To those interested in another point of view!
Having quietly endured, over the last 20+ years, a constant trickle of defamation, I had decided when this latest set of misrepresentations was put in front of me to just ignore it, which is what I have chosen to do up to now. For those who are reading this I certainly will not be engaging in further dialogue on this matter, I am simply putting this information forward for those who genuinely are interested in making their own minds up based on the facts. Therefore this will be my first and last entry.
I find it ironic that those who claim to be interested in the truth are busy speaking about things they know little about. I've seen my name (Easton Hamilton) repeatedly associated with a whole series of statements that aren't even true. The various authors and commentators speaking about me and the Reach Approach clearly are drawing their conclusions from rumours and assumptions. It's interesting to note that the comments made are not based on individuals having any significant or meaningful relationship with me, nor has my point of view and experience been sought at any time. This is obvious because the comments made about me, especially my connection and involvement in the BKs, are simply not accurate. Most of the historical references are incorrect; dates, activities and what I am alleged to have done.
It makes me wonder that if the real purpose is to establish truth why are those commentating on me and my work doing so from a place of assumption, rumour and ignorance? There were so many factual inaccuracies that it read like a piece of fiction, the only problem being that me and my work are being defamed in the process. As I said this has long been the case, but this particular rendition was so arrogantly presented that it was clear this was not about truth but about destruction of truth ... and for whatever reason, a personal assassination of me. I would ask those behind this to really look into their hearts and ask themselves why are they even doing this?
What I've learned is that there is no point, when individuals have made up their minds, trying to change their point of view, so I have no interest in trying to do that. What I hope is that those who are sufficiently open-minded will take some of the following facts and comments into consideration before condemning Reach, its work and myself.
Firstly, the whole condemnation of the Reach Approach is based on a flawed premise. Again and again in the documents given to me there is repeated reference to the clandestine links between BKism and the Reach Approach. This simply is not true! Reach has a counselling and psychotherapeutic tradition but we equally speak of the need for a spiritual component to human life because we believe that a holistic approach is the only thing that really works. Hence our repeated references to the mind, body, spirit and environment (see The Story of Health). This is not Raja Yoga by another name!
It's worth pointing out that many in the Brahmin family are busy condemning Reach and its work too. They in fact describe it as aspiritual because it is not considered to have enough of a spiritual message at its core. Now, in this forum, Reach is being accused of being a 'con', using its platform to spread BK teachings. So which is it? Both positions can’t be true. Contrary to the propaganda promoted in this forum and elsewhere, Reach has no affiliations with the Brahma Kumaris whatsoever. As I have just pointed out, some of the biggest critics of both myself and my work are in fact BKs so rather than taking selected bits of information and moulding it to your arguments, why not try looking at the facts? For a group claiming to be interested in the truth in order presumably to steer people's minds onto a better course, you need to be careful that your claims and misrepresentations aren't in fact doing what you say you're trying to prevent!
For those of you who are interested, here are some of the facts ...
1. In all the disciplines that we practise, whether that be counselling, hypnotherapy, diet and nutrition, clinical supervision etc., all our practitioners are appropriately qualified and accredited. For the sake of clarity, with everything we do we provide handouts so that there's no ambiguity about our methods and the process. This practice is not required of us by the profession or the various bodies we're affiliated to and regulated by. This is something we passionately believe in so that the individual at every stage knows what we're doing and why we're doing it. So the idea that someone is ever led blindly through the process, not knowing what to expect, is simply false.
We have over 500 handouts that relate to every aspect of our work to ensure no misunderstandings. Everything we do has been properly researched and leaves the individual to make up his/her own mind. So for those of you making threats and who want to report our activities to the appropriate governing bodies, trading standards etc. please go ahead because our activities are sound and our conscience is clear. We are part of the most regulated and audited profession and we know we are acting within the various codes of conduct we are bound by, and do not fear any scrutiny of, or question about our professionalism.
2. There are 64 Reach practitioners and only 3 of them have ever had anything to do with the Brahma Kumaris, so if the BKs are running this they're not doing a very good job. I should point out that I am not ashamed of my past association with the Brahma Kumaris as there is much that I have learned from that path, nor do I have any anger or regrets. I've learned that all experience has benefit if we choose to look for it. For those of you who have really studied my work you will see the evidence of much more than Raja Yoga in the things I've produced. Repeatedly I speak of synergy and the answers being rarely found in one place, so rather than condemning me from a place of ignorance please note, you will find evidence of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Shintoism, Christianity, Taoism, and much more reflected in my writings and The Reach Approach generally.
Most of the short-sighted views and defamatory comments I've read expose the fact that those reporting on these matters are too wounded and angry to see the truly multi-factorial nature of The Reach Approach; it is not Raja Yoga by another name. It includes topics and subjects that are rarely ever discussed in the BK world. Maybe it's because I have no axe to grind, and am not looking to assassinate anyone that my past allegiance with the BKs is being misrepresented to fit with someone else's agenda.
I could say more on the subject of my involvement with the BKs but I think it is irrelevant and anyway those commenting on me don't seem to be really interested in the facts because any independent minded person would clearly see that the Reach Approach is not an organisation striving to lure individuals into BK centres around the globe. We clearly have two different agendas.
3. Furthermore, the fundamental philosophies of the Reach Approach are in most cases at odds with Raja Yoga. For some of the best examples of this, read: Persuading the Body, All You Need to Know, N.O.S.E., our material on Shame Work and other documents which outline the general principle that until you name and own your stuff, resolution of your issues is unlikely. None of these are Raja Yoga teachings or Brahmin principles. This is a model that prides itself on turning and facing the past, developing a more honest and healthy relationship with the body and in a safe sensitive way facing your demons in order to be free of them.... and does not reflect the teachings of Raja Yoga at all! To the contrary, it is at odds with some of its core ideology, such as 'past is past' and 'forget the body'. Once again if BKism is supposed to be behind this approach, then it's not doing a very good job of promoting its own philosophy! When does that Institution ever speak of orthomolecuar medicine, PNI, neuropsychology, diet and nutrition, the role and importance of water, psychodynamic therapy, existentialism, hypnotherapy etc?
4. There is also repeated reference to me being a Guru figure, and making a lot of money out of what I am doing. This was the most hilarious bit, mainly because in Reach's 22 year history it has made very little money, in fact most of the earnings have simply been re-cycled back into the project. Furthermore, 85% of what has been produced is given freely. 20% of the clients who come for help pay nothing at all, and a further 10% pay very little; I am clearly not a successful Guru as I have little money, a mortgage, an overdraft and no following to speak of! So much of what comes my way are criticisms, generally from people who know nothing about me and yet deem themselves qualified to comment on my motives and actions.
There was also a reference to me living in a large house in the north of Birmingham. I was not aware that a three-bedroom semi detached house with a two bedroom flat attached (which I work in) constituted a large house. In fact I have downsized in terms of where I live and the additional space exists purely for my work. Anyway what has where I live got to do with anything, what does it prove? I suppose it's more propaganda to support those who have already made their minds up about what is really going on. It allows them to live more comfortably with their delusions.
5. Another 'grasping at straws' moment, is the reference to the Reach trademark having a suspiciously BK tinge about it, as well as the reference to 'folks in white on hill tops' and references to the Oxford Retreat centre and Casa Sangam in Italy. These remarks are desperate; it's as if the people quoting this stuff are on some crucifixion mission. Thank goodness you are not my judge and jury! The Reach trademark is no more than what you see. You can obviously make it into whatever you want to, but it was designed by a child and we loved the feel of it.
As for the retreat centres, I have no problem featuring them on our site as you will notice there are many others, and all these centres are featured because there is consistently good feed-back that comes from those who attend them. I made it clear earlier, I am not anti the Brahmin family - that is clearly your agenda - I am interested in helping individuals make up their own minds about what is truth, and so I am busy opening doors rather than closing them. As for ‘folks sitting on top of mountains dressed in white’, I think I found two examples of this and what does this prove anyway? ... I have no problem with people sitting on mountains in white.
6. As for those examples given where individuals have had weird experiences of someone trying to persuade them to look at a point of light and become a vegetarian I simply cannot comment, this is not something I have ever done or would ever do. Although I am the Director of Reach and proud to be so, I cannot control every conversation and interaction someone has with another, but given, as I have said, nearly all our practitioners have no knowledge of or interest in Raja Yoga, these accounts make no sense to me and if I were to find anyone engaging in such practices, their association to the organisation would be terminated; we are not interested in brain washing.
7. Nearly everything within the Reach Approach, should you take the time to study it, predates the Brahma Kumaris teachings. For your own reference look at the work of Confucius, Buddha, Mahavira, Lao Tzu, Plato, Socrates, Dai Zhen, Tagore, Christ, Aurobindo, Bhattacharyya, Rabi'a, Radhakrishnan, Badarayana, Mo Tzu, Shah Wali Allah ... the list literally goes on and on. So please stop talking as if my work simply reflects the BKs and Raja Yoga teachings when so much of what I have written comes from just about every doctrine imaginable and has crossed all the racial, cultural and social divides. Furthermore for those interested you'll also find: TA, Gestalt, Existentialism, Person Centred Therapy, Psychoanalysis, Transpersonal Psychology, Neuroscience, to name a few, integrated into our model.
Our philosophy and approach is quite deliberately global in its referencing. Again further proof that we believe in synergy. My interests and study of the human condition and psychology began in 1978 before I ever made contact with the BKs and that interest, study and research has never abated. To suggest I need to be 'de-educated' presumably to reclaim my mind is nonsensical ... I should point out I never lost mine which is why my independence of thought and individuality seems to have caused so many problems for me over the years.
8. In the creation and development of the Reach model I've gone to great lengths to encourage people to remember the message not the messenger. I've written repeatedly that those who become students of history will see clearly that when the messenger is remembered the message is nearly always forgotten and so I have no interest in being the focal point of anyone's attentions because I want the messages to be remembered. This is why I am not plastered all over our website and the many things I've produced do not bear my name. The puny references to my having an ego needing to be fed by such adoration, again illustrates an incomplete understanding of my nature, my work and practices. The suggestion that this is a personality cult centred around me bears no resemblance to what is actually happening on the ground, as I do indeed have a wonderful platform that I could be exploiting for my own ends and clearly choose not to.
Summary Please make your minds up, what am I and the Reach Approach being accused of? Taking Raja Yoga and prostituting it for my own ends, or running a clandestine operation for the Brahma Kumaris? Again and again in the commentaries speculation in support of both positions has been quoted with certainty, using speech marks and words like 'definitely'. This is both sad and disturbing. Your collective anger is about how the BKs have damaged you and yet you don't seem to mind perpetuating the same crime - as you're busy casting aspersions on me and an organisation that has busied itself making a positive difference to so many lives.
One thing for sure is that I won't be posting any further comments or reading any more of this propaganda whether it's presented to me or not because I've learned over the years that you cannot have a dialogue with people who've already made up their minds and so think they are right. What I do urge you all to consider though is what damage you're doing. History is littered with people falsely accused ... and only after they’ve been condemned have people realised they were wrong! You need to be careful that you don’t become guilty of the same crime.
If you take a close look at the Reach Approach you'll see that we're simply presenting people with options and choices ... they can then decide for themselves whether it fits with their understanding and experience. We have no interest whatsoever in people going against their own desire and conscience. We actively promote the opposite ... personal responsibility and autonomy! Given that you clearly don't understand what the Reach Approach is about, what qualifies you to comment on and decide whether it is beneficial for another?
Finally, what qualifies anyone to speak about the nature of my intentions? It's the ultimate in arrogance to comment on anyone's reasons and motives for doing anything without ever actually speaking to them!!! How would you like your motives and intentions to be judged and commented on, with your point of view never being sought? I think you should all be aware of the poisoned chalice that you're passing between yourselves.
From where I am sitting, your self-righteousness is no better than what you think is worthy of your condemnation. I sincerely hope these Chinese whispers will cease so the misrepresentation does not stop those who are genuinely in need of finding a resource that can actually bring them relief.
Easton Hamilton (February 2012)