The blind drawing the blinds

Well, that's what the San Jose Academy for Psychic Studies looks like: blinds drawn tight, nothing to welcome you in, nothing but a dark door and a small sign.

There's nothing in the windows - no decorations, nothing to show what they do, nothing saying how warm and nourishing their environment is.  And of course, there are no names on the class sign-up sheets.

Coincidence?  Or maybe a psychic sign...

To be fair, this video was shot when the place was indeed closed.  Still, all we business majors learned from our case studies that when your storefront looks like it's closed and dead, your business will be soon.

Maybe the lack of signs and the silence from the Academy for Psychic Studies in San Jose really is a sign that is speaking out loud and clear.

It's a sign that a warm and nourishing place awaits - somewhere else.  It's a sign that spiritual fulfillment is anywhere but there.  It's a sign that says what we have, we won't show you.  If they were as warm and nourishing as they say, they wouldn't have to pull down the blinds and shut them tight as a drum to keep out roving eyes.  You'd expect there would be truly warm and welcoming images in the window backed up with comfortable and inviting decorations beckoning the seeker to enter.  

It would be understandable to see the blinds drawn if there were young women in clingy leotards practicing Yoga (and boy, would I understand - I'd still be there too) or if there were other bodywork being conducted there.  However, there isn't and the fact the windows are practically bare tells you a lot.

For an organization that needs the public to thrive, they just haven't had the light bulb in their noggins light up yet - they need to engage the public in a very public way if they need the public for their own growth and unfoldment.

The public purchases their psychic readings, their healings, their home energy cleansings, the books, recordings, DVD programs and the public are those who attend the beginning classes offered.  Could the Academy for Psychic Studies survive by making the faithful few continually take classes over and over again? Well, they did when there were a whole bunch of the faithful.  Now that there are only a fraction of loyal followers, that strategy isn't so good these days.

So why put up such a barrier between yourself and those you would serve and who would reciprocate by dropping off their un-needed energy and extra cash?  Why hide yourselves at the back of a building, keep the blinds drawn and say nothing?

Wouldn't you want to display colorful posters of warm and happy people doing the warm and happy things your organization offers?  Wouldn't you want to show the public what they can have and what they can experience?

Wouldn't it make sense to run a counter-message of warmth and nourishment that shows the happy faces of people practicing the core tools and techniques taught by the Academy for Psychic Studies?  Would there be a better way to present your organization to the public?  Can't any one of the individuals exercise their own personal creative initiative to brighten and whiten their tarnished public image?   

You know, I would bet it's because of what we have all been saying about the Academy for Psychic Studies for a while now: IT'S A CULT!

I believe our words haven't been the damning and destructive forces that have crumbled the Academy for Psychic Studies.  Our words only reflect the truth of Academy's deeds.  If anything, we have been somewhat restrained in our statements.  There are more evil and perverse deeds perpetrated by the leaders of the Academy that no individual would tell publicly because of the intensity and painful nature of the incidents.

I believe it's how the Academy feels about their own sordid past and their own current practices: shame.

And I believe those who remain are seeing how the leadership have enriched themselves on the backs of the faithful. I believe the faithful have seen how what money comes in, never finds its way to serve those who gave it.  I believe those who remain sense that the ship is sinking and are not just re-arranging the deck chairs, they are hoping to loot the silver tea service before things go tits-up.  Too bad the Witches have beat them to it.

I think those who remain are too weary, too disillusioned and no longer inspired to serve the public.  They have seen how the joy of service has turned oppressive, an encumbrance.  They have seen how the leaders happily conduct themselves in a manner that would bring rebuke to a follower.

While the leaders can take significant time away from the Academy at a long "religious retreat", a follower who takes a brief vacation on his or her own would be ridiculed for having the nerve to grab a few days of peace and quiet for his or her own mental well-being.

That is just one of many the faithful few are seeing every day.

Maybe the drawn blinds, the stark exterior, the "Go Away" appearance is a sign of humanity from the followers who remain.  

I could be a sign that says: "For the love of God, turn around!  Don't get trapped in this spiritual cesspool."