A self-help organization offering tools and techniques for personal transformation, amidst criticism and controversy over its methods and beliefs.
Religion: New Age
Denomination: Spiritual Movement
Founder: Gary Douglas and Dr. Dain Heer
Founded: 1990s
Location: Worldwide
Size: Thousands of followers
Other Names: Bars, The Clearing Statement
Website: accessconsciousness.com
Access Consciousness is a self-help organization that offers a range of personal development programs and tools. Founded in the 1990s, it has garnered a global following and also attracted controversy and skepticism from critics who question its methods and underlying philosophy.
Founding and Philosophy
Access Consciousness was founded by Gary Douglas in 1990. Douglas, a former realtor from Santa Barbara, California, claims to have received a channeling that provided the foundational principles of what would become Access Consciousness. The organization’s philosophy centers around the idea that there is more to life and consciousness than what is experienced in normal waking states. It proposes that individuals can access greater levels of awareness and potential through specific techniques and teachings.
Core Teachings and Practices
The core teaching of Access Consciousness is the concept of “The Bars.” The Bars are 32 points on the head which, when gently touched, are said to release physical and mental blocks, allowing individuals to access greater consciousness. Practitioners claim this process can have various benefits, including improved health, greater ease in relationships, and increased financial capacity.
Central to its doctrine is the division of people into “humans” and “humanoids,” with the latter described as beings of higher awareness capable of transcending common societal judgments and limitations. The organization promotes a variety of courses and workshops, advocating for a broad array of tools — reportedly over 7,000 — designed to foster greater consciousness. These teachings encourage participants to question their perspectives and beliefs, aiming to facilitate a life of greater ease, joy, and glory. Access Consciousness claims a global reach, offering its programs in numerous countries and alleging to have positively transformed the lives of thousands over its three decades of activity.
Criticism and Controversy
Access Consciousness has encountered significant criticism and controversy, with some detractors labeling it a cult due to the questionable legitimacy of its practices and the motivations behind its fee-based courses. Critics have highlighted the resemblance between Access Consciousness and other controversial groups, emphasizing the substantial financial commitment required for members to progress through its ranks and participate in advanced courses. Furthermore, the validity and effectiveness of its methods and teachings have been contested, with some mental health professionals criticizing the provision of therapeutic services without professional accreditation or oversight. Adding to the controversy, the organization’s founder, Douglas, has also made provocative statements about the nature of children and the concept of sexuality, fueling further debate and scrutiny.
Access Consciousness maintains that its core mission is to facilitate greater awareness and empowerment, rejecting labels that categorize it as a cult or fringe movement. Despite these assertions, the group continues to elicit mixed reactions, with supporters praising its transformative impact on their lives, while detractors caution against its unconventional methods and philosophies.
