A self-improvement program that blends spirituality with belief management, created by a former Scientologist.
Religion: New Age
Founder: Harry Palmer
Founded: 1986
Location: International
Other Names: Avatar Training, Avatar Course International
Website: avatarepc.com
The Avatar Course, created by Harry Palmer, is a self-development program that aims to facilitate spiritual awakening and personal transformation. Launched from Palmer’s living room in New York in 1987, the course seeks to empower individuals to explore and modify their beliefs, ultimately enabling them to create their desired reality deliberately. The program has reached a global audience, being taught in 150 countries to over 100,000 participants, with Palmer’s writings and talks available in more than 30 languages.
Harry Palmer, began his career as a high school teacher in 1969, and also earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Ithaca College and a Master of Science in Education from Elmira College. However, his portrayal as an Educational Psychologis has been challenged, most notably by the Florida Department of Health in 2005/2006, resulting in Palmer signing a cease-and-desist agreement over the misuse of the term “psychologist”.
Palmer’s development of the Avatar Course was influenced by a profound, transformative experience in the early 1970s, which led him to explore the interrelation of human consciousness with various technologies and philosophies. This exploration culminated in the creation of the Avatar Materials in 1987, forming the foundation of the Avatar Course. The materials and the course aim to unlock new realms of conscious experience, drawing on a mix of Eastern and Western philosophies, psychology, and other disciplines.
The course itself, managed by Star’s Edge International—a for-profit corporation founded by Palmer in 1986—has grown significantly. From its humble beginnings in Palmer’s living room, it now boasts over 12,000 licensed Avatar teachers globally, spanning 71 countries. The curriculum offers a step-by-step guide to personal responsibility, compassion, and a deliberate way of living, reflecting Palmer’s vision of contributing to an enlightened planetary civilization.
Despite its broad reach and the transformational experiences reported by many participants, the Avatar Course has faced criticism and controversy, particularly regarding Palmer’s claims of extraterrestrial knowledge and the legitimacy of his academic credentials. Additionally, the Avatar Course has been compared to other self-development programs, notably being dubbed “Scientology Lite” by some critics, highlighting Palmer’s history with the Church of Scientology. The legal battles, particularly Palmer’s lawsuit against Eldon Braun for copyright and trademark infringement, further illuminate the contentious nature of the Avatar Course’s intellectual property and operational practices. These controversies not only challenge the credibility of the course and its founder in the eyes of many but also spark a broader discussion on the authenticity and ethical practices of self-development programs.
image via The Avatar Course
