Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > The Seed Discussion Forum
The Seed-------Did Art Barker succeed?
Antigen:
I left my heart
In East Albany
At the Piggly Wiggly
On Slappy Boulevard...
No laws, however stringent, can make the idle industrious, the thriftless provident, or the drunken sober
--Samuel Stiles
--- End quote ---
Thom:
That sounds familiar, was that from a talent show or something?
SteveHHMD:
I spent about a year with Art, Libby, John, Suzy. ('75-76 Ft Lauderdale) When I look back on it, I cringe at the degree of control those people had over me. But the truth was, I was dying and would not have survived. I went thru the program, then I grew up. At the time, I needed a crutch, the control to keep me from self-distructing. I don't believe in black and white anymore, see most things in shades of grey. But I must say I would be in the earth right now were it not for the Seed. I consider it, in retrospect, temporary mind control for a mind that was totally out of control. I love life now. I wouldn't say I'm proud of having needed the Seed. But I must also say there's nothing wrong with honesty, love of self, and love of others. As a doctor I care for many wayward souls. Many of these don't make it. Sometimes drastic measures are needed for drastic problems.
Steve
GregFL:
welcome Steve. We look forward to your participation here.
Tell me, why are you so sure you would be dead? what causes you to draw that conclusion?
thanks, and tell us something you remember from the seed circa 76/77
Thom:
Hi Dr. Steve,
We were there about the same time. I kind of drifted away sometime around '76. Back then I had a problem with the concept of alcohol being a drug. After all, you could walk into 7-11 and buy it. That's exactly what I did on the way home from a 'rap' one night.
I still remember the internal struggle as I popped open that 16 ounce Bud in the parking lot of the 7-11 on US-1, just south of the tunnel. "I'm different! I?m different!, maybe for them it's a drug, but I can handle it."
It was my little secret. They wouldn't understand, so I just won't mention it to any one. Well, I got real different over the next 15 or so years. Lots of drugs, lots of booze, a couple of failed marriages, etc.
We all know the story.
I remember Art coming out to talk to the group one day, and saying something like, 'If we only save one kid, it will all have been worth it.' At the time, I didn't get it. I thought he was being negative. That statement makes perfect sense to me today.
I had many nights where I hadn't a clue how I managed to drive home. Sometimes I would go out in the morning and check the car for damage and blood. I thank God I never found the later.
I came up for air in a recovery meeting in '91. They were talking about the 12 steps. "Hey, I've heard that before! What the hell happened?" I recall thinking. Facing the horrifying reality that I had essentially wasted all those years, after having had the answer spoon fed to me back then, I latched onto recovery with both hands, and hung on for dear life. Quite a ride, actually.
Well, it came back fairly quickly for me. The Seed had been planted deep, and I had heaped plenty of 'fertilizer' on top, but when the time was right, it sprouted.
For quite a while before my return to sanity, I had considered suicide. I even had a plan. Sadly, I would have died without ever having lived. Just for the record, I didn't do it.
God had different plans for me, and as I learn to give him room to work, I get to see amazing things! Better than acid. :smile: (Seems like the name would have clued us in on that stuff)I spend a lot of time 'brain washing' (sharing life) with people these days. I have had the privilege to see MANY lives turned around, and I plan on continuing telling the willing listener what has worked for me. I guess you could call me 'The AntiGing' :roll: (Sorry Sis'..it was just too tempting. Love ya, mean it!)
Anyway, welcome to the minority! Most posters here have bad memories of The Seed. If you choose to respond to the question "Tell me, why are you so sure you would be dead? What causes you to draw that conclusion?" In spite of the fact that you likely see that scenario played out over and over in your line of work, some here will not understand. I do. Thanks for the post!
Thom M.
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