clerck de bonk said:
Yes, without bolded and especially underlined what have You? A start maybe? Maybe so, but IMO not even a good one, not in a long stretch.
Without knowledge of psychopathy and therefore ponerology it's very hard or even impossible to come the conclusion that work (and what kind) on the self is imperative.
Upon a second viewing of the video and a bit of digging around today, I have to agree with you clerck de bonk -- this video is not even a "good" start if it considerably lacks the knowledge of psychopathy and ponerology.
In the video, E.L. Kramer puts forth the hypothesis that we are "lab rats" or subjects within an experiment and the experimenters are higher dimensional entities. Concerning the topic of psychopathy, E.L. Kramer touches upon it (at around the 23:10 mark in the video) with the question: "What about evil in the world?" He then gives the answer (paraphrased here):
"At the level of the rats it appears like evil, but from the dimension of the experimenters it could be purely an experiment to see how we will respond."
Further into the video he talks about those who "use conscious power for material and sexual advantage over others" and how these people/gurus are the greatest tool of the experimenters/controllers. He never uses the terms "psychopath", "psychopathy" or "ponerology" within the video, yet comes to the conclusion similar to the Work (4th Way) -- that we must realize that we are "organic stimulus response machines"; we must learn about our mechanical habits and choices if "we are ever to begin to be set free". Based on the comment made by clerck de bonk:
Without knowledge of psychopathy and therefore ponerology it's very hard or even impossible to come the conclusion that work (and what kind) on the self is imperative.
It can be deduced that E.L. Kramer may have come to a realistic or DO-able conclusion, but did so without much basis. In other words, E.L. Kramer lacked a scientific methodology or missed the integral steps needed to arrive at his conclusion. IMHO, the "map" of his belief/idea system severely lacks direction or the necessary steps/elements that are needed to arrive at a proper "destination" or conclusion.
Other "issues" with the video and E.L.Kramer's belief/idea system: 1) E.L. Kramer also uses the term "dimension" to denote a "higher intelligence existing in a higher dimension" throughout the video which shows a lack of discipline and a touch of "new age" thought. Dimension refers to the different configurations of a space or an alternate reality -- both concepts are found within the Cassiopaea material (_http://glossary.cassiopaea.com/glossary.php?id=57&lsel=D). However, E.L. Kramer states in his video that the experimenters/controllers are of a "higher intelligence", therefore the term "density" (_http://glossary.cassiopaea.com/glossary.php?id=32&lsel=D) would have been a more exacting term, because "density" refers to a qualitative level of development or Being; 2) He touches on networking, but never really fleshes the topic out to understand what he means by "a collective". Does he mean a Borg-like collective where we all think and function as one or does he mean an esoteric collective/network where individuals contribute to the whole?; and 3) He refers to "The Work/4th Way" but does not state it as such nor does he direct the viewer to any material other than his own. In the end, the viewer is left with nothing substantial other than E.L. Kramer's opinions/beliefs/ideas with no outside backing/sources which is not indicative or typical of someone who claims to have a PhD..
Now onto what I found out about E.L. Kramer. To start, he uses four different names online:
1. Elliot Laurence Kramer _https://www.facebook.com/elliot.l.kramer and _http://creativequotient.blogspot.com/2005/09/elliot-laurence-kramer-about-myself-my.html
2. Elliot Laurence _http://www.meetup.com/S-KI-Jewish-Singles/members/9614562/
3. Elliot Kramer (Architect) _http://elliotkramer.blogspot.com/
4. Elliot Laurence Ph.D. _http://www.amazon.com/Why-Anything-Anyway-Conscious-Enlightenment/dp/1451583540/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345922339&sr=1-2
On his "blogspot" he gives this description about himself:
ELLIOT LAURENCE KRAMER
ABOUT MYSELF:
My background has been as an Architect, Designer, Inventor, Musician, Writer, Artist, Actor, Director and Teacher. In addition to a conventional education, I have studied Eastern and Western philosophies and psychology.
I won numerous architectural design awards, have worked in the corporate world planning large complex projects, redesigning the Items Processing System for the Bank Of America, a 1,500-acre destination resort, concepts for the interiors of two major casinos in Las Vegas and hundreds of homes.
I have produced commercials and directed an improvisational theater, written and performed music for a nationally syndicated radio show, given workshops for the Las Vegas Screen Actors Guild Members.
In 1992 I received an Educator of the Year award for my teaching methods at the Academy Of Art College in San Francisco. I am presently a keynote speaker for many Civic organizations, Corporations, Graduation ceremonies, Conference Panelist and Stand-up Comedian.
On Amazon there is this description:
About the Author
Elliot Laurence is dedicated to the advancement of human psychological achievement, through balance of both our given senses and ones that can be developed. In 1974, after he and others searched the world for schools of higher knowledge, its founder Elliot Laurence finally discovered some hidden esoteric Ideas. He spent 39 years practicing what he has learned, the first three years of which living in a secluded retreat, just studying and applying its principals. He has also studied, Buddhism, Gurdjieff, Ouspensky, Sufism, Gnostics, Kaballa, Esoteric Christianity, the Egyptian Book of The Dead, the Tibetan Book Of the Dead, The Dhammapada, Lao Tsu, Iching and many others practices and rituals. Since that time, he has traveled through Europe and the United States sharing these ideas to a select few who were also committed to personal conscious enlightenment. Now through the wonders of the internet it is possible to introduce these ideas to a greater population.
Also on Amazon there is this insightful review of E.L. Kramer's book, "Why Anything Anyway: The Unified Theory of Conscious Enlightenment":
1.0 out of 5 stars
Author is a self-entitled Pratt September 10, 2010
By Maeven
This review is on the author specifically, not his book. If I could give him zero stars, I would.
I run a Mystery School where I train students in shamanism and psychic development for a year and a day. I have devoted students and a set curriculum of material to cover. They know me and have been working with me for 6 months, learning how to harness and develop their own natural skills. I have already proven myself by my actions and these people trust me. They come to train with me specifically because of my skills, and they have been doing so regularly for some time, which says a lot about my dedication to their growth and their dedication to their path. Obviously, I am authentic and they are getting a lot out of training with me. I do not abuse my role as teacher for flagrant self-promotion even though I have a practice in what I do. The focus always stays on their life, training and growth.
Laurence just attempted to hijack my school, take over my classes, and use my students and mailing list as tools for his book promotions. I refused him membership explaining that the school is for students serious about study, and it is not to be used for anyone's book promotions. His response was that he's not selling used cars, so why do I have a problem with it?
I emailed him a second and final time citing the application questions and his responses to them. He failed to even acknowledge the topics or material the questionnaire asked about. Instead, all of his answers to the application questions were links to his books and YouTube videos (which don't even address the questions and are not relevant to them). He showed a complete disregard and lack of respect for an already existing school with a teacher, curriculum and students. He had zero interest in what was going on in the school or what we are doing there, and all of his focus was on himself and promoting his books. I suggested he try local book stores that host author events, that he consider starting his own MeetUp group if he feels inspired to teach, and that he use normal channels for book promotions. At this point I told him I was done speaking to him about this and blocked his email address.
He then used a different account to email me again, claiming that I was being controlling of my classes (huh? They are MY classes--I'm the teacher!) and have a fear of letting another view point other than my own be heard. (His books aren't even directly about shamanism, magick or psychic development, despite his belief that he is an esoteric guru--so they aren't even relevant.) He then proceeded to tell me that I'm not a very spiritually developed person for not allowing him access to my school, students and email list, and that I would only be a wise teacher if I allowed myself to learn from him, too.
I cannot even BEGIN to say how outrageous, immature, and spiritually underdeveloped this man is. He acts like a diva and expects everyone to treat him like one. The only reason I'm writing this review is because I, too, am in the field of spiritual enhancement, and am concerned about the effects this man's lack of morals (as one who touts himself as a spiritual expert) might have on others sincerely seeking spiritual development. He exhibited nothing but emotionally retarded, narcissistic, self-entitled prattish behavior with me. He clearly does not walk his talk, respect any one other than himself, or even pay attention to what's going on in the conversation. I am shocked that he writes about "common sense", "tools to get past disagreements", "accepting criticism", "teamwork" and "stretching one's mind," as he exhibited none of these even once in any of our interactions. Plus, he didn't seem to understand the very general metaphysical terminology used in the application he filled out for my school.
In truth, he is soliciting MeetUp groups to create a book tour. It has nothing to do with joining a community, learning or mutually sharing with others. The graceful way to do it would be to ask first and get permission to speak at an event or solicit someone's school. Approaching with a self-entitled attitude that condescends everyone else and insults the school's founder is not the right way. I strongly encourage prospective readers to judge authors on their ability to effectively demonstrate what they preach. Are they writing to share authentic experience, or to justify the story they built up around their ego?
Remember the saying about opinions...everyone has one? Putting one's opinion in a book doesn't make him or her an expert or a guru. If he really were properly trained and spiritually enlightened, he would have been respectful and appropriate when dealing with me. For true seekers, be aware that this man is nothing like what he spouts in real life. Just because he thinks he's a diva, doesn't mean anyone else is compelled to agree.
E.L. Kramer also uploads videos on YouTube as "comicdisorder" _https://www.youtube.com/user/comicdisorder. Based on his "Religious Views" under his "About" section on FB (_https://www.facebook.com/elliot.l.kramer/info): "don't believe anything, but verify everything." I am beginning to think, perhaps from his vantage point, that the joke is on anyone who believes in his belief/idea system without verifying how he arrived at his conclusions. In other words, this non-action of any potential "follower/adherent" produces "comic disorder" which then induces "comic relief" for E.L. Kramer.
For me, this author, producer, architect, Ph.D., comic, etc., is starting smell a bit like COINTELPRO in that he appears to "use conscious power for ... advantage over others"/disseminate lies sprinkled with a bit of Truth, or it may be simply that he is "tool", i.e. a "useful idiot" of the "highly intelligent" experimenters/controllers he describes in his video.
IMHO, "Elliot Laurence Kramer", "Elliot Laurence", "Elliot Kramer", or "Elliot Laurence Ph.D." is someone to "keep an eye on" as he disseminates his "spiritual" belief or idea system online or elsewhere.
