From A history and analysis of the Sharon Gans group, also known as “The Work”
March 2002
By former members of the Gans schools
Edited by Rick Ross
History of the group
Teachers at the Gans schools never discuss the history of the group, and students who ask are often intimidated into never asking again. What is known is that Alex Horn established a group in northern California with his wife [Anne Horn, in the mid ’60s]. Interestingly, one of Alex Horn’s early students was supposedly Robert Burton who later created the “Fellowship of Friends,” a group which has often been called a “cult” and has a sordid history of sex scandals, bad press and lawsuits.
Recruitment Techniques
Since the operations of the group are essentially a secret, the recruitment of new members is accomplished through the special efforts of the group’s members. Maintaining secrecy seems to be of paramount importance, so the recruitment process of new members involves the creation of elaborate ruses designed to earn the trust of potential recruits. Recruitment is a five-step process, as “transmitted” or laid out by Sharon Gans. All recruiters typically follow this process and are supervised by their “teachers.” The process involves “making friends” with strangers through a series of five meetings of ever-increasing intimacy that culminate in a special invitation to join the group. If the potential recruit is interested, he or she must undergo one and/or sometime two interviews with one or more “teachers,” before finally being given entrance.
Immediately disqualified, as candidates are blacks, gays, journalists and/or anyone with a close connection to law enforcement, the military or intelligence services. Sharon Gans and her trusted teachers offer elaborate esoteric explanations for these restrictions, which group members sheepishly accept and hypocritically defend.
Recruiters most often keep an active list of at least 10 potential recruits at all times. They may do this by going to public events, bars, diners, concerts, museums, bookstores, lectures, the theater and yoga classes. Anywhere where they can strike up conversations with potential targets. The goal of such conversation is to create a “connection” and get a phone number.
The person that is met then can go on the recruiter’s list. At weekly recruiting meetings, recruiters report about their work. Promising recruits are discussed, and suggestions are made as to how to implement the next step in the recruitment process. Additionally, recruiters work in teams and/or with partners, and spend many hours each week on the phone in what are called “flash meetings” to “create energy” and organize their lives so that they can “make their aim” for the week.
This “line of work” as it is called, may become the defining activity of the recruiter’s existence as they are pressured to find new “students.” This may easily occupy 20 hours a week; over and above other time devoted to various group activities. Recruitment also requires the expenditure of personal money to cover transportation, babysitting fees, and the cost of participating in events around the city that recruiters would not otherwise attend.
The rest of the five-step meeting process, which takes place, usually at meals, is as follows:
- Second meeting
Recruiters gear the conversation toward the potential recruit and find out the facts of that person’s life. Age, marital status, how much money they make, composition of their family, where they grew up, profession, etc. This is done while revealing nothing in return. Recruiters all have a service number they provide to potential recruits that is typically answered only by a recording, which does not divulge their last name, place of residence or employment.
- Third meeting
Recruiters take the conversation into more personal territory. They work to discover a potential recruit’s personal “ache” or disappointments in life. During this third meeting, another recruiter may “pass through” seemingly spontaneously and/or as if by accident.
- Fourth meeting
Recruiters propound one of the basic tenets of the school and see how the potential recruit receives it. This tenet states that all that is good and true in human history has been guided by the invisible work of esoteric “schools,” which have been sustained by the “conscious” work of “conscious” people. Recruiters then give examples of such invisible “school” work; and may cite Pythagoras, Plato, Shakespeare, Moses, Buddha, or even Jesus. They are then claimed as conscious beings that are the products of the most successful “schools” in history.
The most skillful recruiters are able to give plausibility to the work of “schools” in history and then effectively bridge such conversation to the crucial question, which is the “aim” of the fourth meeting; “If there is such a school in existence today, would you be interested in studying there?” An answer in the affirmative leads to the fifth meeting.
- Fifth meeting
Now the recruiter will tell the potential recruit about the existence of an “esoteric school” or a “school of inner development” that is open by invitation only. Recruits are told there is a “tuition” that is arranged on an individual basis with the “teachers,” and are then told about three rules, which they must agree to, which are silence, no drugs and no exchanging phone numbers or dating people in the group, for awhile anyway. If the potential recruit is still interested in the school, an interview with a teacher is then arranged.
By this time, the potential recruit is convinced that he or she has stumbled upon an exclusive and miraculous answer to their prayers, and led to believe that the teacher(s) they will be meeting have special, spiritual accomplishments. If the potential recruit is at a minimum sufficiently deferential at their interview, willing to suspend disbelief, abide by the rules, commit to going to eight consecutive classes and work with someone who will be assigned to them called a “sustainer,” he or she is then admitted to “conduct an experiment.” That is, eight consecutive classes over a four week period.
There was a period of many years in which this process yielded not a single new “student.” But nevertheless this intensive work was maintained relentlessly, 12 months a year, with the possible exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas. This enormous expenditure of energy on something that appeared so unprofitable and unrewarding is hard to explain. Unless it is understood what the recruiters forced themselves to believe. That is, that they were being given the opportunity to engage in a “line of work” for the good of “school” that was the most difficult and spiritually valuable form of “work on oneself” available.
In recent years, in order to help the recruiting effort, the group has been mounting a periodic lecture series at the New York Film Academy. This series is entitled “Yearning for Meaning in Our Lives,” through this series members of the group give lectures with a spiritual bent on esoteric topics. This might include discussions about pyramids, the Kabbalah, Celtic mythology etc.
Potential recruits are invited to the lecture series, which is the focus of yet another “line of work.” Not only are the lectures themselves the center for refining recruits, but lecturers are prepared to handle tough and hostile questions. And they also will attempt to solicit further interest from unsuspecting audience members.
Everyone in the group is often told to put up flyers all over New York City to help fill the lecture hall for the series. Because the group wants to maintain anonymity, it does not openly advertise.
It is a rather simple matter to be dropped as a potential recruit. For example, if a potential recruit insists upon getting a direct phone number and/or verifying a recruiter’s last name, they will be dropped. Typically this is avoided by recruiters, who instead offer to meet someone at their workplace, apartment etc. Recruiters often will have scripted answers ready for troubling questions, as they are well trained. But their insistence upon anonymity often puts off potential recruits and/or raises suspicion.
The Gentle Souls Revolution blog
July 20, 2014
Chapter 2: How to âJoinâ a Cult — Repost
This spring, organizers of a literary event invited me to read a narrative version of Chapter 2, How to âJoinâ a Cult. I have heard now repeatedly that no one âjoins a cultâ. People join groups that speak to something in them. Once in these groups, people discover that the presentation doesnât fit the package. Once in for a time, you might find yourself thinking, âI didnât sign up for this ⊠â
Sources tell me that âschoolâ has whittled down the five-meeting recruitment process to three meetings. The overall deception, and manipulation, however, remain the same.
On that note, here is the Chapter 2, How To âJoinâ a Cult rewrite:
Step-by-Step to Cult Membership for Lost Souls & Recruiters
Youâve always wanted to join a cult, but didnât know how. You could visit Scientologyâs local branch office, but youâd prefer something a little more âprivateâ â the smaller, more secretive, harder to find, cottage-industry cult â like, say, a âsecret esoteric mystery schoolâ. This step-by-step guide will refine your vibrations to generate the âmagnetic centerâ and attract the right recruiter to you.
You, on the other hand, are seeking lost souls for your secret cottage-industry cult. Itâs challenging â and sometimes dangerous â but your imperative mission to awaken sleeping humanity calls! You must find and save lost souls; fellow soldiers who seek meaning and purpose; those who long to connect to something bigger than themselves; those who will join the effort to safeguard secret, society-saving, esoteric ideas; those who will surrender everything else to this higher purpose until the grave, or senility sets in ⊠whatever happens first ⊠at $350 a month. To learn how to instantly recognize your devotees, bait your line and hook them every time, read on!
Step 1: Be Broken Hearted, Discontented and Constantly Questing:
Rain saturated Boston in spring, 2006. Every day I stepped off the train into the latest deluge. Jeff and I started dating in March. For years we practiced tai chi with the same teacher. One night we joined with classmates to hear music, after which we peeled off from the group and went to the nearest pub. His blarney entertained me and â as was typical of me â I found the storyteller attractive; the dysfunction played out in the typical way with a new twist.
At the time, I was completing final projects and preparing to graduate from a writing program. I was launching a new career â I hoped. The new relationship raised additional hopes â after an unimpressive roster of failed romances, maybe I had found the one. My life was beginning to turn around, I hoped.
But Jeffâs gifted gab started digressing into random and disconnected thoughts. âContext, Jeff?â I would tease him. âIf you want me to know what youâre talking about, context would help.â
One day, he abruptly disappeared and avoided my calls. We were through, I figured. But just as abruptly, he apologized. We were circling Walden Pond â our break up locale â he took my hand and revealed that interactions between us were playing out in his head. The storyteller had been spinning imaginary conversations â he was angry at me for things I had never said, in response to the things he had never told me.
This screaming siren should have sent me scrambling away at warp speed. Nope. With hope and a savior complex as my motivator, I gave our romance a second chance. Predictably, disappearing-act round two began, with the heartwarming addition of Jeff’s complaints flooding my email inbox. I wrote back: donât email me. If youâve something to say, call. The stream accelerated into a relentless river of pressured, cruel and accusatory messages. I blocked him, put pen to paper and wrote four sentences:
Jeff,
I need to end this. Donât contact me.
Sam has your stuff. If you want it back, call him.
Best,
Esther
I sent the letter; the rain clouds burst. I was drenched inside and out.
Step Two: Magical Grocery-Store Encounter
Remember lost souls are everywhere. Stay awake during your day-to-day comings and goings! Let your âaimâ guide your every moment. Your âAim is your Godâ! While shopping at Whole Foods, ask yourself who in here is longing for âfreedom”? Arm yourself with prepared questions, such as âwho do you admire in history?â Strike up a conversation, develop rapport, be positive, but donât linger! Keep it fast, friendly and upbeat; donât give your new âfriendâ time to question â less is more. Say, âI have to run, but Iâve really enjoyed talking to you! We should get together sometime. Can I get your phone number?â
Uncomfortable with the hidden agenda? Remember, you are doing this poor soul-less, sleepwalking slob a favor by introducing him or her to âThe Workâ. Only you are âawakeâ enough to sense his/her âmagnetic centerâ. Remember how âThe Work improved your life!â Once upon a time, someone was awake enough and bold enough to do this favor for you.
Donât mention the expectation of lifelong tenure at $350 month; the eternally, exponentially expanding group demands; the alienation from friends and family outside the group. In fact, donât mention the group. You are simply making a ânew friendâ. Finally, for your safety, give your target recruit a pre-established answer phone â i.e. a voice mail.
Shortly before Jeffâs email onslaught, I attempted one last conversation: âIf we are going to break up, letâs at least be adult about it; letâs have a summit,â I said. âIâll pick up some food. Come over and weâll talk.â He agreed.
On summit night, I shopped at Whole Foods Market. Waiting in the cashierâs line, I ruminated over my failures â 40-years old, temping for $15/hour, âcareerâ aimless and amorphous, another failed relationship, blah, blah, blah. Enveloped in self-pity, I was vaguely aware of the family behind me. A pretty, dark-haired woman, pointed to a magazine cover and said to her daughter, âWhat do you think of that?â Her daughter looked at the photo â a Zen garden â and rolled her eyes. Then the woman asked me, âWhat do you think?â
Inside me something said, âWhat does she want?â I dismissed that thought. âIt looks awesome,â I replied, wistfully. The question felt strange, but the garden looked green and peaceful; beautiful and serene â a perfect contrast to my despair, unrest and discontent. I wanted to crawl inside the magazine cover and sit in that garden. Bing! Cult recruitment was off and running.
Lisa, a painter, and her husband, Josh, a writer like me, engaged me in conversation. We shared consternation(s) about squeezing our passions between lifeâs obligations. I complained about my boring and meaningless temp job. The cashier frantically rang up items over our blather, as the line extended behind us. They briefly pulled me out of my morass, so when Lisa said, âWe should get together.â I said, âGreat.â We exchanged information and parted ways. I drove home to be blown off by my soon-to-be ex-boyfriend.
As my relationship unraveled, Lisa left messages persistently and patiently â undeterred by my slow response. I was busy falling apart, after all. I was busy letting Jeff shred my heart. I was busy feeling old and lost and crappy. I was busy weeping with the sky.
One day I was home. The phone rang, I answered. We scheduled a âmeetingâ.
Step Three: Five meetings
Pursue patiently, until you set up a meeting. In the first two meetings gather information â is your potential recruit employed? What is his/her job? How much money does he or she make? Married or single? Does he or she have children? Does he or she long for purpose, question reality â have a âmagnetic centerâ? For âyour safety and privacyâ refrain from talking about yourself as much as possible.
In meetings three and four, insert âsecretâ esoteric ideas into conversations; do they spark interest? If yes, tell the new recruit, you want to introduce him/her to a âfriendâ. Your more experienced colleague will establish whether this recruit is appropriate. We donât want just any old lost soul; our recruits must have âmagnetic centerâ. They must be transitioning, or unsatisfied, vulnerable in some way. Oh and, by the way, if said recruit works for law enforcement, military, or the media, your more experienced colleague will reject them.
Lisa and I took walks, drank coffee, wandered museums and met for lunch. The magical new friendship felt like a divine intervention â orchestrated from above, right when I needed some hope. She asked me a lot of questions and listened attentively. I revealed more and more about my discontent with myself and my life. She told me almost nothing about herself. Generally, I tend to be a listener and ask questions, so the dynamic felt uncomfortable and yet I looked forward to our visits.
One day I said, âI donât know what it is about you, Lisa. I talk so much about myself.â
âThatâs good, isnât it?â she asked. âItâs different.â
âWhat about you?â I asked. âHow did you meet your husband?â
She shifted in her chair, and looked down. âWe met in an acting class. Itâs hard to explain.â She changed the subject. It struck me as odd, but I followed her lead. Five years later I would leave âschoolâ and learn that many âschooledâ couples âmeet in an acting classâ.
At the time, though, my need for validation overrode suspicions. Lisa had a gentle presence and a great sense of humor. We laughed a lot and discussed fascinating topics and global mysteries. I wondered about the meaninglessness of my day-to-day existence: another failed relationship; empty temp job; a persistent and unending longing to pursue my songwriting and connect that art form to a passion â grabbing for the brass ring and always missing. She appeared to understand without judgment and won my trust through her patience, kindness and ability to empathize.
âIs this all there is?â I would (stereotypically) wonder out loud. âThere has to be more to life.â
At meeting 4, she popped the big question: âHow would you like to meet other, like-minded people? I get together with a group of friends on Tuesday and Thursday nights. We discuss lifeâs big questions and ponder ideas.â
According to Lisa, people came and went. They laughed a lot. These ideas, she said, provide guidelines on how to live, tools if you will. Suspicion, curiosity and hope poked at me; but hope took the lead â maybe, just maybe, Iâve finally found something that can help me break out of a cycle of constant failings. My self-judgment steam-rolled over lovely friendships, dysfunctional but loving family, musical and artistic passions and academic degrees from the Harvard Extension School, Lesley University and Hiram College.
This pervasive self-doubt and persistent longing for things that felt unattainable, namely musical and artistic pursuits, made me the perfect target for âschoolâ â a win for the ambitious cult recruiter.
âSure, why not.â I replied.
She wanted to introduce me to a âfriendâ and then informed me of the first required deception, a.k.a. âclever insincerityâ: âIt is very important that you not tell anyone about this. Itâs private, just for you.â
The secretiveness should have been a red light. It was a red light. I disregarded it. The seductiveness of âprivacy, just for meâ outweighed my suspicions; besides that, I trusted her.
Step Four: Meeting Robert â âJust for Meâ
At the fifth meeting, introduce the new recruit to Robert. He will make the final call.
Torrents fell in sheets and buckets, again, when I met Lisa and a slightly round, very tan, bearded man named Robert at Peteâs Coffee. I commented on the steady deluge hitting Boston that spring.
Robert replied, âIt has been said that raindrops are angelâs tears, and that the angels are crying.â
Wow! Iâd been raining all spring â the thought of crying with angels cinched the deal â let the magic begin! As we sipped lattes, Robert expounded on how each human â in purest form â is an âessenceâ visiting earth from the âstarry worldâ â earth is not home. We journey here, he said, to learn something about an essential weakness. I heard those angel voices rise and saw sunbeams part the dark clouds of my dirge. Finally! Iâve met others who could explain and understand my lifelong befuddlement and sense of not belonging to this world!
But Robert had moved on â he pontificated on other ideas — and I kept asking him, âWhat do you mean?â He finally said â with a wee bit of exasperation leaking out â âWell, Iâm trying to tell you.â On looking back, I see that his entire rap was an introduction and exposition on the âideasâ to come. I was unable to absorb all the new âknowledgeâ. He was outlining the âschoolâ experience, should I choose to accept the mission.
At one point in this final meeting, Lisa and I shared my post-Hurricane Katrina, disaster relief adventure with Robert. In 2005, I joined with Scientologists and handed out bottled water and gallons of bleach in Mississippi. Iâd shared several crazy scenarios with Lisa previously, so we were laughing about something Scientology related. Robertâs face darkened â his voice tightened as he said, âThey donât get it.â Then he stopped himself. He dismissed the conversation abruptly, as though swatting away a fly. We followed his lead.
He asked me â as had Lisa â whether Iâd like to meet âlike-minded peopleâ and try out a free âfive-week experimentâ called âschoolâ.
âDoes it have another name?â I asked.
âNo just âschoolâ.â He replied with a smile.
âWhere do we meet?â I asked.
âWhen we start a new class, weâll let you know.â He replied.
âIs there a cost?â I asked.
âLook, if you decide to continue after the five-week experiment thereâs a tuition fee. It really depends on each student,â he said.
âO.k.,â I told him. âIâll try it. All I can say is it feels right.â
âGreat. Just remember that it is critical to not tell anyone about this. Itâs private. Just for you.â
Like Jeffâs quirky and odd behavior, I brushed past the flashing red lights â the secrecy, or âprivacyâ as âschoolâ likes to call it, was screaming step away from the cult recruiters, maâam; it was all so seductive and special ⊠âjust for me.â
I didnât tell anyone and I waited for the new class to begin â after all, what could a five-week experiment hurt?