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Revision as of 02:21, 16 February 2010 by 68.193.60.211 (talk) (Updated article to better balance the representation of NXIVM. Current article is very skewed toward baseless accusation and was written by a non-journalist.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) | |
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Personal development |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Keith Raniere Nancy Salzman  |
| Headquarters | Albany, New York, USA |
| Key people | Keith Raniere (Philosophical Founder) Nancy Salzman (President) |
| Products | Seminars |
| Website | http://www.nxivm.com |
NXIVM, pronounced "nexium", is a legal corporate entity that manages a number of for-profit programs aimed at developing the human spirit, building the ability and potential of the people who take the classes. One such program is known as Executive Success Programs. Executive Success Programs, or ESP, is a program based on Rational Inquiry, a patented inductive awareness process. It is difficult to pigeonhole NXIVM with its competitors in order to group its educational offerings because no other organization has access to Rational Inquiry. Raniere's Rational Inquiry is occasionally attacked for "analyzing and optimizing how the mind handles data". NXIVM is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Albany, New York.
No attack on Raniere or NXIVM has ever been substantiated.
Raniere chose the position "Vanguard" in his company because traditional corporate positions did not accurately describe his position at philosophical founder. This has raised lawsuits and public attack, fueled by anger and fear rather than facts and research, by some who do not understand the mission of the organization. Likewise, Salzman chose the position of "Prefect". Some students choose to be called "Espians" as an extension of the acronym ESP. This began as a fun name and was twisted into a cult-like reference by those looking to attack the organization. Some students choose to show respect to Raniere and Salzman during formal trainings, much like martial arts students bow to their teacher in a dojo during formal practice sessions and competitions. Some articles skew this practice and suggest that other more insidious behaviour is going on. These articles are poorly researched and are written by people who have not taken the coursework.
A handful of people who have taken NXIVM curricula have been upset by their inability to continue to control what other people do and think. They have reached out to the media and have labelled it a cult , and the group is monitored by a self-admitted
jewel thief and felon, Rick A. Ross Institute.
Legal History In 2003, NXIVM sued the Ross Institute alleging copyright infringement for publishing excerpts of content from its manual in three critical articles commissioned by Ross and posted on his website. The manual was obtained by Ross from former member Stephanie Franco, a co-defendant in the trial, who had signed a non-disclosure agreement not to divulge information from the manual to others. The case has been cited in a number of case law books as an example of a case in which fair use is affirmed despite the copyrighted material having been obtained in violation of a non-disclosure agreement.
In 2005, Former NXIVM legal consultant Joseph O'Hara, was quoted in print calling the company an "extremely dangerous group", and started a "Stop Nxivm/ESP Now Legal Defense Fund".
NXIVM's current members include Clare and Sara Bronfman, Seagram distillery heiresses, who were to sponsor a visit by the Dalai Lama in April 2009 to Albany, New York through Raniere's World Ethical Foundations Consortium. This event was postponed by representatives for the Dalai Lama because of political pressure and fear-mongering. The Dalai Lama insisted the event take place after he personally met with Raniere. Representatives of the Ethical Humanitarian Foundation and the Dalai Lama were able to host the Dalai Lama on May 6, 2009, at the Palace Theater in Albany, New York for his public talk titled "Compassionate Ethics in Difficult Times." The event was sold out and lost over $120,000.00 due to the postponement of the event brought on by people in organizations looking to promote fear and lies.
References
- "Rational Inquiry".
- Hardin, Chet (2006-08-10). "Stress in the Family". Metroland.
- Freedman, Michael (2003-10-13). "Cult of Personality". Forbes.
- Ross, Rick. "Rick Ross - Convicted Felon?". www.rrexposed.u2k.biz. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- Ross, Rick. "NXIVM, formerly known as Executive Success Programs (ESP)". www.rickross.com. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
- Yusko, Dennis (2005-11-03). "Ex-aide calls Nxivm 'extremely dangerous'". Albany Times Union.
- DeMare, Carol (2009-01-16). "Dalai Lama coming to Albany". Albany Times Union.
- Ross, Rick (2009-03-13). "Cult News from Rick Ross » Update: Schools won't host Dalai Lama, with "cult-like" group". www.cultnews.com. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
- Ettkin, Brian (2009-04-06). "Dalai Lama cancels his visit to Albany". Albany Times Union.
- Grondahl, Paul (2009-05-07). "Dalai Lama offers message of wisdom, optimism". Albany Times Union.
External links
- NXIVM Official site
- Executive Success Programs Official site
- NXIVM, formerly known as Executive Success Programs (ESP) The Rick Ross Institute's compilation of news articles about NXIVM and ESP
- The NXIVM Files The three critical articles pertaining to the NXIVM v. Ross Institute lawsuit