On 2005-09-05 17:49:00, Anonymous wrote:
"Well it's pretty sad that grand revelation means nothing to you, but I'm definitely not going to sit here and try to change your mind. If you're closed off to the suffering of the world, as most of us Americans seem to be, then that's your call.
But once again you're way off base. No, I was not a staff. No, I wasn't there for only 6 months. I was there for 22 months and left about a week before my summit to go to post-graduate school.
To the other person who inquired, yes I have completely moved on. I don't praise CEDU and I don't bash it. It is what it is - just an experience in my past. Now I am in my second year at the Columbia University School of Law. You could say things are looking pretty good.
I don't think staying the extra month and some odd days would've changed my opinion one bit. Had I only been at CEDU for 6 months, I wouldn't have the nerve to be here saying these kinds of things. "
Not that staying for the Summit would have changed your mind, I'm sure it wouldn't have, but be glad you didn't go through it. It supremely sucked. Explaining the events now would just make you laugh, though. But going through it as a vulnerable, sleep deprived teen was quite disturbing. I thought Mel came up with some strange things, but those Lifespring fuckers are crazy. I can't believe free-thinking adults actually paid hundreds of dollars to willingly go through all of that bullshit.
But like I said before, I could have been in much worse places, and I feel that thinking that way gives me a certain amount of peace and gratitude. However, I think it's important for people not to get into a "their life sucks more than mine" contest, because it is important not to discount your own pain, if you are denying it or belittling it. But at the same time, I think that perspective IS important, especially if you are caught up in yourself or obsessing about a certain period of your life. I've read some of the accounts of Straight Inc and the Seed survivors and those places were incredibly harsh. So is juvie, and so was my "option." Despite the fact that CEDU/RMA was disturbing, (most of which I have come to terms with) I had it pretty good compared to other behavior mod places.
I'm curious, if CEDU was so cushy, why did you leave early? Couldn't the post-graduate program have waited for you to complete the summit, and you could have enrolled the next semester? What was your motivation for you not to complete CEDU? (I know how much importance they place on people completing the program. I mean, they put a HUGE amount of significance on the summit. Was it not important to you? And if so, why?) I'm not saying you didn't leave on benevolent terms, I'm just wondering.
I am also curious, what drew you to this forum? Was it purely to accuse and berate people for not being as "over it" as you are? (and if you have completely moved on from that experience entirely, why are you here? What made you think about CEDU again?) Were you surprised at what you found, when you saw people complaining about their time at CEDU? What did you hope to accomplish with your post?
Look, no accusations, here. I'm not saying you aren't truly "over it". There are lots of reasons people come here and post. I'm just wondering what those are for you, if you don't mind indulging me.