* Information on the term "template" from a former member:
"The Template" is a common term in the Emin. It's Leo/Armin's
conception of a grid of 16 "stations" into which all the functions
of humanity (and, presumably, the universe) are meant to fit. Members
of the "North American Template" are encouraged to "champion" various
stations (or essences). There is also a bunch of "funds" that go
with Template stations that Emin members are encouraged to contribute
to.
The BITE Model As It Applies to Emin:
The following information was submitted by a current
member
I. Behaviors
Regulation of individual's physical reality,
major time commitment, need to ask permission for major decisions,
rewards and punishments, rigid rules
Not especially out of line concerning this particular
group, in this submittee's experience.
Financial dependence
230+/month "subscription"
Need to report thoughts, feelings, activities to superiors
No, although meetings sometimes start with "check
ins" where members give impressions of their lives, the times,
etc.
Individualism discouraged; "group think"
prevails
There is a mind stopping "Emin-ese" that
members use, or not. It's not required, but the idiom is generally
used. There tends also to be a group devotion and unquestioning
of the teachings of Leo/Armin.
II. Information
Use of deception; deliberately withholding
information; distorting information; outright lying
Members are only told certain things as they become
"ready" for them. Initiates at open night meetings are
not told some of the more "far out" ideas of the Emin.
It's less a distortion than a limitation of what's revealed. If
anything, it's obfuscation by omission. Although, no outright
lying.
Access to non-cult sources of information
minimized or discouraged, such as: books, articles, etc.; critical
information; former members; keep members so busy they don't have
time to think
Things of the "Culture" are generally
doubted because the world is so messed up. Sources tend to be
logically attacked as opposed to content. I know of only two examples
of restriction to access of former members; one left in fear based
on religious belief. Another, a "coach" left and I don't
know what happened to him. You can get so busy that you don't
have time to think. It's the member's responsibility not to get
in too deep. (over the head)
Compartmentalization of information; "outsider"
v. "insider" doctrines; information not freely available,
access to information varies at different levels and missions
Absolutely. Members are not allowed to take notes
in some meetings. Some information is not allowed to general group.
Some information from Leo is being released to women only. Some
information is rumored to be only available in Israel. Financial
information on Leo/Armin is his business, and it is not released
to the group. It's a private corporation (the RLE Corp. Registered
in Florida as well as others - one for women). Leo releases different
information to different levels/segments.
Spying on other members encouraged
No pairing with a "buddy" to monitor
behavior. Sometimes work in groups. Mutual support encouraged,
but not required. No reporting to leadership of thoughts, etc,
beyond above check ins and coaches.
Extensive use of cult generated information
and propaganda
No; most centers (except for the NY one) can't
seem to maintain a consistant output. This is partially due to
a sort of charming discombobulation when it comes to administration
of such things. Plus the fact that Emin endeavors cover so many
things that no one can put it into a single package.
Misquotations taken out of context from
non-cult sources
> 5.b. Actually, the case tends to be vice versa.
It may be my own perspective here, but those looking into the
group tend to take Leo/Armin's outrageous statements (which he
may or may not have made) and blow them up. I have the feeling
that he's a very charismatic, but far far from perfect person.
It is rumored that he's a more highly developed person than the
rest of us. You can take that as you please. He may also be a
charismatic eccentric visionary with an extraordinary number of
good ideas, a large number of crazy notions, and a few wrong and
wrong-minded views. It is up to each Emin member, and each person
to separate these out.
Unethical use of confession
Not present in member's experiences.
III. Thought
Need to internalize doctrine as "Truth":
adopting group's map of reality as "Reality"; /white
thinkgin; "good" v. "evil"; "us"
v. "them"
The Emin map is very definitely the Emin Reality.
There is a cosmology about the Astral light around the earth which
has many levels corresponding to the levels of energy for life.
World history has a very definite overlay of Emin interpretation.
According to Emin (Leo's) teachings the human is a five-part creature.
The Astral Light has seven levels. These are a map. But what belief
system doesn't establish a map? How could you have a system without
a map? Adopting the map is not discouraged. The Culture is Generally
bad - the Emin is good. One is encouraged to be "thoroughly
discontented" with everything, including, I take it, Emin
theories. Again, yes. There's a lot of evil inherent in the world
right now. Emin v. Culture. Members take on an Emin name as opposed
to their outside name to summon up the qualities they admire.
Use of loaded language
Absolutely. There is an entire language of Emin
that uses English terms but gives them new meaning to those who
know. These new meanings are sometimes useful and sometimes very
limiting. Again, it's up to the person to choose.
Only "good" and "proper"
thoughts encouraged
Yes. Popular Emin quote: "You become what
you think about." But, when used rationally, isn't that a
good thing?
Use of thought-stopping techniques
Leo is generally not criticized at the core level,
though criticism is encouraged. Critical thinking is generally
put as "to find evidence for" Leo/Armin's teachings.
Not, generally, to discuss both sides. Chanting is used, but not
for long durations. To see what it feels like and what "turns
up in people". Like experimentation only with a foregone
conclsion drawn by Leo. Use of directed meditation, frequently
on qualities of life we'd like to have and attract (care, patience,
creativity, etc.) But, these never last more than 10 or 15 minutes.
Sort of praying; more invocations. No speaking in tongues that
I know of. We sing songs. There are some Emin Songs. And there
are songs composed by members that are really nice.
Rejection of rational analysis; no critical
questions about leader, doctrine or policy seen as legitimate
Yes, in general. One is encouraged to find evidence
for Leo/Armin's teaching - not against it. There is a much harder
wall up against discussing why something is nonsense than to discussing
"how can we perceive this as true."
No alternative belief system seen as legitimate
No. Parts of other religions are used, coopted,
and even taken credit for. Also, it is widely said that many many
many people outside the Emin Society are involved with the universal
idea of the Emin.
IV. Emotional
Manipulate and narrow the range of a person's
feelings
Some. But only to develop the individual, to process
what is best.
Make the person feel that if there are any problems, it's
their fault, never the fault of the leader or group
Some. The group is constantly admitting and working
on its problems and trying to get to the next step (as defined
by Leo/Armin). Some of the Emin Society's problems are jokes within
the group.
Excessive use of guilt; identity guilt,
social guilt, historical guilt
Yes. All of these. But with the twist of "do
something about it." Emin teaches that Humans are off track
(historically and currently) individually we are each off track
so we need to be very careful of our affiliations, our thoughts,
our emotions and our actions because each calls over something
else, something unseen.
Excessive use of fear
Fear is used in the sense of members living in fear
of things as a result of their beliefs. The "Culture"
can be dangerous to your continuance after life if you are too
concerned with it. There are no "enemies". The salvation
question is pretty hopeless at this point for humanity. The Emin
is frequently referred to as a "rescue mission". Ostricization
and disapproval are fears in every group. But the Emin Society
does not use it as a threat. These are very friendly people. Reincarnation
is not a good thing necessarily.
Extremes of emotional highs and lows
There is a feeling of "well being" that
comes when good things are being discussed. Sometimes the "force",
or "atmosphere" in a room can become too much for some.
Those people step outside until they feel better. There's a physical
sensation of "fizz" that attends when certain things
are being discussed. The highs depend on the individual. The lows
aren't really that low. And are generally blamed on Culture struggling
to get in.
Ritual and often public confession of "sins"
No.
Phobia indoctrination: no happiness outside
the group; terrible consequences will happen if you leave; shunning
of leave takers; never a legitimate reason to leave
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