When threatened by criticism, “School” will toss about the pat phrase:“it’s all lies and slander” followed by, “You have all had your own experiences of ‘school’.” It will claim that looking for and reading about “school” online “will poison your experiences.” It will require you to obey the “no internet research” policy.
If “school” is a legitimate 4th-way institution, your experience should hold up and belie the critical mass of online complaints, and accusation, spanning decades and miles. Break the Rules! and draw your own conclusions, based on your own experiences. Trust me, the sky won’t fall, and you’ll only further your “schooling”. If you don’t confess, “school” will never know. If you do confess, “school” will scold you. But “school” will likely find a reason to scold you, anyway. As long as you pay your tuition, it won’t kick you out.
If you’re feeling bold, ask Robert specific questions: what does our “tuition” fund and why is there no transparency? Who was Alex Horn? What was The Theater of All Possibilities? Who was Gurdjieff and why doesn’t “school” mention him? What is the “privacy” policy protecting? Note whether he answers specific questions, speaks in generalities, dismisses the questions, or shames you for asking. Resources below:
About “School”
A history and analysis of the Sharon Gan’s group, also known as “The Work”: this page includes an outline of the 5-step meeting recruitment process that “school” still uses today.
Cult Education Institute – https://culteducation.com/group/1190-odyssey-study-group-osg-fourth-way-school.html
“The Work” a “Fourth Way School” – Visitor’s Comments
The Sharon Gans Cult News Report
Time Out Magazine’s Kool-Aid Rating for “fringy organizations”
San Francisco Chronicle article about Alex Horn’s Theatre of All Possibilities. Alex Horn is Sharon’s dead husband and Robert’s first “teacher”
Seeing into the heart of things: one woman’s story of her 28 years in “school”
The Gurdjieff Journal: Rosie, Sharon, Alex, Robert & The Work – this article distinguishes real fourth way school’s from faux and explains why the Gans/Horn “school” is not legitimate.
Freedom of Mind: Odyssey Study Group (aka “School”)
Freedom of Mind: Open Letter to Odyssey Study Group
From Slabbed finance page: this blog from Slabbed mentions connects hedge-fund manager Joseph Stilwell and his efforts to sue bloggers who criticize “school”.
Rosie Refutes Cult Connection: this article is about a “school”-produced documentary called Artists and Orphans, narrated by Rosie O’Donnell. The word is that O’Donnell was horrified to learn that she’d contributed to a homophobic/racist cult.
A comprehensive list of links to articles about the Odyssey Study Group
Little Survivors’ Handbook (more corroboration from Horn’s glory days)
High Demand (another “school” memoir from a fellow disgruntled.)
Dave Archer on Gurdjieff (“school’s” California/Alex Horn days)
Dave Archer, Supping with Alex (more about Alex, if you can stand it)
InfoRapid Graphic – Alex Horn map and various connections
Info from the UK – http://sharonganshorn.blogspot.co.uk
About Cults, Undue Influence & Other Mind Control Groups
Cult Education Institute, created by Rick Ross
Families Against Cult Teachings
http://tonyortega.org/ – all about Scientology
Thanks for great info. I was in the fellowship of friends in the early 80,s
I would love to know if you have contact with any members at that time or what the cult is doing now.
Hi Marita – I have had a little bit of contact with former fellowship members, but not for a number of years. Thanks for visiting and commenting. I wish that I had more information for you, although I am wondering if there are some articles or podcasts out there about FOF. It’d be worth the search. GSR