SEMINAR BUYER’S BEWARE

Don’t be a schmuck! Here is the legal document that JRI customers signed to participate at Spiritual Warrior in 2009. The issue that I have is this document was not received by the JRI customers until after their 3 day refund period had expired. In other words, a customer refusing to sign this document could not attend and would NOT receive a refund for the seminar.

Documents like these are common in business and in my opinion allow for “Gurus” like James Arthur Ray to develop God complexes and exhibit “above the law” behaviors at the cost of their customers. While this example uses James Arthur Ray and his Seminar Company, these are common practices in the Seminar and Coaching Industry.

Spiritual Warrior Release, Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, Indemnity Agreement and Disclaimer

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT YOU ARE WAIVING ALL RIGHTS TO COMPENSATION IN CASE OF INJURY.

In consideration of being permitted to participate in the Spiritual Warrior event (the “Event”) and being granted access to the premises where the Event will be conducted, and for other good and valuable consideration, I agree to release, waive and discharge James Ray International, Inc. (the “Company”), its principals, directors, shareholders, employees, agents, promoters, independent contractors, sponsors, volunteer assistants, associated coaches, and others associated with the Company, or any of them (the “Releasees”), from all liability to the undersigned for any loss or damage, and any claim or demands therefore on account of injury to the undersigned’s person (whether physical, emotional, psychological or otherwise) or property or resulting in death, whether caused by the negligence of the Releasees or otherwise, relating to the Event, whether sustained during the Event or not.

Author’s Note: You can not sue God or God’s cohorts.

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 and/or require the participants to be isolated from one another and/or include very loud music. These activities may include physical exercise (e.g., hiking, swimming, yoga, team games), Holotropic Breathwork (a psychotherapeutic approach believed to allow access to non-ordinary states of consciousness), a sweat lodge ceremony (a ceremonial sauna involving tight, enclosed spaces and intense temperatures), and/or a Vision Quest (a multiday, solitary, personal and spiritual quest in the wilderness without food or water) (the “Activities”). I am fully aware that I may suffer physical, emotional, financial or other injury during any of the Activities and there is and can be no assurance or guarantee regarding my health or safety in connection with my participation in the Activities. I understand that (1) there are inherent risks in the Activities; (2) people may have been seriously injured by participating in the Activities; and (3) if I voluntarily choose to participate in the Activities, there is a risk that I may receive injuries requiring medical attention. I fully understand and acknowledge that there is no requirement whatsoever that I participate in the Activities. If I do choose to participate in any of the Activities, I affirm that I have not been nor will I be coerced or persuaded in any way to do so and I assume full responsibility for and risk of any injury sustained in connection with the Activities, whether caused by the negligence of Releasees or otherwise.

Author’s NOTE:

• Notice that prior to the event, Ray requires customers to “affirm” that have not or will not be coerced into participation.
• Ray mentions no credentials of licensing of mentioned methods and does NOT include appropriate trade marks or service marks.
• Just like God, Ray can do what he wants to anyone he wants and just try to hold him accountable for the damage he causes.

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. I agree that under no circumstances shall Releasees be liable to me based on my use or misuse of and/or reliance on any information provided to me at the Event. And I assume full responsibility for and risk of any injury whether personal, financial or otherwise that I might incur based on such use, misuse and/or reliance thereon.

Author’s NOTE: This is evidenced by Ray’s lack of medical staff or medical training. Again, indications that Ray is aware that he is practicing therapy without a license.

Similarly, I understand and acknowledge that meals may be served at irregular and varying times and that Event hours are long and may last from approximately 8:00 a.m. to midnight or later. I also understand and acknowledge that the temperature indoors and outdoors may vary from very cool to balmy and I assume responsibility to dress in a manner that can be adapted to the temperature as necessary for my comfort. I also understand and acknowledge that smoking areas may not be available on the premises of the Event. I further understand that I may have the opportunity during the Event to engage in discussions regarding products, businesses or business opportunities with other attendees. I acknowledge that any decision to engage in a business relationship with an attendee, or with a person or entity in any way relating to my association with an attendee, is entirely my own choice. Accordingly, I assume full responsibility for any loss, whether financial or otherwise, that I might incur as a result of any such relationship.

Author’s NOTE: Seminar Companies regularly endorse and cross promote other seminar companies (ie The relationship between James Ray and Bill Harris of Holosync). Typically these are commissions paid for these endorsements.

Spiritual Warrior Participant Guide

I expressly agree in no event shall the Releasees be liable to me, whether the claim be in tort, contract or otherwise for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages (even if the Releasees have been advised of the possibility of such damages).
I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Releasees and each of them from any loss, liability, damage or cost they may incur due to my participation in the Event or in any way related to my presence on the premises of the Event, whether caused by the negligence of the Releasees or otherwise.

Author’s NOTE: CYA statement that says, just in case you do sue me and I lose, you don’t get any extra money to punish me for the harm I caused you.

I agree not to record by audio, video, photographic or any other means, any portion of the Event. I also understand that all information and materials provided in connection with the Event, including but not limited to workbooks and other written materials, trademarks, logos, graphics and images (the “Materials”), are the copyrighted works and other forms of intellectual property of the Company. I understand and agree that I will not use the information or Materials provided at the Event for any purpose other than for my personal use and benefit. I understand and agree that I may not distribute, transmit, display or broadcast in any manner the information or Materials for any purpose.
I further expressly agree that this agreement is to be governed by the law of the State of California, without regard to conflicts of law doctrines, and the release, waiver of liability, assumption of risk, indemnity and disclaimer provided herein are intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the law of the State of California and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall continue in full legal
force and effect.

Author’s NOTE: Seminar Companies try to protect their rights at any cost. Even though most seminars have “sourced” their information from other companies. By changing 20% or more of other’s copyrighted materials and new copyrights protect the material as their own.

I acknowledge that I have been given the opportunity by the Company to ask questions regarding any aspect of this Release, Waiver, Assumption of Risk, Indemnity Agreement and Disclaimer. By signing below, I acknowledge that I have carefully and completely read and fully understand all aspects of this agreement and voluntarily agree to all of the terms and conditions stated in this document and that in doing so I have not relied
upon any oral representations, statements or inducement apart from statements made expressly herein.

Author’s NOTE: If you don’t agree to these terms you can not do the seminar but you will NOT get your payment refunded.

Signature & Witness blanks below…

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Author’s NOTE: James Arthur Ray and other “transformational”, self-help & personal development companies and coaches regularly use therapeutic methods in their work with clients. However, most are NOT licensed therapists. To avoid issues, they require customers to waive any and all rights to recourse and offer not guarantees.

Seminar Buyers Beware!