I didn't look, bug, but I will. I have no idea what LDO charges for courses. I sensing you think i'm adversarial towards TB Jr., so just in case, let me explain further.
If Larry Dean Olsen IS Grandfather, or the source of that info, then Tom Brown picked a very knowledgeable person as his mentor.
I think Tom Brown's courses are great -- don't get me wrong. His philosophy is a BIG influence on how I look at the world in general, and nature in particular. Native American spiritualism is very near and dear to my heart, since some NA blood runs in my veins. I like his philosophy from that point of view, and how it fits into the pragmatic use and conservation of resources.
I have friends who were TB Jr.'s former instructors, and some current. They taught me a great deal about living in the wilderness, as opposed to surviving short term. In fact, two of them live a homestead lifestyle in upstate NY, no electricity, and use much of the land for their resources. They give back more than they take. Their living and tracking skills are superbly honed. Tom Brown's teachings are put to practice in their every day life, and the teachings work superbly in that daily life.
Tom Brown seems like a nice guy, and I believe that he really is striving to do good with his teaching. I just think he overdid the legends (he could have just said the legends were an amalgam of many teachers and readings, as was suggested above). There are many contradictions in his stories, but the stories brilliantly illustrate his philosophy, and help impart what he is trying to teach. I also respect him because he says "don't take my word for it -- do the dirt time and decide for yourself." So that's cool.
Most of TB Jr.'s students are very capable, and have their lives together -- in balance. However, I've met quite a few others who worship him without question -- like they are looking for a God to follow -- without even testing his philosophies or doing any dirt time. They take all his courses, but don't pracitce anything. It's like they are desperately looking to belong to something; a cult, or a drug. I heard that he hates that. That's why I warned people to watch out that they don't fall into that. The worshippers I'm talking about tend not to have their lives together, etc. If they didn't latch onto TB Jr., then it would be someone else, some religion, some other leader to help them avoid having to take responsibility for their own lives. I simply find it somewhat pathetic, and hope they find themselves someday. It's not TB Jr.'s fault -- although the kind of enigamtic legends he created tend to attract those types.
Hope this clears up and explains my views on TB Jr. a little better.
All the Best,
Brian.
) holds each year out west. It's a national gathering of people to practice aboriginal and primitive skills. Rabbitstick is also another term for a throwing stick.
