agree that the provisions of this Agreement shall be enforceable under the laws of Delaware and my breach of this Agreement shall constitute, among other things, a breach of contract and trespass for which Landmark Education shall have the right to full legal and equitable recourse, including injunctive or other extraordinary relief and damages. Any unenforceable portion of this Agreement shall not affect the remainder. I recognize that my breach of this Agreement will cause Landmark Education and/or the participants in the Program irreparable and substantial harm even though it may be impossible to ascertain the full monetary extent of their financial loss. Nothing in this Confidentiality Agreement is intended to limit you from sharing your experience of the Program with anyone.

ARBITRATION AGREEMENT I agree that any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of my participation in the Program (or any of its associated activities), including the interpretation, application, execution, performance or enforcement of any provision of this Agreement or concerning Landmark Education LLC, its officers, managers, employees, agents, people who assist and/or other participants in the Program (“Landmark Education”) will be submitted to and determined by final and binding arbitration. This Agreement to arbitrate includes claims that there have been any wrongful acts or omissions in my registration in the Program and the warnings and disclosure, content or delivery of the Program (or any of its associated activities) by Landmark Education. Any such dispute, claim or controversy shall not be determined by lawsuit or resort to any court process in any court of law or equity, except as applicable law provides for judicial review, confirmation and enforcement of arbitration proceedings and awards. Judgement upon any award rendered in arbitration may be entered in any court having competent jurisdiction and an application may be made to such court for an order of enforcement.

Such arbitration shall take place pursuant to the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) then in effect in the City hosting the program and shall be expedited and conducted on successive days before three arbitrators, in accordance with the rules of the AAA then in effect.

I agree that if either party institutes any legal action in any Court not authorized herein, the other party shall be entitled to respond by demurrer or other appropriate response, shall not be required to answer any complaint, and shall be entitled to a dismissal of such legal action. The other party shall be entitled to an award in its favor for the amount of its actual fees and costs of suit.

I understand that Landmark Education LLC is a Delaware company and that this Agreement will be construed and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware. This Agreement cannot be modified unless in writing signed by me and by Landmark Education.

I also agree that the time in which I may commence arbitration shall not be greater than ninety (90) days following the occurrence of the event or events which is/are the subject of my claim or claims. I understand that if I fail to commence arbitration within said ninety (90) days, I may be forever barred from making such claim or claims against Landmark Education.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A LEGAL AGREEMENT IN WHICH I FREELY GIVE UP MY RIGHT TO A JURY OR COURT TRIAL.

PROPRIETARY MATERIALS AGREEMENT I understand that all materials, concepts, and information (collectively “Materials”) presented by Landmark Education (“Landmark”) during this Program, either orally or in writing, are the property of Landmark and are protected by copyright, trade secret, and other applicable laws. I acknowledge that the Materials constitute commercially valuable, proprietary, confidential property of Landmark, the design and development of which required the investment of substantial effort, time, and money. All rights in the Program and the Materials are expressly reserved by Landmark. I agree not to reproduce, copy, or otherwise duplicate, and not to distribute, lend, or otherwise transfer, the Materials without the prior written permission of Landmark. I agree not to use the Materials in any way that would compromise the confidential and proprietary nature of the Materials.

I understand that the Materials presented by Landmark in this Program are intended solely for use in the Program. I understand that while I am free to use the Materials for my own personal use, and free to tell others about the benefits I realized from the Program, I agree not to resell, reproduce and sell, modify and sell, or repackage and sell the Materials. I agree that I will not use the Materials for any purpose other than my own personal use except with the prior written permission of Landmark. I agree not to deliver the Materials themselves, either reproduced or modified, or anything derived from the Materials, either orally or in writing, as part of any seminar, training program, workshop, consulting, or similar business activity which I make available to my clients or to others, except with the prior written permission of Landmark.

I agree that this Agreement supersedes any prior agreements I may have regarding the use of the Materials and that, if necessary, I will again obtain Landmark’s written permission before using any materials which I may have obtained permission to use in the past.

INFORMED CONSENT

I have carefully read the Notice of Important Information and Health Warnings and understand the recommendations and instructions. I have been informed to my satisfaction by the person who introduced me to the Program or by a representative of Landmark Education about the general content of the Program and I have had an opportunity to ask questions about anything I do not know or understand. I recognize that it is not possible for Landmark to describe everything that may occur during the Program which generally consists of data presented by the Program Leader; the voluntary sharing of experiences by other participants; and guided exercises or processes.

I acknowledge and understand that the Program was designed for people who clearly understand they are responsible for their own health and well-being before, during and after the Program and who wish to enhance their living skills. I represent that I am not participating in the Program to handle any physical, mental or emotional problems and I fully understand that no portion of the Program is delivered or supervised by health professionals.

I am aware and understand that some people have personally perceived the Program to be physically, mentally and/or emotionally stressful to them. I have been informed that certain persons with no personal or family history of current or previous mental or emotional problems and no history of use of psychotropic or mood altering drugs reported having experienced psychotic episodes following the Program.

I acknowledge and understand that I have been STRONGLY ADVISED NOT TO PARTICIPATE in the Program if: (a) I have been diagnosed with an emotional or mental disorder or if someone in my immediate family has a history of emotional or mental disorder; (b) I am using or have used psychotropic or mood altering drugs which are listed in the Notice of Important Information and Health Warnings above; (c) I am or have in the last year been depressed, contemplated suicide, self-harm or harm to another; (d) I have concerns about my ability to handle stress; (e) I have or may become ill or seriously disturbed because of lack of sleep or less sleep than I am accustomed to; (f) I am unwilling or unable to experience powerful emotions in myself or others; (g) I am currently in therapy and my therapist sees a health reason why I should not participate; or (h) I am uncertain about my physical, mental or emotional ability to participate in the Program I represent that: (a) I know of no reason that I should not participate in the Program; (b) I have considered the nature of the Program and have voluntarily chosen to attend and not as a result of coercion, pressure, a condition of employment or to satisfy anyone other than myself; (c) I am fully aware of what I am undertaking and that there may be risks associated with the Program. I agree that I am responsible for my own participation in the Program and for my own physical, mental and emotional well being, and that Landmark Education is responsible solely for the orderly presentation of the Program; and (d) I willingly and knowingly assume for myself, my family members, executors, administrators, heirs, successors, legal representatives and assigns all risks of physical and mental or emotional injuries which may occur during or after the Program.

I agree to inform and discuss with the Program Leader or Program Supervisor immediately if at any time before the Program is completed, I experience any unusual physical sensation or pain or any mental or emotional discomfort. If, following the completion of the Program, I experience any unusual physical sensation or pain or any mental or emotional discomfort, I agree to notify the Manager of the Landmark Education Center which delivered the Program.

I hereby indemnify and hold Landmark Education, its officers, managers, shareholders, affiliates, employees, agents and/or people who assist, harmless from all loss, cost, obligation or damage arising out of my participation in the Program or in other activities or events related to the Program.

The failure of Landmark Education to enforce any of its rights shall not be construed as a waiver of any of its rights at any time thereafter. If any part or parts of this Agreement shall be deemed invalid or unenforceable, then that part or parts shall be deemed severed from this Agreement and such severance shall not have any effect on the remaining portions of the Agreement.

I acknowledge that my representations and agreements are freely given and are true to the best of my knowledge and are intended to be an inducement to Landmark Education to approve my participation in the Program.

I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO COMPLY WITH THE NOTICE OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND HEALTH WARNINGS, CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT, ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, PROPRIETARY MATERIALS AGREEMENT AND INFORMED CONSENT.

Relationship to religion

Landmark Education makes no claims of a religious nature but the relationship of the training programs to religion is a common theme in reviews of the training. While some reviewers note the lack of religious factors or the compatibility of the training with various religions,[37][38][39][40] others consider its programs to possess religious features, to address participants' spiritual needs, or even to be a form of new religion.[41][42][43][44][45][46][47]

Two lawsuits have been filed by individuals asserting that their employers fired them for refusing to attend Landmark Education courses, claiming that their employers were forcing them to attend “religious events”[48][49][50][51]

Evaluations

Landmark Education makes extensive use of web-published and word-of-mouth testimonials from customers to portray its effectiveness, and supplements these with studies, surveys, and opinions.[52]

Criticism and response

Some observers question whether and to what degree Landmark Education courses benefit participants. Others criticize the use of volunteers by Landmark Education; others highlight the connections with other groups and with Werner Erhard. Landmark has been criticized by some for being overzealous in encouraging people to participate in its courses.[53]

A significant minority of newspaper articles about the Forum mention rumours or allegations that it is in some sense "cult-like".[54] Landmark rejects the cult label and "freely threatens or pursues lawsuits against those who call it one."[55] Journalists Amelia Hill with The Observer and Karin Badt from The Huffington Post have witnessed the Landmark Forum and concluded that, in their view, it is not a cult. Hill wrote, "It is ... simple common sense delivered in an environment of startling intensity." Badt noted the organisation's emphasis on "'spreading the word' of the Landmark forum as a sign of the participants' 'integrity'" in recounting her personal experience of an introductory "Landmark Forum" course. Part of this theme included repeated comparisons between program participants and Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi.[56] Badt expressed the opinion that the course's word-of-mouth marketing methodology and its considerable focus on proselytizing[57] amounted to "brainwashing".[58] She also noted that, "At the end of the day, I found the Forum innocuous. No cult, no radical religion: an inspiring, entertaining introduction of good solid techniques of self-reflection, with an appropriate emphasis on action and transformation (not change)", pointing instead to problems lying with uncritical participants.[7]

The New York Times reporter Henry Alford summarized his review of The Landmark Forum by saying "Two months after the Forum, I'd rate my success at 84 percent. I'm more prone to telling loved ones and colleagues, in person and without glibness, that I love or admire them. But I still operate from a base position that people are a lot of effort." [59] Time Magazine reporter Nathan Thornburgh, in his review of The Landmark Forum, said "At its heart, the course was a withering series of scripted reality checks meant to show us how we have created nearly everything we see as a problem …I benefited tremendously from the uncomfortable mirror the course had put in front of me." [60]

According to Le Nouvel Observateur, the French office of Landmark Education closed in July 2004 after labor inspectors, following a site visit that noted the activities of volunteers, made a report of undeclared employment.[61][62][63][64]

In their 2002 book Cults, Religion, and Violence, authors David G. Bromley and J. Gordon Melton noted that some governments were overly restictive towards New Religious Movements and Personal Development groups, illustrating this by the appearances of Landmark Education and many other organisations in lists of "Sectes" published by government commissions in Belgium and France (Rapport fait au nom de la Commission d'enquête sur les sectes).[65]

Following a series of investigative articles in the national daily Dagens Nyheter[66][67][68] and programs on the private TV channel TV4 Landmark Education also closed its offices in Sweden[69] as of June 2004.

For details of litigation involving Landmark Education, see Landmark Education litigation. For details on non-litigation legal events, see Landmark Education and the law.

References

  1. ^ (January 7, 2002). "Landmark Education Celebrates 11 Years of Business and Growth". LandmarkEducation.com. Retrieved on October 22, 2008.
  2. ^ a b (August 19, 2002). "Minutes of the General Meeting of the Board of Directors of Landmark Education Corporation" (PDF), p. 1. Retrieved on October 22, 2008.
    Note: Facsimile image retrieved from the Landmark Education Litigation Archive on October 25, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e Landmark Fact Sheet, LandmarkEducation.com. Retrieved on October 22, 2008.
  4. ^ The Landmark Seminar Leader Program. LandmarkEducation.com. Retrieved on October 22, 2008.
  5. ^ a b (January 16, 1991). Articles of Incorporation, dike.de. Retrieved on October 22, 2008.
    Quote: "This letter serves as the consent by Landmark Education Corporation for the use of the name "Landmark Education International, Inc." by our wholly-owned subsidiary, currently known as Werner Erhard and Associates International, Inc."
  6. ^ Company History. LandmarkEducation.com. Retrieved on October 22, 2008.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Badt, Karen (March 5, 2008). "Karin Badt: Inside The Landmark Forum". The Huffington Post. Retrieved on October 22, 2008.
  8. ^ Landmark Events and Locations. Landmark Education.com. Retrieved on October 22, 2008.
  9. ^ Nathan Thornberg April 10, 2011 Change We Can (almost) Believe In.
  10. ^ Dr. Steve Wechsler, April 10, 2011 [1] ABC, Syracuse.
  11. ^ a b Faltermayer, Charlotte; Richard Woodbury (March 16, 1998). "The Best of Est?. TIME. Retrieved on October 22, 2008.
  12. ^ Werner Erhard biography. werner-erhard.com. Version as of October 10, 2004, retrieved through Internet Archive on October 22, 2008.
  13. ^ (February 1, 2008). "Landmark Education Business Development, LEBD, Changes Name to Vanto Group". Reuters. Retrieved on October 22, 2008.
  14. ^ About Us. LandmarkEducation.com. Retrieved on October 23, 2008.
  15. ^ a b c d Stassen, Wilma (September 2008). "Inside a Landmark Forum Weekend" Health 24
  16. ^ a b LP/LLC information. California Secretary of State. Filed February 26, 2003. Retrieved on October 23, 2008.
  17. ^ Pressman, Steven (1993). Outrageous Betrayal: The dark journey of Werner Erhard from est to exile. New York: St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-09296-2, p. 254. (Out of print).
  18. ^ Corporation information. California Secretary of State. Filed June 22, 1987. Retrieved on October 23, 2008.
  19. ^ (July 9, 2001). "Pay Money, Be Happy", New York, p. 1. Retrieved on October 23, 2008.
  20. ^ Articles of Incorporation (Domestic). Art Schreiber, President and Registered Agent. Filed June 22, 1987. Retrieved on October 23, 2008.
  21. ^ Jackson, Steve (April 18, 1996). "It Happens". Westword. Village Voice Media. Retrieved 2008-08-24. That got Sumerlin into some unusual reading of her own: angry correspondence from Landmark officials, including Art Schreiber, Landmark's current president and Erhard's former attorney, and Harry Rosenberg, Erhard's brother, who's on the Landmark board.
  22. ^ Dewan, Shaila (May 3, 2010). "Hired to Bring Order, Kings' Adviser Brings Peace". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2010-11-02. Terry M. Giles ... the self-improvement techniques of EST. (Werner Erhard, the creator of EST, is a client.)
  23. ^ Dow Jones & Co., Inc. (2010). "Landmark Education Corporation". The Business Journals. American City Business Journals, Inc. Retrieved 2010-11-02. Landmark Education Corporation - Company Executives - Terry Giles - Chairman of the Board
  24. ^ Logan, David C. (1998). "Transforming the Network of Conversations in BHP New Zealand Steel: Landmark Education Business Development's New Paradigm for Organizational Change", University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, L984-01.
  25. ^ . Business Week. 2010-11-18 http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_48/b4205098143983.htm. Retrieved 2011-03-14. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  26. ^ . Fast Company. 2009-04-01 http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/134/om-my.html. Retrieved 2011-03-14. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ^ Norman Bodek (1985). ReVision: The Journal of Consciousness and Change, Vol 7, No. 2, Winter 1984 / Spring 1985
  28. ^ Case Financial Inc · DEFM14A. SEC filings on secinfo.com. Filed May 3, 2000. Retrieved on October 23, 2008.
    Quote: "Mr. Giles is the owner of Tekniko Licensing Corporation, which licenses intellectual properties owned by Tekniko to businesses throughout the world."
  29. ^ Pacific Biometrics, filings. Form SB-2. Retrieved on October 23, 2008.
  30. ^ Landmark Education information.
  31. ^ a b c d e Hill, Amelia (2008-03-05). "I thought I'd be brainwashed. But how wrong could I be…". The Guardian. www.guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  32. ^ a b c McCrone, John (2008-11-22). "A Landmark Change". The Press. The Press (New Zealand). {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  33. ^ a b c Odasso, Diane (2008-06-05). "My Landmark Experience". The Huffington Post. www.huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
  34. ^ "Velo and Vintage on Second Saturday". Sacramento Press. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  35. ^ "Cyclists gear up for challenging event". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2008-04-19. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  36. ^ 31/entertainment/24990821_1_breast-cancer-survivors-breast-cancer-survivors-duck-breast "Cherish the mammary: Restaurants raise funds for breast cancer survivors". Philadelphia Daily News. 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2011-03-14. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
  37. ^ Ben Porat, Shahar (April 2006). "Teacher of the Confused". Time Out. Israel. pp. 42–44.
  38. ^ Cannon, Patrick Owen (June 14, 2007). "Communication for Planetary Transformation and the Drag of Public Conversations: The Case of Landmark Education Corporation". Tampa, FL: University of South Florida: 1–504. SFE0002150. Retrieved 26 January 2010. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  39. ^ Lazarus, Baila (April 11). "Attain Freedom from the Past". Jewish Independent. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  40. ^ Pennington, Basil (1993). "Expert Opinions" (PDF). Landmark Education. Retrieved 26 January 2010. While it is not religiously oriented, the full human enlivenment which it brings about leads to the person becoming more lively in the practice of his or her particular faith. It is a purely natural or human program but can be used by the faithful Christian in service of living a more lively Christian life. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |quote= at position 107 (help)
  41. ^ Bhugra, Dinesh (1997). Psychiatry and Religion: Context, Consensus and Controversies. Routledge. p. 126. ISBN 0415165121.
  42. ^ Chryssides, George D. (2006). The A to Z of New Religious Movements. The Scarecrow Press, Inc. pp. 197–198. ISBN 0810855887. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  43. ^ Kronberg, Robert (2002). "Psychogroups and Cults in Denmark". Cultic Studies Review. 1 (1). International Cultic Studies Association. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ Beckford, James A. (2003). Social Theory and Religion. Cambridge University Press. p. 156. ISBN 0521774314.
  45. ^ Partridge, Christopher (2004). New Religions: A Guide. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 406. ISBN 0195220420. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  46. ^ Arweck, Elisabeth (2005). Researching New Religious Movements. Routledge. p. 166. ISBN 0415277558.
  47. ^ Lewis, James R. (2005). Cults. ABC-CLIO. pp. 123–124. ISBN 1-85109-618-3.
  48. ^ McElhatton, Jim (27 November 2007). "Democratic PAC faces lawsuit for employee 'religious events'". Nation/Politics. The Washington Times. Retrieved November 27, 2007. [dead link]
  49. ^ ABC News staff (May 23, 2008). "Lawsuit Claims Sex Harassment, Cultish Behavior: Sperm Bank Employee Claims He Was Fired After Refusing Boss' Sexual Advances". ABC News. ABC. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
  50. ^ "Goldman v. Twenty-First Century Democrats" USDC - District of Columbia; Case 1:07-cv-02103-PLF Document 16
  51. ^ USDC Southern District of New York; Case 1:08-cv-03578-JSR Document 14
  52. ^ "Brief Quotes". LandmarkEducation.com. Retrieved on October 23, 2008.
  53. ^ Graham Rayman, "Suit Against Sperm-Bank Firm Claims Sexual Harassment and Cult-Like Behavior", Village Voice, 20 May 2008
  54. ^ *Bass, Alison (March 3, 1999). "The Forum: Cult or comfort?". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company.
  55. ^ Scioscia, Amanda (19 October 2000). "Drive-thru Deliverance; It's not called est anymore, but you can still be ridiculed into self-awareness in just one expensive weekend". Phoenix New Times.
  56. ^ Badt, Karin (2008-03-05). "Inside The Landmark Forum". The Huffington Post. HuffingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2009-08-11. I questioned the odd apolitical bias of the program. Martin Luther King and Ghandi [sic] were not just victors of positive thinking: they had a radical political agenda to re-adjust political inequality. Their belief system was based in believing in something more than ourselves. Why were we being compared to Gandhi and King if we could stand up to our husbands and get a more successful career? [...] [The seminar deliverer] concluded, per forma, with moving descriptions of Gandhi and King. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |quote= at position 301 (help)
  57. ^ Badt, Karin (2008-03-05). "Inside The Landmark Forum". The Huffington Post. HuffingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2009-08-11. Yes, they urge us to proselytize, which rather than a cult technique, might just be an unfortunate mistake in marketing strategy [...]
  58. ^ Badt, Karin (2008-03-05). "Inside The Landmark Forum". The Huffington Post. HuffingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2009-08-11. Participants, having heard the argument drone in their ears for 9 hours in a period of 72, began to cheer and smile as they raised their hands to say they too had the courage to stand for the Forum. This was brainwashing. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |quote= at position 199 (help)
  59. ^ "You're O.K., but I'm Not. Let's Share". New York Times. 2010-11-26. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  60. ^ "Change We Can (Almost) Believe In". TIME Magazine. 2011-03-07. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  61. ^ Marie Lemonniera, "Chez les gourous en cravate", Le Nouvel Observateur, 19 May 2005, accessed 7 December 2008; French text: "L’'Inspection du Travail débarque dans les locaux de Landmark, constate l'’exploitation des bénévoles et dresse des procès-verbaux pour travail non déclaré." English translation: "Labor inspectors turned up at the offices of Landmark, noted the exploitation of volunteers and drew up a report of undeclared employment."
  62. ^ "Defence workers trained by 'cult'", ABC News, 2 April 2008
  63. ^ (1996) "Liste des sectes dangereuses" (French). atheisme.free.fr. Retrieved on October 23, 2008.
  64. ^ (May 26, 2004). "Landmark Education - Droit de Répons - France 3" (French). landmarkeducation.fr. Retrieved on October 23, 2008.
  65. ^ Bromley, David G. (2002). Cults, Religion, and Violence. Cambridge University Press. p. 114. ISBN 0521668980. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  66. ^ http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?a=23694
  67. ^ http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?a=24466
  68. ^ http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/landsting-kopte-kurs-av-landmark-1.86286
  69. ^ Tidskriften Analys & Kritik - Irrationalismen
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