Kenja Communication

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Kenja Communication, or simply Kenja, is an Australian spiritual-based group. It was founded by the late Kenneth Emmanuel Dyers and his partner Jan Hamilton in 1982.[1] It has gained media attention due to lawsuits concerning Dyer's alleged sexual assaults on young girls, its role in the development of mental illness in several former members and the suicide of Dyers.

Contents

[edit] About Kenja Communication

The word Kenja was derived from the first letters of the names of the two founders, Ken Dyers and Jan Hamilton. They later discovered it means "wise man" in Japanese. Kenja has offices in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Parramatta.

Kenja describes its purpose as "to increase understanding of the spiritual nature of man and our relation to the human spirit, coupled with practical training in the basics of effective communication – time, space and energy." The site also says that Kenja Communication is "neither political nor religious".[2]

A former Liberal Party parliamentarian Stephen Mutch described Kenja as "a sinister organisation designed to fill the pockets and stroke the egos"[3][4] in the New South Wales Legislative Council in 1993, and the media attention Kenja has attracted also gives a negative description of them.[5] Mr Mutch also noted significant similarities between Kenja and Scientology including vocabulary and teaching material. [1]

[edit] About Energy Conversion

The Kenja training focuses on a form of meditation called 'Energy Conversion'. According to Kenja, it was "originally developed by Tibetan Buddhists who refer to it as 'psychic osmosis'" and was used by the North American Indians for healing purposes.[2] The reference to the Tibetans however, relates to the introduction by Walter Evans-Wentz to his own book, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, and not to any original Tibetan source. The technique is said to have been evolved over time by Ken Dyers into the practices used today, however similar foundation claims are made in Scientology about a very similar practice.

Energy Conversion is described as a way to "permanently eliminate the suppressed emotion, thought or energy that can divert us from what we want to achieve",[2] though neither Dyers nor Hamilton are qualified and this practice is not recognised by professionals. Energy Conversion Sessions consist of two people sitting opposite each other and looking into each others' eyes for a reasonable period of time, and costs about $130.[3]

An "eminent academic in [the] area" who wished to be anonymous said in a letter to Stephen Mutch that the techniques Kenja uses such as Energy Conversion "appear to be designed to allow senior members to exert influence over other members of the organisation ... The use of the techniques appears to lead to a reduction in the reality testing by individuals, and a relatively uncritical acceptance of the instructions of the senior member. Moreover, the individuals appear to experience a sense of dissociation that involves an alteration in normal waking consciousness and a feeling of incapacity to respond negatively to undesired actions."[4]

As Mr Dyers had been a Scientologist, and the group were trained using the Scientology manuals, a plausible basis for the origin of the 'energy conversion' could well be expected to be within Scientology. One of the TR's in Scientology is indeed a direct replica of that stated above. [2]

[edit] Ken Dyers (1922-2007)

Dyers was a Military Policeman with 9th Div Provost Coy from his arrival in the Middle East 25/9/41 until he embarked for Sydney on the 27/1/43. Mr Dyers served again as a Military Policeman in the 9th Div Provost Coy from 30/7/43 until his return to Sydney 23/3/44. His record details a chequered career and a large amount of time in field hospitals and Casualty Clearing Stations. Dyers served in the 32 Works Coy in Australia until he was discharged. He was court-martialled three times. In late 1943 he was in jail for five days awaiting trial on three charges, and eventually convicted of "conduct prejudice to the good order and military discipline". In June 1944 he went AWL for 16 days. In April 1945 he was fined for leaving his sentry post and in July fined again for misconduct. It also refers to an assessment of his "mental instability" which is rated at 10 per cent on the day he was demobbed in August 1946.[6] He is also a former Scientology member. In a list published from the 1950s onwards by Scientology, he is listed as an "SP" (a suppressive person).[7]

In 1993 Dyers was charged with 11 counts of sexual offences against two girls and two sisters of one of the girls, who were between the ages of eight and 15. After several trials and appeals, which lasted almost a decade, Dyers was found not guilty of 10 of the charges. He was found guilty of one charge (tried separately) and jailed at Long Bay Correctional Centre for six days before being released on bail. An appeal in 2000 failed, and in 2002 the charge was overturned in the High Court of Australia on the grounds that the trial judge had potentially misdirected the trial, though two of the five judges said that the "contention of the appellant that the evidence led at his trial should have left the jury with a reasonable doubt as to his guilt... should be rejected." The judges in concluding ordered a retrial. One argued that the appeal be dismissed, while one said a retrial should not be ordered due to several circumstances of the case, which included "the age of the appellant and his medical condition" and "the absence of any challenge by the prosecutor".[8]

On 28 October 2005, Dyers was charged in Sutherland Local Court with the sexual assault of two 12-year old girls, alleged to have taken place at the Kenja's Surry Hills headquarters in 2001-2002. Dyers was released on bail under the conditions that he attends Sutherland Police Station weekly and does not attend Kenja premises or events.[9] Dyers applied for a "permanent stay" in his current court case on the grounds of ill health.

Dyers denied he was guilty of the charges against him, saying that they are a result of former members trying to destroy him as part of a witch-hunt.[10] His lawyer, Harland Koops of Henry Davis York Lawyers, makes the defence that 13 year old girls "know how to say no, they get educated in school"[11] and that "there will be contrary medical evidence indicating that Mr Dyers has had erectile dysfunction for almost 15 years".[12]

Mr Dyers shot himself in the head bringing his life to an end on the 25th of July 2007. [13] Mr Dyers had been called by the NSW Police with fresh allegations of sexual misconduct. Mr Dyers application for a 'permanent stay on the grounds of ill health' had not been granted. He was, however, granted a twelve month stay on the grounds of mental health.

Sydney Morning Herald journalist Robert Wainright referred to Mr Dyers War Time biography as exposing a 'Walter Mitty Complex', in his article examining the inconsistencies between Mr Dyers claims and verifiable records.

[edit] Kenja and mental illness

[edit] Cornelia Rau

In 2005, a mentally ill former member, Cornelia Rau, gained widespread media attention in Australia due to being unlawfully detained for a period of 10 months by the Australian government. Before this, she had disappeared, and later turned up in North Queensland where Aborigines alerted the police after being concerned about her behaviour. She told them she was Anna Brotmeyer (and later Anna Schmidt) from Germany. Immigration officials assumed she was an illegal immigrant, and failed to diagnose her schizophrenia, leading to her detention.

Her family accused Kenja of contributing to her declining mental health,[14] although Rau had not been involved since 1998. She had developed schizophrenia while a member of the group.[15][16]

Hamilton denied any wrongdoing, saying: "We are not responsible for Cornelia's condition ... we are not a cult. It's a witch-hunt." The sister and family of Cornelia Rau, as well as several members of Kenja present at the time formed a different opinion while observing Rau's involvement in the group.[14][17] Hamilton also claimed, retrospectively, Rau was "scattered, disassociated" as a member of the group, and that she was asked to leave because she needed help and the group "couldn't help her".[18] However, witnesses quoted in the media say she was humiliated and expelled.[16][19]

[edit] Others

In a similar case to Cornelia Rau's, a man named Richard Leape who was being treated for schizophrenia disappeared while a member of Kenja and has not been seen since around 1993. His sister, Annette, says she found him in the street "totally paranoid and irrational, saying Nazis were going to get him". She was concerned that many other people had "developed very serious mental illnesses" from time in Kenja, and said she was "appalled" to know Kenja still exists.[14]

A young man who was a Kenja member of 2 years, Michael Beaver, was also diagnosed with and hospitalised for chronic schizophrenia. He blamed Kenja, and said he had heard of four other people who had severe problems since leaving Kenja. Beaver later killed himself, writing that Kenja was "partly to blame" in his suicide note.[4]

A young man known as Mark Morrison was declared dead by the coroners court after being missing for seven years. His last known whereabouts has been given as 'Kenja Communication'.

Peter Farragher, a long standing member and senior executive committed suicide sometime after being expelled from the group.

[edit] Popular Culture

Beyond Our Ken – directed by Luke Walker and Melissa Maclean.

A film exploring the Kenja group nominated for Best Documentary by the Film Critics Circle Australia 2008. The film has been included in the Canadian Film Festival, 'Hot Docs'.

(see http://miff.meccamedialight.com.au/2007/film?film_id=8703 and http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s1992310.htm)


[edit] AVO's

Senior Members of Kenja Communication have been cross examined in a recent court case involving a Father and his Daughter who are alleged to have made serious charges of sexual molestation against Mr Dyers.[[3]]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Secrets of sect in sex case. The Daily Telegraph, The Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey (May 25, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-02-08.
  2. ^ a b c Kenja Communication. Kenja Communication.
  3. ^ a b Robert Manne. The Unknown Story of Cornelia Rau.
  4. ^ a b c Legislative Council Hansard. Parliament of New South Wales (22 April 1993). Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  5. ^ religionnewsblog.com archive of Kenja related media. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.
  6. ^ Kenja Communication. The Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey (February 12, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-01-22. (full army record)
  7. ^ Suppressive persons and suppressive groups list. Church of Scientology, whyaretheydead.net. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  8. ^ Dyers v The Queen (2002). High Court of Australia (October 9, 2002). Retrieved on 2006-12-12.
  9. ^ Cult leader to stand trial on sex charges. ABC News and Current Affairs, The Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey (May 26, 2006). Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  10. ^ Cult leader says sex charges part of witch-hunt. AAP, The Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey (October 28, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-02-08.
  11. ^ Cult head's 'No means no' defence. The Daily Telegraph, The Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey (October 28, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
  12. ^ Kennedy, Les (February 12, 2005). Cult boss impotent, says lawyer. The Sydney Morning Herald, The Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
  13. ^ Kennedy, Les (July 25, 2007). Sydney cult leader found dead. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 2007-07-26.
  14. ^ a b c Lisa Davies (February 10, 2005). This is the face behind a cult. originally published in the Daily Telegraph (Australia). The Rick A. Ross Institute.
  15. ^ Cult linked to Cornelia. Herald Sun, The Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey (February 8, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-02-08.
  16. ^ a b Rau angry at sister's visit. The Sunday Mail, The Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey (February 2005). Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
  17. ^ Daniel Ziffer. "Rau's sister blames cult", Immigration features, The Age, February 8, 2005. 
  18. ^ Wainwright, Robert (February 12, 2005). Dance photos reminder of a troubled trainee. The Sydney Morning Herald, The Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  19. ^ The humiliation of Cornelia Rau. The Daily Telegraph, The Rick A. Ross Institute of New Jersey (February 2005). Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
  1. 20 "Cult strikes back Daily Telegraph 6th Dec 2007" http://www.rickross.com/reference/kenja/kenja39.html

[edit] References

  • Jones, Cindy. "Kenja group 'destructive' and 'sinister' claims MP." Sun-Herald 13 December 1992 p. 7
  • Mostyn, Suzanne. "MPs told of cult leader's sexual and mental abuse." Sydney Morning Herald 27 April 1993 p.6
  • Papadopoulos, Nick. "Founder of Kenja to seek no-bill after partial acquittal on sex charges." Sydney Morning Herald 16 April 1996 p.10

[edit] See also

[edit] External links