Hat tip to the Salty Droid for the most recent addition to the James Arthur Ray audacity files. A while ago I posted on Ray's inability (unwillingness?) to reimburse people for seminars he never gave... due to the whole baking people to death in a sweat lodge fall-out.
Am I the only one who sees some irony in someone offering to "mentor" people in "Harmonic Wealth®" because he can't afford to pay them back the money he owes them?
As the Droid points out, nowhere in the email is it explicitly stated that accepting the offered program voids your right to sue for, or in any other sense expect, recompense for the canceled events. For that information you have to look at the disclaimers page which is about as clear as most legalese. The Droid, being an attorney, has helpfully zeroed in on the relevant passage to make that clearer. Unfortunately, I doubt the majority of Ray's students read the Salty Droid.
Anyway, here's the text. All emphases and bracketed commentary are mine. As you can see I have ignored spelling and grammatical errors such as might ordinarily be designated with a "sic"... mostly in the interest of time.
Subject: Thank you for your patience
I’m writing because you invested in at least one (if not multiple) postponed events with JRI; and I truly understand how it must be frustrating or at the very least disappointing. Thank you so very much for your patience and understanding during a difficult time.
Do you think it’s possible to maintain true Harmonic Wealth® in the darkest and most difficult time you’ve ever faced? I can assure you that it is; and while I’ll never suggest it’s easy… it is possible.
I realize that, just like me, many are going through very tough times in our world right now; and if you’re in a challenging situation like I am, I can certainly relate to what you’re dealing with at a deeper level than I ever could before. [Now, I'm a big believer in the path of the "wounded healer." My clients know me to be a deeply flawed, work in progress. But I also make it a point not to make grandiose claims or promise results like health, wealth, and relationships beyond your wildest dreams. In Ray's case, I think the kindest reading of this most recent pitch is to say, those who can do and those who can't teach.]
Not only am I the same teacher and mentor you chose to help you, but through this difficult time I’ve developed an even broader understanding of how to help you through the greatest of life-challenges. If you’re facing difficulties, I promise you’re not alone; and I want to help you in the best and most powerful way that I can.
So, I’ve taken a lot of time for reflection in the last several months; and I’ve developed a way for you to learn better, faster, and more consistently than ever before.
What I have to offer you is by far the most valuable program I’ve ever developed. Unlike a two to five day event that often fades over time with very little follow through, this program is ongoing and consistent… for six months. And it provides more direct access to me than I’ve ever allowed in the past. [Yeah. Those events that you shelled out thousands of dollars in prepayments for weren't really all that good. THIS is so much better. Lucky you that those crappy, forgettable events were canceled!]
It’s called the Mentoring Event… and here’s how it works:
First, you’ll receive multiple lessons from me in mp3 format, including an extensive downloadable workbook that’s directly related to all these specific lessons. All of my teachings and live events are grounded in the principles taught in these lessons; and I’ve learned so much more over the last year.
In this comprehensive package you’ll learn:
- How to gain the physical strength and vitality that you truly deserve… [says the former owner of a stash of steroids that would make a German body-builder blush]
- How to let go of past limitations and breakthrough to new levels of achievement…
- How to build habits of thoughts, feelings, and actions that guarantee you create the results you desire in all areas of life..
- The three secrets of compensation and how to guarantee maximum returns immediately…
- The seven internal drivers that cause you to take action, and how to get moving in the right direction fast…
- How to understand and master the six keys of influence to use with all those you contact…
- How to vanquish procrastination once and for all…
- The single most important factor for visualizing that most students (and teachers) don’t know…
- How to create powerful relationships and partnerships…
- The keys to living a truly wealthy, happy and fulfilled life…
- And much more! As you’re probably aware, in this convenient streaming format you can download the lessons to your iPod, and take them with you wherever you go.
As we discussed earlier, we’ve all had a very difficult year; and understanding these principles has been a life-saver during the most difficult times I’ve ever faced. I trust it will do the same for you.
I’m confident that these lessons and principles with transform your life–no matter what you’re facing–if you’ll just make the commitment to truly study and dive deep with this information and allow it to become internalized within you.
And by the way… I promise you’ve never experienced learning and transformation in the all new way I’m about to share with you!
So now, for the best part of all… the Mentoring…
For 26 straight weeks (that’s a full six months) you’ll receive a never before released lesson and an important assignment–directly from me–to complete each and every week. [Why six months? Well, his trial is set to start on Feb. 14 and to run for 3 1/2 to 4 four months. After which he may or may not be in prison.]
But don’t worry you won’t be alone, because once each week you’ll join me by streaming video, again with never before released material, where I’ll take that week’s lesson to greater depth and detail… so that you truly learn, understand, retain, and apply these strategies into every single area of your life.
In addition the audios of these video mentoring sessions will be recorded and available via mp3 as well… so you can listen to them again and again.
Each week you’ll also receive an additional workbook, designed specifically for you by me, with assignments to complete for that week–new things to think–to feel–to notice–and to act upon–so you’re guaranteed to put what we’ve explored and learned into constant action in your life. [Yes. James Ray will actually tell you what to think and feel. He really just said that.]
Furthermore, at least once each month, , we’ll have a live Q&A call during which any questions you may have will get answered; and we’ll clarify any points that aren’t 100%clear for you. Here’s where you make the jump from just “knowing about” something to truly knowing it and owning it.
And yes, these calls will be recorded and archived as well… for your continued repetition and use.
Remember when I said this program was ongoing and consistent?
Well, these lessons continue every single week for six months!
You’ll learn how to specifically define and prioritize the actions that bring the fastest results and much more!
Now I’m sure you’re aware of what you invested with JRI to attend the events for which you enrolled. But, I really want to over-deliver for you since you’ve been so very patient and understanding… and this is one way I can do it. Thank goodness for the internet or this would never be possible.
When you consider:
- The amount of personal mentoring and teaching you’ll receive…
- All of the training materials…
- Mentoring video’s from me each and every week with never before released information and insights…
- mp3 lessons of all the principles and lessons, all the weekly video mentoring sessions, and all the live conference calls…
- Specific weekly assignments, exercises, and workbooks directly from me, with the practices that guarantee results…
- Monthly conference calls, for you to get all your questions answered…
- Lifetime free access and membership to review these materials again and again…
- All the personal time and attention for six months…
I’m hopeful that you’ll see how this provides tremendous life-changing benefits; and is extremely more valuable than what you originally invested in.
Think about it, the event(s) you originally signed up for were a few days long and that was it. With the Mentoring Event I’ve added much more value to this than the sum total of all the others combined. [In case you missed it, the events you originally "invested" thousands of dollars in would have been inferior crap. You are lucky -- LUCKY I SAY -- you can't get your money back.]
For example, at those events, you were in a large room with hundreds of other people and chances are that the closest you’d get was seeing me on stage. With this event you’ll have direct mentoring as well as personal telephone contact for six months. And now you won’t have to travel… which makes it easier and much more cost effective for you to participate.
I just want to share with you again how much I appreciate you choosing me as your teacher and mentor; and how very grateful I am for your patience and understanding during the last year. Providing this Mentoring Event experience is the absolute best and most powerful way I can continue to help you.
I encourage you to take a moment and consider what your life will be like after six months of consistent daily/weekly/monthly learning and application? How different will your thoughts, feelings, and actions be after more than a six month intensive? How different will your results be… for the rest of your life! [And how different will James Arthur Ray's life be in six months? Will he be in prison?]
Oh, and please remember that I’ll be recording all these lessons, videos, and calls and storing them on line; and you’ll have the lifetime free access to reference them again and again. Remember repetition is the second law of learning and transformation.
This new Mentoring Event is something that will forever transform your life. I know what this information has done for me over the years, [Yes. You too can end up broke and facing manslaughter charges!] and for countless others; and I’ve learned so much more that I’m excited to share with you.
I truly hope you’ll allow me to help you get the life-changing information you want and need… and put it into practice like never before.
Let me help you make the next year the very best year of your entire life thus far. [Even though next year Ray himself will be on trial for manslaughter and possibly in prison he can pretty much guarantee that all his little proteges will be doing GREAT!] Click the “enroll me now” button below and let’s get started. I’ll look forward to helping and mentoring you really soon.
Much love and respect,
James Arthur Ray
By my rough count, Ray uses the word "me" thirteen times in that email. Yes, the beauty of the mentoring program is that it allows for the much coveted personal contact with Ray. Whereas, by his own admission, most people only got to see him on stage at his high priced events. Personal contact has always come at a premium at Ray's seminars to the extent that it had the effect of infantilizing participants and creating a state of emotional dependency.
Another aspect of the Harmonic Wealth seminar that Lorena found unsettling was how James Ray would have people stand in line, waiting to talk to him. He would be up on stage in a chair and they would get to stand next to him for about two minutes and talk to him. This is consistent with reports from other attendees of various James Ray seminars that he uses tactics specifically targeted at regressing participants to an emotionally younger age, thus increasing feelings of emotional dependence. Obviously this is not a 100% fool proof method or anything; it is merely one aspect in a combination of techniques aimed at breaking down participants mental resistances.
According to Melinda Martin, not even his employees were allowed to talk to him.
"James was on a pedestal, and he lived in Beverly Hills, and he very, very rarely came to the office," Martin told "Nightline." "And when he would come to the office, he was very quiet and didn't really talk to anyone. And when we would all have group dinners, he would have his assistants next to him. He didn't really like to interact with the rest of his employees."
But now, thanks to the lucky break of having all these prepayed events canceled, his devoted followers can have something that's almost, kinda, sorta, in a notional way, like real face time with the man himself. Bonus!
It occurs to me that one of the problems with making yourself such a vaunted commodity, above and beyond what you teach, means that you had better remain a topnotch product; a living, breathing example of the value you promise. And... umm... how say... Seriously?!!
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