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Are self-improvement techniques exploited?

by AnnaEmilie
12 replies
Hi everybody, a little question to you then...

don't you think that this self-improvement euphoria is kind of drifting to the wrong direction, when you watch the society and the movement in the past few years?

Don't you think that the self-improvement and personality development topics are more and more deprived from the spirtual aspects, as they are used for material and superficial purposes.

In most of the girls's magazines you can read how to apply NLP and The Power of Thought to become more attractive to boys, somewhere else you can read about how to come to a lot of money by (ab)using the power of thought and the law of attraction.

Don't you think that these topics should be more spiritual... because everybody will achieve his goals and will attain richess, if you are deep inside rich and successful. Your aura and thoughts will automatically bring yuo a better life, without forcing yourself to think and love money and material things.

If you feel good, you will be beautiful in the eyes of others,
if you contain true values inside your self, you will be automatically rich...

and so on...
#exploited #selfimprovement #techniques
  • Profile picture of the author Chris Ramsey
    Is money not spiritual? Is sex immoral?

    What is and isn't spiritual? In my mind, everything we do is spiritual. I can't seem to recall who said it, but "We are not physical beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a physical experience."

    So put in this aspect, the only real question I can ask regarding 'taking advantage' of something is whether it is being done with integrity or not. Is the marketer trying to cheat people out of something, or are they trying to get some good information across while bettering themselves with something like money?

    It's really all in how you view the world. I hope that this has helped a little.
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  • Profile picture of the author tomw
    Anna,

    I agree with the sentiment behind your post, and as I posted elsewhere on this forum today;

    "as human beings we all know, deep down, the ultimate truths of coexistence as well as inner peace. Many simply seek the easier paths. Many stupidly believe that there is a hidden secret to happiness and success when the most basic truth is that there isn't one, other than a plain and simple love for our fellow man."

    Also, I love the idea behind your website. I think there is a real need for for some of the services you offer.

    Good luck with it.

    Thomas
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  • Profile picture of the author Devin T
    Hey Anna.

    I somewhat agree with this post. I strongly feel that people, many on this forum even, are looking towards self improvement techniques, like the law of attraction bullshit that people are spamming everywhere, and it is really losing its.. initial purpose. But where I disagree with you, and this is entirely my opinion, is the deprivation of spiritual aspects. I do not feel that any spiritual aspects need to be factored into self improvement. Self improvement is solely about improving aspects of your life. Maybe you are happy, but you don't have the strongest work ethic; self improvement can help you fix this, vies versa.

    People simply need to look at their lives, find areas that need improvement, and strive to improve them. It really makes me sick to see people trying to exploit many of these techniques for material gain.

    One must remember that in order for these methods to work, one need to have pure intentions and follow through with them.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Derrick
    scheda - It was Dr. Wayne Dyer who is credited with that quote.


    Anna,

    Years ago I asked my teacher a question very much along the lines that you are asking, and he told me two things.

    #1 - All things are spiritual here. Period. There is no "this is spiritual and that is not" All things must be spiritual by definition.

    #2 - He told me not to judge others. It is not my job to judge others and compare myself to them based on where I currently am on my spiritual evolution. I am not any better or worse than anyone else.

    Judging others leads to self righteousness which causes a division and an "US and THEM" mentality.

    When you look at the most spiritual people in our history you will find they they were INCLUSIVE not divisive. They walked, talked and surrounded themselves with people from all walks of life.

    To use Jesus as an example, he associated with thieves, beggars, liar and murderers and this upset many greatly because they thought Jesus was too good to hang around that sort.

    His thought was that those people needed his love more.

    So if you want to take self development and only preach to the choir, then how does that help the world?

    Wouldn't it be better to bring it to the masses in the language that they understand (which is usually money and sex and other ego based desires) so that the doorway to communication is open and they can be given the tools and knowledge than can lead them to something more "spiritual"?
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  • Profile picture of the author RobertGreenshields
    You make a lot of good points there. I think it's possible that a lot of the self development industry is more focused on making money for the people who produce it than on helping the customers. But equally you could argue that they are entitled to profit if they are giving people what they want.

    I agree with your last point that you need to start by feeling good inside of yourself and I think the implication is also that the measure of richness is not only financial.

    Best regards

    Robert
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  • Profile picture of the author AnnaEmilie
    Thanks for your replies,

    it is good to see that you understand my point. I don't judge over others choices, but if we say that EVERYTHING IS SPIRITUAL then killing and nastiness and all negative things are also spiritual.

    But why then did even the most spiritual people talk about black and white magic, or the famous two ways in Hinduism: the path of Truth and the path of Power... while one (path of power) symbolizes the ambition to gain success, power, respect and so on... the other (path of truth) tells you that you simply need to be all this in the most spiritual level of your being and then you will automatically gain success, power and respect.

    I am happy that most of you friends could distinguish what I mean. I am not mean )

    Anna Emilie.
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    • Profile picture of the author MaskedMarketer
      Originally Posted by AnnaEmilie View Post

      Hi everybody, a little question to you then...

      don't you think that this self-improvement euphoria is kind of drifting to the wrong direction, when you watch the society and the movement in the past few years?

      Don't you think that the self-improvement and personality development topics are more and more deprived from the spirtual aspects, as they are used for material and superficial purposes.
      Anna,

      Nice site...

      Those people who use use the "law of attraction" for material and superficial purposes only, are bound to failure- in the long term.

      I've been in direct sales since 6th grade - a born entrepreneur.

      And what I've learned is when I try to "make money" for "physical pleasures" it never ended up the way I wanted to... "Something" was blocking me from the success- that I truly wanted...

      It wasn't until I began to look inside myself and explored my personal and spiritual development- that made me realize I was looking at the world in the wrong light...

      As Eben Pagan said (aka David DeAngelo- the 20m/yr man)- he did spend most of his time developing himself rather than his business. I found this to be true in my life as well- everything began to change when I looked inside myself- my internal world- instead of the external world for answers..

      Eben Pagan is a student of NLP- and as in NLP, it is said the highest order of change- comes from spiritual growth. It effects your physical reality and everything else..

      I believe this to be true as well- and if you notice Ebens marketing- you can actually notice the "spiritual" and "occult" aspects he is using in his business...

      Originally Posted by AnnaEmilie View Post

      In most of the girls's magazines you can read how to apply NLP and The Power of Thought to become more attractive to boys, somewhere else you can read about how to come to a lot of money by (ab)using the power of thought and the law of attraction.

      Don't you think that these topics should be more spiritual.
      There are spiritual aspects in NLP. Its all about how you use the knowlege you gain. There are positives and negatives in everything.

      Originally Posted by Devin T View Post

      Hey Anna.
      But where I disagree with you, and this is entirely my opinion, is the deprivation of spiritual aspects. I do not feel that any spiritual aspects need to be factored into self improvement. Self improvement is solely about improving aspects of your life.

      People simply need to look at their lives, find areas that need improvement, and strive to improve them
      Why don't you feel that spiritual aspects will improve your life?

      Some people believe the entire purpose of your life- is to evolve spiritually.

      While you don't have to agree, many successful people, as well as NLP practitioners agree certain spiritual aspects improve your life- more than any other aspect of change..

      Like I said in my initial post, I used to believe the same things you did... Once I realized spiritual aspects come in to play- everything seemed to come easier and made more sense.
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      • Profile picture of the author AnnaEmilie
        Originally Posted by MaskedMarketer View Post

        Anna,Nice site...
        Thank you... :rolleyes:

        Originally Posted by MaskedMarketer View Post

        And what I've learned is when I try to "make money" for "physical pleasures" it never ended up the way I wanted to... "Something" was blocking me from the success- that I truly wanted...

        While you don't have to agree, many successful people, as well as NLP practitioners agree certain spiritual aspects improve your life- more than any other aspect of change..

        Like I said in my initial post, I used to believe the same things you did... Once I realized spiritual aspects come in to play- everything seemed to come easier and made more sense.
        These are really nice words and I want to thank you (actually all of you guys) that you understand me and tell your perspective. This gives hope and hope is a precious value

        hugz,
        Anna Emilie.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kloxxar
    YOu really have a nice site dear Anna, this I have to say

    well, as for your interesting question... I think you might be right, but what should we do?

    It's better to find some alternative and this is maybe what most of the people are looking for. But again, I guess that the thing which really shows the way is inside...

    People should stop looking outside to find some answers... don't you think?
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  • Profile picture of the author AnnaEmilie
    Hi again everybody,

    the thing is how can a person be convincing if he does something for money anyway? I mean, of course all of us needs money due to the system we are living in. But nowadays somebody comes along and tells you that he has found definitely the BEST solution...

    IF you pay xx dollars or give your e-mail address so that he can spam you or god knows what else. These people cannot be really convincing. Especially some of the bad gurus who only want to exploit peoples emotions and bind them to themselves and turn them into some mental slaves.. it is sad to see that this what I say is true for heaps of people. I am not coming up with that myself, this is observable almost everywhere in the world.

    Some smart people who want to deceive others for their emotions and interest...sad but true. What to do against it?

    Anna Emilie.
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    • Profile picture of the author MaskedMarketer
      Originally Posted by AnnaEmilie View Post

      Hi again everybody,
      But nowadays somebody comes along and tells you that he has found definitely the BEST solution...

      IF you pay xx dollars or give your e-mail address so that he can spam you or god knows what else. These people cannot be really convincing. Especially some of the bad gurus who only want to exploit peoples emotions and bind them to themselves and turn them into some mental slaves.. it is sad to see that this what I say is true for heaps of people. I am not coming up with that myself, this is observable almost everywhere in the world

      Anna Emilie.
      Hey Anna,

      Selling solutions is good! Some people give it a bad rap though..

      Some people do it FOR MONEY...

      Others do it TO HELP others...

      You have to see who is out there for the MONEY and who is out there TO HELP you..

      This is why understanding influence is so important. Not only to help persuade others (for there good), but to be able to protect yourself from manipulation people.. If you understand influence- then you can see through peoples deception and lies...

      If you set everything up correctly, Anna, focusing on helping others first (while still having business sense) will yield money and even more powerful results than just money- also a sense of satisfaction...
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  • Profile picture of the author Bayo
    Like everything else in society, if there's money to be made it will get exploited.

    Self-help as an area has been on the rise based on more awareness and a willingness to explore what might have been considered 'taboo' in certain circles, e.g. religion and visualization is the best example.

    Maybe more important is the need to keep the original concepts clear from the "fluffy" advertising and marketing nonsense that has been on the rise!
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