M- didn't you say your boyfriend JUST came back? was it his first retreat? if so, 1) Of course he's going to rave about it when it's so fresh. 2) That means there is definitely still time to keep him from getting lost, especially since I'm guessing you don't live near WA (or else he wouldn't have gone to Italy?)

Find out his opinion/personality on other cults. Ask him if they rub him the wrong way, if he thinks they are brainwashing,manipulative, etc. If he answers yes, ask him what RSE does that is any better than those cults, and show him posts here that show how terrible RSE can be.

If he sees no problem with other cults and gives a "if that's what they choose to do" kind of response, then you might have to reevaluate your compatibility, etc.

Definitely don't lose yourself, but don't be so afraid of it that you don't at least give it your all. For me- in the long run both my girlfriend and I will be happier not in a relationship together, AND I think I can be of better help to her if I am not her boyfriend. That way if she ever gets out of RSE, our relationship will be less clouded and easier to be straightforward, etc.

Wiseone-
Thanks. For a 21 year old, I am quite familiar with relatively serious/long term relationships and their subsequent break ups. This one is different because we live together and I really thought it hadlifelong potential, but I am not one for bull****ting myself. She and I had been having doubts for months, it just took the Ramtha conversation to get us to admit it to eachother. Like I said, if it wasn't RSE it would have been something else for us. We're good together, but not good enough to see through serious lifestyle differences and perceptions. I'd rather spare us the long term misery of pretending, heh.

Oh, and my girlfriend gave me GREAT NEWS last night. She gets to go to her follow up for only 200 bucks because she's on bathroom duty. OH JOY!!!!

I know how you feel, but I also can relate to how she feels ( since I "been there , done that").
But it is amusing......

zyx,

you just sound so mature!!!!

i feel bad for girlfriend. she's really missing the boat.

you deserve miss right, and i hope you find her....i know you will find her.

but i have to laughingly and kindly say, you also crack me up...it's been a while since i was 21, and i have a son who is 22 this year...to me you're a "kid".

my son's gf is out of the country for this college semester. he's not happy about it, and the family is watching to see if it makes 'em or breaks 'em. so far, it seems to be working out alright. we expect they're gonna get married someday, but i don't count my chickens before they're hatched so to speak. she's a nice girl - that's not a problem. just have to SEE it. time will tell. as always.

we broke up.

just thought i'd give thaqt update.

it was her that called the "break up talk", but it was prety mutual. we're still pals. i'm sleeping on the floor while i look for a new place. she volunteered to let me have the bed, but it's her bed, not mine, so i took the living room.

ironic: We got together in January, and she broke up with me RIGHT after we got together. then she went to her beginner's retreat in Feb and when she got back, she got back together with me right when she came home.

Cut to 8 months later, and she breaks up with me RIGHT when she gets back from her follow up.

Sorry, Zy.

I'm sure you're feeling sad. I wish you the best, and your heart's desire.

I'm sure the right person is on this planet for you - who will treat you with respect and true love. Untethered by any cult-drama.

she is on her own RSE journey.
You have made some mature observations of where you are at and where you want to go, and with someone on a similar path.
may you find happiness.....

always....