The Prosperos is a small, San-Francisco–based spiritual-psychological community with roots in the human potential movement and New Thought–style consciousness teachings.
Here’s a clear overview of its origin and history:
???? Origins (1970s–1980s)
The group grew out of the work of Derek Lamar, a Bay Area teacher interested in:
- Consciousness exploration
- Depth psychology
- Mysticism
- The “human potential” movement that was strong in California at the time
He developed a teaching system focused on what he called:
???? “The Innate Self” — an inner core of awareness beneath the ego.
????️ Formation of the organization
The formal community known as The Prosperos emerged later as:
- A nonprofit spiritual/educational organization
- A structured community for study, mentoring, and training
- A place to preserve and continue Lamar’s teachings
It developed a layered membership structure (students, sponsoring members, High Watch, ministers).
???? Influences on its philosophy
Historically, the teachings draw from several streams:
1️⃣ Human potential movement
Common in California in the 1960s–80s:
- Self-realization
- Personal transformation
- Consciousness work
2️⃣ Depth psychology
Strong influence from:
- Jungian ideas about the psyche and individuation
- Inner symbolic processes
3️⃣ New Thought / metaphysical spirituality
Similar to traditions like:
- Religious Science
- Unity Church
- Esoteric mysticism
???? San Francisco roots
The group has long been based in San Francisco, where it:
- Held study groups and workshops
- Published newsletters and writings
- Maintained a close-knit membership rather than large public outreach
It has always been relatively small and low-profile.
???? Development over time
Over the decades the organization:
- Formalized mentoring and ordination processes
- Created a nonprofit structure
- Continued teaching through classes, writings, and community meetings
After Lamar’s later years, the group shifted toward preserving and continuing his framework rather than expanding publicly.
???? In simple terms
The Prosperos originated as:
???? A San-Francisco consciousness study community
???? Built around one teacher’s psychological-spiritual system
???? Influenced by Jung, human potential ideas, and New Thought spirituality
If you want, I can also explain:
• What makes its teachings distinctive (they’re quite unusual)
• Criticisms or controversies surrounding the group
• How it differs from mainstream spiritual movements
Just say the word.
The Prosperos is a small, San-Francisco–based spiritual-psychological community with roots in the human potential movement and New Thought–style consciousness teachings.
Here’s a clear overview of its origin and history:
???? Origins (1970s–1980s)
The group grew out of the work of Derek Lamar, a Bay Area teacher interested in:
- Consciousness exploration
- Depth psychology
- Mysticism
- The “human potential” movement that was strong in California at the time
He developed a teaching system focused on what he called:
???? “The Innate Self” — an inner core of awareness beneath the ego.
????️ Formation of the organization
The formal community known as The Prosperos emerged later as:
- A nonprofit spiritual/educational organization
- A structured community for study, mentoring, and training
- A place to preserve and continue Lamar’s teachings
It developed a layered membership structure (students, sponsoring members, High Watch, ministers).
???? Influences on its philosophy
Historically, the teachings draw from several streams:
1️⃣ Human potential movement
Common in California in the 1960s–80s:
- Self-realization
- Personal transformation
- Consciousness work
2️⃣ Depth psychology
Strong influence from:
- Jungian ideas about the psyche and individuation
- Inner symbolic processes
3️⃣ New Thought / metaphysical spirituality
Similar to traditions like:
- Religious Science
- Unity Church
- Esoteric mysticism
???? San Francisco roots
The group has long been based in San Francisco, where it:
- Held study groups and workshops
- Published newsletters and writings
- Maintained a close-knit membership rather than large public outreach
It has always been relatively small and low-profile.
???? Development over time
Over the decades the organization:
- Formalized mentoring and ordination processes
- Created a nonprofit structure
- Continued teaching through classes, writings, and community meetings
After Lamar’s later years, the group shifted toward preserving and continuing his framework rather than expanding publicly.
???? In simple terms
The Prosperos originated as:
???? A San-Francisco consciousness study community
???? Built around one teacher’s psychological-spiritual system
???? Influenced by Jung, human potential ideas, and New Thought spirituality
If you want, I can also explain:
• What makes its teachings distinctive (they’re quite unusual)
• Criticisms or controversies surrounding the group
• How it differs from mainstream spiritual movements
Just say the word.
Derek Lamar! Who knew?
This post illustrates the ultimate problem with general-purpose AI systems: their reports are not all nonsense, and not all truthful reports about reality, and there’s no obvious way to know which is which.