jon atack, family & friends | Avatar: Scientology, reworked - with Ariela Sarai @jonatackfamilyfriends6176 | Uploaded March 2023 | Updated October 2024, 9 hours ago.
Harry Palmer transformed his Scientology Franchise into Avatar in the 1980s. Despite staff allegations of misconduct, he was able to create a worldwide movement with more members than the International Association of Scientologists. Ariela Sarai graduated from Columbia University in philosophy and religion and then spent six months working with Mother Theresa's outreach program before studying Tibetan Buddhism in the Dalai Lama's community. Returning to the US, she received a Master's in Social Work and was a practicing psychotherapist when therapist friends recruited her into Avatar; she was at the top of the organization by the time she left - after 21 years. Jon discusses the training methods - which borrow extensively from Scientology - the abuse within the group, and her departure and recovery from it. One of the most interesting chats on the channel!
Notes from Ariela:
-The Avatar courses were held in conference rooms in hotels with 200-4000 people from 50 countries attending. When we didn't have a student, we paid an internship fee of $650 plus hotel and airfare to teach the course. I was in the top inner circle, having daily contact with Harry Palmer's wife Avra Honey-Smith. I ran international teams, helping them recruit students and making sure they all had good results using the tools. I was on a course for 14-17 days per month.
-I am now a therapist with a full private practice, and I also work as a leadership coach at a Venture Capital firm. I am dedicated to helping people understand the tactics of manipulation and how to protect themselves and heal from this type of abuse. Although I don't actively seek to get people out of Avatar, I have helped many Avatars who reached out to me and needed help leaving and recovering.
-I am writing a memoir with my partner Mark to share our inner journey of this experience. I am also starting a Newsletter here: arielasarai.com/newsletter
To sign up please go to ArielaSarai.com
________________
help support our channel!
paypal (for one-time donations) : paypal.com/paypalme/jonatackandfriends
patreon (for a monthly subscription - also for goodies like early access and a monthly Q&A with Jon!): patreon.com/jonatack
follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/atack_jon
and Instagram: instagram.com/openmindstoday
for respectful, insightful, and engaging discussion on coercive control, manipulation, abusive groups and individuals, and more, join our facebook group: facebook.com/groups/803202686721445 (for faster acceptance to the group, please answer the “prove you’re not a ‘bot” questions)
Additional Links:
Ariela's talk with Chris Shelton: youtu.be/CNFlKZi4XPI
Rachel Bernstein interviews Ariela’s son: youtu.be/_f8Nszm8F5k
Ariela on Rachel Bernstein's podcast:
part one: youtu.be/gacbabD20eM
part two: youtu.be/XVjW2RCgh2g
Avatar's "forgiveness option": avatarminicourses.com/forgiveness.html
Taylor Swift documentary, Americana Girl:
netflix.com/title/81028336
Check out our playlists for Jon's talks with Pat Ryan, Joe Kelly, Steven Hassan, and others
Harry Palmer transformed his Scientology Franchise into Avatar in the 1980s. Despite staff allegations of misconduct, he was able to create a worldwide movement with more members than the International Association of Scientologists. Ariela Sarai graduated from Columbia University in philosophy and religion and then spent six months working with Mother Theresa's outreach program before studying Tibetan Buddhism in the Dalai Lama's community. Returning to the US, she received a Master's in Social Work and was a practicing psychotherapist when therapist friends recruited her into Avatar; she was at the top of the organization by the time she left - after 21 years. Jon discusses the training methods - which borrow extensively from Scientology - the abuse within the group, and her departure and recovery from it. One of the most interesting chats on the channel!
Notes from Ariela:
-The Avatar courses were held in conference rooms in hotels with 200-4000 people from 50 countries attending. When we didn't have a student, we paid an internship fee of $650 plus hotel and airfare to teach the course. I was in the top inner circle, having daily contact with Harry Palmer's wife Avra Honey-Smith. I ran international teams, helping them recruit students and making sure they all had good results using the tools. I was on a course for 14-17 days per month.
-I am now a therapist with a full private practice, and I also work as a leadership coach at a Venture Capital firm. I am dedicated to helping people understand the tactics of manipulation and how to protect themselves and heal from this type of abuse. Although I don't actively seek to get people out of Avatar, I have helped many Avatars who reached out to me and needed help leaving and recovering.
-I am writing a memoir with my partner Mark to share our inner journey of this experience. I am also starting a Newsletter here: arielasarai.com/newsletter
To sign up please go to ArielaSarai.com
________________
help support our channel!
paypal (for one-time donations) : paypal.com/paypalme/jonatackandfriends
patreon (for a monthly subscription - also for goodies like early access and a monthly Q&A with Jon!): patreon.com/jonatack
follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/atack_jon
and Instagram: instagram.com/openmindstoday
for respectful, insightful, and engaging discussion on coercive control, manipulation, abusive groups and individuals, and more, join our facebook group: facebook.com/groups/803202686721445 (for faster acceptance to the group, please answer the “prove you’re not a ‘bot” questions)
Additional Links:
Ariela's talk with Chris Shelton: youtu.be/CNFlKZi4XPI
Rachel Bernstein interviews Ariela’s son: youtu.be/_f8Nszm8F5k
Ariela on Rachel Bernstein's podcast:
part one: youtu.be/gacbabD20eM
part two: youtu.be/XVjW2RCgh2g
Avatar's "forgiveness option": avatarminicourses.com/forgiveness.html
Taylor Swift documentary, Americana Girl:
netflix.com/title/81028336
Check out our playlists for Jon's talks with Pat Ryan, Joe Kelly, Steven Hassan, and others
