Gentle Wind Project

[Anonymous (142.167.42.20)]

Former members of Gentle Wind Project: www.windofchanges.org

As former members of the Gentle Wind Project, we would like to spread the word that we finally have a website up about our experiences with this group: www.windofchanges.org. Gentle Wind is a "psychotherapeutic/new age/spiritual" group.

Please share this website address with anyone who is considering a Gentle Wind seminar or the purchase of a Gentle Wind "healing instrument." The group's own websites are www.gentlewindproject.org and www.eyeofthesky.org, now largely devoted to fending off criticisms by ex-members and warning of legal action against detractors.

Thanks,
G

[Tigger (209.240.205.61)]

This group and Scientology have much in common.

Tigger (Poster in the Scientology Section)

Cult News.com: Group hawking healing "instruments" based upon "blueprints" from "outside this Earth" under investigation
:http://www.cultnews.com/archives/000769.html Changed:7:39 PM on Saturday, June 19, 2004

June 18, 2004 ::
Group hawking healing "instruments" based upon "blueprints" from "outside this Earth" under investigation

A rather interesting group called "The Gentle Wind Project" (GWP) of Maine is being investigated by a nonprofit agency in California.

The Special Investigative Agency (SIA) announced at its website today that it has been asked to investigate the 20-year-old New England group, which provides "healing cards" to the public for rather hefty suggested donations.

SIA stated that they were "contacted by nearly four dozen people from across the United States and the United Kingdom reporting that…the 'Gentle Wind Project'…bilked many out of thousands of dollars.......MORE

[windofchanges (142.167.42.68)]

Dear Friends,

Thanks to Tigger for supplying the last update about Gentle Wind Project (GWP).

As some of you may know, we former members of GWP have been telling our personal stories about involvement with that group – for the first time – through a new website at:
www.windofchanges.org

As a result we were sued by the GWP leaders and had to hire attorneys that have now filed a motion to dismiss the charges. This motion will, hopefully, be responded to favorably by the Court later this summer. GWP has also sued nine other people and organizations that have published our accounts or links to our website from their own sites. The lawsuit and motion to dismiss can be viewed at:
www.windofchanges.org

A new Gentle Wind Victims Yahoo discussion board is available at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/gentlewindvictims/ This is open to everyone.

For news stories and updates about GWP activities, please go to:
www.us-sia.org -- a nonprofit investigative agency that has been examining the activities of Gentle Wind. These stories are also available at: www.rickross.com and www.cultnews.com

For an investigative TV-News special about GWP, you can read the text or download the TV footage at: www.thesandiegochannel.com/investigations/3468797/detail.html

We aren’t commenting publicly right now because of the lawsuit. However, we are happy to answer any questions you might have for us personally, and will be pleased to respond to email sent to windofchanges@prexar.com

With thanks,

Former members
Gentle Wind Project
windofchanges@prexar.com

[Tigger (209.240.205.61)]

Hi.

You're welcome. Thanks for the update. Your posts have been transferred to Operation Clambake Message Borad and to a.r.s. (alt.religion.scientology)

Click HERE (http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&c2coff=1&threadm=v535e01je4vdovmppd5ig1d10bk15pj 31m%404ax.com&scoring=d&prev=/groups%3Fhl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DISO-8859-1%26c2coff%3D1%26q%3DGentle%2BWind%26meta%3Dgroup% 253Dalt.religion.scientology.*%26btnG%3DSearch) to see the comments from a.r.s.

Good Luck and Best Wishes,

Tigger

[Anonymous (68.103.140.88)]

WHAT is 'Gentle Wind Project'?! Never heard of it! But it sounds weird!

[Tigger (209.240.205.61)]

It is weird. So's Scientology. They have things in common. Do a google search on both....you will be amazed, appalled and disgusted.

Tigger

[Wind of Changes (142.167.42.87)]

Dear Friends,

Those of us defending ourselves as former members named by the Gentle Wind Project leaders’ lawsuit are currently waiting for the Judge’s decision on our “Motion to Dismiss” the Federal charges. These Motions, as well as the GWP lawsuit, can be read on our website, www.windofchanges.org

Others being sued by GWP are at varying stages of defense.

There has been some more good publicity about the lawsuit, resulting in the GWP leaders’ activities being brought out into the open and also, according to the Special Investigations Agency of San Diego - www.us-sia.org - being scrutinized by government authorities:

http://www.fosters.com/august_2004/08.08.04/news/sea_0808i.asp -- “New Age Therapy Group Sues Over Web Site”

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/8241-New_age_therapy_group_sues_over_Web_site.html -- same article plus links to others, including “Non-Profit Accused of Cult Activity.”

http://www.thesandiegochannel.com/investigations/3468797/detail.html -- “Gentle Wind: Phony or for Real.” This ABC-TV news story can be read in text form or viewed as video.

We have received words of support from many people and appreciate all of it.

Thanks, and good wishes,

Former members of “Gentle Wind Project”
www.windofchanges.org
windofchanges@prexar.com

[healthcareworker (69.200.104.231)]

Health Care Workers in Support of Gentle Wind

We are a group of well-respected health care professionals who use the Gentle Wind healing technology with our patients and colleagues. We work in various clinical settings and most of us employ forms of alternative and complementary medicine in our practices. We have found the Gentle Wind Instruments to be effective beyond the placebo effect. We are available to chat with other health care professionals and consumers who might be interested in what we have to say.

Since November of 2003, The Gentle Wind Project has been under attack on the Internet by former supporters of this Project who were also consumers of this technology. See www.gentlewindproject.org . Click on Resources then Project News and scroll down to locate the lawsuit.

We know the Gentle Wind technology and we know it works for many people. We know the staff. We know about the research efforts and expenditures of funds. We know firsthand that there’s nothing improper going on.

We are publishing our opinions of The Gentle Wind Project because we believe that alternative and complementary technologies are the hope of the future. To have something that can alleviate the emotional suffering of some of our patients is a dream come true. We urge you not to shy away from Gentle Wind because of misinformation on the Internet but to take the time to find out about this technology for yourself. The people associated with The Gentle Wind Project have integrity and a vision for the future that carries hope for humanity. We cannot afford to allow any work of this nature to be destroyed.

We would be happy to answer your questions and share our experiences with you. You can e-mail us at healthcareworkers@yahoo.com.


Health Care Professionals in Support of Gentle Wind.

[wind_of_changes (wind_of_changes)]

Dear Friends,

We have a new announcement (please see below) about our "Protect Free Speech Legal Defense Fund."

As many of you may know, we were sued by Gentle Wind Project and the GWP core group in May 2004. Since then we've been working toward dismissal of GWP's Federal charges and were successful with that on GWP's first claim. Then GWP filed an amended claim and the Judge dismissed one count and allowed one to stay.

Defending ourselves against GWP's lawsuit is very costly. That's why we are now appealing for contributions. We believe it is important to keep going with this defense, and that we have a right to tell our personal stories.

You can help us by posting this appeal in forums or locations where people can learn about the GWP lawsuit, and contribute, if they are able, to our defense fund.

On March 7, 2005 our response to GWP's Amended Lawsuit was filed in Court, along with our counterclaims. That document will be on Wind of Changes website, http://www.windofchanges.org -- the website that GWP is trying to shut down.

Please read on . . .

Many thanks,
Jim and Judy
_________________________

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Jim Bergin and Judy Garvey are being sued in U.S. Federal Court by the leaders of Gentle Wind Project (GWP) for posting our personal accounts about GWP experiences on Wind of Changes, a website for former GWP members: http://www.windofchanges.org. The GWP leaders’ lawsuit is an attempt to silence us and force us to remove Wind of Changes website.

You can help us uphold the right to Free Speech, and the right for former members of GWP, or similar groups, to tell their stories, as we have in “Insiders’ Stories” http://www.windofchanges.org/insidersstories.htmland “A Husband’s Perspective” http://windofchanges.org/husbandsperspective.html

Please contribute, if you can, to the Protect Free Speech Legal Defense Fund: http://www.windofchanges.org/legalfund.html

All contributions -- large or small -- will be used to help pay legal costs. Thank you!

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE?

1) Contribute through PayPal at: http://www.windofchanges.org/legalfund.html

2) Personal Checks, Money Orders, Bank Checks, Travelers Checks:

Payable to: Protect Free Speech.

Postal Mailing address: Protect Free Speech, P.O. Box 1616, Blue Hill, ME 04614 USA; or to The First NA, Account no. 3474275, 102 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 USA.

3) Electronic Transfers:

Bank Routing number: 011201762
Account number: 3474275
Bank: The First NA, 102 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 USA

WHY IS THIS DEFENSE IMPORTANT?

This is an important appeal for anyone who believes in an individual’s right to speak freely and to share information of public importance through the Internet without fear of being intimidated, sued, silenced, and harmed financially.

1) GWP’s lawsuit could have serious repercussions for those who are willing to share information of public importance. Vital knowledge could be suppressed through legal intimidation by any group with the resources to hire a law firm willing to litigate.

2) If our money is depleted, GWP’s lawsuit could set a precedent whereby any similar group wishing to silence individual voices would be encouraged to use these kinds of legal tactics, thus greatly threatening freedom of speech.

3) Websites like Wind of Changes could become a thing of the past, if this is allowed to happen.

BACKGROUND:
May 2004: Gentle Wind Project leaders filed a lawsuit (please see http://www.windofchanges.org for documents) in U.S. District Court, Portland, Maine, against former GWP members, Jim Bergin and Judy Garvey, and ten other defendants.

REASON FOR LAWSUIT?
Jim Bergin and Judy Garvey shared their personal experiences about their 17-year association with GWP, and made these stories available on the Internet. In response, GWP has spent upwards of $115,000 in legal costs as of 9/04 (per their own statement) in an attempt to remove http://www.windofchanges.org -- accusing Jim and Judy of "wild and scurrilous lies," among numerous other defamatory terms, many of which are now incorporated in the Counterclaims against GWP.

PRESENT STATUS:
Over 90 Court documents have been filed as a result of the GWP lawsuit. In February 2005 Federal Judge Gene Carter dismissed all charges for J. F. Bergin Co., and for Rick Ross and the Rick A. Ross Institute for the Study of Destructive Cults, Controversial Groups and Movements, and Count II (Lanham Act) for Jim Bergin and Judy Garvey.

Defendant Ian Mander of New Zealand did not respond to GWP's lawsuit. Defendant Steve Hassan reached an agreement with the plaintiffs a few months ago and the claims against him and Freedom of Mind Center were dropped. Defendants Ivan Fraser and Steve Gamble’s agreement with the plaintiffs was finalized more recently, and made public on their websites and on Wind of Changes.

After the Court decides on GWP's Federal Count I (RICO Act) against Jim and Judy, GWP leaders would then have the choice to continue with their state charges (defamation, invasion of privacy, and the like).

All other defendants have now been dismissed, or defaulted, or reached an agreement with GWP because of financial necessity. For more details, please read “Lawsuit Against Cult-watcher Dismissed” on Rick Ross Institute’s website at http://www.cultnews.com

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Jim Bergin and Judy Garvey will now challenge the accusations of GWP’s leaders through the court process, which will be costly and time-consuming, yet essential. Freedom of expression and speaking the truth are powerful defenses, and we feel confident about the importance of ensuring that these rights continue.

DEFENDANTS – WHO WAS SUED BY GWP?
Rick Ross and Rick Ross Institute http://www.rickross.com; Ian Mander http://www.cults.co.nz; Steve Gamble and Equilibra http://www.equilibra.uk.com; Ivan Fraser and The Truth Campaign http://www.truthcampaign.ukf.net; Steve Hassan and Freedom of Mind http://www.freedomofmind.com, and Jim Bergin and Judy Garvey http://www.windofchanges.org; and J. F. Bergin Co.

PLAINTIFFS – WHO IS DOING THE SUING?
Gentle Wind Project http://www.gentlewindproject.org and the GWP leaders and core group – John "Tubby" Miller, Mary "Moe/Mo" Miller, Carol Miller, Shelly Miller, Joan Carreiro, and Pam Ranheim.

[kathleen (kathleen)]

At The River

Come on this journey with me,
into the truth meant to be.
Stand as a child once long ago,
the story was there then told.
To know of Joseph’s son so small,
who gave His life for one and all.
Jesus was his given name,
the Lamb, the Lion so tame.
My Shepherd who has led the way,
to keep me safe each and every day.
2,000 years have since now pasted,
the promise comes to us at last.
There are many who have pasted on before me.
Teaching Your message so I may see.
Because my heart so does believe.
I’m giving this poem to thee,
so you may receive.
I stood before a beautiful river,
my heart moved my skin did shiver.
My thoughts pondered upon my Lord,
He gave me the pen as a sword.
To tell of my wondering,
silly useless pondering,
how could I ever have doubt,
the Angels all did shout.
So time was my Lords key,
teaching his word so
I may see.
There on that river bed so calm,
brought before my Lords Psalm.
I gave my soul to Up Above,
love full as wings of a dove.
In that place so silent,
how precious the memories are spent.
Can you hear the rolling thunder,
echoes of sound that tie us in wonder?
We, you and I,
are here because God has told us why.
To now this very day.
His Spirit is here to show the way.
Peace will fill your heart.
Let go! Let Jesus do His wonderful part.
Grow in strength and knowledge too,
To know the word of God so true.
Excepted, restored is this free gift of Grace,
before God’s Throne you will face.
Eyes, ears, memories given,
there before all Heaven.
Do you know there He will stand,
at God’s right hand?
My Lord the Shepherds call,
before Him I will fall.
You see knowing that Jesus died for me,
the sins He saw and did see.
At Golgotha,
On the cross so silent,
There all times sins went.
I know by the blood given,
The sacrifice before all heaven.
Can you believe Jesus died for you?
That His love for you is true?
Will you stand at HIS Throne,
cold, scared and all alone?
Or see and know the face of Grace,
The King, The Lord of all men.
No matter your race!
Author Unknown


1 Corinthians 2(NIV)
Brothers and sisters, when I came to you I didn't come with fancy words or great wisdom. I preached to you the truth about God's love. I made up my mind to pay attention to only one thing while I was with you. That one thing was Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.
When I came to you, I was weak and afraid and trembling all over. I didn't preach my message with clever and compelling words. As I preached, the Holy Spirit showed his power. 5That was so you would believe not because of human wisdom but because of God's power.

Wisdom From the Holy Spirit
The words we speak to those who have grown in the faith are wise. Our words are different from the words of the wise people or rulers of this world. People like that aren't going anywhere. No, we speak about God's secret wisdom. His wisdom has been hidden. But before time began, God planned that his wisdom would bring us heavenly glory.
None of the rulers of this world understood God's wisdom. If they had, they would not have nailed the Lord of glory to the cross. It is written,
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has known
what God has prepared for those who love him." (Isaiah 64:4) But God has shown it to us through his Spirit.
The Spirit understands all things. He understands even the deep things of God. Who can know the thoughts of another person? Only a person's own spirit can know them. In the same way, only the Spirit of God knows God's thoughts.
We have not received the spirit of the world. We have received the Spirit who is from God. The Spirit helps us understand what God has freely given us.
That is what we speak about. We don't use words taught to us by people. We use words taught to us by the Holy Spirit. We use the words of the Spirit to teach the truths of the Spirit.
Some people don't have the Holy Spirit. They don't accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. Things like that are foolish to them. They can't understand them. In fact, such things can't be understood without the Spirit's help.
Everyone who has the Spirit can judge all things. But no one can judge those who have the Spirit. It is written,
"Who can ever know what is in the Lord's mind?
Can anyone ever teach him?" (Isaiah 40:13)
But we have the mind of Christ.

[wind_of_changes (wind_of_changes)]

Greetings again,

On Monday we filed -- in U.S. Maine District Court -- the "Answer, Counterclaims and Demand for Jury Trial" in response to Gentle Wind Project's lawsuit.

Our "Counterclaims" may be of particular interest, as they include the GWP leaders' descriptive and colorful list of defamatory statements against us. Examples can be easily accessed on our Wind of Changes "Counterclaims" page: http://www.windofchanges.org/counterclaims.html

If you'd like to read the entire document, it is available near the top of the Wind of Changes Home page: http://www.windofchanges.org

The "Answers" in the document (pages 1-6) correspond with the GWP leaders' multiple allegations against us and ten other defendants in their "Amended Complaint." That document is located near the bottom of the Home page.

Good wishes,

Judy and Jim

[wind_of_changes (wind_of_changes)]

APOLOGETICS INDEX has added a well-researched entry on Gentle Wind Project: http://www.apologeticsindex.org/g/g12.html

This is excellent overall coverage of the GWP group and its leaders' lawsuit against former members and others. Widely scattered reports about the group have been gathered together in an easily accessed format -- covering the essential information in an interesting progression.

There are numerous pages to this new listing with quotes from a great variety of individuals and media, as well as multiple links to original sources for anyone who wants to read more.

In addition to the entry on Apologetics Index, Religion News Blog, a separate site, lists newspaper coverage about Gentle Wind Project.

The authors of Apologetics Index, and coordinators of Religion News Blog, are Anton and Janet Hein-Hudson:
http://ApologeticsIndex.org: Research resources on religions, cults, sects, and related issues
http://ReligionNewsBlog.com: News & news archive on religions, cults, sects, and related issues


Judy and Jim

http://www.windofchanges.org
(website for former members of GWP)

[jfbergin (jfbergin)]

RE: Gentle Wind Project LAWSUIT News


Gentle Wind Project's (and the individual Plaintiffs: John "Tubby" Miller, Mary "Moe" Miller, Carol Miller, Shelly Miller, Joan Carreiro, and Pam Ranheim’s) lawsuit against us continues. . .

Latest Events:

Our attorney has filed an "Expert Witness Report" addressing points that GWP’s leaders (the Millers et al) find disagreeable about our personal stories of 17 years with their group.

A second "Expert Witness Report" may be filed in the future, addressing the "research methods" that GWP leaders (the Millers et al) have used to test their "healing instruments."

Depositions of the Plaintiffs were initiated by us, to begin mid-July with three GWP Plaintiffs (two Millers and another), plus one non-Plaintiff, to be deposed.

Following the Plaintiffs' depositions, we are scheduled for depositions by the GWP/Millers et al. This will take place in Attorneys’ offices in Portland, Maine.

For anyone just coming in to this who would like to know more, a place to visit is the website for former GWP members, Wind of Changes, at http://www.windofchanges.org

There’s also information about Gentle Wind Project and their lawsuit on Apologetics Index at http://www.apologeticsindex.org/g/g12.html

Rick Ross Institute web site has coverage at: http://www.rickross.com/groups/gentlewind.html or http://www.rickross.com/flamingwebsites.html
And press releases are at http://www.cultnews.com (search for "gentle wind project").

Jim and Judy

P.S. We welcome contributions of any amount to our Protect Free Speech Legal Defense Fund at http://www.windofchanges.org/legalfund.html

[jfbergin (jfbergin)]

Dear Friends,

We've received a number of requests for the "Expert Witness Disclosure Statements" that have been filed as part of our defense against Gentle Wind Project's lawsuit.

While the Experts' Reports are of great interest, we aren't distributing them now, as we're not litigating in the press or on the Internet. To anyone who is interested in these reports, thanks for your understanding.

Jim and Judy

http://www.windofchanges.org

[jfbergin (jfbergin)]

We've learned that a trial -- if there is one -- for Gentle Wind Project leaders' (the Millers et al) remaining Federal claim against us won't take place until February or April 2006 at the earliest, if still appropriate then. Previously scheduled for December, the case has now been removed from the Court's schedule completely while the Judge rules on our Motion for Summary Judgment (MSJ) later this fall.

Should the Judge rule to accept the MSJ, the Millers/gwp's et al Federal claim would be over and the Judge would decide what should happen with gwp's state claims of defamation, etc.

Either way is fine with us. In the meantime, the calendar change allows us to get on with more important matters in our lives without legal distractions. http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/happy.gif

Jim and Judy
http://www.windofchanges.org

[jfbergin (jfbergin)]

Gentle Wind Project Lawsuit Dismissed

On January 3, 2006 we received the great news that Senior District Judge Gene Carter granted our "Motion for Summary Judgment" on the Gentle Wind Project’s RICO (racketeering) claim -- the only Federal claim that remained in GWP’s lawsuit against us.

(Plaintiffs filing the lawsuit were GWP leaders: John “Tubby” Miller, Mary “Moe” Miller, Carol “Max” Miller, Shelbourne “Shelly” Miller, Pam Ranheim, and Joan Carreiro of Durham NH and Kittery ME).

This important Order granting our MSJ – which also provides a quick summary of the lawsuit facts – can be read on "Wind of Changes," the website for former members of GWP: http://www.windofchanges.org

Judge Carter further ordered that GWP's lawsuit Counts III through VII (the state claims, such as defamation) be dismissed from Federal Court.

The entire GWP lawsuit has now been dismissed. http://www.factnet.org/discus/clipart/happy.gif

The Millers could refile in state court, but that would mean starting all over again. It would also put our Counterclaims into motion. http://www.windofchanges.org/Counterclaims.html

Tubby and Moe Miller et al could also appeal the decision to a higher court if they feel that the Judge is incorrect.

We are learning that it is quite rare to have an MSJ granted. Such a decision would generally mean that a Judge is very certain of the correctness of his opinion.

If the purpose of the Millers' lawsuit was to silence us, it was a waste of their time and vast amounts of donors' money. As Carl Starrett, the moderator of the Gentle Wind Victims’ Forum stated, "GWP must have spent several hundred thousand dollars in legal fees and they came up empty." http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/gentlewindvictims/

In addition to the positive results for us, this is an extremely important decision for anyone who believes in an individual's right to speak freely about personal experiences, and to share information of public importance through the Internet without fear of being intimidated, sued, silenced, and harmed financially.

We are very grateful for your support and encouragement throughout this two-year process.

Jim Bergin and Judy Garvey

http://www.windofchanges.org

[jfbergin (jfbergin)]

Berkman Center Announces Defense Help for Ex-Members of Gentle Wind Project
_______________________

The Berkman Center for Internet & Society, Harvard Law School, announced last week that they had assisted Jim Bergin and Judy Garvey with their defense against Gentle Wind Project’s now-dismissed Federal lawsuit.

(See 1-11-06, http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/home/ : "Court Rejects Online RICO Claims Based on Ex-Group Members’ Web Site" -- "An important victory for free expression on the Internet…." )


As of 1-10-06 the Millers and their GWP are back. After being dismissed from Federal court, they have re-filed a lawsuit in Maine state court against Jim Bergin, Judy Garvey (former members of GWP), and also, oddly, against Ian Mander, Editor of New Zealand Cult List. (See http://www.cults.co.nz/gwp/ )


Filing in state court requires the Millers to start all over again with their lawsuit claims and legal expenses.


This story is being widely reported by the media, including, through the AP wire -- "Healing Organization Files Lawsuit against Former Members":
http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2006/01/15/healing_organization_files_lawsuit_against_former_ members/?rss_id=Boston.com%20--%20Maine%20news


Bergin and Garvey will re-file Counterclaims against GWP, the Millers et al in Maine state court. The Federal Counterclaims can be read at, http://www.windofchanges.org

[jfbergin]

New Scheduling for Gentle Wind Project's latest lawsuit:


The latest in the Gentle Wind Project's et al lawsuits against Judy Garvey, Jim Bergin, et al is scheduled for trial in October or November 2006 in York County (Maine State) Superior Court, Alfred, ME.

This new GWP Maine State lawsuit follows upon GWP / the Millers’ et al dismissal from Maine U.S. District Court where they filed their first lawsuit in May 2004. On January 6, 2006, Senior District Judge Gene Carter granted Bergin and Garvey’s Motion for Summary Judgment on GWP’s RICO (racketeering) claim – the only Federal claim that remained in GWP’s convoluted lawsuit against multiple defendants. Judge Carter further ordered that the Millers et al remaining claims (state claims, such as defamation) also be dismissed from Federal Court.

The Millers' second attempt at a Federal claim – the Lanham Act – had been dismissed early in their Federal lawsuit by Judge Carter. In fact, the U.S. Magistrate Judge dismissed GWP’s entire lawsuit initially, and then the Millers quickly filed an Amended Claim and squeaked by on a technicality for the RICO claim, which required an additional year of motions, depositions, etc, before it was summarily dismissed in January.

Gentle Wind Project's and the Miller’s newest lawsuit – their state claims that were dismissed from Federal Court – will be heard by Maine Superior Court Justice G. Arthur Brennan and by a Maine jury. According to the Court schedule, the Millers have one opportunity for a settlement offer prior to trial. After that, they'll "have their day in court" on what they initiated two years ago against Garvey, Bergin, and other defendants.

GWP leaders filing the lawsuit are John–AKA "Tubby" Miller; Moe–AKA Mo, Olivia, Claudia Panuthos, Mary Elizabeth Carreiro (Panuthos/Silver/Carreiro/Miller); Carol-AKA Max, Mapes Miller; Shelly–AKA Dianne, Mugsie, Shelbourne (Boyce/Koster/Miller); Pam–AKA Colleen Ranheim; Joan Carreiro; and Gentle Wind Project: http://www.gentlewindproject.org.

The facts, and the basis for even more facts to be presented at a trial, have already been "discovered" during depositions of each plaintiff (John "Tubby" Miller and all the women living with him), and from one non-plaintiff (another woman who is a long-term GWP member / "instrument keeper”).

Jim and Judy also had depositions taken by the Millers' attorneys, as did Jim and Judy’s expert witnesses. These depositions are available to the public through the U.S. District Court PACER website, and are quoted, in part, in the Motion for Summary Judgment (Jim and Judy’s successful Motion that ended the GWP Federal lawsuit) and accompanying Statement of Material Facts, and in Judge Gene Carter's Order to dismiss GWP's Federal claims. These documents are also available at the public interest website for former GWP members/”instrument keepers – Wind of Changes: http://www.windofchanges.org -- the website that the Millers are attempting to eliminate through their lawsuits.

A copy of the Millers' et al latest lawsuit is at Wind of Changes. Jim and Judy’s Answer and Counterclaims, including defamation, filed against the Millers et al, can be read at: http://www.windofchanges.org/counterclaims.html

The Alfred, Maine courthouse isn't large by big city standards, but seating is open to the public should anyone wish to get a close-up view of the Gentle Wind Project and the Millers' offense/defense this fall.

[jfbergin]

More details about the Gentle Wind Project lawsuit:

Rather than filing Motions for Dismissal or Summary Judgment to end the Miller’s new Maine State lawsuit, it is important for Bergin and Garvey to go to trial since there are contested facts. A few examples:

--The Millers et al contend that Judy and Jim defamed them by reporting – in their personal stories about 17 years as followers, ”instrument keepers,” and board members of the Millers’ Gentle Wind Project – that there was group sexual activity (called "energy work") among the leaders and female followers and that followers were told that this "energy work" would bring in designs for new GWP "healing instruments" from the "spirit world" to the GWP leader, John "Tubby" Miller. The Millers et al have each denied, under oath during depositions, that group sexual activity of any kind took place among GWP leaders and an inner group of GWP followers.

--The Millers et al also deny that Gentle Wind Project is a cult, and they claim in their promotional material that they have "clinical research" on the effectiveness of their "healing instruments" and that this "research" meets scientific standards. Based on their personal experiences with GWP, Jim and Judy disagree with the Millers’ denials, and have also shown how the GWP so-called research is anecdotal and/or conducted by GWP believers / “instrument keepers.” This is described in Jim and Judy’s personal reports at: http://www.windofchanges.org/InsidersStories.htm and at: http://www.windofchanges.org/HusbandsPerspective.html

Jim and Judy are being represented by skilled attorneys of Drummond, Woodsum & MacMahon, Portland, ME: http://www.dwmlaw.com – Jerrol Crouter, Esq., Managing Director of the firm, and Brian Willing, Esq.

They have also received excellent pro bono legal assistance from, among others, The Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/home/home?wid=10&func=viewSubmission&sid=893 . Together, these defense attorneys won the Motion for Summary Judgment against GWP/the Millers.

The Millers et al are represented by Portland law firm Verrill & Dana (James Goggin, Esq., Dan Rosenthal, Esq., Suzannah Pogue, Esq.) to file their "convoluted" (in the words of Senior District Judge Gene Carter) lawsuits against Jim Bergin, Judy Garvey, and originally against Rick Ross of Rick Ross Institute, Steve Gamble of Equilibra, Ian Mander of New Zealand Cult List, Ivan Fraser of The Truth Campaign, and Steve Hassan of Freedom of Mind – all of whom have public service websites where Bergin and Garvey’s original stories or links were posted, or other opinions about Gentle Wind Project.

[jfbergin]

And, one more update on GWP lawsuit (this update was too long for one posting, so was divided into three -- thanks for your patience in reading!):


Ian Mander of New Zealand Cult List was also sued again by GWP/ the Millers in their newest Maine State lawsuit, and has not responded; repeating his seemingly complete disregard for their continuous lawsuits from his vantage point in New Zealand – where the legal system apparently discourages lawsuits by sanctioning litigious Plaintiffs who are shown to be misusing the law.

Jim and Judy very much appreciate contributions to their legal defense fund – any amount is gratefully accepted. The Millers’ continuous and relentless litigious outpourings have been dragged on now for two years. A mailing address, bank account, and PayPal account are all listed at: http://www.windofchanges.org/legalfund.html

THANK YOU!
Jim and Judy

[jbergin]

Since the last posting here, Gentle Wind Project and the GWP leaders -- John and Mary Miller et al -- were sued by the Maine Attorney General on many counts. The GWP leaders signed a Consent Decree, which put their "nonprofit" out of business in Maine, turned over all GWP assets to the Attorney General, and set up a system to provide refunds to people who purchased GWP "healing" products (see the Court Receiver's Public Notice below on how to file a claim).

News stories about this, and more details, are at Wind of Changes website: http://www.windofchanges.org

According to the latest version of their Gentle Wind Project website, the group now has a Nevada address. However, regardless of their mailing address, the GWP leaders are continuing as individual plaintiffs with their defamation lawsuit against us in Maine. Trial is now scheduled for December in York County (Alfred, ME) Superior Court. Several interesting pre-trial Motions have been filed and are available for reading at Wind of Changes website.

Jim Bergin and Judy Garvey
________________

Filing a Claim: Anyone who purchased "healing instruments" from GWP from 2003 to 2006, and would like to file a claim, might be interested in the following public notice:
PUBLIC NOTICE:
NOTICE OF RECEIVERSHIP OF THE GENTLE WIND PROJECT AND THE NEED TO FILE A PROOF OF CLAIM

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on August 16, 2006, the York County Superior Court issued an order for the appointment of a Receiver to liquidate the assets of "The Gentle Wind Project, f/k/a The Gentle Wind Retreat" with locations in Kittery, Maine, and Durham, New Hampshire. The Court Order requires all persons or entities that assert claims against "The Gentle Wind Project" must do so in writing to John C. Turner, Receiver, J.C. Turner & Associates, Inc., P.O. Box 1897, Auburn, Maine, 04211-1897, by 4 p.m., February 28th, 2007. The claim together with documentation in support of the claim must be filed by February 28th, 2007, date or the claim will be disallowed. Claims will be acknowledged and a claim numbers will be assigned by the Receiver. After all claims have been submitted and reviewed and the date to submit claims has passed, claimants will be advised of the disposition of the claims submitted. Any questions concerning the submission of claims can be directed to John C. Turner, Receiver, at (207) 514-7371.
Sincerely, John C. Turner, in his capacity as Receiver of The Gentle Wind Project. Dated: September 13, 2006 2539979

Portland Press Herald on Saturday, 09/23/2006: http://me.mypublicnotices.com/PublicNotice.asp?Page=PublicNotice&AdId=251316

[soul1958]

Jim...I just wanted to alert you that we put up a news article on the front page of FACTnet about this newest development.... just wanted to give you a a heads up.... in case you get some increased activity here.

Also, if there are any mistakes to correct to my story, please notify me via FACTnet... Tere

[jfbergin]

Thank you, Tere.

Jim

[jfbergin]

Dear Friends,

As you may already know from FactNet's news story, we are pleased to announce that the Millers et al, and Gentle Wind Project, are now permanently “Becalmed” by a Lawsuit Settlement.

This victory for us – former members of GWP – also represents a victory for freedom of speech for former members of all such groups.

Our full statement about the end of GWP's lawsuits is at: http://www.windofchanges.org/GWP_Lawsuits_Settled_11-10-06.pdf

At the last minute (trial was scheduled to begin December 4th) we wrote the terms for a Settlement Agreement that was requested by John "Tubby" Miller and Mary "Moe" Miller (AKA Panuthos/Carreiro), co-founders of GWP, and their co-plaintiffs. The agreement ends 2 ½ years of lawsuits against us.

In an about turn from the GWP leaders’ determined verbiage in 2004 that they would take their case "to the Supreme Court" to force removal of our Internet stories, the Settlement Agreement insures that we will continue to operate, without interference of any kind, our website, Wind of Changes: http://www.windofchanges.org

For more information see Gentle Wind Drops Lawsuit Against Couple: http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/061110gentlewind.html

Perhaps it became clear to the Millers that other GWP ex-members intended to appear in person to testify about their own experiences, and that experts would testify that the Millers’ exhibited classic cult behavior.

Bergin and Garvey’s distinguished experts included Cult Expert, Dr. Cathleen Mann, PhD, and Dr. Arthur Dole, PhD, ABPP, Expert: Psychological Research and Cultic Groups.

Following the Millers' settlement request, the GWP Court Receiver has also signed an Agreement with us on behalf of the GWP Estate (which was still included in the lawsuit after GWP was put out of business and into Receivership in August 2006 by the Maine Attorney General). We will receive "an undisclosed amount" from the Receiver to resolve the lawsuit and resolve our claim for reimbursement to the GWP Estate.

Much more important than the money, we provided an essential service to the public by telling the truth about our experiences with GWP, and we balanced out some of the effects of what we caused for people while we were influenced by GWP's belief system.

At each stage of defending ourselves, we became freer of the effects of our involvement with GWP. As a result, even though we were immersed in defending against their very aggressive lawsuits, we were able to reclaim our lives again.

We are grateful to everyone who wished us well and assisted us during this long process.

Jim

[allan]

In reference to the story on FACNet, small typo
its Kittery ME, not Kittery MA

(I grew up in Kittery)

Allan

[jfbergin]

Thanks for clearing that up, Allan. GWP was, until recently, headquartered in Kittery Maine, as you point out, rather than MA.

Coincidentally, there is also a link with Massachusetts. GWP's co-founder, Mary Miller (aka Claudia Panuthos/Mary Carreiro), was once a licensed social worker in Arlington MA, near Boston.

Jim

[jfbergin]

A reminder -- If you want to assert a claim against Gentle Wind Project, do so in writing by 2-28-07 to: John C. Turner, the Maine Attorney General's Court Appointed Receiver, P.O. Box 1897, Auburn, ME 04211. 207-514-7371.

This could be important if you purchased a so-called GWP "healing instrument" from 2003 to the present or if you have another claim.

[soul1958]

j..

We are getting ready to publish the next newletter for Factnet. We would like some personal stories to print. Do you (or someone you know) have a short story put together about all this that you/they wouldn't mind letting us publish? If you need more information, drop me an email at manage@factnet.org

Tere
NewsEditor

[jfbergin]

They're back: Gentle Wind Project Morphs to “Family Systems Research Group (FSRG)”

John “Tubby” Miller and Mary “Moe” Miller's Newest Enterprise?

Typical of cultic groups when exposed, in GWP's case by the Maine Attorney General,* the leaders will change stripes – in name or location – and pitch, to maintain control over followers, attract new recruits, and keep the money flowing.

* (See: http:www.windofchanges.org (http://www.windofchanges.org) for the Maine AG's lawsuit and Consent Decree that put GWP out of business in Maine and took away their assets)

Now we have a “new” organization called Family Systems Research Group, described in their publicity as “pick[ing] up where GWP technology leaves off....”; seemingly consisting of the same cast of characters who signed the Consent Decree. Little has changed – beyond the defensive disclaimers and sales now based on price (mostly*) instead of “donations” in the marketing of their wares. Surprisingly, they are still calling themselves “researchers.”

* (On the last page of FSRG's description, we learn that “a portion of each fee goes directly to the work of GWP....”)

They still have “healing instruments” (now called “I Ching alignment instruments,” selling for $365 to $6,260); “telepathic healings” (now “distant alignments”); and offer “phone consultations [that]...may have a transformational effect....” The “consultations” seem to hearken back to the “soul readings” GWP promoted in the 80s (which they claimed to channel exclusively from “the spirit world”).

Amazingly, hair samples and astrology * (now “behavioral astronomy” and “hexagram profiles”) are back – which is where GWP's “Tubby” Miller and “Moe” Miller (then Claudia Panuthos AKA Mary Elizabeth Carreiro) and Tubby's 5 female housemates, at that time, first began. Oddly, another GWP dinosaur has been resuscitated – transactional analysis.

* (Consumer note: You can download FSRG's “astrology” program for $400 or less, and run it on your home computer indefinitely, plugging in each client's date and time of birth, etc. Nevertheless, the shrewd people at FSRG sell charts to each client starting at $250 for “phase 1” and offer 3 phases for a total of $700.)

The authors of FSRG's description use the term, “WE.” Thus, former GWP followers assume that “Tubby” and “Moe” continue to think they're speaking for “the spirits.”

These approaches worked successfully for the Millers in the past, yielding GWP's “nonprofit” millions of dollars, so here we go again. As they say in the world of recovery, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.” Some of us have learned that lesson.

GWP / FSRG Address Update: According to GWP's newest website, their address is now in Starks, NV. However, FSRG's sales material lists an address in Portsmouth, NH (no website available) at the same mail-drop location used by the Millers during their failed Federal and State lawsuits against Jim Bergin, Judy Garvey, Rick Ross, Ian Mander, Steve Gamble, Ivan Fraser, and Steve Hassan.

The Maine AG's Consent Decree prohibits GWP from operating in Maine, and the GWP leaders from ever running another Maine nonprofit. However, GWP (as Gentle Wind Retreat) is listed as a nonprofit just across the river in the state of New Hampshire. If you have questions about this, you might contact New Hampshire's AG Kelly Ayotte at http://doj.nh.gov 33 Capitol St., Concord, NH 03301 (603) 271-3658.

[jfbergin]

Updated contact information for New Hampshire's Attorney General, Kelly Ayotte:

603) 271-1202
email: kelly.ayotte@doj.nh.gov