Liliana
is a French woman who spent five years in New Acropolis and in the following
article she recounts the experience she had with this organization.
Throughout
a number of years (somewhere between 2010 and 2020) I’ve been sharing what many
of the NA (New Acropolis) members sincerely thought (some still believe) being
a beautiful “Ideal”, for which any sacrifice is worth. I’ve been a Live Force,
part of the Woman’s Brigade in one of French NA centers.
This
testimony is not against NA members but for them, as well as for all public
interested in learning more about this organization. I could write a full book
(one day I will) but here I’ll summarize briefly few significants points only.
Like
many other persons, I’ve known NA via their cultural public activities (for the
3rd cercle, as I’ve learned later on) and right after I’ve agreed to follow
their philosophy course. I was new in town, looking for meaningful social
networking, and this course has been somehow intellectually provocative to me
as person with scientific background. At that time I had no interest in esoterism
and had only basic historic and political knowledge, doing otherwise well in my
life from all standpoints.
We
were 15 to start the 1st cycle course and at the end we were only three,
“students” were leaving without saying good bye, which was strange to me. Well,
some discussions were quite uncomfortable, the trainers were self-righteous and
often making us feel guilty (even for basic leisure activities like going out
with friends after work). Also, slowly, the idea emerged that NA is a unique
“philosophy school” with civilizer mission (for a new and better world), we
were suggested that those staying are somehow spiritually superior the others… “it’s
not by chance that you’re here” we were told, which was reinforcing our
attachment and dedication to the cause.
From
the three students who finished the 1st cycle I was the only one who decided to
continue, convinced that I can bring my contribution to a better world, but
also by curiosity. What’s next? – some little internal voice was pushing me to
continue, I was feeling that the road I was advancing on is not an ordinary
one.
After
some light ritual I became a (2nd circle) member and soon noted that everything
looked more serious, even rigid, we were barely allowed to ask questions during
the course, actually asking question was tolerated but seen as a kind of
weakness (later called Kama Manas, a kind of inferior, non-spiritual calculator
mind).
We
were first time explained that Jorge Angel Livraga (known as JAL for the
disciples) founded the NA at the request of Sri Ram, a Master of the
Theosophical Society (I’ve learned later that the Theosophical Society actually
expelled JAL for bad behavior), founded by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (HPB for
the disciples). Their portraits were now hanging on the NA walls (they’ve
actually always been there, I just did noy pay attention before). Some kind of
mystery started to plan in the air, some hidden promise that the more go deep
into the NA, the more it’ll be unraveled.
At
that time I was trustful and did not try to search on the internet information
about the organization.
I’ve
started to invest more and more time with the group, feeling emotionally linked
like in a soul family and genuinely believing that together we’ll make the
world a better place. We were not living together but were spending together a
lot of time, almost daily, had our songs, some kind of specific language and
lots of cultural, spiritual, public service activities.
One
shadow appeared during a course (introduction to wisdom of orient and occident)
speaking about race evolution, where we were clearly told by the trainer about the
white race superiority, but this has been afterwards blurred like if we did not
get it well (as our “consciousness level is still low” – as it will be often
repeated afterwards, also “look, NA is in in all the countries and have colored
skin members”). Later I found this written course, it literally mentions white
race superiority.
We
were also told that the official history is not the real one, that actual
political systems are all a failure, that we’re leaving in a decadent world
where, as “acropolitans” or “philosophers” will have a significant impact (as
history is always made by small elite groups, right?). I’ve asked the trainer
if the NA has any political plans, I was told “no, we’re a philosophy school,
classical type”.
With
time I’ve started to neglect significantly my family and non NA friends (this
was actually encouraged by older NA members but also coming naturally as I
wanted to get away from my old life, like from some useless cloth, as the “seed
needs to die in order to become a tree”).
The
days spent within NA was kind of magical, out of time, I was feeling happy I
belong there – and little by little started to adopt new ideas as the potential
existence of an invisible world we could be in touch with (why not, said my
scientific brain, like electricity we can’t see but really exists), that we are
kshatriyas, a kind of pacific warriors led from above by the White Hierarchy,
many other magical thinking type of beliefs. I was under the impression that a new
reality is opening to me, that was so empowering. I’ve always been a high
energy and dedicated person but during those years my life was extremely
intense, like in a fantasy movie but feeling real.
The
connection with the group was also continuously reinforced by a danger feeling fed
by the older NA members who were telling us that NA enemies are everywhere, led
by dark forces (including the existing government) – so we should keep secret
what’s happening inside the NA as well as keep away from detractor’s influence.
At
that period I would have pulled out my faithful adept shield in front of any
attack to my beloved NA, be it a friend telling I was in a sect or any kind of
critics. I was also in agreement with internal activities like infiltrating
Wikipedia to make sure the right public image is maintained.
When
I was asked if I would like to get more involved (become a Live Force) – wanting
to know what would this imply from time perspective, I was told this will not
get much more busier than it is already, that I’ll still be master of my life.
An
intense few days course in an isolated environment belonging to NA (La Cour Petral)
and some unusual experiences (which I thought “spiritual”, now I call them modified
conscience states, similar to hypnosis) convinced me I was on the good path, so
I’ve accepted to go through the application and testing period.
I’ve
passed a couple of tests named after the four elements (earth, water, air,
fire) that essentially implied lots of time and dedication, including unslept
nights, cleaning for hours the NA center, bathing in very cold water, writing
essays and presenting one of them in front of an intimidating Live Forces
gathering and, last but not least the proof of militance – speaking about NA to
people in the street, convincing them to buy NA products.
I’ve
learned about the existence of NA symbols and hymns, uniforms and strict
hierarchy and first time red some selected – less hardcore - JAL’s “Bastions”
(internal writings, some of them that I’ve discovered later are really
worrisome, with totalitarian, megalomanic, violent phrases defending for
example forced sterilization of some human groups or killing in the name of an
ideal). My progression was very closely followed by some high member of NA
hierarchy so each doubt arising was addressed carefully so finally I was
(almost) convinced I was joining a kind of spiritual army (knights and ladies) fighting
for new and better world.
So
I fond myself an early morning, after a sleepless night of many probation tests
and rituals (one of them was being completely buried) at the Cour Petral, in my
blue brand new uniform, making the “Roman” ave! greeting (same as the fascist
one), kneeled on the ground in front of a sun eagle flag (very similar to the
nazi one), getting a new (known only to NA live forces) name (like a kind of
rebirth), making a vow I was hearing for the first time: that I swear in front
of my eternal soul to serve the Live Forces, if not God, Karma and the Masters
will “remind me”. I was under a kind of hypnosis but still could think I’m not
going to sign this white check, and, while pronouncing the vow as requested,
I’ve told myself I’ll stay faithful in first place to my values and not obey or
do anything that goes against them.
What
happened after that, during my 1st circle (Live Forces) membership, was mainly
a chain of bad experiences and deep disappointment that made me go consecutively
through anger, profound injustice feelings and despair.
Most
of the “Live Forces” time (which was every weekend, evenings, national
holidays) was dedicated to “integration” related tasks (learning and planning
how to attract new members), some ethically much questionable like getting
close to people with having this purpose in mind (special trainings were
dedicated to that), making views, likes and comments to NA websites or social
network activities (even if we did not participate), like if we were outsiders
(“oh these guys are fantastic, this place is wonderful” etc – that made me so
sick). We had never ending meetings where the hierarchy members were often
treating lower grades Live Forces like dogs. I’ve seen old ladies crying (as
they were severely criticized or even humiliated in front of the group) AND
NOBODY DARED TO SAY SOMETHING (not even me).
I
was shocked by the blind submissiveness, the Live Forces were all police to
each other (about free time, clothing for example) but forced to look happy,
accomplished as part of a spiritual elite. Human life had no value beyond what
it can provide to the cause, I’ve realized these people are not feeling anymore
the injustice and internalized their fear.
The
secret principle had paranoid dimensions, we were using special encrypted
e-mails (acropolis.org), a
lost key from the temple (room where only the Live Forces have access) was real
drama, each time the country director came the security was reinforced and
everybody put under high stress, photos and videos during rituals or Live
Forces meetings were forbidden, internal texts were studied but papers given
back to the trainer at the end (couldn’t take them home).
Personality
cult was a must, for HPB, JAL (full days and nights with dedicated rituals,
songs, poems), while forgetting which exact tea type the country director prefers
was a lese-majesty crime.
There
was increasing membership fee, proportional with engagement level, also
increased pressure to donate money, we were paying our presence to compulsory
trainings besides a lot of volunteer work (cook, clean), buying NA products
(some pressure at this level too).
The
courses for Live Forces were of bad quality from intellectual standpoint (best
trainers are involved with “good profile” members that may become new Live
Forces), lots of indoctrination, esoteric rituals and spiritual exercises
supposed to connect oneself with higher truths. It was particularly funny to
see hierarchy members fighting each other about what exact gesture is the right
one during some rituals or exercises, that all gave me an impression that they
don’t really know what they’re doing.
Each
tentative to question (ideology, hierarchy) was treated like being a “low level
of conscience” (how could you contradict the “universal wisdom”?) proof, each
(real or imagined) non-obedience punished (more work, exclusion from some
activities, doing humiliating tasks).
Little
by little I’ve realized that the answers to the existential questions coming
from older Live Forces were always the same, like if they were clones reciting
from someone else’s text (like for example, to the question about submission
the answer was that we should not confound submission with voluntary obedience which
is a “disciple quality”).
We
were more or less directly suggested not to have kids, work part time (which
some members obeyed), eventually some very bad paid “work contracts” were made
for some young members (they were so grateful!) making them totally dependent
of the group as they were expected to be 24/7 available.
Young
people in their 20’s are especially important for NA, especially idealist ones,
prone to blame themselves easily, kind and willing to serve something they
perceive as the right cause. Special shortcuts are made for them to reach the 1st circle
easily, like the Perseus summer camp.
NA
cultivates a lot heroism, sacrifice spirit, we were told to kill our survival
instincts and historical personalities like Leonidas are high up in “acropolitans”
hearts and songs. Later I’ve read the JAL’s writings where he was opposing to
these virile values the “homosexual softness” and “feminoid” traits.
Each
Live Force was obliged to write a weekly (mainly self-criticizing) “spiritual”
letter to her or his “master”, where many intimate thoughts and other
information are provided, the master-disciple 1 to 1 relationship is very
strong, masters being sometimes kind and comprehensive, sometimes abrupt,
harsh, even insulting or humiliating thus confusing a lot the disciples (I’ve
seen this on others and it happened to myself too, it may be extremely
traumatic experience).
Why
stay? – one would ask, well, you care about those people, you believe that the “Ideal
is perfect but the idealists not”, always questioning yourself (also as an
indoctrination consequence) that maybe if your fault, maybe you’re not
understanding well, maybe you’re not kind or spiritually elevated enough… or
maybe “something is wrong within the NA but maybe I can change it” (many young
Live Forces think that).
I
was finally diagnosed with “integration difficulties”, selfishness, sometimes
told it’s a normal spiritual crisis I’ll pass (if I decide to grow
spiritually).
There
were numerous situations when they tried to use the vow and metaphysical fear
implanted in my head against me – each time I was not behaving as they expected
me to.
Once,
after a genuine accident I had (not at all life threatening), I was told by an
“axed” member of the hierarchy (symbol similar to the one on fascist Italy’s
flag, only with two lames, these members are wearing it as a kind of magical
object) that I almost died – a karma sign – because I’m not doing my correctly
Live Force duty. This approach, beyond the mental manipulation effect, is particularly
dangerous (easily to understand why, having in mind the phenomenon of
self-fulfilling prophecy).
Together
with other red light signs this was to me a proof that that the beliefs they
put in your brain may later be used to manipulate you.
Even
taking all this into account it was very hard for me to quit the group, I’ve
done it slowly, step by step, but once I’ve started to read specialists books
on mental unethical influence, also history and politics books I’ve understood
what I was into and could completely separate myself from NA, body and soul. It’s
a long and painful process but now I feel my life is back, as well as my
freedom of mind.
Ever
since I’ve been in touch with many ex NA members all over the world, the issues
are everywhere the same, they are not related to some leaders defaults (as we
are often told) but rooted in NA’s creator’s plans and personality.
To
those NA members saying – well, I like the activities and people are nice, it’s
OK to get myself involved – I answer: read carefully JAL’s internal writings (available
on the internet, yes I know NA says they are not true… but you can link these
texts with behavior you’re witnessing) and think well if this is the world
you’d like to leave in. The public activities are just recruitment platforms,
participating into them is supporting NA grow and spread its totalistic
ideology.
March 2022
(www.nuevaacropolissecta.blogspot.com/2021/09/testimonio-de-liliana.html)
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