Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Cases/2008-09-03 Kenja Communication


 * Note: Please limit posts to this page to brief statements about the nature of the dispute until a volunteer adopts the case. Keep ongoing discussions about the topic to the appropriate talk page(s), but feel free to provide links to the talk page(s) where discussion has happened (and may be ongoing) for the convenience of the informal mediator and other parties. This will help keep discussion from fragmenting out across more pages and make it easier for a volunteer to review the case. Thanks!

What's going on?
This page has, over some time, been subject to hostile and bias in editing. Parties including RB972/Legalist and UBB449 are demonstrating extreme hostility by changing information on that page, using phrasing which is clearly extremely biased and intended to defame. they are not including information that is balanced or favourable to Kenja Communication at all.

They have also included statements which appears to be authoritative, but which are in fact, only biased points of view. defamation and is most certainly designed to discredit

The page location is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenja_Communication

The specific problems are as follows:

1. The use of the term Australian cult.¹ CULT¹ is only ever used in this context as a negative term ­ and a highly emotive tone at that. Kenja Communication ­ and many people who have had experience of it (and yes, I am one such person, of good social standing and in a job where such negative association threatens to damage my career) - would argue that while a small number of people (from the anti-cult movement and therefore with a very clear agenda) seek to label Kenja as such, it is in fact a meditation group. I acknowledge that some of the editors of this page would dislike Kenja and therefore wish to name it a cult, but the definition is theirs and not society¹s in general. It could be called a self-development group, a meditation group or personal development organisation. If the term cult is to be used, it must reference this label as an opinion only.

Also, the role it played in the mental decline of ex-members¹ is an unsubstantiated accusation, demonstrating bias against Kenja. This has never been medically verified, nor accepted by a court or any other authority.

2. The new entry here regarding the reference to the Tibetans relating²...to the introduction by Walter Evans-Wentz to his own book The Tibetan Book of the Dead and not to any original Tibetan source² is once again, designed to defame and discredit Kenja by suggesting the reference on their website is false. If you read the actual entry ­ found at http://www.kenja.com.au/Home/BasisofTraining/EnergyConversionMeditation/tabid/227/Default.aspx You will note it is referenced as follows:

"³Energy Conversion meditation is not new, but it is unique to Kenja Communication. It was used as a tool for spiritual evolvement by the Tibetan Buddhists, as documented in the Tibetan Book of the Great Liberation (General Introduction, Part VII, Illiteracy and Utilitarianism, last paragraph) where it is referred to as psychic osmosis¹ ­ the highest method of imparting higher learning¹. The North American Indians also practiced a form of Energy Conversion as a healing process.²"

Clearly this reference ³...where it is referred to as psychic osmosis..² indicates that at that point in the book mentioned, the author does refer to psychic osmosis¹. However the editor of the Wikipedia page is clearly trying to infer that Kenja has falsely claimed the Tibetan Buddhists themselves use the term psychic osmosis¹. The book author however, was merely evaluating a Tibetan Buddhist technique and translating it as such. It was never the intention nor the actuality that the Kenja site mislead readers. But the Wikipedia entry is clearly trying to infer they have. Short of reprinting the entire book on the Kenja website, they could not have been more clear, open or plain in referencing the origins of this term. Once again, the facts have been maliciously misrepresented. 3. The fact Mr Dyers was at some point involved in Scientology is not in dispute. But to draw the conclusion that ...a plausible basis for the origin of energy conversion¹ could well be expected to be within Scientology.¹ is once again obviously biased opinion, aimed at discrediting Kenja by associating it with an organisation that has its own significant baggage! There is no basis in fact for this association. The reference which links to S.Mutch¹s Hansard statements, offers no support to this allegation, other than to say Dyers was a Scientologist. The group¹ are not in fact trained using Scientology manuals¹. It is meant to accuse Kenja of plagiarism as well as to discredit without factual support. 4. The point made here about Ken Dyer¹s 10% mental instability¹ does not explain that in fact, ALL returned soldiers who had experienced active duty and engagement were rated with a minimum of 10% mental instability as a matter of course. This whole section serves to cast dispersions on Dyers¹ medical service record. And the Rick Ross reference which cites a full war record¹ reference, in fact misses crucial pages of Dyer¹s record that would serve to explain some of his action in full. It is a very calculated and malicious attack on a returned soldier who in fact won several medals and had a very good service record. A low blow for any Australian digger who served his country in good faith. 5. No mention here of the fact that the High Court decision in fact resulted in a precedent, now known as the Dyers Direction¹ and that this occurred because the judge in the original trial gave the jury at that trial the specific instruction that they should find that the failure of the defence to present a witness at trial could reasonably be seen to infer that such a witness would be injurious to the defence. In other words, the ABSENCE of evidence was a sign of guilt. This was profound because it threatened the basic tenant of Australian law ­ the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The fact is, it is not the responsibility of an accused person to prove their innocence, rather, the responsibility of the prosecution to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Instead the Wikipedia entry makes it sound like Dyers got off on a legal technicality!

6. The second last sentence here refers to an SMH article regarding the civil hearing of a woman who applied for (and was granted) an AVO against Jan Hamilton ­ as stated in the following point. However, it suggests there was also a case involving the alleged abduction of a former member¹. No such case exists, and indeed, even the SMH article made no inference.

I appreciate that Wikipedia is a public information service and that it offers a wealth of information on a spectacular number of subjects for people worldwide. (I use it myself all the time for work!) HOWEVER, when I see the phenomenal anti- Kenja bias in this entry, it not only shocks me that people are allowed to get away with such slander (only because they edit anonymously of course ­otherwise they could be sued).

What would you like to change about that?
Please can you help ­make the entry balanced - in favour of no-one. Every time I have attempted to redress the balance (not even trying to take off the negative stuff about Kenja as reported by the media and the cult-busters like Rick Ross) just simply to correct the errors and take the nasty stuff off, I am attacked and told I am not allowed because I must be employed by Kenja¹. The fact is, I am not. I am supportive of the group but I am not trying to turn the entry into a PROMO for Kenja, just an accurate depiction of the facts.

Mediator notes
*I'm sorry. For personal reasons I have to leave wikipedia for a while and won't be able to continue on this case Fr33kman talk APW 01:22, 17 September 2008 (UTC)
 * I am just reviewing the case and will comment shortly Fr33kman talk APW 01:17, 11 September 2008 (UTC)
 * I have made an initial statement and put it on the talk page. Please read it and consider it before commenting on it. My position is simple; opinion has no place whatsoever on an encyclopedia, any encyclopedia. As any use of a term such as cult would have to be backed by weighty & incontrovertible evidence from reliable, third-party & neutral sources. Fr33kman talk APW 02:21, 11 September 2008 (UTC)
 * Dispute has calmed down considerably. Independent suggestions are received well, parties show cooperation. Update later Fr33kman talk APW 18:22, 13 September 2008 (UTC)
 * Closed, resolved.  fr33k man  t -  c 02:27, 23 September 2008 (UTC)

Discussion
Hi Eating Slowly, thanks for this opportunity to discuss. I might refer you to a strange conversation on my talk page from a randomxyz clearly out to engage me. After I told them they should verify the truthfulness of their claims and then take them to an authority who would just do the same, they deleted my entry from my talk page, along with theirs. My response was not what they were looking for so they took the extraordinary step of deleting it. I have queried your association with Kenja. Feb 16th in a dialoge with 'rb972'. Your interest in the Kenja group had just been questioned as a matter of course. This was your response..... "Got your first point - no probs. Re member or employee - nup. No conflict of interest. Know of them and thought article was just amazingly biased..."

When asked again, after it emerged you wrote web content for the group, you replied, tersely, ‘Legalist, what I said in my earlier entry stands. I write web content professionally. In fact I research then write for a huge number of clients. So as I said, I'm neither a 'member or employee' of anyone but myself. Avoid my questions all you like, but don't question my professional integrity. Eatingslowly 03:30, 13 June 2007 (UTC)’

I thought it odd you referred to me as avoiding your questions, as you had asked me none. The only person who had asked a question of me was MBARRY. I still find it odd.

Then the entire discussion you had with me regards this matter of whether you were a member, or to what degree you were a member or non-member, or whether you may have been MBARRY or not was deleted by yourself on or near the afternoon of Mr Dyers funeral. Now you declare a greater interest in the group.I think it is important you state just how involved you are. I think your rhetoric probably speaks loudest.

As you may see on the talk page, I am disinterested in squalid behavior. As such, in my research, I have found no support for the Kenja belief in a group called ‘cult aware’ in its Kenja context. You attempt to excuse any edits you do not like on this page as being from members of this group. The idea of a large collective out to get Kenja is an idea which emanates from Kenja only, and nowhere else. It appears to have originated as a defensive strategy of Mr Dyers to attribute all of the sexual allegations and various matters to, a sort of bogey man for grown ups. Another of Mr Dyers consistent themes seemed to be arguing there was only a small number of complainants, which he numbers at Five in the documentary he appeared in recently (Beyond Our Ken), I am sure you are familiar with it. You seem to continue this idea in your opening statement. My research has led to a figure far, far higher than that.

It all feels like a political machine driving home consistent ideas it wants seeded into the public. Just my thoughts.

You took a long time to explain your Walter Evans-Wentz thing. You actually made it confusing. Look, the whole Tibetan reference should be removed, it is just advertising and marketing spiel, certainly not evidenced based. It strikes me as odd that Kenja can simply imagine they are talking about a similar practice just from a couple of words in an old book. The American Indian reference to this type of meditation was made, unfortunately, by L Ron Hubbard. It was one of his claims to legitimize his very similar practice.

You will have to read the NSW Government Hansard records of Mr Mutch a little further to find the section referring to Scientology Manuals being used in training. Mr Dyers has stated in court he was a member for eleven years, and held high rank within the group. There are no plagiarism charges, but that is what Scientology are talking about when they put him on an enemies list, and call him a squirrel.

I checked with the RSL and the War Memorial, and they were not sure where you would get the information to substantiate a 10% mental disability across the entire armed forces. But I would welcome your documentation.

I would appreciate you putting up the pages from his war record that are missing however. This would help set the record straight. I welcome the inclusion of these pages into the public record. Perhaps you could publish them on the Kenja website as a start. I see it as a serious omission.

In fact, I think it would be an excellent place for this discussion to start as Mr Dyers war experience seems to have been crucial to his persona. Both of the correspondents who wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald, Ken Dyers: Tributes and Accusations; August 4th 2007 and  Dedicated followers left rudderless in a skeptical world; August 4th detail inconsistencies in his war record.

This is where the Walter Mitty Complex is first raised by Robert Wainright, who has given Kenja some good press as well re Cornelia Rau.

The Sydney Morning Herald is not given to inaccuracies, and the matter should be taken up with them initially. Wikipedia is, after all, just a reflection of the public record.

For that matter, the family of Cornelia Rau, including her parents and sister are the ones who make the claim, supported by Cornelia herself in interviews with Peter Overton: Channel Nine: Sixty Minutes, and eye witnesses who were there at the time, that Cornelia was traumatised while attending Kenja. Cornelia Rau is on record as stating she changed her name to evade the Kenja Group. And the claim is made she changed her name to a composite of her two Kenja minders, two other ladies of European extraction, a Anne Schouten and Caroline Schmidt (Daily Telegraph: News Limited). The name Cornelia adopted was Anna Schmidt. She could not be identified, and as such ended up in Immigrations Detention system.

The Dyers Direction needs to be revisited, (not here of course, and not by us) especially in light of the article published in the SMH detailing a former executives experience; Abuse case: Staff asked to lie  SMH July 26th 2008. The former executive alleges she was asked to lie in relation to the same period the Dyers Direction was founded on. “I didn’t have any intimate knowledge of what was happening in the rooms but what they wanted us to do was to all say that the processing doors were open because that was their argument - that Ken wasn’t in the rooms on his own with the children - but he was.”

In fact the very same Wendy Tinkler, who recently had an assault charge against a father of a young lady, (allegedly assaulted by Dyers), tossed out by Magistrate Connell, on Tuesday 1st of July 2008 at the Downing Centre, was the witness referred to in the Dyers Direction as saying she was in the room with Dyers when the young girl said she was molested (1993), detailed in the judgment, freely available. Magistrate Connell detailed inconsistencies in Tinklers testimony in her recent faux assault case (she did not convince the magistrate she had been assaulted).Calling the Dyers Direction a technicality maybe understating things.

All of the above is freely available to the public. It is all in the public domain. Talk of defamation is intimidatory and naive. However, you are right about the ‘alleged kidnap’ as it was referred to on the Wikipedia site. Here is what the Magistrate, Roger Clisdel had to say about it;

Yesterday Magistrate Roger Clisdell said the hoax audition had all the hallmarks of the bizarre conduct he had seen associated with Kenja. He granted Ms Pels a two year AVO, ordering Ms Hamilton not to stalk, threaten or contact her. Ms Pels had reasonable grounds to fear harassment and intimidation by Ms Hamilton or Kenja members, Mr Clisdell said. He will also refer evidence given by Ms Hamilton and other Kenja members to the Attorney-General for the consideration of criminal charges. A video supposedly made at Ms Hamiltons Surry Hills home on October 17th and tendered as evidence of an alibi was “an attempt to mislead the court and pervert the course of justice’, the magistrate said. Kim Arlington News Limited  Daily Telegraph  Aug 27th 2008-09-06

I don’t think there was any attempt to infer there was a separate case involving kidnaping. We are talking about the same case being tried on two separate occasions with links to the proceedings.

As I said at the beginning of my involvement with this page, I have become interested. I must say, I am becoming more interested by the day. In light of the above, I would offer that the wikipedia page is a little light on.

Sorry 4 slow reply but little time to actually try and understand this forum. Not even sure who wrote the above - think it's Legalist or that long number (probably the same person) but clearly you're trying to bait me. And I find it hysterical that you start by questioning my motives re the Kenja Group and then sign off yourself by saying "I have become interested" as if you are unbiased. You raise some interesting points above but they are universally slanted with cynicism. Once again my position is clear: I work on content for a great many websites and have come to know several members. You've never given them a fair go and you're clearly not going to start. I am loathe to spend inordinate amounts of time digging up the facts to refute some of your claims (and I am sure some are accurate so I wouldn't even contest those). I can only really refer to the distinctive tonality of your contributions. As for finding it hard to source the group's references to Cult Aware and their practices - which make Kenja look like a playgroup - you haven't looked far. try the internet. It's full of info. Eatingslowly 00:50, 10 September 2008 (UTC)

Hi Eating Slowly. I wasnt having a discussion with you, just putting up a reasonable counter to your argument for the mediator. I think the army record is a simple place to start, but i will go to the discussion page.(Legalist (talk) 06:06, 10 September 2008 (UTC))

Hi Legalist, for an accurate record of Dyers' army record, there is a site kendyers.com - which lists history in some detail. It should help. There are even photos of medals and inscriptions. I think the Rick Ross site which attempts to discredit Dyers did so by omitting much of the detail, so it just looked like Dyers went AWOL - no explanation of reasoning behind action. Cheers. Eatingslowly 02:30, 17 September 2008 (UTC)