Today I was really disappointed by one of the spiritual institutions in Houston and how it treated someone who was not only donating the money from their classes but offering a service to the community.
Two friends of mine (Sue and Eddie) started an NLP study group at this organization. Their intention was to bring people together who wanted to study a book on NLP and work through the program outlined in it and apply it to their personal challenges. This was on a love donation basis, and all the funds were donated back to this organization except for $1 per person each week to cover handouts.
After two weeks of the classes, my friend had an opportunity to go out to California and study the NLP teachings and be certified to teach. Her intention was to learn what she could and bring it back to those who could not afford the California program and offer it on a love donation basis which again would be donated to the organization. While Sue was gone, Eddie, who actually suggested the group in the first place, would serve as a facilitator using the exercises and handouts they had created from the book.
As fate would have it, the first week after Sue left, an NLP Master showed up at the class, and volunteered to share his knowledge. Eddie, being the kind of person he is, invited him to do that. Everyone liked the NLP instructor, but Sue and I had a problem with the ethics of walking into another person's group and taking it over. No one else seemed to think it was ethically wrong, but I did and still do. I would not do that because I know how difficult it is to get the courage to teach, and how much preparation and effort goes into preparing for a group each week. I would respectfully have declined to lead the group and would have shared that I also teach and have great respect for those who offer their time and wisdom.
A couple of weeks went by, and I attended a group just to see how it was going. I found Eddie doing a fine job of coordinating the materials, the lessson plan left by Sue and honoring the NLP instructor's contributions - quite a juggling act. I enjoyed the whole class, but the least of it for me was the NLP instructor's participation. Overall, it was a great experience.
Sue returned from California for a few days before leaving again to take Master's Training (which she would also have shared with the group). While she was here, several people from the class sat with her and discussed Eddie continuing to conduct the class, and they agreed to support him in the process.
Three days later, members of the organization showed up at the class, took a vote and handed the class over to the NLP instructor. They ousted Eddie publicly, embarrassed and humiliated him, and reinforced his mistrust of groups that he was trying to heal. It was very sad for me to see that.
Why couldn't they have called Sue and Eddie and discussed it with them? Sue was available by telephone even though she was in California, and Eddie was certainly available. Why didn't they take Eddie aside and ask him to step down. Why didn't they set up a new class taught by the NLP instructor (which I suggested to one of the organization)? Why didn't that NLP instructor protest this poor treatment of a fellow facilitator? Why did a member of the organization say three days earlier that he would support Eddie when he obviously already planned this coup? Why didn't any of them think about their own karma for mistreating someone so publicly? Didn't they even think of the spiritual reputation of the organization?
I have severed my ties with this "spiritual" organization where I speak regularly because I value the contributions that students and facilitators make to spiritual growth. I hold a high ethical standard for myself in the way I treat others as a teacher, and I ask for ethical treatment of those who attend my classes. I also have a strong protective Leo nature for my friends and fellow teachers. If it were not for my own ethics and values, I'd be naming names right now.
This was pack mentality at its worst, in a spiritual setting, and I am deeply saddened by it.
It's my last tie with the Houston metaphysical/spiritual community.
Time for me to be moving on. Time to graduate, lessons learned.
Tearfully for all those who have been humiliated in public - Sandy Penny
