Roy Masters (radio presenter)
Encyclopedia
Roy Masters is a conservative talk-radio show
host, author, and founder of the Foundation of Human Understanding. Born Reuben Obermeister in London
, England
, Masters is now an American citizen and host of "Advice Line with Roy Masters", a radio program he started in 1960, which was then America's first conservative talk-radio show. Masters is a Christian
who exhorts meditation
for overcoming stress, pain, and fear. His commentary deals with Christianity
, psychology
, and philosophy
, and the Foundation of Human Understanding teaches a particular way of performing meditation instructed by Masters.
, Masters' name was Reuben Obermeister. He legally changed it to "Roy Masters" in 1954.
Masters originally planned to go to medical school, but after his father's death of a heart attack when Masters was 12, the family could only afford to send his elder brother to college. Masters was sent to Brighton, England to apprentice as a diamond cutter in his uncle's factory. At 18, he served a term in the Royal Sussex Regiment
of the British Army.
In 1948, at 20, he traveled to South Africa to pursue the diamond profession, but returned to England. During his time in South Africa, he became more "interested in the power of suggestion and the way the mind influences bodily functions." He briefly studied methods of African witch doctors outside Johannesburg
.
In 1949, he relocated to the United States where he worked as a diamond cutter, lecturer, and gem expert.
At age 24, in 1952, he met and married his wife, Ann. They moved from Birmingham, Alabama
, and settled in Houston, Texas
.
Seeing demonstrations by stage hypnotists meant to entertain, he wondered if hypnosis could be put to better uses as a way to fulfill his interest in the healing professions. Morey Bernstein's book in 1956 about Bridey Murphy
increased popular interest in hypnotism. Masters developed his own approach to hypnosis and meditation, and many people came to Roy’s home in Houston to have him explain hypnotic regression and to demonstrate hypnosis.
Masters sold his diamond-cutting business and became a full-time professional hypnotist, founding the Institute of Hypnosis. His approach was to explain his principles and teach his meditation technique in 15 minutes. In the early 1960s, Masters was arrested on charges of practicing medicine without a license. He was convicted, then released early, after 18 days in jail, for good behavior. He practiced for two more years, perfecting his technique of “un-hypnotizing” people, and recorded the LP record, “How your mind can keep you well.”
Masters, his wife Ann, and their four children moved to Los Angeles, California
“so the kids could go to school.”
In 1961 he founded the Foundation of Human Understanding (FHU). In 1983, he moved his family and the Foundation from Los Angeles to Tall Timber Ranch in Selma, Oregon
, near Grants Pass, Oregon
.
Masters holds regular church meetings in Grants Pass, along with other meetings that vary from a Bible studies group, to men's and women's discussion groups. He has traveled to give talks in the past, but recently commented on the radio program that he anticipates very little travel in his future, due to reduced energy level at his age.
, in a prior life.
Masters came to the conclusion that most people did not need to be put into a hypnotic trance in which they were open to suggestions. Instead, they needed to be freed of a widespread, unrecognized hypnotic trance that they had already inadvertently fallen into, as a result of emotionally-driven bad behavior and bad information from themselves and others. Once freed of this trance, he believed, individuals' innate capacity for conscience, intuition, and logic could guide them to better choices and to accepting wise counsel.
Masters developed a meditation technique using relaxation and visualization, which he said undermined an existing trance, quieted disturbing thoughts and feelings, and allowed a person to reconnect with their inner spiritual wisdom. The current version of his meditation presentation is called "Be Still and Know". The name is taken from Psalm 46
:10, which begins "Be still and know that I am God..."
Masters routinely advises callers to his radio advice program that if they have not yet followed the meditation exercise, they should download and use it as a basis for understanding his counsel. Much of his discussion with advice seekers is about what he considers their need to learn how to meditate so that resentment will not lead them to misbehave in dishonorable and unrealistic ways.
Masters says that over 100,000 people have participated in mediation classes given by FHU.
On March 9, 2007, Masters made a 12-minute presentation, "Electricity from Gravity," to the American Physical Society
in Denver, at an open forum for the public to propose new ideas that contradicted current conventions in physics.
The Foundation was ultimately intended to be a Judeo-Christian think tank, providing books, audio tapes, CDs, and other information useful to those seeking Christ. Although self described as a "think tank," the Foundation almost entirely presents only the work of Masters.
The audio recording of the meditation exercise, along with companion books about Masters' key concepts, and recordings of recent or noteworthy radio and church programs, are available for free download from the Foundation's web site. Further written and audiovisual materials are available for download in exchange for a donation to the Foundation. The Foundation also makes its materials available for free to prisoners.
The Foundation buys the radio airtime for "Advice Line," the radio show hosted by Masters.
, Tammy Bruce
, Laura Ingraham
, Jerry Doyle, Rusty Humphries
, and most recently Erich "Mancow" Muller
. Mark Masters
, Roy Masters' son, is CEO of Talk Radio Network. Contrary to some reports, Masters does not own TRN, but does buy radio time through their network.
's Crossfire
and on Larry King Live
, and was interviewed on a 1998 program on the Discovery Channel
dealing with the belief in the Apocalypse
and its relation to the militia
movement. A short segment of an interview with Masters was used in a PBS television documentary entitled Death In America, in which Masters discusses social, cultural and religious attitudes relating to how Americans dealt and currently deal with illness and death throughout American history. He is a frequent guest on The Mancow Show.
Some of Masters' enthusiasts relocated to southern Oregon in the 1980s, after Masters and the Foundation moved there. Masters had encouraged listeners of his radio show to relocate out of large cities to escape what he said was the inevitable collapse of a sick society.
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
host, author, and founder of the Foundation of Human Understanding. Born Reuben Obermeister in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Masters is now an American citizen and host of "Advice Line with Roy Masters", a radio program he started in 1960, which was then America's first conservative talk-radio show. Masters is a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
who exhorts meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
for overcoming stress, pain, and fear. His commentary deals with Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, and philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, and the Foundation of Human Understanding teaches a particular way of performing meditation instructed by Masters.
Biography
At his birth in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Masters' name was Reuben Obermeister. He legally changed it to "Roy Masters" in 1954.
Masters originally planned to go to medical school, but after his father's death of a heart attack when Masters was 12, the family could only afford to send his elder brother to college. Masters was sent to Brighton, England to apprentice as a diamond cutter in his uncle's factory. At 18, he served a term in the Royal Sussex Regiment
Royal Sussex Regiment
The Royal Sussex Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1881 to 1966. The regiment was formed as part of the Childers reforms by the amalgamation of the 35th Regiment of Foot and the 107th Regiment of Foot...
of the British Army.
In 1948, at 20, he traveled to South Africa to pursue the diamond profession, but returned to England. During his time in South Africa, he became more "interested in the power of suggestion and the way the mind influences bodily functions." He briefly studied methods of African witch doctors outside Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
.
In 1949, he relocated to the United States where he worked as a diamond cutter, lecturer, and gem expert.
At age 24, in 1952, he met and married his wife, Ann. They moved from Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, and settled in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
.
Seeing demonstrations by stage hypnotists meant to entertain, he wondered if hypnosis could be put to better uses as a way to fulfill his interest in the healing professions. Morey Bernstein's book in 1956 about Bridey Murphy
Bridey Murphy
Bridey Murphy is the alias of U.S. housewife Virginia Tighe ; the name of the woman Tighe claimed to have been in her previous life.-Hypnotic regression:...
increased popular interest in hypnotism. Masters developed his own approach to hypnosis and meditation, and many people came to Roy’s home in Houston to have him explain hypnotic regression and to demonstrate hypnosis.
Masters sold his diamond-cutting business and became a full-time professional hypnotist, founding the Institute of Hypnosis. His approach was to explain his principles and teach his meditation technique in 15 minutes. In the early 1960s, Masters was arrested on charges of practicing medicine without a license. He was convicted, then released early, after 18 days in jail, for good behavior. He practiced for two more years, perfecting his technique of “un-hypnotizing” people, and recorded the LP record, “How your mind can keep you well.”
Masters, his wife Ann, and their four children moved to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
“so the kids could go to school.”
In 1961 he founded the Foundation of Human Understanding (FHU). In 1983, he moved his family and the Foundation from Los Angeles to Tall Timber Ranch in Selma, Oregon
Selma, Oregon
Selma is an unincorporated community in Josephine County, Oregon, United States. It had a population of 1,934 as of 2000. It is located in the ZIP code of 97538.-Notable residents:...
, near Grants Pass, Oregon
Grants Pass, Oregon
-Rogue River:The Rogue River runs through Grants Pass.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,003 people, 9,376 households, and 5,925 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 9,885 housing units at an average density of 1,303.3 per square mile . By 2008,...
.
Masters holds regular church meetings in Grants Pass, along with other meetings that vary from a Bible studies group, to men's and women's discussion groups. He has traveled to give talks in the past, but recently commented on the radio program that he anticipates very little travel in his future, due to reduced energy level at his age.
Meditation
In 1956 Morey Bernstein wrote a bestselling book, The Search for Bridey Murphy. It was an account of Bernstein's hypnotic regression of a housewife, Virginia Tighe, who said she was a 19th century Irishwoman, Bridey MurphyBridey Murphy
Bridey Murphy is the alias of U.S. housewife Virginia Tighe ; the name of the woman Tighe claimed to have been in her previous life.-Hypnotic regression:...
, in a prior life.
Masters came to the conclusion that most people did not need to be put into a hypnotic trance in which they were open to suggestions. Instead, they needed to be freed of a widespread, unrecognized hypnotic trance that they had already inadvertently fallen into, as a result of emotionally-driven bad behavior and bad information from themselves and others. Once freed of this trance, he believed, individuals' innate capacity for conscience, intuition, and logic could guide them to better choices and to accepting wise counsel.
Masters developed a meditation technique using relaxation and visualization, which he said undermined an existing trance, quieted disturbing thoughts and feelings, and allowed a person to reconnect with their inner spiritual wisdom. The current version of his meditation presentation is called "Be Still and Know". The name is taken from Psalm 46
Psalm 46
Psalm 46 is the 46th psalm from the Book of Psalms, composed by sons of Korah.-Uses:Portions of the psalm are used or referenced in several Jewish prayers. Verse 8 is the ninth verse of V'hu Rachum in Pesukei Dezimra, and is also a part of Uva Letzion. Verse 12 is part of Havdalah...
:10, which begins "Be still and know that I am God..."
Masters routinely advises callers to his radio advice program that if they have not yet followed the meditation exercise, they should download and use it as a basis for understanding his counsel. Much of his discussion with advice seekers is about what he considers their need to learn how to meditate so that resentment will not lead them to misbehave in dishonorable and unrealistic ways.
Masters says that over 100,000 people have participated in mediation classes given by FHU.
Gender roles
Masters sees the Biblical story of Adam and Eve as a literal description of how a female tendency to give in to emotionalism can tempt and corrupt both women and men. He develops these themes into a variety of traditional perspectives about the role of men as spiritual and moral leaders in the family, correcting the unstable emotionalism of women. As part of his conservative interpretation of the Bible's instructions on morality, he advocates sexual abstinence until marriage; teaches that homosexuality is a consequence of moral and psychological issues within an individual subjected to abusive or confusing situations; and holds a pro-life (anti-abortion) position.Christianity
Masters sees Christian salvation as a process of God's work reclaiming the corrupted hearts, minds, and consciences of individuals who repent of their weakness. His teaching emphasizes individual conscience and adherence to life principles, mainly from a psychological or philosophical perspective, with little discussion of traditional Christian themes.Medical problems
Masters sees most medical problems as symptoms of an underlying spiritual or moral issue that has created psychological confusion and emotional overwhelm, leading to physical stress. He teaches that when the spiritual issue is resolved, the physical expression of the problem will also clear up. However, he does not advocate spiritual treatment in lieu of medical care, which he says is necessary as an interim measure, and for those medical issues that do not have a psychological foundation.Physics
Although not trained as a physicist, Masters has developed a theory of physics concerning gravity, electricity, and alternative energy technology. On his radio program, he has offered to provide his paper about the theory for free to physicists and physics educators; the paper is also available to the public at no cost at this time.On March 9, 2007, Masters made a 12-minute presentation, "Electricity from Gravity," to the American Physical Society
American Physical Society
The American Physical Society is the world's second largest organization of physicists, behind the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. The Society publishes more than a dozen scientific journals, including the world renowned Physical Review and Physical Review Letters, and organizes more than 20...
in Denver, at an open forum for the public to propose new ideas that contradicted current conventions in physics.
Foundation of Human Understanding (FHU)
The Foundation, established in 1961, was originally based in a storefront location in Los Angeles that provided lecture space for talks by Masters. After successfully winning a legal challenge, the Foundation now holds tax-exempt church status.The Foundation was ultimately intended to be a Judeo-Christian think tank, providing books, audio tapes, CDs, and other information useful to those seeking Christ. Although self described as a "think tank," the Foundation almost entirely presents only the work of Masters.
The audio recording of the meditation exercise, along with companion books about Masters' key concepts, and recordings of recent or noteworthy radio and church programs, are available for free download from the Foundation's web site. Further written and audiovisual materials are available for download in exchange for a donation to the Foundation. The Foundation also makes its materials available for free to prisoners.
The Foundation buys the radio airtime for "Advice Line," the radio show hosted by Masters.
Advice Line radio show
Masters hosts his own radio show Advice Line, five nights a week, broadcast to about 130 radio stations. During the program, Masters discusses proper living and gives hateful misogynist advice to those who call in. On his program he has said, however, "There's no such thing as happiness in this life. There's only being persecuted for the right reasons."Talk Radio Network
TRN Enterprises syndicates Advice Line as well as primarily conservative personalities such as Michael SavageMichael Savage (commentator)
Michael Savage is a conservative American radio host, author, and political commentator. He is the host of The Savage Nation, a nationally syndicated talk show that airs throughout the United States on Talk Radio Network...
, Tammy Bruce
Tammy Bruce
Tammy Bruce is an American radio host, author, and political commentator. Her nationally-syndicated talk show, The Tammy Bruce Show, airs live weekdays from 11am-1pm Pacific time online via ....
, Laura Ingraham
Laura Ingraham
Laura Anne Ingraham is an American radio host, author, and conservative political commentator. Her nationally syndicated talk show, The Laura Ingraham Show, airs throughout the United States on Talk Radio Network...
, Jerry Doyle, Rusty Humphries
Rusty Humphries
Ralph E. "Rusty" Humphries is an American radio host, conservative political commentator, and songwriter. Humphries' nationally-syndicated radio show, The Rusty Humphries Show, based in Atlanta, Georgia, airs on over 250 stations through Talk Radio Network.-Career:Humphries has hosted as a...
, and most recently Erich "Mancow" Muller
Mancow Muller
Matthew Erich "Mancow" Muller is an American radio and television personality. He is best known for Mancow's Morning Madhouse, formerly on Rock 103.5 and WKQX-FM , both Chicago-based radio shows that have been nationally syndicated mostly in small markets by Talk Radio Network...
. Mark Masters
Mark Masters
Mark Masters is the president and CEO of Talk Radio Network and its subsidiaries.-References:...
, Roy Masters' son, is CEO of Talk Radio Network. Contrary to some reports, Masters does not own TRN, but does buy radio time through their network.
Media appearances
Masters has appeared on CNNCNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
's Crossfire
Crossfire (TV series)
Crossfire was a current events debate television program that aired from 1982 to 2005 on CNN. Its format was designed to present and challenge the opinions of a politically liberal pundit and a conservative pundit.-Format:...
and on Larry King Live
Larry King Live
Larry King Live is an American talk show hosted by Larry King on CNN from 1985 to 2010. It was CNN's most watched and longest-running program, with over one million viewers nightly....
, and was interviewed on a 1998 program on the Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
dealing with the belief in the Apocalypse
Apocalypse
An Apocalypse is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted. The Apocalypse of John is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament...
and its relation to the militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
movement. A short segment of an interview with Masters was used in a PBS television documentary entitled Death In America, in which Masters discusses social, cultural and religious attitudes relating to how Americans dealt and currently deal with illness and death throughout American history. He is a frequent guest on The Mancow Show.
Controversy
In a 1992 open letter, he said he was a former Jew who founded a ministry that some unfairly viewed as New Age because of "often mean-spirited media coverage."Some of Masters' enthusiasts relocated to southern Oregon in the 1980s, after Masters and the Foundation moved there. Masters had encouraged listeners of his radio show to relocate out of large cities to escape what he said was the inevitable collapse of a sick society.
Publications
- Hypnotic States of Americans: A spiritual survival manual for every American family in a perilous world. Oregon: CreateSpace, May 11, 2011. ISBN 978-1460939024
- The Adam and Eve Sindrome. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, Jan. 2001. ISBN 978-0-933900-11-0
- Finding God in Physics: Einstein's Missing Relative (with Bob Just and Dorothy Baker). Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, ISBN 978-0-933900-19-6
- Secrets of a Parallel Universe: Why Our Deepest Problems Hold the Key to Ultimate Personal Success and Happiness. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, June 1992. ISBN 978-0-933900-17-2
- Surviving the Comfort Zone (with Dorothy Baker). Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, Aug. 1, 1991. ISBN 978-0-933900-15-8
- Understanding Sexuality: The Mystery of Our Lost Identities (with Dorothy Baker). Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, rev. ed., Feb. 1988. ISBN 978-0-933900-13-4
- Beyond the Known (with Dorothy Baker). Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, Rev. Ed., June 1, 1988. ISBN 978-0-933900-03-5
- The Hypnosis of Life: Self-Defense Lessons to Help You Cope with Every Day Pressure. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, June 1988. ISBN 978-0-933900-05-9
- The Secret Power of Words: Why Words Affect You So Deeply. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, June 1, 1988. (pbk) ISBN 978-0-933900-14-1
- Eat No Evil (with Dorothy Baker). Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, June 1987. (pbk) ISBN 978-0-933900-12-7
- How to Survive Your Parents: And Not Do to Your Children What Your Parents Did to You. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, June 1, 1982. (pbk) ISBN 978-0-933900-10-3
- The Satan Principle: Life Itself Is Hypnosis: Self-Defense Lessons to Help You Cope With Everyday Pressure. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, June 1979. ISBN 978-0-933900-02-8 [Earlier version: Life Itself Is Hypnosis: The Satan Principle: Self-Defense Lessons to Help You Cope With Everyday Pressure, Foundation Books, 1978.
- How Your Mind Can Keep You Well Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, June 1, 1978. ISBN 978-0-933900-09-7 (Fawcett Crest Book, 1973)
- No One Has to Die! Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, 1977.
- Secret of Life. (pbk) 1977. [ASIN: B000KVIIQM] and as
- The Secret of Life. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, 1972
- Sex, Sin & Salvation. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, 1977.
- How to Conquer Suffering Without Doctors. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, June 1976. ISBN 978-0-933900-04-2
- How to Control Your Emotions. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, 1975.
- How to Conquer Negative Emotions (with Mel TappanMel TappanBorn Melrose H. Tappan III, Mel Tappan was the editor of the newsletter Personal Survival Letter and the books Survival Guns and Tappan on Survival...
). Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, June 1, 1975. ISBN 978-0-933900-01-1
- (Roy Masters Speaks On) Understanding Meditation. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, 1974,
- Your Mind Can Keep You Well, Fawcett Publications, 1973. (Mass Market paperback: ) (Essandess Special Edition, 1968. )
- Sex, Sin & Solution. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, 1970.
- (Roy Masters Speaks On) Breaking Free of Psycho-therapy. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, 1970.
- How To Be At Peace With Your Problems. Oregon: Foundation of Human Understanding, 1965.
- The Secrets of Life and Death. :Devorss, 1964.
- Be Still and Know (an updated version of How Your Mind Can Keep You Well).
Further reading
- James R. Lewis, ed. The Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religions (Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books, 2nd ed., 2001). ISBN 978-1-57392-888-5 "The Foundation for Human Understanding," pp. 340–341 (cite references WRONG ORGANIZATION, it should be: "The Foundation of Human Understanding")
- Walter Martin (et al.), The New Cults (Santa Ana, CA: Vision House, 1980), "Roy Masters: Foundation of Human Understanding," pp. 297–319
- Lauren Kessler, "Roy Masters: I Can Do No Wrong", Northwest Magazine, September 4, 1983, pp. 5–10
External links
- Foundation of Human Understanding - Official site.
- Advice Line with Roy Masters Podcast.