xjwsforChrist

I would like to share an experience...lets say... a 'friend of mine' had.


He went to Barnes and Nobles and into the new age section just to find some interesting books to read. He found a book on Transcendental meditation and started reading it which led to various website searches for various techniques on it. He does a lot of research finding out how science has actually validated the entire practice to help with various mental problems like stress, PTSD and decides he wants to do this.

He finds (TM.org). He goes then calls up a local individual who lives in his near by town who was the only one in the city he lives in (they divide up the area apparently among 3 people). He calls the individual and explains he's in a lot of debt, student loans, credit cards, and is living 'paycheck to paycheck' and barely has any money.

He reasons with the individual that He has PTSD and is trying very hard to manage his life because hurt and pain of his past, that he's trying to focus on the positive and maybe there's a way. You know the pain of abuse and suffering, molestation, abandonment at age 4 by his mother and father etc...

The individual says that he is starting a class at the end of june. My 'friend' explained that he was infact really broke. Maxed out on credit cards and living paycheck to paycheck and heavily in debt. The individual asked about my 'friends' life. My friend explained he works full time job and is on his own in an apartment. The 'gentlemen' explained that the classes are $1500.00 and if he wanted to he could 'post date' the checks in 4 payments of $375.00 and that my 'friend' was "in the right spot for help."

My 'friend' then went away despaired and thought maybe one of the other 2 people in the area would be willing to help. He goes and emails a female individual through email

"Dear Wendy,

I have been searching and researching TM for quite some time. I have PTSD or a form called Complex Post traumatic Stress Disorder. I have been struggling desperately in finding a way to treat my C-PTSD. Because I come from a broken house. I had an alcoholic, and abusive father. Which put me through other traumas which include: homelessness at a young age and various other unmentionables. I have noticed a lot of what normal people are capable of doing easily, is a very difficult task that feels as if i'm pushing a boulder up hill by myself.

It is as if my mind is just so scrambled and not organized with panic attacks and anxiety. From all the research I've found and based on my personal understanding of how my brain works, it seems TM will regulate my brain in a way that would help my symptoms.

When I first heard of the price, I knew I couldn't afford it. $1500, even divided into $375 was too much money out of my pocket. I am currently $34,000 in debt. Paying off 3 school loans that didn't get my anywhere in my career, and other expenses. I live paycheck to paycheck with no savings.

I understand the need to make a financial living. I am living proof of the need for financial stability. However, is there any way the price can be significantly reduced to help me become more functional? I am hoping there is a scholarship/need based type assistance, not to give me money, but rather just allow me to learn at a price I can afford.

Thank you so much for your consideration."

To which wendy responded: "Hi ______ where do you live? We may have some scholarship funds you can apply for. "


So he decides to throw down all the cards and ask for help and responds:

"I understand the need to know my location. I personally feel that the person that was recommended to me because of my location through TM.org website, did not understand how heavily my debt affects my life, and my inability to produce 1500, even in payments. This lead me to search out of my area, and willingness to travel a little distance to receive the desperately needed help and guidance i'm seeking. I mean no disrespect towards the other person.

If you must know I will tell you my location. However, the reason I am hesitant is because I hope you wont pass me up to the other individual who gave me a price I simply cannot afford. I work closer to tampa so coming to Clearwater is not a long drive for me and feel that's worth the effort for getting this help.

I await your reply."


NO reply. The first reply was within 12 hours. Within 12 HOURS. It's been days now. No reply what so ever. So my 'friend' starts emailing the original person he had called and tries to PLEAD to him in order to get the help he needs.

"I can't afford the 1500 fee.


I am $34,000 in debt. And having extreme psychological issues. I can't perform the payment option since i live paycheck to paycheck. What are my options?"

NO reply, what so ever. This makes me MAD.

This is how SICK the world is where someone NEEDS HELP and YOU have the FUCKIN' cure to HELP someone who OBVIOUSLY is NOT ABLE TO PAY the DAMN price, that YOU will simply IGNORE the email ALL together, JUST because they can't pay. I mean the gentlemen has the class that only has about 5 students at a time in it. My friend could just SIT THERE and learn by listening. It's not a class full of 50 people. It's only FIVE.

I mean THINK about it: Lets say hypothetically, Transcendental meditation is from the higher realms that assist in regulating your brain to operate correct, reduce stress, BP, increase IQ, etc all the stuff science studies have PROVEN. And it even HAS helped millions of people not to mention those that suffer from PTSD. It's not a religion but a practice.

He is OBVIOUSLY struggling. AND YOU IGNORE HIS EMAILS! The biggest beef I have with this is: Here you are, playing the 'good samaritan card with your TM meditation techniques that say and profess to help everyone and that CAN help everyone' but.....ONLY if you have money. If not...Nope.

Now i'm sure some would argue 'well they have to make a living too!!!' NO. They CHOOSE to make a living THIS WAY. You know, giving aide only to those that have the money. They can give these classes at nights or whatever after their 'day job.' But they don't want to. So much for 'faith' and 'doing wellness, goodness to mankind'

I'm furious...how sick is this world?

i mean YOU (tm.org people) HAVE THE CURE!!!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE IT!!!!1 AND YOU WONT GIVE IT cause you're not getting MONEY!!!!! something YOU SAY is a 'LIFE CHANGING' experience!

I don't know whether your dear friend professes to be [a] "christian" or not, dear V (peace to you, dear one!), but if so, then s/he most probably don't understand the "world." And these people sound as if they are from the "world" and not christians. Because Christ, who would be their leader... and from Whom they would have received their "gift" (if they indeed have a gift AND it came from him) said, "You RECEIVED free; GIVE free." Meaning, one should not charge for what one RECEIVED... from him.

Given that these DO charge, I would have to conclude that:

1. They did not receive their "gift" from him... but perhaps from some other source (including human teachers, which is not a sin, actually - the sin would be "selling" it if it WAS given to them by him)
2. They DID receive from him but are ignoring his words; or
3. They are not "from" him at all.

If any of these were the case, I would probably ask my friend:

1. Since it doesn't seem like they really care about him/her... versus his/her money... why give them his/her money (I'm assuming s/he WOULD have if s/he had it); and
2. What makes him/her think these folks are actually legit, that they're "technique" works, and without knowing that, again, why give them his/her money; and
3. There is One who DOES care about him/her... and he doesn't charge a dime... why not simply go to him

I realize that it's harder for some to trust in this latter situation, but I have to say that I marvel that folks are MORE willing to trust someone who will charge them money... and GIVE it to them... for "peace of mind and heart"... which comes with NO guarantee... but not seek the exact same thing... peace of mind and heart... from someone who gives it for FREE.

Maybe it has to do with the phenomenon one of my former band members told me (he's a high-powered business attorney in SF). He said, "Never do a gig for free, Shel. Have them at least pay for your gas and a meal. Because people DON'T RESPECT YOU... unless you charge them. Give it to them free... and they won't only disrespect you, but disregard you."

I cannot tell you how often I have personally found those words to be true, dear one. VERY true. Of course, for some reason the MORE money a person charges for something, the MORE others "respect" him/her. Seems they think such one is "better" than those who charge less. Not always the case, though, not at all. So a very curious phenomenon, IMHO.

Your dear friend may be "mad" (right now) that these folks wouldn't accommodate him/her... but I bet'chu s/he would pay that fee if they could somehow come up with the money. EVEN if the person(s) didn't respect THEM... when they were "down and out."

But, well, earthling man... loving it. Go figure.

I hope this helps and, as always, peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellama