NAFPS Forum

General => Frauds => Topic started by: TrishaRoseJacobs on January 07, 2005, 12:11:18 pm

Title: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: TrishaRoseJacobs on January 07, 2005, 12:11:18 pm
http://www.communitycleanse.org/cc3_edu_gb.htm

What do you guys think?
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: Jim Tree on January 07, 2005, 03:39:24 pm
Sounds like a just another spritual "MUTT"...{mixed up theology = trouble}...while I believe we can learn much from all the spiritual traditions I cannot see how someone can be a Pipe "carrier" and mix medicines. However, I can see how one could have a personal Pipe and walk in  a mixed way, but to have the responsability of careing for a ceremonial Pipe is all to encompasing of a thing to have room for all the other stuff he claims to have/be.
Just my opinion, probably a real nice guy, just does not really know the Pipe.
Blue sky,
Tree
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: JosephSWM on January 08, 2005, 05:15:00 am
Here are two links about him:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22george+bertelstein%22
http://www.beinghuman.us/xlinks.htm

Here is a link mentioning Barrett Eagle Bear

http://www.journey2theheart.com/hotstonebasic.htm

Here are some of the many links for Oklevueha Earth Walks. There were many and I remember reading about this a few years ago.

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/35/story_3549_1.html
http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/PrRel/maoct302003.htm
http://www.utcourts.gov/opinions/supopin/mooney062204.htm
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/news1/an010621-09.html

Hmmm, maybe we should check into James Flaming Eagle Mooney.


And here's some stuff about Don Victor Estrada

http://www.aquarius-atlanta.com/farticles/shaman.html
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://sic.ines.org/content/e30/e793/e860/index_ger.html&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2522Don%2BVictor%2BEstrada%2522%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG

Lots of reading

Joseph
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: educatedindian on January 08, 2005, 03:48:05 pm
It always bothers me an extra bit to find these exploiter sites run by Buddhists, Jews, or other religious minorities.

Barrett Eagle Bear, Bertelstein's teacher, was listed as a Plastic by AIM Florida in an issue they list. Couldn't find a link to the article itself though.

http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/NATIVE-AMERICAN-NEWS/2001-08/0997902156
@ 1/2 of the way down.

Joseph, Trish has an article on Mooney on her site. Seems he sold ceremonies and that's why he was kicked out of NAC. He also can't decide if he is Seminole or "Iroquois".
http://users.pandora.be/gohiyuhi/articles/art00016.htm

We have some older posts on him from earlier versions of NAFPS. I'll do my best to get all the old posts posted, but it'll take time.

Here's a photo and an interview with Estrada. He seems to be a mestizo who's teaching a Nuage version, using their terms like "Andean shaman".
http://www.duncanentertainment.com/interview_estrada.php
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: JosephSWM on January 08, 2005, 04:43:25 pm
Thank you for the  extra links to read. I agree about the religious minorities. That fellow Stanford Lessans is also Jewish, but that should be no reflection on Jewish people.

Most of these folks are needy, searching for something to fill the void that thier very own culture created.

Joseph
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: Michael Johnson on April 21, 2005, 10:48:05 pm
Hi Trish!

Nice to see you on the net again!

Mike Johnson here.

I am back in Texas for a while, but expect to be heading back to Tellico sometime in the next year.

Good to see you again.

Take care and keep up the good work!
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: Cante on January 15, 2007, 02:01:22 am
George Bertlestein and his Medicine Path (www.medicinepath.org) group are known fruads in my community. He charges $400 for a 24hr "vision quest" that includes the use of San Pedro cactus. He charges $50 for a "sweat lodge" that also includes San Pedro. He allows photographs to be taken of his ceremonies. His pipe, which he calls a Canupa, is covered in shiny metal. His "teachings" come from Barret Eagle Bear who is very questionable in my book. He is good friends with James W. "Flaming Eagle" Mooney and his plastic NAC group. He has been invited to traditional ceremony and has refused every time. He is a Jewish psychologist who acts like a cult leader. I have a LOT more information, and proof, on this guy if anyone wants it.
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: Cante on January 23, 2007, 05:12:32 pm
This is the latest email I have received from George and his Medicine Path group. It seems that they are doing a "pipe ceremony" mixed with hallucinogenic San Pedro cactus and selling it for $150. IMO this guy should be put in the known frauds catagory.

Quote
Dear Friends,

Medicine Path is pleased to announce an upcoming Joint Ceremony of the Sacred Pipe & the Andean Medicine. 

We are blessed to have the participation and support of our dear sister Linda "Brighthawk" Mooney, Medicine Woman and an officer and Spiritual Leader of Oklevueaha Earthwalks Native American Church of Utah. Linda is also a member of the Board of Directors of Medicine Path.  Linda and her husband, our great brother James Warren "Flaming Eagle" Mooney and their lives and ceremonies are a part of the foundation of Medicine Path.  We are honored to have Linda join us.

The Grandmother of this Pipe ceremony, my adopted sister and first teacher Barrett Eagle Bear, Lakota Medicine Woman and Sundance Leader, will be joining us.  It is an honor and a blessing to have her loving presence. 
 
If you would like to attend this ceremony or have any questions, please contact Jeff Wright at ****@************.*** or (415)****-****.

Space for this ceremony is limited. Please respond as soon as possible if you would like to participate. 

When: Saturday, 03/03/07. 6:30 pm arrival.

Location: **** **** Avenue , San Francisco

Suggested Donation: $150

Medicine Path is a non-profit organization that relies on your donations to support its intention to offer sacred ceremonies and continuous ongoing support to all who come in a good way. Your donation also enables Medicine Path to offer material support to our friends, elders and teachers who share this intention.

As always, no one will be turned away from this or any other Medicine Path ceremony for lack of funds.

I have attended one of his "normal" (non-drug use) pipe ceremonies. When I asked him where he got his pipe from he refused to answer me. He also rudely interrupted my prayer to tell me I was holding his pipe incorrectly (I know how to hold a Canupa). They also tried really hard to pressure me to take a trip to Peru with them. I told them that was not my way and that I didn't have the funds to go anyway. They told me that I could make installment payments and could also work off any $$ I was unable to pay (I know of 4 women who were molested by the curandero on this trip and 1 who was diagnosed with lukemia shortly after). Needless to say, I never went back. His pipe is covered in shiny metal studs which is not Traditional Lakota. Though I have since learned that he was given this pipe by Barrett Eagle Bear who claims to be a Medicine Woman and Spiritual Leader of Lakota Tradition. How can a traditional mix up and participate in stuff like this? How can a traditional allow photographs of an Inipi ceremony to be taken (I found them on the net and have them)? Barrett Eagle Bear is also supposably Intercessor at the Ina Maka Sun Dance, does anyone know anything about this dance?

I also feel that "Brighthawk" and "Flaming Eagle" need to be put into the frauds catagory as well. They are using the N.A.C. name in a bad way and pitting the real N.A.C. against their psuedo N.A.C. with all their lawsuits regarding their right, as non-natives, to carry the Medicine and pray in this way. And as you can see they are also supporting the mixing of Traditions and Medicines... And charging for it...
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: Barnaby_McEwan on January 23, 2007, 07:28:13 pm
IMO this guy should be put in the known frauds catagory.

Done. Thanks for all the info.

Quote
I also feel that "Brighthawk" and "Flaming Eagle" need to be put into the frauds catagory as well.

Mooney is already there (http://newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=253.0). I don't think we need a separate thread for his wife.
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: Cante on January 23, 2007, 10:01:48 pm
Pilamaya aloh for moving this.

I do still have some questions about Barrett Eagle Bear though. Does anyone know anything about her (see my questions in my previous post)?

btw - I also passed the information I have on all these people to Alfred Bone Shirt of the DLN Coalition. Mr. Mooney claims to be adopted by the Sicangu Lakota Oyate and that is where he also claims to have gotten his N.A.C. Fireplace and become a Roadman.
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: Barnaby_McEwan on January 23, 2007, 11:13:30 pm
Pilamaya aloh for moving this.

You're welcome!

Quote
Mr. Mooney claims to be adopted by the Sicangu Lakota Oyate and that is where he also claims to have gotten his N.A.C. Fireplace and become a Roadman.

I wish he'd make his mind up! He used to be "Iroquois" and then later was descended from a Seminole band.
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: Cante on January 24, 2007, 01:38:02 am
He still claims to be Seminole. But he says that he was adopted by the Sicangu and that is also where he became a Roadman.
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: educatedindian on April 19, 2013, 08:39:39 pm
Got a report that Bertelstein's fraud group is coming to Canada, being hosted by fellow fraud Erick Gonzalez.

Bertelstein is described in another link here.
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=253.msg30136#msg30136

His website selling ceremony is Medicinepath.org, falsely claiming to be NAC just like Mooney does.
They have a form you have to fill out before they sell you ceremony. You actually have to agree that you won't sue, even if you die. Seriously, and they make you state you agree, twice.

-------
http://www.medicinepath.org/ceremony-participation-forms/
Ceremony Participation Forms
All participants in Medicine Path, N.A.C. Ceremonies are required to submit a Ceremony Participation & Medical Release / Information Form before participating in a ceremony....

Ceremony Participant Registration
By submitting this form I acknowledge that I am an authorized Ceremony Participant of Medicine Path Native American Church. As an authorized Ceremony Participant, I agree to participate in Native American Church ceremonies under the following terms and conditions:
1. I agree to participate in Medicine Path Native American Church ceremonies of my own free will, choosing and volition. I have been informed of the nature of these ceremonies and do state affirmatively that I have in no way been coerced or manipulated in any manner by any representative of Medicine Path, N.A.C.
2.I agree not to leave any Medicine Path Ceremony before the completion of the Ceremony. I understand that if I choose to leave any Medicine Path, N.A.C. Ceremony before its completion, I do so at my own risk.
3.I confirm that I have no medical, emotional, psychological condition that would put me at risk in participating in Medicine Path Ceremonies.
4.I have read, do understand, and have completed the “Medical Information / Release Form”.
Type your name below indicating that you have read and agree to the terms & conditions above.*

0 of 30 max characters
MEDICAL INFORMATION / RELEASE:
We ask for this information so we could know in advance of special medical conditions you may have, rather than learning about them during the ceremonies... The form will be retained along with your liability waiver for a period of time following the meetings, after which it will be destroyed....
Medical History....
Release:
In consideration of being allowed to participate in this event, I hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the event’s leader, organizers and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands, or course of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me, or to any property belonging to me whether caused by the negligence of release, or otherwise, while participating in this event, or while in, on or upon the premises where the event is being conducted. To the best of my knowledge, I am in good physical condition and I am not aware of any physical and/or psychological infirmity, which would place me at risk to participate in any way with the ceremony activities. I am fully aware of the risks and hazards connected with this event. I VOLUNTARILY ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY RISK OF LOSS, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, that may be sustained by me, or any loss or damage to property owned by me as a result of being engaged in the event's activities whether caused by the negligence of release, or otherwise. In submitting this release, I acknowledge and represent that I have read and understand it and submit it voluntarily.
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: Epiphany on April 20, 2013, 05:49:17 pm
Quote
Then he said, “Let me show you a trick.  Get down on your knees.”  He had me kneel on the ground and place my hands behind my head.  Then he put a cup of medicine in my hands and told me to carry it over my head without spilling a drop – a simple, total gesture.  “The only way you can do that is to be a human being.  Breathe.  Be a human being.” I followed, crying, breathing, praying with every aspect of my being to release, to let go of the tyrant of my own perfectionist.

Bertelstein did this to a woman who was already displaying stress and turmoil. Ideally the tyrant she let go of would have been Bertelstein.

Quote
As one who has given everything, we trust him.  We take his lead.  We follow.  And, we, too, show up to serve the circle.  As elder, he defines the space, sets the boundaries, shares the teachings, opens the heart.  His stewardship is clear, unwavering, intensely loving and immensely disciplined, yet it arises though a deeply feminine surrender to his own prayer.

http://samanthasweetwater.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/let-the-circle-lead/ (http://samanthasweetwater.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/let-the-circle-lead/)
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: Epiphany on April 20, 2013, 06:31:23 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp0OzxzkkuI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp0OzxzkkuI)

Interview with Bertelstein. When asked he agreed that his first "teacher" was Barrett Eagle Bear.

He speaks about his sister, that helps verify some of his past family history, no sign of him being anything other than a white guy who is a fraud.

His use of the phrase "in a good way" over and over again is just plain wrong.

He also does a several versions of this:

Quote
I asked her, “How do I get one of those?”

She asked, “What would you want one for?”

This in his story of first seeing a sacred pipe, but he also uses a version of the story about his first time out of a sweat lodge.

Starting at about 5:50 he displays more of an arrogant style and does state "we're not a cult".

Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: huerfana on February 26, 2014, 09:34:09 pm
Recently came across this:

Medicine Path Native American Church website: http://www.medicinepath.org, and Manta profile: http://www.manta.com/c/mr59mfs/medicine-path-native-american-church.

This group of individuals are offering "sacred pipe ceremonies" and "healing medicine ceremonies." They have registered as a 501c3 non-profit corporation. They actively seek donations.

The principals are George Bertelstein, Counseling (claims to have been adopted by Norbert Running); Jeff Wright, "Red Road Counseling;" Jill Visor, Prinicipal. Their spiritual teacher is George Grey Eagle.

There is a link to their Blog which presents explanations and photos.

I feel these people are misguided, but don't feel it's my place to ask them to cease what they're doing. There's so much going on here in California...
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: ShadowDancer on February 26, 2014, 10:23:02 pm
There is a thread on this group located here with a lot more information http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=109
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC
Post by: educatedindian on July 12, 2018, 01:54:37 am
Received this account of how Bertelstein runs his fraudulent ceremony.

-----------

- Medicine Path holds their Sacred Pipe Ceremony and Healing Ceremony in an upper middle-class home at 3009 Deakin Street, Berkeley, CA 94705. The structure used for the ceremonies is a a geometric dome/building in the backyard.

- Prior to entering the geo-dome, each person is smudged however, the burning of sage is never used to smudge. Palo Santo essential oil is sprayed on the hands. The person claps three times and a smudging feather is used once on the front and once on the back of the person.

- For those of us new to this group, we were told that George Bertelstein is waiting inside and to approach him, shake his hand, and tell him our name. All this was done while George remained seated.

- There was no fire. Instead, many tea candles were lit that provided the only source of light. In the center of the floor was a buffalo skull and other animal skulls. The room was decorated with many things involving what appeared to be Lakota, Catholic, and Peruvian/Amazonian decorations. motifs, and artifacts. A Jar Candle Sagrado Corazon De Jesus and a Jar Candle Virgin Of Guadalupe were lit.

- . Some people began their prayers with "Great Spirit" and others began their prayer with "God" and others began with "Tunkasila." At the end of the prayer, we were told to say "Mitakuye Oyasin."

- The c'anupa was then lit and was passed around the circle for everyone to smoke. George Bertelstein was the last person to smoke the pipe. He then left the ceremony. Jeff Wright then instructed the first person in the circle to go around hugging the next person and the next person, and for the next person standing in the circle to do the same. I never did see George again that night,

- Afterwards, inside the home in the kitchen I asked Jeff my questions about the Healing Ceremony. Jeff told me that San Pedro is used and showed me the cacti growing in potted plants right on the deck of the backyard. He told me that people got well into a paper bag. He told me that hape is used in the ceremony and that George administers it through a tepi. He told me the ceremony begins in the morning and ends at night.

- An email was sent in regard to the Healing Ceremony that read, "The financial contribution for this Ceremony is $250. If you are unable to offer the full amount, you may offer a reduced contribution of $200".
Title: Re: George Bertelstein & Medicine Path NAC & Jeff Wright
Post by: Sparks on August 04, 2018, 02:27:06 pm
Bertelstein is described in another link here.
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=253.msg30136#msg30136

Also mentioned here, also written by member "cosmic jellyfish":
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=3435.msg30522#msg30522

Also, I found more about Jeff Wright and "Medicine Path NAC" when investigating another fraud:

The site http://www.redroadcounseling.com/ is run by one Jeff Wright, who has been mentioned about four times in this forum. Maybe he deserves his own thread in here?

http://www.redroadcounseling.com/jeff-wright/
http://www.redroadcounseling.org/jeffs-story/

Quote from: http://www.redroadcounseling.com/jeff-wright/
Who Am I ?
Jeff Wright  is an expert counselor & teacher of the transformative technology of self-healing. He is a husband, former psychotherapist, leader, business owner and mentor. Past experience as a laborer, school teacher, expert bartender/mixologist, mental health practitioner, athlete and devotee of the martial arts also informs his work. Jeff has dedicated his life to offering whatever help he can to individuals & couples who share his burning desire to envision, create and realize a better, happier life for their own enjoyment and for the benefit of all their relations.

Life Purpose
His life’s purpose is to do his part to offer the healing medicine of love to as many people as he can in this lifetime.

Counseling
For over 18yrs Jeff has been helping people transform their lives, their relationships and their careers in his San Francisco based counseling practice.

Medicine Path
For over 14 years he has been helping people in his role as co-founder, president and member of Medicine Path Native American Church in Berkeley, CA.

My bolding of that last paragraph. I found that "NAC" and/or Jeff Wright mentioned ihere:

http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=109.0
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=109.msg45343#msg45343
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=1010.msg5491#msg5491
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=253.msg30136#msg30136
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=3435.msg30522#msg30522
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=2529.msg21199#msg21199