Consumer alert! Using a checklist to shop for spiritual growth and avoid scams like Psychology of Vision

There are a number of checklists out there in Internetland concerning ways to identify frauds, con artists, and cults to help the truth-seeking sojourner avoid these mental/emotional/economic land-mines and not become a victim of predatory scammers and liars who operate in the guise of spiritual teachers, healers, psychics, etc.

Unfortunately this is a field that is unregulated, requires no professional licenses or accreditation, and has little government oversight. It is the Wild West and a magnet for sociopathic exploiters. It can be exciting, and it can be devastating to dive into this world. Seekers enter this subculture at their own risk and find it difficult to find justice if they have been victimized, as their injurers skip away scot-free without suffering any consequences.

There are indeed honest and sincere practitioners in the post-birth curriculum of the soul. I might not agree with the philosophy/theology of these pseudoscience folks, but I think I can recognize when they are sincere and when they are not. This checklist is one method that can hopefully be used as a tool to separate the wheat from the chaff.

I actually admire the sincere ones, both teachers and students, who walk their talk. I don't see that too often but when I do I try to recognize their efforts on this blog. If it works, more power to 'em. I say live and let live, until victimizing others comes into the picture. A lot of good people who are seeking a new life have been duped and robbed by expert grifters all over the world.

This posted checklist is composed of selections from the community of alternative and spiritual healers. Although I do not count myself as a member of that group, I do appreciate and share their intention of providing decision-making tools to the seekers out there and I praise their attempt to clean their own house. I have quoted the actual questions and provide the sources.

In this post I am trying to demonstrate that even by the standards of the esoteric universe the Spezzanos are financially profiting from, Psychology of Vision is miserably failing to meet any professional ethics and the very existence of their for-profit corporation reflects badly on the rest of the alternative healing business world.

In all aspects of this checklist, the Spezzanos and Psychology of Vision do not fare well. We have already documented on this blog how the for-profit corporation is held in low regard by their peers. Using questions posed by those in their own line of work I will demonstrate how the Spezzano and Associates Ltd. Psychology of Vision for-profit corporation is an organization to investigate thoroughly before investing the thousands of dollars required in order to maintain the status of POV Trainer.

1. "Is unable to take criticism: False teachers strongly dislike either personal criticism or criticism of their teaching; they do not take kindly to ordinary unenlightened individuals questioning them. They or their organisations will even undertake multi-million dollar law suits to stop ex-members from spilling the beans."

The Spezzanos have been known to make noises about going to court to silence troublemaking "ordinary unenlightened individuals", but their operation is not large enough to absorb the "multi-million dollar" efforts. It is easier for them to go after Canadians than their fellow Americans due to the differences in laws regarding freedom of expression. In one particular case I think I am allowed to mention here they tried to bully some citizen critics (which includes one ex-POV member) in British Columbia with a legal threat. They also went on a vigorous online campaign attacking their reviewers, but that appears to have stopped. It is too late for them to prevent past members from spilling the beans, that has already happened in public and in private.

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2018/06/nafps-selections-bullies-and-desperate.html

https://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2017/06/nafps-selections-lenoras-ripoff-pt-1.html (part 1 of several)

https://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2017/06/nafps-selections-truth-about-chuck-and_42.html
(part 1 of several)

https://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2017/06/couple-questions-alternative-healing.html

If the Spezzanos are as famous as they claim they are in their merchandising, they should expect to suffer the slings and arrows of the world at large instead of simply being worshiped by an unquestioning microscopic esoteric group of people with money to spend. The rest of us have eyes and are free to describe what we see.

2. "Takes the credit for a particular meditative or healing technique: The fact is that meditation and guided visualisation work. Anyone doing them will experience major changes, benefits and realizations. The false guru will try to own or trademark particular methods and techniques so that she has something unique to attract followers. And she will hijack the effects of meditation as the guru's blessing rather than each individuals natural potential. Often the students or followers are forbidden from divulging the techniques to maintain a sort of intellectual property right, usually under the guise of needing the technique to be taught correctly."

Although I would respectfully take issue that meditation and guided visualization actually works, that is beside the main point. Lency Spezzano's "downloading/joining" scam comes to mind here as she takes credit for being the gatekeeper of this method and charges large sums of money for passing on the technique, as do in turn the Psychology of Vision trainers. In Chuck's case, some of his workshops talk about learning the "secret" to several things, including a "fast track" to healing. Chuck has taken credit for "working with" people from everything to shrinking tumors to increasing bra size.

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2016/05/nafps-selections-downloadingjoining.html

https://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2018/05/secret-healing-principles.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/10/promises-of-peace-enthusing-readers-of.html

3. "Lives in total opulence: There is nothing wrong with living in luxury or being wealthy. But when that luxury turns to unnecessary opulence using funds that were not explicity donated for that purpose then you are probably dealing with a false guru. Money is collected from followers usually in the form of donations, and those donations are given as an act of love, appreciation and to help spread the influence of the master."

The Spezzanos celebrate their wealth, as evidenced by the following video of their "pretty exclusive" Hawaiian vacation digs. While not exactly "donations" they charge large sums of money and claim we outsiders do not understand the overhead involved. Yet, the Spezzanos enjoy a level of affluence most of their fellow Americans will never attain. It is difficult to balance how much of this lifestyle came from POV profits vs. how much came from Lency's considerable family wealth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmhNN5nKUaA&t=5s

4. "Encourages or permits adoration from his followers: Avoid any group that focuses on the 'master' themselves rather than the teachings or spiritual practices. This will be a hindrance to your self-realisation for your focus will be drawn outside of yourself, and usually indicates that there is not a lot more on offer than guru worship."

Oh man, in Asia Spezzano is frequently called "Uncle Chuck" and Lency is called "Mom." Some POV followers have stated Chuck Spezzano is a Divine Being with a direct line to God the rest of us do not have. Many presentations are accompanied with giant graphic images of the Spezzanos reminding one of the way North Korea worships the images of their leaders. The Spezzanos feel free to tell us what God's intentions are as if they have an inside memo the rest of us did not get to read.

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2016/03/grand-and-glorious-opportunity-to-feel.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2018/05/malaysia-master-talk-nov-2015.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2016/12/its-always-happiness-when-i-see-uncle.html

5. "Runs expensive miracle workshops and courses: You are unlikely to reach enlightenment after a few weekend workshops with cheesy titles. In our society of 'must have now', we want to be able to purchase spiritual development with minimal fuss. Also, avoid meaningless accreditation — it is often used merely to encourage followers to do more courses."

Spezzano's A Course in Miracles and Oneness University-inspired background mixed with large group awareness technique methods is all about the "fast track," with more expensive follow up courses. His early studies to become a Catholic priest adds in the ingredient of employing guilt as a tool for manipulating the client. Getting more money into the already bloated Spezzano bank account is the name of the game here. A POV certificate has no professional clout, and the Spezzano and Associates Ltd. Psychology of Vision corporation does not meet the criteria as a valid academic institution by BC Student Aid in Canada:

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2015/09/student-aid-bc-psychology-of-vision.html

The Spezzanos hold certificate award ceremonies that are basically meaningless outside of the POV fishbowl:

https://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2017/06/psychology-of-vision-certificate-of.html

https://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2017/05/psychology-of-vision-graduates-and.html

6. "Flatters you and treats you as very special: Sure we are all special in some ways, but this is one of the things that a false guru may do to hook a potential follower or to get a current follower to do a particular task. Nothing can be more intoxicating to the ego than to be selected by the master or leader (or any high profile person). A real master will stand back and allow you to make your decision whether to accept his or her teachings without trying to influence the process."

A nice example can be found at this link:

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2016/01/chuck-described-me-as-high-priestess.html

The Spezzanos also mention the problem of competition for their attention in the highly personality-driven Psychology of Vision Trainer's Manual:

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/09/psychology-of-vision-trainers-manual.html

7. "Talks bollocks: It is surprising what a person will listen to when he or she is devoted to the speaker. It is always a good idea to get hold of a written transcript of what has been said and really read the message. Then tell an open-minded friend who is not a follower what their opinion is purely on the strength of the words. You will soon find out whether there is any real substance to the teacher's message, or whether you are merely being drawn in by the charisma of the messenger."

The trick here would be to find a friend who is not a follower because the deeper you go into a cult like POV, the more isolated you become from the world at large where the cross-pollination of ideas is celebrated. In POV new ideas, or even possessing private thoughts, are contrary to what the Master deems and are considered "astral attacks."

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2017/08/psychology-of-vision-facebook-potpourri.html

But if you do have a friend who possesses a free brain, unclouded by superstition and nonsense, we have transcribed several video presentations here if you want to test this out. Here are but a few samples of our many delightful selections:

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/11/chuck-spezzano-takes-credit-for.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2015/10/can-aids-be-healed.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2015/11/joining-is-good-by-lency-spezzano.html

8. "Runs abundance workshops: A guru or master is there to help us find an authentic life. This is nothing to do with becoming more successful at work or making more money, although this may or may not follow from being more authentic. There is nothing wrong with abundance weekends, but if we mistake spirituality for increased business success, then we are guilty of spiritual materialism and we find ourselves deeper in the illusion. (The Japanese say that the Gods laugh at those who pray for money.)"

I am not sure what it means to have an "authentic" life but I recognize it as a subculture buzzword and if a seeker out there can connect with the term and this checklist helps them avoid falling into the greedy hands of exploiters, well, OK then. I am not a Christian, but I do understand and love the quote "For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?" So I'm guessing I'm in the same philosophical ballpark as the "authentic" life folks.

Abundance workshops are abundant in Psychology of Vision and seem to be becoming more frequent as the corporation slides downhill. The POV-lite spinoffs "Steps to Leadership" and "Steps to Conscious Business" are all about prosperity "abundance." And when they speak of "abundance" they mean "money." 

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2016/02/money-is-love.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2015/11/mo-money.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2016/07/money-and-sex.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2016/06/nafps-selections-downloadingjoining_4.html

9. "Allows his followers to set up a hierarchy of access: A guru must be accessible. If he is not, or if he allows his followers to block your access, then he is playing the role of a king and not a spiritual guide. A guru is only useful to the process of awakening if you can directly interact with him. With the false guru, it is often the case of the more you donate the greater your access."

This one is so Psychology of Vision, a real "pay to pray" cult. As the Trainer's Manual reveals, those who pay more have increased access to the special masters. The concept of free follow up care after you have humiliated and debased yourself in front of a crowd of strangers run by a couple of grifters is not in their faux tarot cards. You want follow up? Then it will cost you. Big time. Chuck charges, and I am not kidding, over $1000 an hour for personal consultations. Pretty spiritual, eh? 

A link to the infamous Manual revealing the steep POV hierarchy is above. Below are links to Chuck's vainglorious personal charges. These were posted on a POV approved website over which Spezzano had ultimate responsibility, the same website that claimed he was one of the "world's leading psychologists":

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2015/09/700-or-roughly-1100-per-hourly-session.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2015/10/his-fee-is-1000-usd-per-hourly-session.html

Of course some might claim Chuck is not considered a "guru" but a few of his fans might disagree:

https://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2016/09/guru-chuck.html

10. "A false teacher will provide entertainment based around ritual [such as] on-stage enactments of forgiveness with surrogate parents." "Exciting parlour tricks ... are fail-safes. If they don't work in producing awakening (and they typically don't in the hands of an unawakened teacher) they at least provide entertainment, bewilderment and confusion." 

Role-playing is a Spezzano staple, which is something particularly dangerous in the hands of an unlicensed and unaccountable amateur, which is what Chuck really is.

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/09/role-playing-schedule-from-what-happy.html

Chuck is not an amateur you say? Please read these court papers where the State of Hawaii slapped him with a fine for pretending to be a professional psychologist before deciding:

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/09/state-of-hawaii-v-charles-l-spezzano.html 

The faux Tarot card tricks are a gimmick that brings in revenue for Chuck and plugs into a whole esoteric commercial niche. For the clients who purchase and use this product, this is a perfect example of confirmation bias at work. Here's a link to the "Enlightenment Pack":

http://www.psychologyofvision.com/three-card-reading/

11. "Giving Themselves Fancy Titles

While on the subject of empty words, when looking to a potential spiritual teacher for guidance notice if that individual proclaims such magnificent titles referring to themselves as being enlightened masters, self-realized yogis, or being a saint (one of the ultimate delusions of grandeur following the narcissistic Christ Complex). An enlightened person finds no need for ego masturbation.

Those who have experienced the Ultimate/Absolute Reality don’t continuously boast about how they have achieved enlightenment and are better than others. They are in fact, quite humble (perhaps sometimes too humble, but humble they are). They understand that there is no benefit to themselves or their students to make such declarations based on the realizations they’ve had about Reality. There is no need to establish a hierarchical framework amongst teachers and students as we are all passengers on the same train, separated only slightly in that we sometimes sit in different train cars. We are all going the same  direction, ultimately."

No one would ever accuse the Spezzanos of being humble. Modesty is not among the virtues included in the Spezzano catalog of attributes. In their marketing they are world renowned cutting edge leaders, with Lency claiming to be "enlightened" numerous times. The Spezzanos are never in a position where they will appear vulnerable or spiritually subordinate to their followers: 

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/10/i-became-enlightened-3-weeks-ago.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/10/self-annihilation-process-is-leading.html

https://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2018/03/nafps-selections-days-of-wine-and-roses.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/10/enlightenment-and-beyond-by-lency.html

One angry POV person from the UK emailed me a few years ago accusing me of not being enlightened enough. She did agree the Spezzanos charged too much but then said they deserved it and who did I think I was anyway to question that? 

Although the Spezzanos do allow themselves to be given informal titles like "Uncle Chuck," "Mom," "Guru" or "Master," indicating a nonprofessional relationship, it is the prefix of "Dr." and suffix of "Ph.D." that is employed officially and frequently by Chuck that are the titles most abused. Although it is true Chuck Spezzano can attach these terms to himself, however tenuous and recherché they might be, he certainly is no "psychologist" as his marketing proclaims, particularly in Europe:

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/09/charles-lee-spezzano-ph-d-in_28.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-european-enablers.html

12. "Behaving Hypocritically

Beware of hypocrites! This is perhaps one of the simplest methods of weeding out spiritual 'snake-oil salesmen'. Look if they practice what they preach. If they teach about how you should meditate daily to promote your spiritual growth, do they meditate daily? Are they leading by example? When they talk about radiating love and your inner light and all that is beautiful, are they doing so themselves? Nobody likes a hypocrite, especially if that hypocrite is promising spiritual enlightenment. ‘Do as I say not as I do’ shouldn’t be an excuse for a teacher to be hypocritical."

A question here. Have either one of the Spezzanos been on the receiving end of a "downloading/joining" session? From what I can see they have always been in the power position. If I am wrong, please tell me. I would be interested to hear details about it because that meant they actually did something they require all their paying clients to do-- surrender their will.

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/10/gallery-of-downloading-and-joining.html

Also, apparently Chuck Spezzano does not believe his own theology, as pointed out by former POV trainer Julian Ticehurst:

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2016/10/even-chuck-himself-says-that-his.html 

I dislike getting personal but given the situation where we are dealing with a personality cult and the Spezzanos themselves are their brand, the following things need to be said out loud. This can be a touchy subject and I will endeavor to be as delicate as I can.

First, Chuck and Lency like to present themselves as a couple who are a relationship success, and perhaps they are. Indeed they have been wed for over three decades and I certainly tip my hat to that. But their lives are not even close to that of most normal couples. Most couples are together every day of the year, even if they are business partners. Most couples are wage earners, they send their children to public school, they struggle from paycheck to paycheck, they did not inherit large fortunes or carry the sense of entitlement that frequently is associated with such a station in life. Many couples are involved in local civic and social groups. Some of them attend their local church. Most couples go through trials and tribulations that deal with basic survival and do not have the luxury of time and energy to devote to matters of the 5th dimension or battling astral forces or performing a daily miracle as outlined in the POV Trainers Manual (link above). 

These facts don't exactly make the Spezzanos hypocrites, but it does illustrate how divorced and isolated they are from the experience of most couples when they use themselves as a case study in relationship dynamics and expect others to relate.

     

Secondly, since the Spezzanos are involved in the field of healing, they are horrible examples of self-health. I am saying this as a Boomer in their age group, and I have no wish to come across as unkind but they look awful. If you track their photos over the last couple decades it is obvious they have used significant cosmetic enhancement to make up for the fact they do not really take care of themselves. 

No amount of whatever multiple forms of reconstructive cover-up they used can disguise the reality that neither one of them are shining examples of the self-care they preach. Sure, they are in expensive processed presentation mode for show business, but something is obviously wrong under the facade. Lency appears to be in some kind of frail physical distress and Chuck is dangerously obese. Both of these people need to start taking care of themselves or they are going to not enjoy any sort of quality old age. I am guessing that Lency has already taken steps but Chuck looks like he requires an intervention to cure his "busyness" or he is going to be carried out of POV feet first by several able bodied people. 

    

We age and that is OK. Getting older and adjusting to physical change is a part of life. Acceptance to this is the key to being happy. Extreme cosmetics are not a substitute for diet and exercise. POV is supposedly about accepting the truth, but the founders are apparently living in some sort of denial of their seniority in life and the subsequent healthy self-care required. Their examples promote an artificial response to the reality of growing older among their followers that is as bad as wearing an ill-fitting toupee. Cosmicness, not cosmetics, is the sane approach to our short mortality. It would have been better for the Spezzanos, both on personal and professional levels, if they had allowed themselves to age naturally. 

Now I think back to the "authentic" life term. But that is for another post if I ever feel so inclined. 

The Spezzanos could of course follow their own health advice according to the Healing Metaphors A-Z:

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/10/healing-metaphors-z.html

Oh, wait, Lency basically discredited the Healing Metaphors A-Z in her Truth screed. Never mind. I cannot keep up with POV's split mind on so many topics. 

13. "Displaying Spiritual Materialism

Spiritual materialism is something that Chogyam Trungpa (who himself was prone to spiritual pitfalls) wrote about in the 1970s classic Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism about something that’s especially become more of an issue in recent years and is worth becoming more aware about for anyone on the path to self-realization and enlightenment. The increased focus on spiritual materialism is problematic. All the courses, teachings, books, and workshops that focus on using the Law of Attraction to bring us riches and worldly abundance hold materialist desires at their core, and do not reflect actual messages of spiritual growth.

Although spiritual growth and self-actualization can lead to like attracting like because of the immense positivity we project outward, attracting riches is not the purpose of attaining these mind states. These messages that use the dynamics of attraction are not bad in and of themselves, but when they are misrepresented as being a path towards higher spirituality, then that is when we should be cautious of proceeding further. Do not become lost in the illusion that faux spirituality creates."

The Law of Attraction is a POV lure, especially when it concerns "Abundance" which is a code word for "money" in Psychology of Vision since the coin of the realm is the God they ultimately worship. I personally do not believe the law of attraction is a real thing but my opinion is a small aside here.

https://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2017/07/gateway-psychology-of-vision.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/10/path-to-abundance.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2016/06/nafps-selections-downloadingjoining_4.html

14. "Even if what is being presented is not a mistake and could potentially serve the student, no matter how great the teaching is, if the student just buys in at a theory level without checking internally to see if it is truly appropriate for his or her own unique journey, it keeps them in a childlike place of disempowerment rather than in an adult place of ownership and accountability. The teacher then ends up carrying the role of the all knowing parent and the student stays in the role of a child. 

For example if a teacher tells you that you have a warm loving heart and you just receive the words without checking in internally to see if you are really willing to own your warm loving heart, you will stay in a underpowered place. You have the words but not the deep internal knowing that comes from real ownership. Then any time you doubt yourself you will be dependent on the teacher or someone else to tell you again that you have a warm loving heart. It is like the child that keeps coming back to the parent with the same inquiry such as 'Am I really beautiful Daddy?' Until the child owns their beauty internally they will never 'get' that they are truly beautiful.

Another example: A teacher speaks about some theory on how to create abundance. The student hears the words and assumes the theory is correct even though they have never checked inside to see if it fits for them and if they can truly own and embody the teaching or not. In turn the student regurgitates the theory to others as if they know that it is sound even though they have never had a personal experience of it them self."

To several followers Chuck is an "Uncle" and Lency is "Mom." Lency even called one trainer, Melissa Meyer, her "daughter" after a "downloading/joining" session with Babs Stevens. Professional boundaries are ignored. This is a very sick mutually maladaptive relationship. 

https://psychologyofvision.blogspot.com/2018/03/one-of-my-past-lives-during-sessions.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2016/01/she-is-my-mom.html

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2016/06/nafps-selections-downloadingjoining_5.html

15. OK, this part is not in the form of a checklist but I think all of those considering entering the weird and victimizing world of Psychology of Vision should read this essay by spiritual healer Virginia Rosenberg before writing that first check to the Spezzanos. After reading her words you might reconsider your investment and seek spiritual growth in another venue:

https://virginiarosenberg.com/blog/2016/7/10/converting-hidden-spiritual-racism-into-sacred-activism-an-open-letter-to-spiritual-white-folks

Sources:

False Guru Test / John Smith (questions 1-9)

https://realitymaps.com/2006/04-falsegurutest.html

Dave Oshana (question 10)

http://www.nonduality.com/hl929.htm

9 Ways to Spot a Fake Guru or Spiritual Teacher / by Shift (questions 11-13)

https://www.shift.is/2013/06/9-ways-to-spot-a-fake-guru-or-spiritual-teacher/

Kelly Tobey Rates His Peers (question 14)

http://psychologyofvision.blogspot.in/2015/10/kelly-tobey-rates-his-peers.html

Converting Hidden Spiritual Racism Into Sacred Activism: An Open Letter To Spiritual White Folks / Virginia Rosenberg (question 15)

https://virginiarosenberg.com/blog/2016/7/10/converting-hidden-spiritual-racism-into-sacred-activism-an-open-letter-to-spiritual-white-folks