I AM Not

Guy Ballard 

Gerald Barbee Bryan is mostly remembered (if at all) for his book "Psychic Dictatorship in America", an exposure of the cultist antics of the so-called Mighty I AM Activity, a new religious movement led by Guy and Edna Ballard. The book was published already in 1940. While "the Mighty I AM Activity" is rather passive these days, a strikingly similar group known as CUT or Summit Lighthouse have created pandemonium in New Age milieux for decades. Thus, Bryan's book (which is available free on-line) can be of some interest to the contemporary cult-watcher or spiritual seeker. 

Before publishing "Psychic Dictatorship", Bryan had penned a number of shorter pamphlets which also attack The Mighty I AM Activity and its teachings. In the 1940 book, Bryan comes across as a mainline Christian. In the earlier pamphlets, by contrast, he sounds as a student of various metaphysical teachings, including New Thought, Christian Science, Theosophy and astrology. According to an Amazon reviewer who met Bryan's widow, Bryan had briefly dabbled in the I AM teachings, but quickly realized that the Ballards were destructive cultists. His brochures were intended as sincere warnings to those still under the spell of the Activity.

"The `I AM' Teachings of Mr. G. W. Ballard (Godfre Ray King). An analysis. Brochure no. 2" is the full title of the second anti-Ballard pamphlet. It contains a short summary of Guy and Edna Ballard's views, and the author's criticism of the same. The Ballards apparently claimed that the I AM discourses of Ascended Master Saint Germain were unique, an obviously absurd statement. Bryan points out that the Ballardite message is really based on New Thought, with a blend of Theosophy, Rosicrucianism and similar teachings superimposed. Even the term "I AM" has been used before, nor is the concept itself previously unknown. "I AM" is the Christ within, the divine spark in every human soul. The innovations of the Ballards strike the author as unnecessary and somewhat bizarre, such as the claim that the I AM hovers *above* the physical body.

Bryan is worried about the extremist, militant tone of the I AM teachings. He opposes "decrees" precisely because they embody power and authority, something he doesn't believe fallible humans can cope with. Instead of decrees, Bryan recommends prayers. Jesus had immense power, yet taught his followers to pray, not to decree. "The violet consuming flame" which supposedly dissolves negative karma is, Bryan admits, a Ballard innovation, but he can't find any scriptural or esoteric backing for the notion. It's not identical to the divine grace promised and sometimes bestowed by Jesus.

Bryan also criticizes the I AM teaching that believers can "make the ascension" already in this life. According to Bryan, there are two paths to salvation, both equally difficult. The long way leads through countless of incarnations and represents a process of cosmic evolution. The short way goes through "initiation". None of them promises "ascension in this life" simply through decreeing or imagining a violet flame. The Ballards have a spiritual get-rich-quick scheme. Bryan defends astrology, something the Ballards apparently condemned. They also rejected Tarot and numerology, presumably since these more traditional esoteric pursuits interfere with the I AM Activity. Bryan believes that astrology works, and that the Bible is filled with astrological imagery. He also skilfully points out that Shakespeare, Francis Bacon and the real Comte de St Germain practised astrology, so how can "ascended master Saint Germain" condemn it? According to I AM teachings, Saint Germain was Bacon in a previous life and wrote Shakespeare's plays! In a final chapter, Bryan emphasizes the need for humility, service and a contrite heart for grace and salvation, rather than the power-mongering of the Ballard couple.

I don't know if any follower of the Activity took heed and left the cult after reading Bryan's measured criticism of their teachings. Interestingly, Bryan had confronted Guy Ballard himself during a private interview with various inconsistencies he had found in the latter's writings. Mr Ballard proved unable to respond, and then promptly refused to grant Bryan more interviews. When Bryan sent his first pamphlet to Guy Ballard for comments, the cult leader also refused to respond. It's not clear whether Bryan naïvely attempted to make Guy come to his senses, or whether he nefariously wanted to trick him into incriminating himself. Either way, Guy Ballard (a.k.a. Godfre Ray King) didn't take the bait.

This work is available free on-line, and should be read together with the other brochures written by the same author.