James Arthur Ray cancels events
Until yesterday, James Arthur Ray insisted that he was committed to carrying on, no matter the personal cost:
People are throwing out accusations and disparaging me and our mission. Yet despite that, and despite considerable criticism, I have chosen to continue with my work. It's too important not to....I promise you I am doing a lot of learning and growing. I have taken heat for that decision, but if I chose to lock myself in my home, I am sure I would be criticized for hiding and not practicing what I preach.
Most of the criticism about Ray that I've read (and written myself) revolves around his apparent criminal neglect, his seeming callousness and self-absorption, and his refusal to cooperate with the official investigation of the deaths (homicides, according to the Yavapai County sheriff) that occurred under his auspices. No one has accused him of not practicing what he preaches when it comes to creating wealth for himself.But yesterday that changed. People who'd enrolled in Ray's forthcoming Quantum Leap experience at the Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, Nevada for the weekend of November 13-15 (cost: $3995; accommodations and food not included), received word, first from the hotel, then from Ray, that the event had been canceled. Then this announcement appeared on his blog:
In the days following the terrible accident, I struggled to respond in the right way. This is the most emotionally wrenching situation I've ever faced, and it's now clear I must dedicate all of my physical and emotional energies to helping bring some sort of closure to this matter. That means helping the authorities and the families get to the bottom of what happened.I'm committed to devoting all of my time, for as long as it takes, to achieve this goal. For that reason, I'm postponing all the events I had planned for the remainder of 2009. These events will be rescheduled as soon as possible in 2010—once the essential work that must be done on the Sedona tragedy has been completed.
Nothing about refunds, but I'm sure they will be taken care of in due course. No word from the Arizona authorities about the progress of their own investigation, but I suspect there will be soon. Ray's 2009 schedule has been taken off-line so I don't know how many other events he canceled; starting in February, his 2010 schedule is quite full.I read through the Participants' Guide for the Quantum Leap event, particularly the waiver. A couple of lines leaped out at me:
I am fully aware and understand that I will be given the opportunity by the Company to participate in physical, emotional and other activities during the Event, some of which may take place outdoors, may include very loud music, may involve guided meditation exercises, and/or may include an Arrow Break, an activity in which participants have the opportunity to break an arrow by placing the tip against their body and walking toward an individual who is holding the end of the arrow (the “Activities”)....I also understand that the Company does not purport to offer any medical, psychological, therapeutic, religious, or other professional advice at the Event and that the information provided at the Event is not a substitute for professional psychological or psychiatric care.
Click here, here, here, here, here , here, and here for my earlier posts on Ray.
