Is the Sedona Method or Release Technique Better?

The self-help programs known as The Sedona Method and The Release Technique are remarkably similar. Indeed, they should be, for each springs from the teachings of one man. Still, the courses are marketed and run by two different companies and two unique teachers. How alike are they, which is more beneficial and is one less costly than the other?

History

• The Release Technique and The Sedona Method, in many ways, are one and the same. Each is derived from the teachings of Lester Levenson, the original developer of the Sedona Method. He championed The Release Technique as an important element of The Sedona Method. Upon Levenson's death in 1994, one of his proteges, Hale Dwoskin, founded Sedona Training Associates and began fleshing out The Sedona Method into the consumer product we know today. Meanwhile, another of Levenson's understudies, Larry Crane, chose to develop and market another approach to The Sedona Method called The Release Technique.

Similarities

• Both courses remain true to Levenson's main concept: that by learning to release negative feelings and emotions, individuals can achieve peace, prosperity and happiness. The Release Technique, marketed by Crane, is not significantly different from The Sedona Method. And the same may be said vice versa. The main course of each consists of a large collection of audio CDs, workbooks and other materials at a cost of several hundred dollars. Unfortunately, attempting to determine which is "better" is largely a subjective effort. Some people enjoy Big Macs and others Whoppers. It's simply a matter of taste, which can only be truly rated by experience.

Differences

• One significant difference may be in the presentation of the teachings. Devotees of each course, some of whom post their opinions at online forums like the website Personal Development for Smart People, say that Crane's Release Technique seems to be a bit more action-oriented and results driven. In contrast, the Sedona approach is often more subjective and laid back. In other words, as the facilitator of The Release Technique, Crane tends to push individuals toward direct achievement and the meeting of actual goals. Meanwhile, his counterpart with The Sedona Method, Hale Dwoskin, is somewhat less strident, seeking instead to move individuals to a place where they learn to cease hindering their lives. A subtle difference indeed but a distinction nonetheless.

Cost

• While the cost of both primary courses range into the hundreds of dollars, Crane's basic study material in The Release Technique is somewhat less expensive. Prices are known to fluctuate over time, but The Release Technique is normally around $100 cheaper. Each company also offers a steady stream of seminars and retreats in various cities around the world. The cost for those events is relatively comparable between the two entities.

Personal Service

• According to the company's website, individuals who purchase The Release Technique receive ongoing and unlimited free telephone mentoring. Those with questions about the technique are invited to utilize a toll-free number anytime they'd like personalized assistance with using the course for growth fulfillment. The Sedona Method counters with something similar called the Worldwide Releasing Community, available 24/7. Meanwhile, Larry Crane is known for often being personally available, via the phone, for individualized, free consultations. The Sedona Method does not publicize this as being an option with its leader, Hale Dwoskin.