Organization Lighthouse promises that through the coaching services it offers, it helps people realize their dreams.
But after an 18-month investigation, the BBC reports that the board is intervening and controlling the lives of its members, alienating them from loved ones, exaggerating them and harassing those who leave and criticize its methods.
The BBC spoke to dozens of former members of the organisation. Geoff Johns had only been a member of Lighthouse for a few months when his partner Dawn noticed a change in Jeff. Jones sought guidance in his life, planned an expedition to the South Pole, and thought a “mentor” could help him become more disciplined.
Before long, Jeff was spending most of his day secretly making phone calls, avoiding friends and family, and selling his house to provide more money for the family. Lighthouse.
One day, Don was able to hear “on the other end of the phone line” one of the calls about “inspiration and motivation.” But the conversation was not about the expedition to the South Pole, but about Don herself. Someone at Lighthouse asked Jeff to choose between an organization and a family.
“Sect”
In November 2021, Dawn contacted the BBC, having previously contacted private detectives. She was nervous. Mayak is no ordinary coaching organization. “It’s a cult,” he said.
The life coaching “industry” is booming in the UK, where it is estimated to employ between 80,000 and 100,000 people..
Unlike many therapists and counselors who are trained to deal with difficult or even traumatic events, Coaches say they pay more attention to the future of their clients. In theory, they are trying to help their clients understand what they want to achieve in life and how to achieve it.
Lighthouse, based in England’s Midlands, has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds from its members and claims to have helped thousands of people.
Founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Paul Waugh, it advertised itself as “something different” from most coaching groups.. Waugh grew up in South Africa and claimed to be a multi-millionaire by age 35, claiming to have developed a “revolutionary approach” to improving the quality of life. strength of mind of people.
Jeff learned about the organization through an online book club run by Lighthouse member Jai Shin. “At first it was amazing,” he says. He was soon ordered to pay £10,000 towards his annual discipline program. “I was motivated. I was inspired,” he adds.
A few months later, Jai told Jeff that he had the opportunity to become more involved with Lighthouse, even becoming a mentor. Jeff was delighted even though it cost him an extra £25,000.
There was a lot of money, but Jai believed him that the price would rise soon and there was no point in delaying. In addition, he told him that soon, through intensive coaching, he would be making much more money from new business opportunities that would come up in the future.
He promised him that his mentor would be the organization’s founder Waugh, who “had contacts like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.”
The theory of “levels”.
One of the central ideas of Lighthouse is the theory of layers. Bo claims that each person falls into one of four, in his opinion, levels of spiritual development. The first level is a “chaotic, childish” state, and the fourth level is “a conscious person living in the present, free from restrictions and fears.”
Weeks turned into years
Jeff was told that it would take several weeks of effort to reach the fourth level.. But weeks turned into months and months turned into years.
Until last year”only one person in the Lighthouse was level 4, Paul Waugh himself“, – writes the BBC. “Everyone else was stuck at the first level and the main reason for this, according to the founder of the organization, was the negative influence around his clients.” Waugh has since claimed that some former members of Lighthouse managed to reach the fourth level having spent more than ten years with the organization.
Former members complain that Lighthouse even made them borrow money to pay for the sessions.. In order to devote himself fully to the organization, Jeff quit his job and sold his house, giving around £131,000 to Lighthouse. Those who spoke to the BBC said they had never seen their “investment” pay off financially.
Two years later, Jeff began to have doubts. But he knew that the organization was merciless to those who left.
Challenge, departure, revenge
When Jeff announced that he was going to leave, Paul Waugh bombarded him with messages, some friendly, some aggressive, trying to convince him to stay.
Mayak warned him that it would be at least two years before any refund could be made, stressing that any attempt at confrontation could jeopardize his investment.
When Jeff demanded a refund, the organization pointedly replied that they would “strengthen” the investigation into Jeff and his girlfriend Dawn.
Source: Kathimerini
Anna White is a journalist at 247 News Reel, where she writes on world news and current events. She is known for her insightful analysis and compelling storytelling. Anna’s articles have been widely read and shared, earning her a reputation as a talented and respected journalist. She delivers in-depth and accurate understanding of the world’s most pressing issues.