My ex boyfriend joined a cult and I am scared for his life.

[BrookieCookie]

My boyfriend and I broke up a month ago. We were together for two years. A lot led to our breakup, but mainly him joining an LGAT (Large Group Awareness Training.) His father signed him up for it back in April without even asking him, he just signed him, paid for it, 500 bucks! My boyfriend was not interested, but he felt like his father's money would have been wasted if didn't go. Well he went for 3 days, and he's never been the same since...There are 3 levels to these trainings. Each level you do costs more and more money. They are all about changing people's lives, happiness, love, light, etc, but it eventually tore us apart. He began to spend every weekend at this place. He bailed on important events. Our anniversary, my best friends wedding, other stuff he had planned with me way before. They would always meet late at night and into the early morning. I went to his graduation for the first level and it was one of the most bizarre and uncomfortable experiences of my life. Everyone was singing, crying, hugging, and holding up 4 fingers. My boyfriend had tears in his eyes and was smiling, but he looked completely dazed out. Since then he has tried to change the way I speak, he talks constantly about this place and his "family" there. He became very different, almost brainwashed in a way. All the members of this place walk around saying, "I'm an inspiring, passionate, being of light!" He was also very secretive about what went on in there and said, because I haven't done it, I wouldn't understand, and I would need to join for him to be able to talk about it...

 

We had a bad fight one night, then we made up and had a great talk and decided to stay together. He held, kissed me, looked into my eyes, and told me we are worth it and that he loves me. Well the very next night I found out some girl he went to high school with contacted him about this cult group thing because she was interested. I had a bad feeling about their communication, so I snooped on his Facebook. They had one very long conversation, flirting and playfully talking with each other, constantly telling each other how much they feel like they are "on the same wave length of life." They kept typing, "Hehe" to each other and one point my ex joked about blowing rasberries and made a little emoticon with a tongue sticking out () and she replied, "Hehe! I felt a tickle on my tummy!" WHAT THE HELL? I was SO CREEPED out! This was NOT the guy I knew! I then saw a conversation he had with his dad about this girl and his dad said he saw her picture and told my ex, "DATE HER. She's beautiful. Now that's a woman to focus on." My boyfriend went along with it and said, "How am I going to handle what's about to unfold in front of me? I've never handled breakups well." Implying he was going to dump me anyways. I was heartbroken and devastated! I called him right then and there and told him I saw the conversations and I ended it. He tried explaining himself and said he didn't mean those things he said to his dad and finding that girl was like "finding a long lost sister." I told him I had to go and that we'll talk later. Well the very next night I tried calling him to talk things out. He ignored my calls. He finally talked to me and told me he hung out with that girl. They watched the sunset together and he kissed her. I was disgusted. He said it was one small kiss goodnight and he was just thanking her for "showing him the beauty in life." Wow. He hangs out with girl ONCE, and he had been with me for two years. It's almost like this group he joined erased our relationship for him.

 

Last time I saw him was about 3 weeks ago. He kept saying he wants us to be friends and maybe more in the future, but right now he just can't be in a relationship..but he's been hanging out with this girl. Last time we talked was 10 days ago. The longest we've gone without communication since we met in 2011. I told him that I don't deserve this and that I need to move on. I kept telling him he's changed and that it scares me how easily influenced he is. His reply, "I am the influence. I am changing the world. You need to be open to the idea that I am fixed and you are allowed to be too." What a terrible thing to say to me. I told him to stop contacting me, his last words were, "We need to talk face to face. You have no idea what I can tell you and show you from my heart space. This is not goodbye." I never responded and he hasn't tried contacting me since. Though we are broken up and I told him to leave me alone, I worry about CONSTANTLY. He suffers from depression and he's very insecure which is how he got so hooked on this cult. He felt like he was a part of something, but it's completetely changed him. The real him. I am afraid he is going to end up just like his dad. His parents are divorced. His dad cheated on his mom when my ex was 10. He's always hated his dad, but somehow always wanted his love and approval. It seems like his dad signing him up for this weird group training was his way of making my ex forgive him and love him. His dad lives a playboy lifestyle. He is a 55 year old man, always throwing parties, sleeping with different woman, and men. He writes anti religion books and makes "magical" wands and sells them to people. He has changed his last name to Lord. It's a joke and disgusts me. His dad and his dads friends have all been through this group training and they all live a very strange lifestyle. Even my ex's brother says he is different and brainwashed now. My friends and his friends even tell me that I dodged a bullet and that it's good I got away from him.

 

But it's been SO HARD. He was my best friend and my first long term relationship. We are both in our early 20's, but I did see a future with him. My mom has been very sick with breast cancer that has spread and I used to talk to him about everything and now I feel so alone. He never even asks how my mom is doing. Even though I told him to not contact me, should I reach out to him? Obviously my family and friends would think I am crazy for even talking to him, but I am worried...I know it's his life and I am better off without, but I am still in love with him and what we had before he did a complete 180

I am so sorry for how long this is. I really need some advice. Has anyone here had any experience with these Large Group Awareness Training things? Cults? I am scared for my ex boyfriends life. I've read stories from people who say years later these trainings have terrible effects and it ruins peoples lives. Apparently it's like a lot like Scientology...