OK after my earlier comments today I had another look. I think really there are just two sections, one about addiction, and another about defining unconditional love which were interesting but too theoretical for me and seemed to go on for ever. They made good points, but in the end I skipped ahead.
I'm now onto reading about an analysis of how Gurus use the concepts of oneness, awakening experiences and enlightenment to control people. It's fascinating again. I think they just didn't mention Gurus enough in the previous two sections!
Another great key point repeated a few times through the book is how by claiming selflessness, a Guru's motivations inevitably 'go underground'and become shadows that the group agree not to see.
This last section has included the odd anecdote and example. I think the difference is that the stories in most cult analysis books are so personal, whereas this doesn't delve into the authors own motivations or background, for whatever reason I don't know. And there are no case studies or anything like that (so far- about 80 pages left to go)
I'm now onto reading about an analysis of how Gurus use the concepts of oneness, awakening experiences and enlightenment to control people. It's fascinating again. I think they just didn't mention Gurus enough in the previous two sections!
Another great key point repeated a few times through the book is how by claiming selflessness, a Guru's motivations inevitably 'go underground'and become shadows that the group agree not to see.
This last section has included the odd anecdote and example. I think the difference is that the stories in most cult analysis books are so personal, whereas this doesn't delve into the authors own motivations or background, for whatever reason I don't know. And there are no case studies or anything like that (so far- about 80 pages left to go)