The crown jewel in the Criminon array, The Way to Happiness course is perhaps
the greatest tool in reforming criminals and in preventing criminal activity
from beginning in the first place.
The course centers on the booklet The Way to
Happiness, a non-religious, common-sense moral code consisting of
21 precepts. Each precept deals with a specific area or activity of
life, and explains why following such a code of conduct will actually lead to a
better life. It is in fact this understanding which helps the individual
realize why ethical behavior is the way to lead a happier and more productive
life. And when they understand this, they change their behavior themselves.
Each precept on the course is studied to a full understanding, and is followed
by lessons and practical exercises and assignments which actively demonstrate
how these are used and apply in life. Students on the course also put the
precepts to use in their own lives as a major final practical assignment, and
actually get to see their workability for themselves.
In effect, this course displaces the "criminal code of conduct" by teaching a
common-sense moral code that anyone can use to live a life of stability and
productivity, where they can be safe and happy, and most importantly get back
and maintain their self-respect.
The correlation between criminal behavior and illiteracy is well documented.
Failures in school and education can directly translate into crime and violence
on the street.
The Criminon Program handles this deficiency head-on with The Learning How to
Learn and The Learning Improvement courses, which teach the student how to
study, how to overcome the barriers to comprehension, and how to retain
knowledge. It enables one to study any subject and learn the material
effectively, so that he may then apply it immediately in life, with success
Ultimately, why does one study? So he can use what he has learned. But not
knowing how to study and effectively learn a subject or craft can bar the road
to real life application and success, not to mention something as basic as
getting and holding a job.
On this course, students are taught the barriers to learning and how to
recognize and overcome them. They are also taught how to look up and define
words so that they are understood, whether in books or conversation. And most
importantly, they are taught how to apply what is being learned so that it can
be used. In effect, students on this course learn how to learn.
Successes from this course consistently acknowledge the fact that it is a vital
skill for future training, not just in the Criminon Program, but in life.
Students often feel for the first time that they can master any subject or
craft, and that they can then build a career from what they've learned.
Criminon also offers courses which cover phonics and grammar, for those who must
first master the ability to read before they begin the program.
How often has a failure in communication precipitated a breakdown in relations
or been the cause of violence? Too often, as most will agree. This course
answers the question, is it possible for someone to handle any situation in
life with communication alone? Happily, the answer is a resounding yes.
This section of the Criminon Program breaks down the subject of communication
into all of its constituent parts, and thoroughly trains the student on each
element before going on to the next, through a series of drills which increase
the student's ability to confront people and communicate clearly and
competently.
The student is also taught to recognize where communication has broken down in
the past and why, so that he can correct it in the present. And more
importantly, he learns how to remain calm in the face of hostility or
adversity, maintaining self-control and handling the situation with
communication alone - and without violence.
Students of the course report not only feeling more calm, more able to tolerate
others, they also say how much they simply enjoy actually speaking with people
now, as opposed to talking at them before.
Teaches the effects of drugs and how to free
oneself from drug addiction
Currently, well over half of all crimes in the United States are related to drug
use or are committed while the person is on drugs. The handling of drug
addiction, and education which serves to keep someone from using drugs both go
a long way in handling the problems of crime.
This course teaches the student exactly what drugs are and the effects they have
on the body and mind. It explains how and why one becomes addicted to drugs in
the first place and then details an exact regimen - which involves the use of
vitamins and exercise - for freeing a person from the grip of addiction, and
all without medical substitutes.
Those who study this course have routinely commented that having this
information on drugs and their true effects is invaluable.
Teaches ethics, honesty & how one can correct
past harmful actions
The loss of integrity and self-respect are very real factors when considering an
individual's descent into crime and unethical behavior. The recovery of both is
the main concern of this course.
It begins with basic principles and culminates with exact steps the student can
use to help himself - or another - regain personal integrity through the
inspection of past harmful actions and then taking responsibility for them. The
student must discover for himself what he did wrong and what should have been
done instead.
Teaches how one can handle the negative influences in life
This section of the Criminon Program deals with establishing the skill to chart
one's own course in life, with honesty and integrity, and to spot and
disassociate from those elements which would tend to lead one astray.
The course teaches the students the characteristics of both anti-social
personalities and social personalities, so that they may recognize both and
know the differences between the two. That way, they can better choose their
friends and associates, and become more aware of their own attitudes and be
made less susceptible to those who would have them revert to crime.
Teaches how to evaluate and improve one's
performance in life
Offenders often lack the ability to recognize just how far they have wandered
from acceptable conduct, much less legal behavior, and even then do not possess
the knowledge or know-how to correct the problem and regain good standing.
The information in this course deals directly with the various states, or
conditions, one can be in, any area of his life. This course also gives the
student the skills necessary to correctly evaluate how well or how poorly he is
doing in that area of his life, and teaches the exact steps one must do in
order to improve his condition, whether it's high on the scale or low.
Successes often show how the course has helped offenders see their way out of
their poor condition in regards to society, and those they may have harmed, and
also how this knowledge can be put to use in a friendship, on the job, in a
family, or just with oneself.
Teaches parenting skills and the raising and care
of children
Our parents learned from their parents and most likely taught us those same
lessons. Unfortunately, lessons which seem to promote bad behavior or even
illegal behavior are also learned in the same manner.
This course offers some real help on how to raise children so that they can
learn the value of honesty, what it is to be a productive and valued member of
society, as well as how to live a life with happiness and love. The exercises
and drills also help the student with how to speak with children, and even how
to teach and impart the precepts of The Way to Happiness, so the child may use
them on his or her own.
