Man it feels like Friday night. NOT Thursday night. Saying good night.
Man it feels like Friday night. NOT Thur…
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Tag Archives: terry hall
It’s sunny and warm in No San Diego. I…
It’s sunny and warm in No San Diego. I’m wanting to get a jump start on Memorial Day Weekend. 
How James Arthur Ray May Have Stayed Out of Jail
As a person who has NOT been kind in my posts and comments about James Ray’s and his Sedona actions, I regularly receive email and comments from James Ray supporters and fans who feel I am judging Ray harshly, wrongly and maliciously. This post is to the people in the James Ray Camp. Specifically I want to paint a different picture that may well have kept James Ray out of jail.
In this picture we will assume, as James Ray’s lawyers and PR people are stating, the deaths in Sedona were a “tragic accident”, but not criminal. If indeed this were true I propose an alternate sequence of possible events.
Reports out of Sedona on October 8 & 9 would have been something like:
- Speaker James Arthur Ray, presently at the hospital consoling his customers was heroic last night after after an tragic accident sent several people to the hospital and left 2 dead.
- Ray used his satellite phone to call authorities immediately upon seeing people were injured.
- In these initial reports, it would have been stated that “several people fell ill” during a sweat lodge. When authorities and emergency crews arrived on scene, Ray & his staff were tending to those who were ill. Rendering CPR, first aid and comfort.
- It’s would have been reported that the JRI staff have contacted the family members and emergency contacts of all seminar participants and informed this what happened, the status of their loved ones well being and which hospital they may be located.
- Ray has personally contacted the families of those who died and with the worst injuries and offered them comfort and offered to fly them to Arizona to be with their loved ones.
- In a statement from Ray’s PR Firm, he is canceling his events until he is certain he has done all he can. JRI will reschedule them as quickly as possible. Ray will be personally attending the funeral services for those who died and offering his full support during the grief process. Ray personally request your prayers and support.
- Ray has been and will continue to personally work with Yavapai County Authorities to investigate this tragic accident. According to YCSO Ray has personally facilitated the investigation by officials.
- Seminar participant Beverly Bunn, an Ophthalmologist and Medical Doctor commented on how well prepared the JRI staff was. She stated her admiration to James Ray and supporting participants to ensure their needs were met. Bunn also commented that if weren’t for James Ray’s preparedness & actions, there may have been more injuries or deaths.
This would have been in the initial reports. Followed by pictures of Ray at the hospital, working with the survivors, several press conferences and interviews on Oprah & Larry King.
BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT HAPPENED, IS IT?
Ray probably would have had to cancel the 2 free events the week following the Sedona Events and would have held his paid event the following weekend in San Diego AS A HERO.
Had this happened or anything similar James Arthur Ray who would be the hero and James Shore may be alive and not a posthumous hero. To those who feel I am judging Ray harshly, unfairly and unjustly, all I can say is go look at the pictures of James Shore’s children and widow who lost their father and husband due to the actions of James Ray.
The irony is, had Ray acted with love and compassion for others, he would have made millions more in sells and been a media sensation again.
Instead, James Ray did what he did. He acted (and still acts) to cover his own ass and protect his self-help business. James Ray’s actions led directly to his incarceration. When James Ray lawyered up October 8 and stopped directly speaking to investigators, he acted like a guilty man with something to hide.
Of course it came out very quickly about the death of Colleen Conaway in San Diego about 10 weeks earlier and the Ray & JRI’s cover-up of this incident was one of the main reasons the YCSO bumped the investigation from an accident to negligent homicide.
James Arthur Ray’s contribution to Seminar Industry Regulation
Guest Post/Commentary Published By Request from “Write On”
Hi Terry,
I don’t know how to add a comment to your Blog, can you post this? Or at least answer, or both? Thanks bunches! And keep on writing Terry!
Wow! This is the most comprehensive information I have found on the whole James Ray (and the seminar / self-help/ coaching industry … all in one place. Great job! And good for Amy for following her conscience right out the door of JRI.
I have a question for you – didn’t you attend seminars that were with a company built on the foundation of EST, called Landmark, or something like that? I remember having a conversation with you and another person in that group. You were very into the whole scene at the time. I was not. You were engaged in “enrolling” people for the group. Have you had a change of mind/heart? Correct me if I’m wrong. Actually, I bet you have no problem setting the record straight at you see it – I mean that as a compliment to your inner core of strength!
You are not alone in your idea of the need to regulate the seminar/coaching/etc industry. And I agree! Not sure what kind of license could be required for seminars, but surely there must be a way to make it mandatory for people to show their actual training and credentials. And yes, if they are going to employ psychological therapy techniques, they should show they have the training/certification to do so. Perhaps “coaches” of any kind should be held to the same licensing laws as counselors?
I have a Master’s of Science degree in Psychology. Not a Master’s of Art. Science. I worked hard for that degree, and had a lot of supervision during and after my training. Every professional field has the burden of being marred by idiots within that field. Psychology is not exempt from this dilemma. Hence: licensure. Even so, there are licensed idiots out there causing havoc in people’s lives. So I wonder sometimes if it is really possible to fully regulate any field that claims to help others. Ultimately, people will have to regulate themselves when they sign up for an experience (whether it is free or they are paying an obscene $9000+). But how can they do that without FULL DISCLOSURE? Doesn’t seem the attendees of JRI have full disclosure, nor did they receive their “waiver” in a timely manner!
Your Blog offered lots of reading… I was horrified by the “waiver” JRI attendees sign… AFTER their 3 day refund period. Yikes!!! I have never used a Waiver. Therapists are required to carry Malpractice Insurance. Ya know… in case of MALPRACTICE, in which case, the therapist must be responsible to the injured person(s). Certainly I would never expect anyone to sign such a blatantly irresponsible Waiver like the one from JRI. Yep, I bet the Attendees that went, even after signing, surely never expected to be baked in a make-shift oven. Where are his real credentials to conduct a Sweat Lodge??
So that leaves me wondering…. How DO we empower others using our trained skills but NOT charge money in order to live? I don’t think you are advocating that people work for free. You are decrying the greed attached to many so-called self-help seminars and guru type businesses, right? I want to work to help others. You work to help others. We all need to be paid for our work and held accountable for what we do.
Keep writing! Thanks for all your hard work on your Blog!
Melinda Martin Responds to James Arthur Ray White Papers
Melinda Martin is named in the James Arthur Ray white papers. The documents were prepared by Ray’s legal council and states that Martin is wanting money from Ray. We asked Melinda if it was true. Here’s what she said.
- Melinda Martin did ask JRI to provide her an attorney. JRI never responded.
- Megan Fredrickson filed a worker’s compensation claim for Melinda Martin without Martin’s knowledge. Martin learned of this when contacted for an interview about her disability. Martin declined Worker’s Compensation. Martin does not have a worker’s compensation lawyer.
- Martin has not requested monetary compensation from JRI.
- Martin has not received compensation from any of the news interviews where she has appeared.
- Melinda Martin was trained in CPR.
As James Ray’s possible indictment looms near and the Death Ray Defense unfolds, I’m amazed by my naivety. I’m in my late 40s and still feel our legal system should be about what’s right and the truth and not some Golden Rule of Justice (he with the Gold gets the justice).
My wife Amy Hall worked for James Ray for almost 2 years. Like so many people, she wanted to believe that James Arthur Ray was a man who practiced what he preached. Amy worked for Ray to help people have a better and more fulfilled life. After James Ray killed 4 people during his self-help seminars, she realized that all he cared about was making money. Amy is questioning everything about what happened and why it happened. Amy is especially angry as she watches James Ray working so hard to cover his own ass instead of “transforming the planet” as he claimed he wanted to do.
At this time, Amy is not accepting any media requests.
My personal note on the matter. If these deaths were really an accident, why is James Arthur Ray acting so much like John Gotti? According to the twitter quotebots: James Arthur Ray is credited with saying “The content of your thoughts and personal beliefs can be proven by a single indicator – your current results.” Mr Ray, based on your current results, your thoughts and personal beliefs all point to the fact that you know your actions directly caused the deaths of 4 people and the deaths were not accidental.
Something is Conspicuously Missing from James Arthur Ray / JRI Disclaimers & Waivers
No Where in the Spiritual Warrior Waivers and Disclaimers is it mentioned that it was James Ray’s intention in the Spiritual Warrior Seminar to take customers to the brink of death for an Out of Body type Spiritual Experience. James Ray decided and planned for this “good day to die” long before his customers showed up in Sedona. He orchestrated a 5 day seminar to take them there.
He did NOT inform them when he took their money of his plans to endanger their lives. When he finally did tell his customers that he may be planning a sweat lodge, he did not disclose his plans to take them to the brink of death! Ray’s Spiritual Warrior Seminar was his own personal version of Flatliners and he assumed as all Gods Do, that he knew what was best for other human beings.
When JRI customers were informed that they had bought a “spiritual seminar” involving the fictitious character Carlos Casteneda which “may” include a vision quest & sweat lodge it was well after their refund period. When customers want a refunds, the seminar & self-help industry really shines. They “coach” you. In this context, coaching is a persuasive technique that supposes that the customer actually knew what they were doing when they bought the product or seminar. The presumption is that the customer’s “unconscious mind” would not have allowed the person to buy the seminar unless there was some big cheese benefit (unbeknown to the conscious mind). A good “coach” will reconnect a customer to their dreams and close them again on the seminar or product. If that fails, most Seminar Companies have a strict no-refunds policy and basically say screw you, you’re not getting your money back.
Bottom line: James Arthur Ray decided that it was in the best interests of his customers to take them to the brink of death for an OBE (out of body experience). But he did not inform them of this fact and the risks involved in this type of activity. He counted their “trust” and his charisma and charm to get him through another Spiritual Warrior ( I wonder if his charms will work on an Arizona Jury?). In my opinion, James Arthur Ray played Russian Roulette with the lives of his clients and the clients lost. They lost their lives.
James Ray and his legal team are saying that James Ray informed his customers that they were about to play Russian Roulette and that it was the customers who were holding the gun and who pulled the trigger. That James Ray is NOT guilty of anything wrong. Simply another victim in a horrible accident.
Well Mr Brad Brian & Mr James Ray, you forgot one thing in this little game you are reconstructing as you prepare to defend Mr Ray. James Arthur Ray DID NOT INFORM his customers that this particular version of Russian Roulette was being played with Live Ammunition and not Blanks. It was NOT reasonable to assume that any of JRI’s customers knew that it was the James Ray’s intention to take them to the edge of physical death at the Spiritual Warrior Seminar.
James Ray, you provided the live ammo and loaded the guns. You then put the guns into the hands of unsuspecting customers who loved, adored and trusted you with their lives. You killed them in the exact same way any person who drives drunk takes another human life when they get behind the wheel. More importantly, you did this deliberately and with the specific knowledge that people may die. And this was not the first time someone died from your actions.
Quick Poll: What should I do with the YCSO Interviews from James Arthur Ray’s Spiritual Warrior Attendees?
Leave a comment and let me know what you think I should do with the YCSO interview transcripts released yesterday?
- Publish Them.
- Publish Excerpts & Highlights.
- Destroy Them & Leave Poor James Arthur Ray Alone (he’s helped so many people & only killed 4 – Don’t Ya Know!)
- Other Ideas?
Leave your comments….
The Seminar Industry, Coaches and Gurus are Out of Control
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…
###
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!
Resignation Letter by Amy Hall to JRI after James Arthur Ray Killings
Amy Hall, former James Arthur Ray Employee
Amy is my wife and one of the victims of James Arthur Ray’s obsession with death which has resulted in 4 people dead, many injuries and lost jobs.
Amy gave her resignation letter, in person to Rebecca “Becca” Callaway. Becca was Amy’s immediate Supervisor at JRI. This letter is our electronic copy pictured in the Crime Scene Photos on Megan Fredrickson’s Desk. She resigned at about 5:00 PM on October 13 after making sure her “desk” and open tasks were in order.
Amy called the Yavapai County Sheriff about 6:15 Pm the same day concerned that evidence in the case may be destroyed by JRI employees.
It is accurate that Amy was not aware of Colleen Conaway’s death until after she quit JRI.
For the record, Amy & I both want the Seminar Industry and “Professional” Coaches licensed and regulated. In addition, we are in receipt of a “cease and desist” letter from Nancy Bertrando of Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger LLP regarding my blogging about James Arthur Ray’s character and how he ran his company. We are not sure whether Bertrando was the attorney who advised JRI in other HR matters, but Amy has filed a Labor Board Complaint against JRI for unpaid overtime and never delivering her final paycheck. JRI classified Amy’s job as customer service rep and receptionist as “exempt” to avoid paying her overtime. JRI did not appear for the mediation where a California EDD mediator informed Amy her job class was certainly NOT an exempt job. Her Labor Board Hearing will not be for 6 months so she may never see the wages she is due and entitled to receive.
It is our opinion that most Seminar Companies are “in it only for the money” and many Live Seminars and Professional Coaches are practicing therapy without a license. They do so under the guise of “Education”, “Information” and “Coaching”. But anyone can hang out a shingle as coach and/or sell seminars regardless of their experience or credentials.
Below is Amy Hall’s Resignation Letter to JRI. Click on the image to see the entire document.
To contact Amy use the contact form at http://bizsayer.com/contact/ – I screen Amy’s contacts. She has received several nasty messages from former JRI employees. I will not forward those to her unless she requests to see them. Amy cares deeply for people and wants to do her best to make sure that the Seminar Industry and Coaches do no more harm (physically, financially and/or emotionally) and stop hiding behind one sided contracts and educational disclaimers.
Our wedding picture…
James Arthur Ray Search Warrant Inventory & Supplement
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