How do I discern this?

[chrispat91]

My wife just asked me if I minded if she went to another state to go to this life improvement/empowerment/motivational/life coaching type of thing. I’m not entirely sure what the main goal is.

She has gone before, as well as many of her siblings and friends and they all speak very highly of it. But it is not a catholic program. It’s several days long, she’s not supposed to tell me anything about what they do except for vague details.

It’s supposed to open your eyes and make your life better somehow. And she wants to go again because she was invited to go with a friend.

I have looked all over the place for info about this program called “Great Life”. There is nothing about it except for some troubling reviews on “ripoffreport.com”.

I am always skeptical about these sort of things, like Tony Robbins and this one. Especially when it is not a Catholic approach.

I am so concerned about her going, but she insists its only for the better, and I don’t want to be the husband that doesn’t let his wife do things. I’m not sure how to look at this. Any takers? Thank you!

 

[Vico]

My wife just asked me if I minded if she went to another state to go to this life improvement/empowerment/motivational/life coaching type of thing. I’m not entirely sure what the main goal is.

She has gone before, as well as many of her siblings and friends and they all speak very highly of it. But it is not a catholic program. It’s several days long, she’s not supposed to tell me anything about what they do except for vague details.

It’s supposed to open your eyes and make your life better somehow. And she wants to go again because she was invited to go with a friend.

I have looked all over the place for info about this program called “Great Life”. There is nothing about it except for some troubling reviews on “ripoffreport.com”.

I am always skeptical about these sort of things, like Tony Robbins and this one. Especially when it is not a Catholic approach.

I am so concerned about her going, but she insists its only for the better, and I don’t want to be the husband that doesn’t let his wife do things. I’m not sure how to look at this. Any takers? Thank you!

I believe that it grew out of Werner Erhard’s “Erhard Seminars Training,” or est.

But, I read that Harmony Institute, now known as the Great Life Foundation is run by graduates of Impact Training classes. Impact Training is a Utah company initially started in 1985 by Hans Berger an LDS graduate of Lifespring. (But I have not investigated all this.)

The Vatican website has the following:

JESUS CHRIST THE BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE

A Christian reflection on the “New Age”

1.5. A positive challenge

The appeal of New Age religiosity cannot be underestimated. When the understanding of the content of Christian faith is weak, some mistakenly hold that the Christian religion does not inspire a profound spirituality and so they seek elsewhere. As a matter of fact, some say the New Age is already passing us by, and refer to the “next” age.(7) They speak of a crisis that began to manifest itself in the United States of America in the early 1990s, but admit that, especially beyond the English-speaking world, such a “crisis” may come later. But bookshops and radio stations, and the plethora of self-help groups in so many Western towns and cities, all seem to tell a different story. It seems that, at least for the moment, the New Age is still very much alive and part of the current cultural scene.

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html

 

[chrispat91]

I believe that it grew out of Werner Erhard’s “Erhard Seminars Training,” or est.

But, I read that Harmony Institute, now known as the Great Life Foundation is run by graduates of Impact Training classes. Impact Training is a Utah company initially started in 1985 by Hans Berger an LDS graduate of Lifespring. (But I have not investigated all this.)

The Vatican website has the following:

JESUS CHRIST THE BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE

A Christian reflection on the “New Age”

1.5. A positive challenge

The appeal of New Age religiosity cannot be underestimated. When the understanding of the content of Christian faith is weak, some mistakenly hold that the Christian religion does not inspire a profound spirituality and so they seek elsewhere. As a matter of fact, some say the New Age is already passing us by, and refer to the “next” age.(7) They speak of a crisis that began to manifest itself in the United States of America in the early 1990s, but admit that, especially beyond the English-speaking world, such a “crisis” may come later. But bookshops and radio stations, and the plethora of self-help groups in so many Western towns and cities, all seem to tell a different story. It seems that, at least for the moment, the New Age is still very much alive and part of the current cultural scene.

vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/interelg/documents/rc_pc_interelg_doc_20030203_new-age_en.html

In your opinion, how should I approach this with my wife? Do you think it is a problematic program even if it does not involve religion? I know the argument will be that it’s “not a religious thing, it’s just an outlook on life, and a way to appreciate life and how to be a better person.”

 

[Vico]

In your opinion, how should I approach this with my wife? Do you think it is a problematic program even if it does not involve religion? I know the argument will be that it’s “not a religious thing, it’s just an outlook on life, and a way to appreciate life and how to be a better person.”

Maybe something could be determined knowing the type of activities that occur there, if there would be temptation to sin or sin involved.

 

[chrispat91]

Maybe something could be determined knowing the type of activities that occur there, if there would be temptation to sin or sin involved.

I have done some further research, and I am pretty sure you’re right. There are some ties to IMPACT Training. What’s more, I have waded through all of the positive review of IMPACT, and have found references to:

-Eastern Spirituality
-being “New Agey”
-Cult
-Leading to divorce and breakups

Mostly, they are good reviews, but I don’t know if that’s an indicator of a good company… Because the bad reviews are all disturbingly bad, and very similar.

I know she’s gone before, but it was years and years before I met her… Unless someone here disagrees with a valid point…I think I’m going to express my great discomfort with the idea of her attending, even though I want her to be able to do things and enjoy things.

 

[AdamP88]

I’d be troubled solely by the fact that they’re not supposed to tell anything about the program except vague details. That would ring alarm bells for me right away. What activities are they doing that are so secretive?

 

[chrispat91]

I’d be troubled solely by the fact that they’re not supposed to tell anything about the program except vague details. That would ring alarm bells for me right away. What activities are they doing that are so secretive?

According to my wife, the reason is because they don’t want to ruin the experience for potential new clients or customers or whatever they call their attendees.

Apparently the idea is: “If I tell you, then it won’t be as special if you ever decide to go yourself.”

What’s more, whenever my wife talks about the program with her brother who did it as well, she always says “just so you know, I’m not the only person in the room” so her brother doesn’t spill anything to specific.

I’m not sure if it’s really as harmless as she makes it sound, or if there’s a “secret society” feel to it. I’m just really unsure and uncomfortable about the whole thing.

But she comes from a VERY Catholic large family, most of whom have gone to this thing… and they swear by it, which makes me feel like an outcast jerk husband because I’m not buying it.

 

[AdamP88]

According to my wife, the reason is because they don’t want to ruin the experience for potential new clients or customers or whatever they call their attendees.

Apparently the idea is: “If I tell you, then it won’t be as special if you ever decide to go yourself.”

What’s more, whenever my wife talks about the program with her brother who did it as well, she always says “just so you know, I’m not the only person in the room” so her brother doesn’t spill anything to specific.

I’m not sure if it’s really as harmless as she makes it sound, or if there’s a “secret society” feel to it. I’m just really unsure and uncomfortable about the whole thing.

But she comes from a VERY Catholic large family, most of whom have gone to this thing… and they swear by it, which makes me feel like an outcast jerk husband because I’m not buying it.

Well…that would make me uncomfortable too. I think it’s understandable to feel the way you do. It seems very unusual to me that they would have such an atmosphere of secrecy about the activities.
Perhaps you should go too, maybe it’s really pretty harmless. That’s the one sure way to find out.

 

[Graceful_Lamb]

The whole secrecy thing isn’t sitting well with me. That she can’t share anything that happens. It sounds like a cult (maybe it isn’t). Sounds like they (the program) doesn’t want people to share it because others will question it, etc.

From a cursory glance at one of IMPACT’s websites, I don’t see anything there that she can’t obtain from Catholicism. That “feel good, new agey stuff” is just that. Jesus is the way, literally!

I agree that you could go also, and then you would know what it is all about. If she has any objections to you going along, that would be a HUGE red flag.

 

[chrispat91]

The whole secrecy thing isn’t sitting well with me. That she can’t share anything that happens. It sounds like a cult (maybe it isn’t). Sounds like they (the program) doesn’t want people to share it because others will question it, etc.

From a cursory glance at one of IMPACT’s websites, I don’t see anything there that she can’t obtain from Catholicism. That “feel good, new agey stuff” is just that. Jesus is the way, literally!

I agree that you could go also, and then you would know what it is all about. If she has any objections to you going along, that would be a HUGE red flag.

She has no objection to my going. In fact, she has been trying to get me to go. But I am not sure I am willing to subject myself to something like this. As I mentioned before, I’m very skeptical. Plus, it’s several days long, and I just can’t afford the time off!

 

[Regina7]

It sounds like you’re trying to be a good husband who doesn’t “force” his wife to do things…and that’s commendable…however, remember that your ONLY job is to get your wife and kids to heaven. That’s it.

I just finished reading “An Exorcist Tells his Story.” Among other things, it talks of how we can invite demons into our lives. Any new age experience is an open door.

So while “forbidding” her not to go probably won’t work, do what you can to discourage it. Perhaps find a Catholic retreat for her to go to instead.

 

[mommy_k]

Yes if you wife likes retreats a cursillo retreat would be better. But then there’s secrets with this too.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

I’d be troubled solely by the fact that they’re not supposed to tell anything about the program except vague details. That would ring alarm bells for me right away. What activities are they doing that are so secretive?

I was thinking the same as this!

 

[kdbueno]

Just be cool at yourself, grace will come.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

My wife just asked me if I minded if she went to another state to go to this life improvement/empowerment/motivational/life coaching type of thing. I’m not entirely sure what the main goal is.

She has gone before, as well as many of her siblings and friends and they all speak very highly of it. But it is not a catholic program. It’s several days long, she’s not supposed to tell me anything about what they do except for vague details.

It’s supposed to open your eyes and make your life better somehow. And she wants to go again because she was invited to go with a friend.

I have looked all over the place for info about this program called “Great Life”. There is nothing about it except for some troubling reviews on “ripoffreport.com”.

I am always skeptical about these sort of things, like Tony Robbins and this one. Especially when it is not a Catholic approach.

I am so concerned about her going, but she insists its only for the better, and I don’t want to be the husband that doesn’t let his wife do things. I’m not sure how to look at this. Any takers? Thank you!

I’d be nervous. Without commenting on the specific program, these self help things are concerning. Rarely do marriages have smooth sailing when one person dramatically changes life.

Nothing like this would happen in my marriage without both spouses being involved.