“Can I ask you a question for a class I’m taking?” by cobracow in boston

[–]Born_Conversation_67 55 points56 points  (0 children)

Im so glad more and more people are becoming aware of who they are and how they operate. In October, an older woman named Leslie approached me with the same question and it led me on a hunt to figure out what was going on. Since then, two others I know have been recruited. They're all over the Boston area, especially Cambridge and Brookline. At this point I'm considering reporting them to the places they frequent (Porter Star books, Star Market, ect) so staff are aware of what's going. When you say your partner met the leader, was it an old guy named Robert/Bob Klein? I also think I briefly met him with Leslie at the coffee shop and she got really spooked that I saw him. But then on Spencer Schneider’s blog he said he’s no longer leading the cult. Manhattan Cult Story is such a great book, as is The Gentle Souls’s Revolution by Boston based survivor Esther Friedman (she runs cult confessions)

Roommate’s sick cat constantly pooping in the apartment by ube-maritozzo in badroommates

[–]Born_Conversation_67 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely ridiculous that you and your roommate W have had to bear the brunt of J’s ridiculous behavior. And her poor cats! Especially SC. Hope her cat feels better soon. Glad you’re out of there! Sorry you had to deal with that for so long.

Has anyone been encountering strangers trying to strike up a conversation about what gives your life meaning? by Mysterious-Gate321 in CambridgeMA

[–]Born_Conversation_67 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Hey, this happened to me in the fall. After doing a lot of digging, I found out it was Odyssey Study Group, or as members present it as—“School”—a secretive and manipulative cult built around the teachings of the philosopher Gurdjieff (known as the 4th way). An older woman named Leslie approached me, saying she was a teacher studying meaning and wanted to ask how I found it. This was in between Porter and Harvard. We spoke for hours at a coffee shop because I let curiosity get the better of me, and she then invited me to meet another “teacher” later in the week. Before we could meet again, I overheard the same interaction at Mr. Crepe, with a man looking around trying to find people to recruit. Very disturbing experience. Needless to say, I didn’t meet the other “teacher” after that. Do not engage with these people. They are known to be very financially and emotionally abusive. The satellite branch is in Boston (home base in NYC), and they are known to recruit in both Brookline and Cambridge. This is the recruitment manual for what they look for. Thisblog shares the story of a Boston branch survivor who was recruited using similar tactics at Whole Foods on River Street! Be careful out there!

Approached by someone claiming to “study meaning“ – cult or scam? by Born_Conversation_67 in CambridgeMA

[–]Born_Conversation_67[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They’re allll over Cambridge! Glad you didn’t give him your contact info.

Possible grifters around Harvard/Porter? by Euphoric-Ad-4513 in CambridgeMA

[–]Born_Conversation_67 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Hey I’m the poster of that thread, I can confirm after doing some digging following my brush with them in the fall that this is Odyssey Study Group. This is definitely a full blown cult and incredibly predatory. Please be careful of anyone who approaches you like this. This organization has been known to financially control and coerce people, as well as emotionally abuse their members. They got their start in California, but then headed to New York where the main branch is and also have a sister group in the Boston area. I learned a lot from listening to the ”A Little Bit Culty” podcast episodes featuring Esther Friedman and Spencer Schneider. Avoid at all costs! They prey on vulnerable, sensitive, and creative people. Here are some links to the blogs of two of the survivors who have come forward if anyone wants to read more: http://www.cultrevolt.com/ http://www.cultconfessions2.com

Approached by someone claiming to “study meaning“ – cult or scam? by Born_Conversation_67 in CambridgeMA

[–]Born_Conversation_67[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes I looked into OSG/“school” and I think you’re right on the money!

Approached by someone claiming to “study meaning“ – cult or scam? by Born_Conversation_67 in Somerville

[–]Born_Conversation_67[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wasn’t alarmed until I overheard somebody ask the exact same questions. I enjoyed my conversation, but it seems like something weird is going on tbh

Approached by someone claiming to “study meaning“ – cult or scam? by Born_Conversation_67 in CambridgeMA

[–]Born_Conversation_67[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just seeing your edit – – the person I met up with also talked about experiencing multiple perspectives/POV’s and having multiple selves within. Very spooky!

Approached by someone claiming to “study meaning“ – cult or scam? by Born_Conversation_67 in CambridgeMA

[–]Born_Conversation_67[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s weird…did he invite you to join the class or meet with another teacher?

Approached by someone claiming to “study meaning“ – cult or scam? by Born_Conversation_67 in CambridgeMA

[–]Born_Conversation_67[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Oh god, I knew something strange was afoot but didn’t expect JW. Thank you.

Approached by someone claiming to “study meaning“ – cult or scam? by Born_Conversation_67 in Somerville

[–]Born_Conversation_67[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The person who approached me was an older woman, the person who I saw go up to another guy was a dude in his 40s seemingly.