coComment at Landmark Forum with Jon Burke from Alarm Clock

Saturday morning I got up early kissed the kids, stopped by 7/11 for a cup of coffee and drove into a slumbering San Francisco to get to know the Landmark Education crew. As I expected they were all glowing smiles as I entered. When I didn’t find my badge at the entry hall I asked a staff member - an older gentleman - where I could locate it. He replied “oh you’re Mr. Burke, we need to talk.” He then pulled me over into a corner and informed me that because I missed Friday they would not let me continue. “It’s like taking a class on how to build an airpline but missing day 1,” he explained.

Now I have attended as many events any the next guy and more often than not I miss time either at the start or the end of an event. When I read about Landmark I was sure that there must be low attendance on Friday as most people have jobs and then then file in for the weekend sessions. Landmark, however, doesn’t seem to correlate to other events.

“But,” I responded, “your Web site says that attending all hours of the event is recommended. It doesn’t say anything about mandatory hours?” “That’s correct” he just said and then stared me down with no further explanation. I understand from reading reviews of Landmark Forums that there are sessions where people practice staring into each others eyes for up to 20 minutes so I had the feeling I would lose badly in a stare down. I did ask him if we was sure I could not just sit in to observe, and he shut me down with a “that’s not possible.”

When I asked what the suggested I do, the staffer told me that I should reschedule and plan to take time off from work next time around.

As I drove back home I felt the short experience was very odd. I felt as I’ve I’d been barred from the gates of heaven by the true believers due to my irresponsability. This is hard to swallow as I was responsability working on Friday, rather than calling in sick as I imagine many Landmark attendees do.

So there you have it. What should have been extensive blogging about an intense weekend has been reduced to this. My applologies to readers and commentors who may have been looking forward to more.