Hi Everyone,
I know Gregory in that I currently work for the master from whom he received his Taichi master certification many years ago. I’ve worked there for 15 years and, although I haven’t seen him in four years, know Gregory somewhat as we were cohorts in training. He seemed a very intelligent, kind and dedicated person. He does have a certain self-confidence and enthusiasm that overwhelms and intimidates people at times, as I remember. I initially didn’t like him, but over the years, grew to admire him and see that he had a decent heart under albeit a “bit” of ego. I did see enough incidents of compassion and empathy that would disincline me to believe he was a psychopath. Although I only recently started following his blog in the last year, he seems to have a gift for writing and communicating the Tao and Taichi teachings he learned.
I answer all the email and phone calls to the school and our master, and we have received no complaints about Gregory at all of any kind in the many years since he left our school and went out on his own. Anyway, I had seen this thread last year, but only became alarmed when I was told about new allegations from a new poster (X). So I decided to do some research on this matter, because of course, such serious accusations are concerning - especially to me as I am a woman and study under his same master, and I know this is not in accord with any teaching from our school.
As background, our Taichi school is one of the oldest in the nation, and as such has graduated literally dozens of teachers, instructors, and masters who, like Gregory, have gone on to form their own schools, groups, temples, etc. We have no system or organizational involvement in what they do, and give them no outline, rules or business affiliation of any kind. Some stay in touch with our master, some don’t. We are no cult, so each is free to go their own way and use what they’ve learned in whatever way they see fit and are guided. We have members from all walks of life, all religions, and many of our students go on to do fine things and help many people learn Taichi and study deeper into Tao teachings. We have far more members teaching in church basements and at YMCAs around the country than we do people with larger groups, such as the one that Gregory has successfully founded.
We have no obligation or supervisory role over Gregory’s group, although we were very pleased when his group decided to build a temple in Central America. He and certain members of his group were actually given ordained titles and blessings from another highly respected and extremely virtuous master from Taiwan, who has been a temple monk for decades, and whom our own master knows and respects very much.
That’s why I wanted to dig further into this matter, because the contrast concerned me -- between the dark allegations vs. the positive reports from others, and the trust of our own master who even traveled to join the Taiwanese master to attend the ordaining and blessing for Gregory’s group’s new temple.
So after many days of communication around the world, via emails, etc.. many heated discussions (I was pretty alarmed and demanding when I called them, since even though we have no supervisory role or official business relationship, of course what they do affects the reputation of our master and school greatly.)
I would like to share with you a bit of what I have learned without violating any privacy of individuals to the best of my ability, and also share with you what I was able to mediate with their group with the permission of my master, in order to bring this dark cloud of an episode to what can hopefully be a close and settle any future controversy.
Let me first tell you that I am a the former head of an ethics organization that specialized in calling out government fraud and successfully legislating against conflicts of interest. I can prove that to whomever needs verification. I have written laws currently on the books defining improprieties and ethical conduct for elected officials. I am no shill, and no lightweight when it comes to alleged psychopaths and elusive behaviors of high profile individuals. I’m also no shirker when it comes to researching fraud.
When I called, Gregory’s group was trying to come to consensus on whether to initiate a slander lawsuit against "X" (who they all know). All members of the group sincerely denied all of the allegations, and painstakingly explained at length how they believe the facts got twisted, misunderstood, etc. They could not come to a consensus whether to initiate a lawsuit against X. This is because a few of the members still really like X and didn’t want to hurt her or her family situation by the embarrassment of a drawn out legal matter.
Because we are all spiritually oriented people, I helped persuade them to leave it alone and not pursue legal action, because in truth, the best way is forgiveness and allowing the higher forces of the universe to be the true court (and we all know that the wheel of karma may grind slow but it grinds exceedingly fine). Nevertheless I was holding Gregory and his group accountable for each and every accusation.
I suspected misunderstandings in X’s allegations because I knew undeniably that one of the milder accusations was false. Gregory did NOT give his assistant the title of Abbot. That title was a blessing given to this individual by the Taiwanese Taoist master, and Gregory had nothing to do with it. My master was there and watched the ceremony where this occurred. X was not there. So I could tag that one item right away as a falsehood. In fact, the Taiwanese Taoist gave each of the leaders in the group their Taoist names, and Abbot-ship is actually the main leadership role in a temple organization.
The other accusations took lengthy interviews to unravel. The group had many allegations against X that I don’t want to repeat here, because I am not here to drag anyone else through the mud on this. I reminded Gregory and his group (which did operate by consensus rather than dictatorship) that regardless if X’s allegations were 100% false in their mind, obviously there is at least one or more individuals -[ X and X’s unsubstantiated others} -- who have left with hurt, suspicions and confusion.
Of course any group, church, business, organization has a steady flow of people in and out, occasional conflicts, and the people who leave have their reasons. This group is no different.
Without going into specifics on each allegation, I would like to clarify that the individual who had the psychotic break - due to an existing condition - was cared for extensively, as the group dropped everything for a long period of time to take care of the individual, to make constant and regular contact with the individual’s family, and to gently and carefully facilitate his transportation back to his home country so that he could receive the medical attention that he needed. Incidentally, he is still invited back after recovery, if he wishes, which was made compassionately clear to him and his family.
Also, the individual in question who immigrated to Central America is a paid employee who specializes in childcare, and is very happy and can easily return home or to another country at any time.
The woman who starved was not an official student; although she followed some public sessions on occasion. Gregory was never in a relationship with her, and hadn’t had any contact with her in approximately 20 months. She did die a few months ago, due to a fasting practice gone wrong with another teacher elsewhere.
I could not find solid proof of any impropriety on Gregory’s part, as no one came forward with any specific accusations, and all seemed to support and like him very much in a genuine -- not forced way.
Additionally, Gregory never claimed to change people’s karma, nor split any souls, or do anything supernatural of any kind, except for his undeniable and affirmed skill in martial arts -- which is energetic in nature and can sometimes appear surreal. But in this practice, many energy and spiritual experiences do occur on their own.
The sexual exploitation issues simply cannot be substantiated. The females of the group denied all of X’s assertions and say there are no advances and no threatening emails. Adult lives can be complex and Gregory is not a celibate. None of the Tao teachings I’ve read require celibacy. The mother of his child, although no longer in a relationship with him, seems to be on good terms with Gregory. She assures me and others that he has never hit her or abused her in any way, although she does admit to sending an angry email during the height of their conflict while separating. Incidentally, her karma was not changed by Gregory, but through her own petition to a higher master in Asia, and she reports it’s for the better. That type of talk in our teaching simply means asking forgiveness for past wrongs to clear a new way in life. The child himself seems happy and in good health.
Here is the situation: The entire group, including Gregory, really wants to clear their name and reputation and were all eager and amenable to suggestions on how to move forward from here.
Here is what I mediated with them, with their full and voluntary participation: It was probably unwise to have so much organizational leadership appear to be in the hands of one individual. It is too hard for a person to function as a spiritual teacher and get involved with day to day details, finances, community management of a growing group of students in a residential setting, and meet the demands of fatherhood. The ‘one leader’ appearance also just begged for problems, misperceptions of power and feelings of resentment for people who can’t for whatever reason, trust or communicate well with that one leader.
So I suggested, and they all agreed -- including Gregory -- that the already evolving group structure be affirmed in more obvious ways. Five of his long time students and assistants do co-lead the group, (and titular headship of the community had already been designated to the Abbot last Fall.) All of these individuals have had extensive training in Taichi and Tao teachings, are honest, down-to-earth, impeccable individuals. Gregory remains in leadership as well, but primarily serves his post as an ordained Tao priest and spiritual leader to the group. He heads the temple aspect of the community, so that he can still teach and direct the community spiritually.
However, day to day finances, community problems, student living and consensus agreements are being handled by these other community members, not Gregory. Further, their posts and titles are confirmed, not by Gregory, but by the Taiwanese Master, as well as my own, who both know these individuals and feel they are qualified and responsible, sensitive people. With permission from my Master, I gave our blessing and advice that these five lead the community and organizational affairs of the group instead of Gregory. By consensus, the group agrees. This way there will be no room for any accusation that they are puppets of Gregory, as they will be spiritually responsible to the Tao, not to Gregory.
Additionally, one of these leaders is a strong yet gentle and well-liked female member. If for any reason a woman has a problem of a personal or sexual nature with any individual in the group (although again, these seem to be mostly misunderstanding and rumors from X and other disgruntled students who left long before, and stories have been mangled through retellings and grudge matches) they have another woman, or multiple leaders to choose from, to confide in about the situation.
If for some reason any truth was buried here, and I don’t feel it was, we have faith that this organizational arrangement will allow for time to clear away any mistruth.
Gregory says he feels no lasting resentment against this forum, but I’m the one reporting this because he also feels -- as do I -- that it is unproductive to get into any “he said - X said” debate which might develop. If X would like to continue to stand behind such allegations, or if people will come forward from X‘s shadows, then X should take this matter to court where Gregory would be happy to meet X, and is well informed of the laws by his attorney to that end. As I said, it was I who tried to steer the group away from taking X to court, because litigation is a crappy way to go, and believe me, in this situation, knowing what I now know about X and her family situation, nobody would likely win.
My role, my master’s role, our school’s role has only been to help mediate an unfortunate situation as an outside party. I offered voluntary suggestions, which their group agreed with out of respect and a humble urge to stay on a positive spiritual path, period. Nothing was “disciplinary” or forced. The group is on its own from here out, we can certainly counsel them, but they alone are responsible to continue from here the success and the wonderful growth in teaching that they have enjoyed. They are a very inspirational assembly of individuals.
I do not wish to discuss this any further on the internet. I am not part of your forum, although I respect what you do here, and wish you all continued clarity and success on your spiritual and personal journeys. But I did feel you would appreciate being apprised of this.
Sincerely,
Tracy Litsey
webmaster @ taichitaocenter.com
Mod's note: Personal email has been deleted.
