On December 22, Duff McDuffee received an email message from Bill Harris, the founder of “Holo-sync” and the “CenterPointe Institute” claiming that he had been served with a cease and desist letter regarding the post titled “The Hollow Sink of Push-Button Enlightenment.” Harris claims that he intends to file suit against Duff for “defamation” in federal court. Harris finally sent the cease and desist document via email to McDuffee, you can read it at the bottom of this post (updated 12/29). In response to Harris’ email, Duff revised the post to insure no defamatory statements exist within it, and that it is clear that everything contained therein is his opinion. This effort itself was mainly done to in good-will, as we do not actually believe that anything in the original post was defamatory simply because it was clear that the post itself was an opinion piece on a variety of intangible and unprovable subjects.
First off, I want to make a few things clear about what we do here on Beyond Growth. We are not a news organization, and as such do not claim to offer any sort of “objective” reporting therefore all of our articles are critical, subjective, and opinion based. While many of our contributors share similar views, each of the opinions expressed in our articles solely represent their authors and no one else. Thus far, we have found this to be quite implicit that these are our opinions, nothing more. We generally use forms of literary and critical analysis, of which do not imply nor suggest we are making statements of objective fact.
With that in mind, I will take this opportunity to express my supreme disappointment with Bill Harris’ behavior on this matter. Harris is a man who implicitly claims to be enlightened, and as such I would think the frivolous and childish threat of a “federal lawsuit” directed at small time blogger would be quite beneath him. Unfortunately it appears that this is not the case. He has made no effort to speak to us about this matter before jumping the gun and threatening a lawsuit. In his email message, Harris effectively threatens to ruin Duff’s life:
Perhaps you do not realize the severity of the consequences for the defamatory statements you have made and how a Federal lawsuit to enforce those rights would work. The costs of such a suit will be huge, both financially and also in terms of time and stress. Legal fees for such a lawsuit can be, at minimum, over $150,000, the time commitment will be extensive, and the stress will be enormous. It will change your life in a way I suspect you will not like.
What Bill Harris does not realize is that Duff McDuffee (and I for that matter) have zero monetary assets to speak of. Additionally, if Harris does actually bring suit against Duff, we will do everything in our power to make it as public as possible. This publicity would negate the whole point of a defamation lawsuit in the first place, the preservation of the “public image” that Harris’ seemingly holds so near and dear. Finally, Harris will have to prove in the court of law that he does not use manipulative marketing techniques and that his “holosync” program does exactly what he says it does. We are confident that Harris would not be able to prove either of these things in any manner enough to satisfy a federal judge.
Shouldn’t an arahat be able to handle a little criticism without threatening lawsuits? Threatening to sue Duff in order to maintain a positive public opinion seems to be nothing more than bullying via the courts, in a manner that is quite reminiscent of the legal behavior of the Church of Scientology:
Critics state that the ultimate aim of Scientology lawsuits is to destroy church opponents by forcing them into bankruptcy or submission, using its resources to pursue frivolous lawsuits at considerable cost to defendants. In doing so, they draw particular attention to certain controversial statements made by the church’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, in the 1950s and 1960s.
In my mind this is not the way an enlightened being should be behaving. If anything this action by Bill Harris indicates that we are doing something very right on Beyond Growth. Expect more in the coming days.
Edit 12/29 : I’ve made it clear that Harris’ “enlightenment” is implicit.
Edit 12/29 : Here is the fabled cease and desist letter:
Edit 12/30: The Salty Droid humorously joins in; Silencing of the Lambs
First of all, Harris is yanking your chain because it would not be a 'Federal" Lawsuit…it would be a "Civil" suit and yes, there is a huge difference. Also, Harris verbally in video endorses James Ray but as soon as JR gets in trouble, Harris yanks the endorsement…I'd say he defamed himself but he is too stupid to see that.
Comment by Suzi Q — December 29, 2009 @ 9:09 am
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 9:19 am
I posted this at IOC complete to spread the word – hope that's cool. Harris is an asshat, not an arahat. But that is just my opinion.
Comment by William Harryman — December 29, 2009 @ 1:51 pm
Huh. Apparently, someone has a lot of time on their hands. My advice to Mr. Harris? Grow up.
Comment by Kimberly Richardson — December 29, 2009 @ 7:35 am
Bullying bluster from Mr Harris, only a fool sues someone who does not have the ability to pay should he lose, just my opinion.
This has more to do with protecting the bottom line–what kind of a product is it that it cannot be subject to any criticism at all?
Comment by ellen — December 29, 2009 @ 3:59 pm
Delusion is your song Eric and Duffy's too but you can turn it into insight.
First shadow spotted (this is for people who are bright enough to know that such thing as shadow are real):
"What Bill Harris does not realize is that Duff McDuffee (and I for that matter) have zero monetary assets to speak of "- so you hate anybody who have some assets, because they've got it and you don't. So you both disowned the aspect of your self system and then organize Beyond Growth which main goal is to hunt your own shadows. You find people who agree with you both and start hunting everybody who is selling spirituality. So its your version of postmodern witch hunt? It's nothing new, cuz most people is doin the same and it DOESN'T HELP. I really doubt context you are presenting it in. And context is your shadow which is not showing clear picture. So you dip whole situation in your disowned shadow aspect. You wanna help? Repeat after me: I want to earn fat bucks on selling spirituality, I love money, money, I want everything, I despise Bill cause he is doing what i want to do, Bill represents what i don't accept in myself, I love money, I need and desire huge amounts of money and things, I want millions of dollars…etc..got an idea?
More to come…as I just started to read.
Greets from Poland Land:)
Comment by Michal Zoczek — December 29, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
this is from duffs tweet:
Ken Wilber promoted Bill Harris. Bill Harris promoted James Arthur Ray. We've got to stop the buck and all take responsibility on this one.
Guys you are really using advanced thinking systems. I think these kind of logic works when you are 7-10 years old or somethinn. Really funny.
Comment by Michal Zoczek — December 29, 2009 @ 4:18 pm
Yeah, it's good idea- you need to take responsibility for YOUR LIFE.
Comment by Michal Zoczek — December 29, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
Bill Harris NOWHERE on his blog mentions that he is enlightened or that he is arahat or buddha or Saint Theresa, Jesus or whomever.
Comment by Michal Zoczek — December 29, 2009 @ 4:50 pm
You are right Eric, what you are doing on Beyond Growth, would be beneficial IF you had more sophisticated cognitive apparatus, but you don't. I tell you how to get one: Go through ENTIRE centerpointe program – it takes only 7 years at least, integrate your shadow around money, lust and desire of material things, stop playing FIFA on playstation, go to good therapist and take Duff with you, try to see your victim mentality, the best methods I found: Hal and Sidra's voice dialogue, Genpos big mind, spiral dynamics, HOLOSYNC – the most powerful of all,gestalt, transactional analysis,3-2-1 process. Probably you know them all, but now USE THEM. Then maybe you will be able to see what you do. Good Luck
Comment by Michal Zoczek — December 29, 2009 @ 5:22 pm
' You find people who agree with you both and start hunting everybody who is selling spirituality. '
These people aren't selling spirituality, they are selling a simulacrum of whatever spirituality might be, they are selling a pig in a poke, an unrealisable dream, an unreachable ideal. They are selling water by the flowing river while calling it rare wine.
All the name-calling about disowned shadows doesn't detract one iota from the fact that these guys are encouraging critical thinking about the scammier aspects of the selling of 'spirituality.'
Critical thinking has the advantage of working no matter what age the thinker is.
Comment by ellen — December 29, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
I recommend sitting on a cushion and staring at a wall. Your ego needs a check, Michael.
Comment by Al Billings — December 29, 2009 @ 7:48 pm
Trolls crack me up.
Comment by elaine — December 29, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
Thanks for reposting. Definitely cool with me!
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
Hi Michal. I used Holosync, it didn't give me meditation "deeper than a Zen monk at the push of a button." Why would I spend $2500 more for a product that didn't work for me?
I've also done Voice Dialogue (which I found useful), Big Mind with both Genpo Roshi and Diane Hamilton (which I found mildly useful, but not up to Bill Harris' and Wilber's hype), have read Spiral Dynamics as well as about 75% of Wilber's works, have personally interviewed Don Beck, etc. etc.
3-2-1 is a lame process Wilber made up one day in the loft based on reading about Gestalt I'm guessing, because he himself admits that he hasn't done much psychological shadow work (he admits this in writing in Grace and Grit). Wilber's still a genius, of course.
But more importantly than any of this, Bill Harris personally profited from the deaths of 3 an injury of 18. Harris promoted the work of James Arthur Ray, and is now trying to cover up that fact rather than taking responsibility. Perhaps he should read something about Gestalt himself, which emphasizes taking responsibility for your actions rather than bullying and blaming others.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
Also, the notion of a "shadow about money" is used here to say effectively "if you don't agree with my political views, you have a psychological problem." This is nonsense. If we all do psychological work around money, we do not solve all political problems as if by magic. In Wilber's AQAL system, this is upper-quadrant reductionism, reducing culture and economics to psychology.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 8:37 pm
Show me someone who claims to be free from shadows and I'll show you the biggest con artist of all time.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 8:39 pm
You got it.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 8:41 pm
The truth is an absolute defense against defamation. You should do a screen shot of the Ray endorsement.
I'd love to see them try to prove "meditate deeper than a Zen monk." Which one?
Comment by Mumon — December 29, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
P.S.: It's nice they left the Youtube endorsement up there. I downloaded it. Heh.
Comment by Mumon — December 29, 2009 @ 8:50 pm
Glad to see this posting, Duff. From what I've seen, it's my judgment that Bill Harris is full of sh*t. His whole attempt to make his Holosync look like it's been scientifically tested is laughable.
Comment by Catcher of Bull — December 29, 2009 @ 9:23 pm
The Flex Belt has also been "scientifically tested":
http://www.theflexbelt.com/abs/
Imagine sitting on your couch and doing both Holosync and the Flex Belt at the same time–six pack abs and enlightenment…at the push of a button!
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 9:26 pm
Me too. Lots of copies now!
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
Yes indeed. If it did go to trial, it would be a blast.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
Good post gents. The truth (real truth) can always stand the light of day and presentation before the bench. I'm'a bettin' you could even get some pro-bono assistance from some of the lawyerly types who are seriously opposed to these types of tactics – if it ever came to that.
Comment by Dave — December 29, 2009 @ 9:54 pm
Bill Harris sent the C&D to the wrong address.
Just today he emailed it to me, and we posted it above.
Interestingly, I've already removed "scammer" and "blatant lie" from my revised post. The claim to brain damage was from Michael Hutchison, and I include a link to where he is quoted on the Transparent Corporation forums.
Most ironically is the claim that Harris doesn't viciously attack his critics–given to me with a C&D letter and legal threats directly from Harris!
It would be interesting to see Harris try to prove that he doesn't use coercive sales tactics. Manipulation is of course in the eye of the beholder, and it should be abundantly clear that it is my opinion that Harris uses manipulative marketing.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 9:55 pm
Shadows only exist when light is shining. In this case, light is shining on despicable behavior, and you are the shadow that is speaking up in defense of this chucklehead Bill Harris?
Why would ANYBODY (with an iota of conscience, that is) want to be a scamming, new-wage hustledork?
Comment by Dave — December 29, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
I am completely backing Al up on this one. I can't even make it through a comment but my sophisticated cognitive apparatus must be malfunctioning….it happens.
Comment by zendirtzendust — December 29, 2009 @ 10:04 pm
I would be willing to represent myself. Harris' lawyers don't even understand logic, let alone IP law.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 10:19 pm
IMHO, Michal has been sold and is now justifying his money spent by claiming his "sophisticated cognitive apparatus" while critiquing others lack of development for not wasting the same money. Cognitive dissonance anyone?
Beyond clinging desperately to fringe psychology (i.e., the Jungian shadow concept, empirically untestable pseudoscience) and then saying "this is for people who are bright enough to know that such thing as shadow are real". Clearly Michal holds some knowledge of truth that proves validity of the shadow archetype that universally ordains an individual to the much sought after status of "bright."
Michal, armchair psychology doesn't pay well (to afford all the [worthless] programs you cited, you better have a job that pays well) and making broad claims that individuals are psychologically unsound without proof (referring to therapy) makes you lose all credibility.
Now, back under the bridge for you.
Comment by Alexander Schiller — December 29, 2009 @ 10:21 pm
that "Michal Zoczek" dude posted his comments at IOC as well – sharing the luv I guess
Comment by William Harryman — December 29, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
I love the line, "stop playing FIFA on playstation." LMAO. What's the brother got against soccer!? That sport gets no respect!
Comment by Toby — December 29, 2009 @ 10:56 pm
Harris actively suppresses reselling of *legally-purchased* Holosync CDs:
http://centerpointe.yuku.com/forum/viewtopic/id/3...
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 11:06 pm
Okay. I finally dusted off my copy of Harris's marketing-spin-made-to-look-like-a-legitimate-book "Thresholds of the Mind'". Starts out with generally accepted science (brain lateralisation), then makes lofty and unsupported claims (with scant and dubious references) that your consiousness will be raised to subtler and subtler levels. From there, it's a grab-bag of new age truisms, including Harris's own Nine Principles for Consious Living (possibly handed to him on a tablet on some mountain top?)
Three things jump out at me.
1. There is no independent verification of the claims made, only glowing testimonials which prove nothing.
2. Given the powerful effects claimed, shouldn't this really be classified by the FDA as a Medical Device, and therefore subject to independent testing and verification???
3. The fact that each CD loses its effectiveness after a while proves not that you have evolved to a higher dimension, but that the program itself does not work, and Harris is fleecing you.
Frankly, I don't believe lasting left / right brain integration can be achieved through binaural beats. I stopped using the CDs after I experienced extreme discomfort (which I believe others have also reported).
Perhaps if you've never done any kind of inner work, the "high" you experience here may lead you to believe you're "evolving". I feel these people are the target market, and the source of his testimonials.
Lastly, if Harris cared as much about humanity as he claims, why not make this more affordable and widely available? And if it's so damn good, why barrage customers with mail for months after their purchase? Harris is a pusher, not a preacher.
Comment by Darren Chandler — December 29, 2009 @ 11:07 pm
Hi Eric, Hi Duff:
You're doing great work guys!!!
My guess is that sales are probably down for Holosync. The economy is a mess. People don't have disposable income for products like that anymore. Then, Bill Harris's buddy James Ray killed three people and it turns out that Bill Harris did a promotional video praising Ray and that Holosync was a key instructional tool for James Ray seminar participants.
It's an absolute PR disaster. And Bill Harris has no idea of how to manage the crisis. He's too arrogant to do the right thing, which would be to apologize and distance himself from his murderous buddy. So apparently he's decided to try to shoot the messenger through this cease and desist nonsense. As you can tell by the massive traffic you are getting on your site today, it ain't gonna work — he's just shooting himself in the foot.
Keep up the good work guys! As for me, I've got to get back to playing FIFA on playstation. Good times.
Comment by Toby — December 29, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
Thanks Toby. Hell, I think I might go BUY a playstation to get in on that action!
Comment by EricSchiller — December 29, 2009 @ 11:12 pm
Some great info on Bloggers' Rights published by the Electronic Frontier Foundation:
http://www.eff.org/issues/bloggers
EFF completely rocks.
Comment by Toby — December 29, 2009 @ 11:24 pm
I threw away that piece of trash book. (Just my opinion, of course!)
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 11:25 pm
Dude, PS2's are cheap as hell now, and still lots of good games.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
He's too arrogant to do the right thing, which would be to apologize and distance himself from his murderous buddy.
That's the whole point right there.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
Thanks for the link!
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 29, 2009 @ 11:33 pm
So according to you whatever they are selling is not spirituality, because it doesnt fall into your IDEA of it. I assume that you know what spirituality is, so tell me.
Im not saying that Eric and Duff are not encouraging critical thinking, because in a small way they do. What I'm saying is that their impulse to scan and check various groups and gurus would be beneficial, but it isnt since they mixed it with their shadows. So what we have here is mostly disability to discern clothed in critical thinking.
I didnt say anything about anyones age.
Comment by Michal Zoczek — December 29, 2009 @ 11:45 pm
What would it proof for you? That because I cannot show you anyone who is free from shadows, you can continue your unconscious witch hunting? So your behaviour is justified, because everyone has shadows? So since everyone has shadows it doesnt matter what YOU DO, so you can continue with your behaviour? Is it what you are saying Duff?
Comment by Michal Zoczek — December 30, 2009 @ 12:03 am
Here are some additional not-favorable reviews of Harris's book from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Thresholds-Mind-Bill-Harris...
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 30, 2009 @ 12:05 am
I dont defend anyone. I'm stating what I see. When I see a cow shit or mind blowing painting I call it a name. Simple as that. You have a lot of conscience so you call a person scamming new wage hustledork?
Comment by MichalZoczek — December 30, 2009 @ 12:27 am
The only thing I am "attacking" is your shadows not you personally. I'm doing it, cuz I see it, and because your network of people is quite huge, and your unbalanced opinions may affect their decisions.
Comment by MichalZoczek — December 30, 2009 @ 12:36 am
Internet also been "scientifically tested", and your car, your shampoo, your watch. Guess what? It works.
Comment by Michal Zoczek — December 30, 2009 @ 12:40 am
Just doin' my best William and having fun.
Comment by Michal Zoczek — December 30, 2009 @ 12:46 am
Eric & Duff:
You've gotta love it when you can kick sand in a mid-sized giants face and force him to acknowledge your presence. Kudos to you both, how fun! Also, good job in attracting a troll. He must have been pretty upset. He seemed to have some difficulty in expressing himself, at times. Maybe it was a cultural thing.
I have used Holosync myself for several years. My interest has waned as my pocketbook has drained. I have seen some value, like an improved ph level, but my overall impression is that the program has outlived its usefulness. Originally, I think Bill set out to be someone who does good for mankind. Perhaps, as what seems to happen to most self-help gurus, money has taken precedence over what I perceived his original intent to be. Or, maybe I'm just ignorant.
It appears that your blog is growing and gaining interest. Kick a little more sand, have a little more fun, and keep that pot stirring.
Comment by Jeff Schiller — December 30, 2009 @ 1:29 am
Interesting that this post has brought in a troll making personal attacks, and not one of our many others. Very interesting.
Comment by EricSchiller — December 29, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
Michal, I'll quote you on this one:
"Guys you are really using advanced thinking systems. I think these kind of logic works when you are 7-10 years old or somethinn. Really funny."
High quality thinking systems you use. Thanks for the "LOL's"
Comment by Alexander Schiller — December 30, 2009 @ 2:58 am
Thanks for the support, Jeff!
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 30, 2009 @ 3:04 am
This comment has not been evaluated for accuracy by the host blog or it's attorneys, and may or may not contain facts, spoofs, humor, sarcasm, opinions, or heresy.
But hey, you trolls are a crackup!
2009 may well be remembered as the year William the Great finally slipped on a pile of own steaming b***s***. Or, pick another metaphor: the Emperor's new (non-existent) clothes are being exposed as such, in part by his own actions.
Here is the enlightened, cosmic joke: there is nothing inside. Nada. Just packaging. Holosync ™ is not a patent. It is a trademark. Period. Let that sink (or sync) in. A trademark with very aggressive marketing. If you want to play around with binaural beats in specific, or brainwave entrainment in general, there are plenty of processes and products available at a fraction of the price.
But hey again: if William the Great wants to become Don Quixote by taking on the EFF over first amendment issues, pass the popcorn.
Comment by Don Quixote — December 30, 2009 @ 3:42 am
[...] Due to a cease and desist letter sent from Bill Harris’s lawyer, I have edited this article on 12/22/2009 to be more clear regarding facts vs. opinions. Thanks for the feedback, Bill! (Although maybe next time a friendly email would be the best way to initially communicate your feedback.) UPDATE 12/28/2009: I actually haven’t received a cease and desist letter. I was confused and thought Harris’ email was a C&S letter, but then I heard from several people that such letters are delivered by certified mail or courier, and haven’t received anything in the mail or from a courier from Mr. Harris or his lawyer. UPDATE 12/29/2009: Harris has since emailed his C&D letter to me, which you can read here. [...]
Pingback by The Hollow Sink of Push-Button Enlightenment | Beyond Growth — December 29, 2009 @ 11:28 pm
sad to hear about this Duff. IMHO, Bill Harris is a jerk for threatening you like this because of your opinions on your blog. it’s obvious to me that this his agenda protecting his Holosync brand. can’t blame him. but for someone like me who tried Holosync, read Harris’s book and blog it strikes me as odd that he’ll go after a relatively small-time blogger who has issues with his product and marketing. this is grade A bullying.
good luck guys. hopefully, everything turns out well. it’s also a good idea if you can consult thus issue with someone from EFF to check if Harris really has a legal grounds on this one.
either way, for the record, I think Bill Harris is a jerk. there, I said it. and it’s my personal opinion.
~C
Comment by ~C4Chaos — December 30, 2009 @ 12:20 am
I just got around to reading this and noticed the same thing and laughed.
"Most ironically is the claim that Harris doesn't viciously attack his critics–given to me with a C&D letter and legal threats directly from Harris!
"
Comment by @IntegralChaotic — December 30, 2009 @ 7:24 am
lol, totally
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 30, 2009 @ 7:28 am
Thanks for the support C!
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 30, 2009 @ 7:29 am
LOL
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 30, 2009 @ 3:58 am
This crazy sucker is calling Bill out, using his own pic. Damn, what will he do now? Oh nothing… http://saltydroid.info/silencing-of-the-lambs/
Comment by What — December 30, 2009 @ 7:33 am
Hi Duff
It would, but you decided otherwise. “Integral” means “construct-aware”, which is another name for “beginner' s mind”. It also means that whatever/whoever you are before this level, you are an interpretative process. Until you are firmly established at the Integral levels of development, you interpret yourself/others/world through your introjections, which include : language, ego, body, dreams, shadow, your ability to focus, strategies and defence mechanisms that you use, your worldview etc. I see that you are good at 3rd person cognitive understanding of integral theory, but you lack real experience of this stage in 1st person perspective . That affects your 2nd person relations and leads to creation of “beyond growth net”. When I said that Eric's cognitive apparatus is not sophisticated I meant exactly that, so his interpretative processes, which include language, ego, body, dreams, shadow, his ability to focus, strategies and defence mechanisms, his worldview etc. Before one reaches integral levels of development everything is a witch hunt.
Length of time used to invent anything is not an indicator of its effectiveness. This argument is false. Your interpretative process won't allow “3-2-1 process” to work. One reason Wilber might not need much therapy is that at integral levels you have 10 times more skills to deal with shadows, you really see them. Just as you see your hands now.
If I like my shop assistant and I introduce him to my friends and family and then he kills 10 people I am responsible?? Then I no longer think that’s an appropriate companion for me, cause he proofed otherwise. So you take devilish James Arthur Ray and combine this person with Bill Harris’ image and have a nice story. What happened at Sedona is James Arthur Ray's responsibility. You don't need to call him names, condemn him or instigate your own private investigation – your society has right structures to deal with this.
Comment by Michal Zoczek — December 30, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
btw, this incident reminds me of Techcrunch vs. Video Professor. Arrington stood his ground. you guys and Bill Harris might learn something from it.
see http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/11/28/video-profes...
Comment by ~C4Chaos — December 30, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
I too, have had to join in this, with well protected satire here.
Comment by Mumon — December 30, 2009 @ 3:52 pm
~C4Chaos :
Thanks – I knew Scherer 's outfit was the subject of a number of complaints but I didn't realize he was going Glenn Beck on his critics.
Comment by Mumon — December 30, 2009 @ 4:01 pm
Don't take this personally, but you are an 1d10t! Well, at least your shadow is an 1d10t.
Comment by Just Sayin' — December 30, 2009 @ 4:20 pm
how absolutely Right Wing/Fascistic etc of him.
Well I feel this way about a lot of this malarkey — and saying so has cost me many False (prophet) friendships !
That Discovery is going to be a Hoot !'
Good for you guys calling them on their BS. This has given me hope for the coming year actually… that at least 2 guys somewhere in the Blogosphere are vetting this sh*te !
Happy 2010
from yet another Duffy (maiden name)
Comment by Belle — December 30, 2009 @ 4:34 pm
I know I’m quite late to this party, but I wanted to pop in with my show of support for Duff and Eric. Stand your ground, guys. The C&D letter is beyond absurd. The hustledorks are annoyed, but more than that, they’re scared — as well they should be.
Comment by Cosmic Connie — December 30, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
Ooooh, now THAT's something I'd like to see!
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 30, 2009 @ 7:50 pm
Other folks backing us up:
http://mumonno.blogspot.com/2009/12/hollow-sync.h...
http://saltydroid.info/silencing-of-the-lambs
http://guruphiliac.blogspot.com/2009/12/holosync-...
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 30, 2009 @ 8:02 pm
Thanks for the support!
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 30, 2009 @ 8:06 pm
Thanks, Connie. I think so.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 30, 2009 @ 8:07 pm
What Harris forgets is that if he does follow through on this, you and your legal team get access to all of his records during discovery. ALL of his records. Wow, I'd hate to see all that stuff Harris wants to keep private come out and end up on Duff's blog. And by hate, I really mean love.
Keep up the faith, the fight, and don't back down. The more he fights, the more he exposes the truths he knows.
Comment by Burned by Fire — December 30, 2009 @ 1:58 pm
Duff McDufee:
Hi Michal. I used Holosync, it didn't give me meditation "deeper than a Zen monk at the push of a button." Why would I spend $2500 more for a product that didn't work for me?
I've also done Voice Dialogue (which I found useful), Big Mind with both Genpo Roshi and Diane Hamilton (which I found mildly useful, but not up to Bill Harris' and Wilber's hype), have read Spiral Dynamics as well as about 75% of Wilber's works, have personally interviewed Don Beck, etc. etc.
3-2-1 is a lame process Wilber made up one day in the loft based on reading about Gestalt I'm guessing, because he himself admits that he hasn't done much psychological shadow work (he admits this in writing in Grace and Grit). Wilber's still a genius, of course.
But more importantly than any of this, Bill Harris may have personally profited from the deaths of 3 an injury of 18. Harris promoted the work of James Arthur Ray, and now appears to be trying to cover up that fact rather than taking responsibility. Perhaps he should read something about Gestalt himself, which emphasizes taking responsibility for your actions rather than bullying and blaming others.
Michal Zoczek:
Hi Duff
It would, but you decided otherwise. “Integral” means “construct-aware”, which is another name for “beginner' s mind”. It also means that whatever/whoever you are before this level, you are an interpretative process. Until you are firmly established at the Integral levels of development, you interpret yourself/others/world through your introjections, which include : language, ego, body, dreams, shadow, your ability to focus, strategies and defence mechanisms that you use, your worldview etc. I see that you are good at 3rd person cognitive understanding of integral theory, but you lack real experience of this stage in 1st person perspective . That affects your 2nd person relations and leads to creation of “beyond growth net”. When I said that Eric's cognitive apparatus is not sophisticated I meant exactly that, so his interpretative processes, which include language, ego, body, dreams, shadow, his ability to focus, strategies and defence mechanisms, his worldview etc. Before one reaches integral levels of development everything is a witch hunt.
Length of time used to invent anything is not an indicator of its effectiveness. This argument is false. Your interpretative process won't allow “3-2-1 process” to work. One reason Wilber might not need much therapy is that at integral levels you have 10 times more skills to deal with shadows, you really see them. Just as you see your hands now.
If I like my shop assistant and I introduce him to my friends and family and then he kills 10 people I am responsible?? Then I no longer think that’s an appropriate companion for me, cause he proofed otherwise. So you take devilish James Arthur Ray and combine this person with Bill Harris’ image and have a nice story. What happened at Sedona is James Arthur Ray's responsibility. You don't need to call him names, condemn him or instigate your own private investigation – your society has right structures to deal with this.
Comment by Michal Zoczek — December 30, 2009 @ 11:20 pm
Who are you to judge what "cognitive apparatus" I have? You don't even know me. You've read one article I've written.
Take some time to look within yourself. Perhaps you have a self-righteousness "shadow?"
Comment by EricSchiller — December 30, 2009 @ 11:43 pm
dude, enough already with the condescending bullshit about how you are seeing it from a higher perspective than everyone else. If you disagree, then make your case and let anyone accept it who can. But to imply in every single goddamn comment that not only do you disagree, but you disagree because you're smarter than everyone else is nonsense. That is EXACTLY what makes the whole new age, self help, integral scene so odious, all this 'holier than thou' style of arguing.
now back to playing FIFA on playstation.
Comment by Toby — December 31, 2009 @ 12:38 am
Hi Michal,
It is both legal and ethical for me to express my opinions on this blog, and I will continue to do so.
I am not interested in debating your belief that you are smarter, more developed, etc. than Eric or I.
Have a nice day,
~Duff
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 31, 2009 @ 12:59 am
As far as the JAR/Harris connection, James Arthur Ray had Holosync on the schedule 3x/day for 65 minutes. I'm curious about this, especially in light of previous co-marketing between Harris and Ray.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — December 31, 2009 @ 1:00 am
Hmmm – so someone like Harris should have had no problem seeing Ray's evil shadow.
But he didn't.
So much for the profound benefits of that particular brand[tm] of insight and enlightenment.
Interestingly, many plain ordinary folks who make no claim to being enlightened, hyper-integralised uber-gurus for Earth's elites found Ray to be skin-crawlingly creeptastic, even before Sedona.
It's a discomfiting spiritual world when unremarkable lay people demonstrate deeper psychological insight than self-styled guru wannabes, isn't it?
Comment by RichardLeon — December 31, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
"Beginner's Mind" means "Beginner's mind." Integral prattle enters not into it.
Comment by Mumon — December 31, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
I have listened in on a call with Bill Harris promoting Holosync. What is interesting about this is that when he was starting Holosync he too was threatened with a "Federal Lawsuit" from another company. I guess it scared him enough at the time that he now uses it to intimidate others.
Comment by Thinking Twice — December 31, 2009 @ 10:18 pm
[...] He (allegedly*!) tried to silence a blogger. [...]
Pingback by How To Trash Your PR At The Touch Of A Button: Of Holosync, Bill Harris, and Silencing Critics — MindTWEAKS — December 31, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Thank you for sharing your opinions and experiences. I recognize that the truth is murky and complex, and appreciate your helping this aspect of things to become more obvious.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — January 1, 2010 @ 9:28 am
I used holosync for 2 years and feel like it raised my stress threshold significantly. Was it the placebo effect, good technology, good timing, or something else which led to these growth spurts? I have no idea, but I grew in many ways. Then I went to Bill's house and was treated to a screening of The Secret before it's full release by his then wife and friends of the organization. I never felt comfortable with Centerpointe after that weekend, although I did not meet Bill personally. I just didn't connect with the staff members and shortly there-after stopped using their materials. They did provide me an avenue for growth, were cordial to me, and I never felt like they were fakes. I do not feel ripped off. I just did not connect with this group, and would use the words hierarchy and humility, one too much of, the other not enough of, to describe my uncomfortableness. My personal conclusions were that Bill, like many people who attain a certain level of financial success, may have succumbed to the lure of money over his initial entrepreneurial passion to create and/or make a difference. I still buy his truth that he had an intellectual curiosity and was driven to create a helpful tool for people. We've exchanged a few emails but because I have never had face-time with him, these are impressions based on my short time as a customer of the business, and may not be worth much.
Comment by notfromPortland — January 1, 2010 @ 3:25 am
[...] -Bill Harris of Holosync fame is a complete and utter pratt [...]
Pingback by Looking Backwards, Sideways, Forwards « AnthroYogini — January 2, 2010 @ 8:20 pm
I think the only one in need of enlightenment here is the FDA concerning said benefits from product use. Sounds like a medical device to me, and would therefore fall under the FDA process. I'd be interested to see the quantitative data proving it's effectiveness.
Comment by Richard — January 6, 2010 @ 8:34 pm
Harris boldly claims on his website "scientifically proven brain technology," yet from what I understand, there are no studies proving the efficacy of Holosync. All the "science" is for other brainwave entrainment devices, or for other meditation techniques.
Comment by Duff McDuffee — January 10, 2010 @ 10:25 pm
Eric / Duff: I’m sorry you’re being harassed by this issue. I have been an avid supporter of brain entrainment audios for almost ten years now. I have a strong interest in them, and I think the threats that I hear are repeatedly fired from the Centerpointe group are unprofessional. Holosync technology (or even Hemisync technology from the Monroe Institute, the originators of the art) is a gift that should be explored and shared with the world, not locked up and hustled in a violent marketing scheme.
Anyway, I wanted to share with you that I am an intellectual property attorney and a patent attorney, and should this issue escalate to a level where you would need actual help, I’d be happy to offer my assistance.
Comment by Rob Cashman — January 11, 2010 @ 12:06 pm
[...] social media, you probably had a good idea what was going to happen after Bill Harris decided to threaten Duff McDuffee. Twitter lit up in support of Duff, a smattering of notable blogs wrote about the [...]
Pingback by The “Negative Social Mood” and Bill Harris | Beyond Growth — January 11, 2010 @ 7:08 pm
Holosync is crap
Comment by tod — February 7, 2010 @ 2:13 am