On Christmas Eve, I went to visit my second earthly mother, Jane, in order to drop off James and Alyssa’s eldest daughter’s Christmas present (James Shore’s lap top – which returned from Arizona without its owner). I stayed to visit with Jane – a wonderful and loving mother – an unrelenting advocate for her children – a mother who has twice had to bury one of her sons. She was stoic, per usual… but this didn’t fool me. I have known Jane for years. While I wrote down the password for the computer, Jane was looking at a photo of James and Alyssa which she had pulled from the center of the fireplace mantle. I took note and drew a deep breath… Then she said, “He can never be replaced.” I replied, “I know it.” I exhaled slowly and affixed the sticky note to the machine’s screen and closed the lap top that was once held in the loving hands of my brother James – to send it, gift wrapped, to his eldest daughter. That I was sending forth a relic – a cold, calculating-machine to his first child – in the guise of something she might want for Christmas was almost laughable. Who will embrace these children as their father?
James’ youngest – his son, D, fell fast asleep knowing that in the morning he would know the truth of Santa Claus… He told Alyssa that if Santa was real, he would surely bring his father back (especially given how well-behaved he’s been these past couple months.) He tucked himself in early, so excited was he that his father would be returned to him when he awoke. Who will give him his childhood back? Who will take him to the skate park, the movies, read to him the exploits of Frodo and Gandalf, and teach him about being a man? Who will see him off when the time comes for him to make his own way? Who will counsel him – as flesh-of-flesh, blood-of-blood?
Jane is right: he can never be replaced.
From: James Arthur Ray <jamesray@jamesray.com>
Date: Mon, Dec 21, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Subject: Happy holidays
To: alyssa.gillespie@gmail.com Happy holidays to all my friends and loved ones…
I just wanted to send out a quick message during this season to remind you to take time from all the typical rush to keep in mind the true value of what the holidays represent; to connect with your family; to count the many blessings you have in your life; to celebrate all your accomplishments for the year, whether great or small; to remember all the wonderful lessons you’ve learned, even if they came disguised as challenges; and to maybe most importantly take some time for yourself and reflect upon your dreams, intentions and values for the new year.
Happy holidays,James Arthur Ray
President/CEO
James Ray International, Inc.
This message was sent from James Arthur Ray to alyssa.gillespie@gmail.com. It was sent from: James Ray Intl, 5927 Balfour Court, Suite 104, Carlsbad, CA 92008. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below.
What an ass… a complete charlatan, murderer and horse’s ass is no way to go through life.
UPDATE: when negligence becomes something much worse…
According to documents, a man who helped build the lodge told investigators he helped with the ceremonies three times, and every time people would end up in medical distress. He also said Ray ignored the problems.
James Shore, the “Heretic” – Dies on a “Good Day to Die”
During the sweat lodge, Beverley remembers hearing someone say, “I can’t get her to move, I can’t get her to wake up.” James Ray replied, “Leave her alone, she’ll be dealt with in the next round.” This confirms the statements made by the Mercers. At one point, someone lifted up the side of the tent to get air. James reprimanded the person and said this was “sacrilegious”. We determined through other interviews that the person lifting up the tarp to get air was one of the victims, James Shore. Beverley also stated that James Ray was saying things like, “You may think that you’re going to die but you’re not going to die.” This further confirms the Mercer’s statements.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Dan Collins, Enoch Root. Enoch Root said: SPAMMING the Widow – @JamesARay – real class -http://powip.com/2009/12/james-arthur-ray-emails-widow-just-in-time-for-the-holidays/ [...]
Keep after him, Enoch. I only made it half way through the affadavit before I stopped and said “What wasn’t anyone kicking James Ray up-side the head?” 16 people with broken bones after one of his seminars? And he was still drawing unsuspecting people in? “Crucify” him (in a figurative sense).
Do you know a narcissist when you see one?
The following traits are commonly found in narcissists, sound like anyone you know?
1. The narcissist feels the need to have a lot of attention, adulation, admiration or subservience from others.
2. The narcissist is preoccupied with themselves, their preferences, needs and aspirations and with fantasies of unlimited success.
3. The narcissist often criticizes others, sometimes to the extent of damaging their reputation.
4. Their public persona is typically very charming (perhaps designed to generate admiration) while the private persona can appear to be quite aggressive.
5. While a narcissist might criticize others the narcissist strongly dislikes to be criticized by others.
6. While a narcissist might interrupt others in conversation the narcissist strongly dislikes to be interrupted by others. A narcissist feels entitled to special privileges.
7. A narcissist will often expect others to fit in with the narcissist’s plans.
8. A narcissist will often have a sense of time urgency or appear to be impatient.
When it comes to buying self-help… Caveat Emptor (Buyer beware this stuff can KILL you!)
sadly, yes – it can kill you.
And they have not even charged this MFer yet. Oh the power of Chaching.
BTW, excellent blog.
Many thanks.
The e-mail message you rec’d was a message he sent out to his entire database. The jackass should be a little more dilligent in reviewing who’s on it but then again he let his entire staff go and he’s not use to doing “grunt” work. Sorry you got the message. From somebody who worked for him…think James, think!!!!!
What does the terrorist’s failed attempt to blow up a jetliner have in common with James Ray’s Sweat Lodge deaths?
Unfortunately, while President Obama points to a “systemic” failure in airline security and vows to make changes in the entire system, no such action will result from James Ray’s behavior in Sedona that actually did result in the loss of life… unless we take action.
It is easy to vilify Mr. Ray, however, the consequences of his actions are now in the hands of law enforcement and the judicial system. While he may go to prison, as the damning evidence piles up… what of the REST of the self-help “industrial complex!”
Consider this, the field of self-help is an extremely unique sector in our economy. It’s an $11 billion dollar industry that is completely UN-REGULATED. There is… NO national organization, NO code of conduct, NO entrance exams, NO credentials, NO education requirements, NO ethical standards, NO means to sanction, NO spokesperson. How sustainable can a business be that characterizes the motto… Caveat Emptor (buyer beware!)?
Therefore, absent a better idea… I respectfully submit to ANY and ALL interested parties that we (the consumers and producers of self-help) take action by establishing the Association of Self-Help Professionals or whatever name seems most appropriate.
Time has come for the self-help field to further professionalize itself by taking a BOLD step in the aftermath of the tragedy in Sedona and the media circus that will surround the trial of James Ray. There are hundreds of examples of associations that have united individuals with a common interest to enhance their membership, protect the public and for the betterment of society.
Absent such bold action, I predict that anyone associated with James Ray, The Secret and its Law of Attraction is spending countless hours and dollars in damage-control, trying to figure out how to “disassociate” from Mr. Ray without being painted as a charlatan with the same broad brush, and found guilty by association, in the “court of public opinion!”
All that is lacking now is the motivation and leadership. If you consider yourself a self-help expert OR if you are a consumer of self-help products, I urge you to consider working together to turn the Sedona Sweat Lodge deaths into a legacy that salutes the work of the earliest self-help experts like Napoleon Hill, Norman Vincent Peale and Dale Carneige, honors the efforts of well-intentioned, self-help professionals of today and turns the deaths of those who died in the Sweat Lodge… Liz Neuman, Kirby Brown and James Shore into a legacy for the betterment of the self-help profession!
Any help you can provide in this regard would be greatly appreciated!
John Curtis, Ph.D.
“The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it” – George Bernard Shaw
Gerade beim herumstoebern im Netz bin ich auf einmal auf deinem Blog gelandert. Und jetzt komme ich nicht mehr wirklich weg weil mir die Artikel welche du geschrieben hast richtig zu sagen. Sind schoen interessant geschrieben so das man sie gerne lie