Spencer Schneider's Blog, page 6

Advance Praise for Manhattan Cult Story

I'm honored that several leading authors, including former cult members and experts, have given wonderful praise for Manhattan Cult Story. You can pre-order now at your local bookstore and also here. If you want a signed bookplate, ask and I'll mail one to you. 

"Captivating and veracious, Schneider has written a book I’ve long been waiting for, a lionhearted, soul-searching tale that flips the script of cult memoir, revealing that no one is immune to the siren call of belonging, and that any feet, no matter how well-shod, can stumble down the slippery slope of radicalism.  Manhattan Cult Story is a book America desperately needs.” —Shawna Kay Rodenberg, the author of “Kin: A Memoir” 

“An extremely valuable, cogent addition to the cult memoir canon. Schneider pens his haunting story not only with vividness and vulnerability but also with an eye to humanizing the cult experience and helping survivors of such abuse—and all of us, really—understand (and forgive) behavior that seems inexplicable.” —Amanda Montell, author of Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism 

“An intense and chilling account of an egregious underground cult of young New York City 

professionals, one of the most secretive groups I’ve encountered. In this outstanding book, Schneider not only exposes the destructive nature of this cult but eloquently reveals how, sadly, anyone can be drawn into one. Aside from a cautionary tale, this is also the story of unlikely survival, liberation, and hope. An important contribution to the literature on cults.” —Dr. Steven Hassan, author of Combating Cult Mind Control and The Cult of Trump

“Schneider delivers this scintillating story on a silver platter, offering a meticulous exploration of the seductive hook of meaning and fulfillment which cults and demagogues so readily promise to their faithful. His book will be powerfully healing for those who have been lured, educational for those who haven’t, and insightful for voyeurs into the delicious details of a secret world. Manhattan Cult Story is a vibrant, cohesive template, of how the sticky tendrils of coercive control operate.” —Sarah Edmondson, author of Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life 

“It takes courage to share the stories of how we were dupped, but even one voice can break the silence and expose the perpetrators. Schneider speaks out about his experiences in a manipulative and abusive cult, not hidden on some compound in Texas, but thriving among the educated elite of NYC. This sinister cult lures people with what they long for­­­––community, belonging, higher purpose, and elitism­­––but ultimately demands full obedience and control of their life. Think it couldn’t happen to you?” —Faith Jones, author of Sex Cult Nun

 

“If the psychology of cults and cult leaders hold even a minor fascination, I heartily endorse Spencer Schneider's debut memoir of a little-known Manhattan underworld. As Schneider peels back the curtain, he brings the reader along on his journey of self-discovery. It's a story of friendship and connection, of brainwashing and trauma, and his attempt to make himself whole in the years since his daring exit.”  —Amanda M. Fairbanks, author of The Lost Boys of Montauk: The True Story of the Wind Blown, Four Men Who Vanished at Sea, and the Survivors They Left Behind

 

“No genre is more popular today than true-crime, and nonfiction stories about cults, from NXIVM to Rajneeshism, captivate us with a particular intensity. But what Schneider has done is different, and probably without parallel: He has written a highly intelligent, highly detailed, and extraordinarily compelling account from a follower's perspective. With dispassionate clarity, he takes the reader by the hand and leads them step by step down the ladder of his own subjugation. This book is an act of great bravery, and students of the cult experience owe him a debt of gratitude for it.” —Bess Rattray, publisher of EAST Magazine

 

“This penetrating and often painful personal account written by a cult survivor details the inner workings of a secretive cult that preyed upon sophisticated, educated, and affluent New Yorkers. Spencer Schneider’s twenty years of experience in ‘The Work,’ led by former actress turned philosopher queen Sharon Gans, demonstrates how anyone can be tricked and trapped by a deceptive cult, even those among us that seem too smart and accomplished to be taken in. This book is a deep dive into a hidden cult’s world of sexual and financial exploitation, manipulation, isolation, and personal destruction. Schneider spares no one including himself. Riveting and insightful.” ­––Rick Alan Ross, author of Cults Inside and Out: How People Get in and Can Get Out 

“Written with candor, self-knowledge, and good humor, this account of Spencer Schneider's long captivity by a group of pseudo-mystic predators is first a reminder of the perils of surrendering your skepticism and finally a tale of self-liberation from the illusions any of us might create. Manhattan Cult Story pulled me in and threw away the key.”  —Mike DeCapite, author of Jacket Weather

“Manhattan Cult Story is a study of human psychology, group behavior, adulation, and domination, and about how a community that at first nourishes you can come to feed on you. It is a must read for anyone interested in cults, swindlers, and charlatans but also in the human yearning for deeper meaning, love and community. The lessons of this astonishing book resonate long after the reading.” —Spencer Wolff, author of The Fire in His Wake 

“Manhattan Cult Story is one of those gripping tales of personal struggle and perseverance you simply cannot put down.” —Andy Ostroy, director of HBO’s Adrienne 

“Intelligent, witty, and utterly terrifying. An intimate look at the breakdown of everyday individuals through systematic methods of coercion and manipulation...for the unspoken and sole purpose of lining the twisted leader’s pockets and boosting her ego. Spencer’s heartfelt account of his experiences shows how cults can and do exist all around us and are, unknowingly to most, made up of typical people you pass by every single day. Let Spencer’s published voice be the first of many sincere survivors who come forward to shed light on this darkest of secret groups” —Kacey, Host of The Cult Vault Podcast

“This is a gripping story about being pulled into a cult that was masked as an enrichment course, a heartbreaking tale of manipulation, power, and greed. Spencer Schneider’s well-crafted narrative is masterfully told through the lens of time, healing, and introspection. I couldn’t get enough!” —Frances Badalamenti, author of the novels I Don’t Blame You and Salad Days

 

Dangerous Psychological Tricks

 Its undoubtedly the case that some former members deny School was a cult. OK, fair enough, call it whatever you want. And I understand the reasons behind the denial. But check out this video from the BBC and let me know if you think.  

Sunshine

There are many repulsive acts which I never discussed in this blog or my article from 2019, but which I reveal in my book. Sharon coerced women, through public humiliation and degradation and peer pressure, to have sex with other members against their will.  I saw it happen once but it happened at least one other time. In 2011, during an evening meeting on West 38th Street, in a room full of 50 people, Sharon shamed and compelled a married women to have sex another student after class. I detail this sickening crime and others in my book. 

Sunlight is the best disinfectant. 

School continues to this day and I want it to stop. 

Please come forward and tell your stories. The more people who stand up to this, the more likely it will end.

The Philosopher Queen

All of a sudden a bunch of old photos of Sharon are showing up on line. These are all before she became self-appointed philosopher queen. 

Queen Esther on Cult Vault

 Click here to listen to both episodes of Esther Friedman, the creator of Gentle Souls Revolution, being interviewed on the Cult Vault podcast. She is the only other person besides me to publicly speak out about Sharon Gans and her cult. Esther's voice is unique and erudite. She wrote an amazing book about the cult and expect to see it out soon.  Another thing about Esther: I love her and her blog helped me get out of the School. She also was there for me when I needed to speak. Kind and smart and generous with her time, it made a big difference to me. The interviewer, Kacey, is a brilliant woman who does a deep dive into School. Her podcast is an outstanding resource for survivors of cults. 

New York Mystery Machine

Just stumbled across a podcast featuring our own little cult. 

Pre-Ordering, A Blurb

Yes, you can pre-order Manhattan Cult Story on Amazon, but also from your independent book store. Two great independent stores supporting my book are Sag Harbor Books and BookHampton. You can also pre-order it at Word Bookstores in Brooklyn and NJ. My mission from Day 1 has been to reveal and expose this cult to the light of day and for everyone to see what went and goes on in this cult.

Another author on a mission is Shawna Kay Rodenberg, author of the amazing book Kin: A Memoir. Her mission has been to empower women and girls with her story of growing up in the South and in a religious cult. She was also the victim of sexual abuse by an elder in the cult. An honor to me, Shawna wrote a blurb for my book:

"Captivating and veracious, Schneider has written a book I’ve long been waiting for, a lionhearted, soul-searching tale that flips the script of cult memoir, revealing that no one is immune to the siren call of belonging, and that any feet, no matter how well-shod, can stumble down the slippery slope of radicalism.  Manhattan Cult Story is a book America desperately needs.”

Fuck You Gurdjieff and the Horse You Rode In On

The so-called "foundation" of the so-called philosophy employed by the cult is something called “Self-Remembering.” To say self-remembering is an inscrutable concept, is to be kind to it. Its an unknowable, fabricated, and dangerous concept. It’s no wonder. It was invented by the admitted huckster and famed con-man George Ivanovich Gurdjieff (hereinafter “Gigi”). 

Let’s talk more about Gigi and try to get a glimpse on who he was. In his memoir "Meetings with Remarkable Men,” Gigi repeatedly brags about his industriousness and uncanny ability to make money by tricking people. The book was widely criticized and unreliable He wrote “that he supported himself during his travels with odd jobs and trading schemes (one of which he described as dyeing hedgerow birds yellow and selling them as canaries).” I submit, my readers, that the “work” is nothing but a yellow dyed hedgerow bird, a phony bird that Gigi sold to many unsuspecting people. It was custom made by Gigi from bits and pieces of mystical, magical, religious, superstitious, sacred, made-up, and ancient ideas which he supposedly learned on his travels in the east, travels and encounters which his biographers have deemed to be "overtly fictional" and "entirely imaginary.” 
What credentials did Gigi have? He appears to be self taught and received no higher formal education. He taught himself many languages and supposedly read many a 

science book. Allegedly, he learned about the work from something called the Sarong Brotherhood, which is supposedly made up.
There’s more about Gigi (from his Wikipedia page.) When he was in NY in 1925 he raised over $100,000 (which is the equivalent today of $1.3 million). During his many trips to NY “he alienated a number of people with his brash and undisguised demands for money.” (Ring any bells?) Indeed, some claimed he was “a charlatan with a large ego and a constant need for self-glorification.” (Sound like any fat red fucker you know?). Indeed many of his former felt “his behavior display[ed] the unsavory and impure character of a man who was a cynical manipulator of his followers.” (Now this is giving me a flash back.) Yes, there some positive words written about Gigi (mostly from devout followers under his spell), still I have never seen any biography written about him that didn’t suggest or conclude that he was a phony. A fake, not a fakir. (LOL)

There is yet another source to understand the character and motivations of Gigi – “In Search of the Miraculous,” the Ouspensky memoir of his years with Gigi. It’s a book which for decades was “assigned” by the cult to new members in their first weeks of joining. Throughout this definitive bible of the cult, Gigi comes off as, among many other things, irritable, evasive, haughty, condescending, manipulative, pessimistic and humorless. He is even a little hopeless: man is asleep, man is a killer, man is unevolved and cant evolve – only Gigi and Gigi alone can help you become awake. (Contrast this gloomy ideology and Gigi's unsavory personality with that of genuine religious and philosophical figures.)

Not once does Gigi express any gentle emotions or thoughts towards his students. He is anti-social and appears to be heartless and imposing, as expressed in his contrived appearance with that pointy head and porn-stache. Mostly, he greeted the majority of his students’ sincere and probing questions (which would otherwise expose his 4th Way as a complete scam) with ad hominem attacks, vagaries, evasion, or outright lies; he never responded to a single question with an honest or direct answer. (By the way, at one point, Gigi was a politician.)

Gigi was very protective of his invention: he forbade his students from discussing and writing about him or his school it, insisting that the ideas were “esoteric” and would basically disappear if exposed. Later on Gigi gave Oppie his permission to write the memoir, probably because at that time Gigi needed the free publicity to attract followers (indeed, Oppie was told he could write the book as his form of 3rd line of work for the "school").

Most impressive was Gigi’s sales pitch to his new and eager students. There, he springs upon them his hocus pocus that the only way they could become conscious was to pay him money . It worked and it worked very well. He called his system the 4th Way, to be distinguished from the other 3 so-called ways to achieve enlightenment. (Did or has anyone ever heard or hear the expression the “3 Way” other than from the cult?)

Sidebar: Seven years before I was brought to the cult, I had received a BA in philosophy at a fancy University. Four years before coming to the cult, I had received my law degree, then passed the bar, and then joined a fancy Wall Street law firm. A well-educated bright and savvy Jewish guy raised in New York. When I was told Gigi’s name and that he was a philosopher, it seemed really really odd to me that I had never heard about him. (But then again I went to a good school and we didn’t study cult leaders who posed as philosophers). It was also strange that we were discouraged from reading anything about him except the things he or certain authors wrote. Red flag? You bet, but I was unhappy and vulnerable and unable to resist the promises of friendship, possibly a special someone, and success, and happiness.

That’s the background from whence comes this most crucial and oft-invoked notion -- self-remembering. Let’s look at an excerpt of the initial descriptionof this it. Please note how inscrutable it is, how vague. Please also note how it seems to engender tension, consternation, and self-judgment in people who try yet it. But yet they become intrigued by and obsessed with trying to do. Finally, please note how Gigi introduces his most important idea with condescension and sarcasm:

"Not one of you has noticed the most important thing that I have pointed out to you," he said. "That is to say, not one of you has noticed that you  do not remember yourselves." (He gave particular emphasis to these words.) "You do not feel yourselves; you are not conscious of yourselves. With you, 'it observes' just as 'it speaks,' 'it thinks,' 'it laughs.' You do not feel: I observe, I notice, I see. Everything still 'is noticed,' 'is seen.' … In order really to observe oneself one must first of all remember oneself." (He again emphasized these words.) "Try to remember yourselves when you observe yourselves and later on tell me the results. Only those results will have any value that are accompanied by self­remembering. Otherwise you yourselves do not exist in your observations. In which case what are all your observations worth?" These words of G.'s made me think a great deal. It seemed to me at once that they were the key to what he had said before about consciousness. But I decided to draw no conclusions whatever, but to try to remember myself while observing myself. The very first attempts showed me how difficult it was. Attempts at self­ remembering failed to give any results except to show me that in actual fact we never remember ourselves.

 . . . . .

"What else do you want?" said G. "This is a very important realization. People who know this" (he emphasized these words) "already know a great deal. The whole trouble is that nobody knows it. If you ask a man whether he can remember himself, he will of course answer that he can. If you tell him that he cannot remember himself, he will either be angry with you, or he will think you an utter fool. The whole of life is based on this, the whole of human existence, the whole of human blindness. If a man really knows that he cannot remember himself, he is already near to the understanding of his being."

This completes my brief but long discussion about the sham (and also dangerous) notion that is peddled by the cult. Trying to remember your self will make you unhappy and very harsh on yourself. It would be like trying to levitate, always failing, and beating yourself up for failing. A really bad way to go.

There will be a part 2 of this post. About how the cult uses self remembering as a weapon of submission to their will.  It is the cult alone who will be the final judge of who and when someone has remembered himself or not. Those who do what the cult wants him to do (like paying money or being a slave or hack or good toady) are awarded the gold star of having remembered themselves; those who don’t do those things are given the paddle of not having remembered themselves and pressured to do so.

Manhattan Cult Story

This woman secretly and firmly controlled the lives of hundreds of well-educated, successful New Yorkers, regulating all aspects of their lives and convincing them to engage in anti-social conduct and other horrible acts against their interest. How could such a thing happen in NYC in this century? You'll find out in "Manhattan Cult Story" which you can pre-order now on Amazon or your local book store. Email me (spencer3000@gmail.com) your address and you'll get an autographed book plate. Thank you. I hope you like it and find it inspiring.

Contest! Prizes!

Here's the contest: in 50 words or less, tell a story from your time in School when Sharon did practice what she preached. E.g., when she came into class not complaining, not expressing negative emotions, not being violent, etc. Winner gets a cash prize and other things. Email me your submission or post it as a comment.