By Rebecca Baldwin, Internet Professional

Whilst this occurred in Mackay some months ago, the community response has not been fully acknowledged or explored. This article and the following letters are published here to bring light to an inspiring story about community, people and the power of speaking the truth in the face of injustice and calculated discrimination.

In late October 2012 a well-respected practitioner in Mackay became the target of illegal activity aimed at bringing disrepute to her business – the Mackay Telegraph then published a story. Rather than the intended harm, the illegal attack prompted an outpouring of support from the local community. Many appreciative clients sent letters to the paper, both before and after the story went to print.

In the lead-up to the printed article appearing in the Mackay Telegraph, Belinda-Jane Hodgson’s neighbourhood of Eimeo was targeted by an unidentified person distributing ‘black propaganda’ style leaflets. The leaflets contained hate-material attempting to bring disrepute to Belinda-Jane and the healing business with which she studies (Universal Medicine). The police were contacted and provided Belinda-Jane with a great deal of assistance and advice.

What was an outright attempt to ostracise Belinda-Jane in her own community backfired; the community saw right through it. Continue reading “An Expert for any Occasion: Media Myths in Mackay” →

by Kylie Kennedy, Brisbane, Australia

Coming out and saying I am an esoteric student has brought up so much fear in me. Why? Fear about being seen as ‘different’ or ‘weird’; people may make fun of me, and all of the media cult accusations have made this a bigger fear. However, it is because of the unfairness of the media attack that I can no longer hide the fact that I am an esoteric student.

But what does it mean that I am an esoteric student? First and foremost, I would like to highlight the word ‘student’: according to the dictionary it means, “Any person who studies, investigates or examines thoughtfully.” As for the word ‘esoteric’, I understand it by its oldest meaning, “inner-most”, or “inner-heart”. So as a ‘student of the esoteric’, I am simply someone who has made a commitment to make my life about love – to learn and understand my inner-most – so that I can be all of who I am in all that I do, and with everyone I meet. Continue reading “Esoteric Student? It’s about a Commitment to Love” →

by Michael Goodhart, Bristol, Vermont, U.S.A. Credentials: simply a human be-ing

Right now, media misrepresentation is a hot topic in the press. Although examining the questionable standards of reporting evidenced by Courier Mail journalists Josh Robertson and Liam Walsh in their article of 8 September, 2012, this post from Michael Goodhart in the USA offers an interesting and timely perspective. What might have motivated these journalists to describe Universal Medicine – an organisation thousands have experienced as highly caring and people-focussed – in such a negative way?   Continue reading “Media Misrepresentation: a Cry for Help?” →

by Sally Scott, Perth WA

I had a week off work and had planned a holiday for myself. The entire holiday was planned around being in Lennox Head on a particular weekend. It was the weekend in October when Serge Benhayon presents Esoteric Medicine on the Friday night, Esoteric Developers Group on Saturday and on this particular weekend, a Relationships Workshop on the Sunday. This was the weekend that David Millikan ambushed the Esoteric Medicine evening and accused those present of being in a cult. I have written about this event via another blog post (Peaceful Universal Medicine Event Ambushed by the Media).

So, on returning to work my colleagues asked about my holiday. At our team check-in, with the whole team present, I shared honestly about my time away. Continue reading “Sharing Universal Medicine with the People I Work with” →

by Rod Harvey, Gold Coast, Australia

When I read newspapers, peruse social media, listen to radio and watch television, it’s quite easy to assume that there is not much right with our world.

Each week I see stories about violence, obesity, starvation, poverty, greed, illness, disease, bullying, gossip, complaining and so on. While it’s important to be informed about what is going on (however unsavoury), I cannot help but think that as media continues to focus on the sensational to make money, we receive an unbalanced perspective.

Because we are inundated with negativity, our viewpoint of the world and people may become impaired and our focus shifts to underlying pessimism, or even despair.

But there’s something that doesn’t gel here, because overall, the world that I see and the majority of people in it are awesome. There is so much to be inspired about. Continue reading “What’s right with this world?” →

by Alan Johnston, Pottsville, Australia

Recently I read a piece of ‘long journalism’ in the Washington Post Magazine by staff writer Gene Weingarten. The kind of in-depth, thoughtful reporting the majority of newspapers in Australia abandoned long ago as they raced to the bottom in the world’s first media ‘murdochracy’.

Weingarten’s article is simultaneously about a lurid murder case that occurred in North Carolina in 1970 and the latest in a string of appeals by the convicted perpetrator – but it is also a very insightful examination of journalism itself. Remarkably, Weingarten discusses, uses and highlights techniques of journalistic bias as he goes along. The kind of spin he applies, as he openly leads his readers to the conclusion he wants them to come to, makes for insightful reading.

He does this because this case is notorious not just for itself, but also for several books, one written in 1983 by journalist Joe McGinniss. Continue reading “Journalism called out” →

by Kehinde James, London, UK

I recently saw Professor John Dwyer interviewed online in regards to Univeral Medicine (UniMed): he made some very misinformed and inaccurate assertions. He made a grossly wrong and inaccurate statement when he suggested that individuals who make choices as a result of attending UniMed presentations have a mental illness, are vulnerable, and not able to make decisions for themselves. I have personally attended UniMed presentations (unlike Professor Dwyer), and therefore felt to share from my own experience. Continue reading “Professor John Dwyer’s assertions were inaccurate about Universal Medicine” →

by Jinya, UK

The Internet seems to be growing limitlessly. With this has come the explosion in the use of images, and especially the proliferation of the female image in many forms. The Internet  being a largely unregulated platform, has become a breeding ground for the quick sell disposable images of women. Highly sexualised imagery has become the accepted norm; the Internet has been instrumental in spreading this denigration of women across the whole media in general. Magazines for the top shelf have existed for a long time, but in recent years the distinction between the age-restricted porn, the ‘lads mags’ and other trashy ‘coffee table’ media has become less defined. It’s all the same offensive rubbish, coloured differently.

The judgment of women based upon their outward appearance is a deeply rooted behaviour. And on this false foundation, the sexualisation of women has become so ‘normal’ and so accepted by our collective psyche that it carries on with no regard as just another facet of life in the 21^st century. It has become so accepted that women are mere objects, and their attractiveness is their main ‘commodity’. They have learned to play ball with this as their point of existence, rather than truly live from their quality. The media has gone berserk without once stopping to consider – is anyone being hurt by this use of another human being? Continue reading “In the company of Women” →

by Rebecca Poole, Brisbane, Australia

The media in the right hands with the right intention is such an amazing strength within a society: whilst the Finkelstein Inquiry reported that the public have a general mistrust in the media, organisations like the ABC and some reputable online platforms are still trusted and have integrity in the public eye.

Most people in Australia have never seen, experienced or felt the level of corruption that exists in some countries around the world. It is concerning that we are now seeing a high level of corruption in the Media: deliberate attempts to create stories through misrepresentation, disinformation and ‘ambush’ style stunts, as well as the publication of sensationalist stories with no intent to present a fair and balanced picture. What is even MORE concerning though, is that we, as a society, accept it as the norm.

Is our apathy going to be the end of us? Continue reading “Who is going to stand?” →

by Mariette Reineke, Holland

Dear David Millikan,

My name is Mariette, I am 40 years old and I live in Amsterdam (Holland). Although we have never met in person, I felt like writing you a letter. The idea came to me in the middle of the night, these hours when I should be sound asleep. What to do… we all have these nights now and then, don’t we?

I wasn’t there that particular Friday at Lennox Head Community Centre (12^th October 2012 at the Esoteric Medicine presentation by Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine) – unfortunately, I have to say, because I would have loved to be there and see Serge, his family and my fellow students (and I have never been to Australia, nor seen a real kangaroo in my life). But let’s say, for all sorts of practical reasons, I couldn’t make it. I mean, I am not some sort of lost blonde tall Dutch single female devotee wearing a red robe chanting my way through life that follows her Love Guru around the world. I actually have an amazing life to live (and my very own ‘McDreamy’ at home, just in case you wondered). Yeah, I know, I don’t have to tell you that I am not a devotee, you being a cult specialist and all. But I just felt like mentioning it, for the record. Continue reading “A letter to David Millikan” →