Why I Deleted the "Cult" Thread

It's not often that threads get deleted on HypnoThoughts. For the most part, it's a place where people can agree to disagree, and discussions maintain a high level of respect.

A few days ago, I recommended a self-improvement tool called "The Work" to someone who had asked for advice. I was introduced to The Work several years ago by a wonderful mentor, and this process of meditative inquiry has made a huge positive difference in my life. It's very simple, the whole process and instructions are available free online, and all you need to do it are a few minutes of your time and an open mind.

A brand new, anonymous HypnoThoughts member with no direct experience with The Work has apparently joined HypnoThoughts for the sole purpose of attacking this process and its creator, Byron Katie. The new member, who admits that he or she's never done The Work him- or herself, has posted a number of anonymous attacks that could be considered libelous, in my opinion.

This new member has also obliquely accused me of spreading dangerous information by sharing the positive experiences I've had.

Essentially, this new, anonymous HypnoThoughts member has said to me, "who are you going to believe, Kathleen? Me, or your lying eyes?"

Well, having done The Work a number of times over the past several years, having had 100% positive results, and having The Work add a great deal of peace to my life, I'm going to believe me, not an anonymous Internet troll repeating other anonymous third-party attacks. :)

My discussion had become a platform for this person, and for that reason, I'm shutting it down. If he/she wants to use HypnoThoughts to launch attacks against something, that's his/her business. I'm not going to assist in that endeavor.

Tags: Byron, Katie, The, Work, trolls

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Comment by Kathleen Hanover on April 22, 2010 at 7:29am: Hi Don,

I know, but what can you do? I couldn't in good conscience allow someone to use the thread I started to commit what I consider to be libel against someone I really respect. I also didn't want potentially libelous statements to be posted on HypnoThoughts for perpetuity.

I really don't care what the troll thinks of me, but I do care about what happens to HypnoThoughts, and I care about the people who may continue to suffer just because an anonymous troll has convinced them that a meditative process is dangerous (!). I feel the same way when people attack hypnosis, actually. If they only knew...

Comment by Don on April 22, 2010 at 2:38am: Kathleen,

I think deleting the thread may have done more to stimulate people's curiosity and make them want to click on the link than might have been the case if you had left yourself exposed to the trolls in the peanut gallery. (I had a couple too.)

Don

Comment by Kathleen Hanover on April 21, 2010 at 7:39am: Hi Anthony, you can delete or edit a thread, or delete a comment, if you posted it in the first place. Unless you have special mystical powers (i.e. you're Scott or a moderator) you can't do anything to anyone else's stuff.

Comment by Anthony Edgington Sr on April 21, 2010 at 5:39am: Didn't know you could shut down a thread once it was posted! I believe you have the right to post anything not insulting to others, though I suggest you need a thick skin anyway for some replies. (G) As for ANY annonymous poster, I have expressed myself on that before. If you can't pin your name and reputation to it it isn't worth reading.
Yes I know that some, mostly females, are loth to let anyone have personal details about them, but it is a poor excuse for annonymity, you can't run a business that way. Your recourse is to ask our host to read and make judgement as to if such is insulting, and not just a heated discussion, and if he deems it to be unfit, he has both the right and the duty to cut that person off, and may even feel free to post who they are, since annonymity has it;s price, and slander an even larger one....Even the threat of exposure sends the cockroaches running for cover......

Comment by Donna Carter on April 20, 2010 at 2:21pm: Kathleen,
You are a valuable member... with awesome contributions.
If you say 'shut it down'...
then I say...'shut the moefo down!'
Rock on sista'
~D.

Comment by Kathleen Hanover on April 20, 2010 at 1:54pm: Hi Jason,

Yes, I'm fine. I don't care what the troll thinks. Actually, I don't care what most people think, except for a tiny handful of close friends and family.

My wise mentor once said to me, "what you think of me is none of my business." It's a great concept, since you can never really know what someone thinks anyway! So mind your own business (the business that's going on between your own ears) and that should give anyone more than enough work to do.

But it did bother me that interacting with the troll was just pouring gasoline on the fire, so I put away the gas can. It's funny, I think of HypnoThoughts as being quite a troll-free environment, compared to some other forums I used to participate in. That's one of the best things about it--a relative absence of anonymous bomb-throwers. I still find it remarkable how kind, supportive, generous and welcoming most HypnoThoughts members are. :)

Comment by Kathleen Hanover on April 20, 2010 at 1:21pm: Hi John,

No, I didn't shut the thread down because of you. :) I disagree with you, but I know you to be a real person and you've got a track record of making valuable contributions here. Which is the way things ought to be on HypnoThoughts, in my opinion.

Comment by Shirley R. Patterson on April 20, 2010 at 9:12am: It's a shame when another person can not accept there are thoughts and feelings out there that are not the same as their own. This site is for people to share their experiences, good, bad, or indifferent. But they are our experiences and no matter what another may say about them.

I have heard of "The Work" and have it in "favorites" for a while. With all the other things I have been reading and learning, it has taken a backseat, although it is still in favorites waiting for me. Will it be something I will use? I'm not sure. But when a techniques has worked for someone, I like to be open minded enough to take a look for myself and make my own judgment. I appreciate CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. It helps point out something I may have overlooked. It's best to just stick with your experience and your feelings about it, not project onto others.

Shirley

Comment by Hypnosis Dave on April 20, 2010 at 8:57am: Hi Kathleen!

The Work sounds very logical in my opinion.

Dave

Comment by Jason Newland on April 20, 2010 at 8:04am: Hi

I have found over the years, that people get very brave with their words online. Some people post abusive messages in forums like this, that I don't believe they would say to a persons face. (of course theres always the acception.) By abuse I include accusations and personal attacks on character (etc).
Ultimately, I don't believe that this site is here for people to be cruel to strangers, because they are unhappy with their own lives and have an extrememe need to be right. (who doesn't). Anyway, I hope that your ok.
I think that a lot of the posts are really interesting and helpful on this site, but I have noticed quite a few arrogant sounding posts in the past and I would enjoy more open mindedness. After all, no technique is the best or only technique. What works for some won't work for others. Thats just the way it is.
I think there are many very impressive and skillful therapists on here and it is a pleasure to read what they have to say. Maybe I will contribute more one day. Mabe everyone can ask themselves one question before submitting their post on here: "Is my message respectful & kind!" Just an idea. jason xx