Jason:
I sympathize with your view, but I wonder what you hope to accomplish by dividing good practice from bad. I think somewhere there is a description of right speech to the effect that, if something is true but doesn't benefit the listener, the Tathagata is silent. So, why mention it?
I get your point. Though I think it could be argued that steering clear of 'fluff practices' would be to the benefit of the reader...
Ona:
-how many of the "flakey spiritual practices" could be just as well termed "comfort-seeking practices" - they appeal to people who feel unsafe, unconfident, fearful, alone, etc. They describe methods (of whatever worth) that suggest the person can find comfort, safety, confidence and not-aloneness in a way that is non-threatening, doesn't require significant renunciation or hardship, etc. Like pony rides for children these practices give a sense of doing something bigger and more exciting without much actual danger.
I love the term "comfort practice". It's much more diplomatic than "flakey" and a more accurate too. You are right of course.
Ona:
how many of these practices are aimed at women? what does that say about the accessibility of "hardcore" practices to women? the number of women on DhO or KFD, for example, is miniscule. I would guess the number of men showing up at a "access your inner 5th dimensional inner angel via crystal waving" classes is probably low.
From what I have seen, all of them. You're right about the ratio of men:women here and KFD but Im not sure if this place counts as inaccessible? The obvious appeal to men is the technical nature of the discussions. Whereas "finding your inner heart through crystal wiggling" makes my stomach turn just thinking about it. (I'm a tom cat..)
Ona:
-it is useful to point out to people who are milling around looking for a productive spiritual practice that practices that only offer comfort are, well, comforting. But the real work gets done by moving into territory that makes us uncomfortable, through loss of things we are attached to and so on. So, just like a person can become a jhana junkie and bliss out for 20 years while gaining little insight, a "5th dimensional angel" junkie may find comfort and solace in their practice in a way, but is unlikely to move into deeper territory.
I think this is how I will frame my argument. It's makes much sense and is quite inoffensive. Thanks

Ona:
-of course it is quite likely that those who "need" to do some deeper work will eventually stumble upon a practice that will offer that. They may need to start out piddling around reading books on Buddhism for five years before they sit down to meditation; or they may need to diddle around with crystal waving for five years. I wouldn't necessarily disdain the diddling around - it may be the stepping stone some people need to find their way across the river.
Well I certainly don't disparage Yoga practice for this very reason. Apart from the physical benefits of practice, or the benefits of practicing within a buddhist context, pretty much all the yogic meditation stuff I've seen just looks weak, incomplete, superficial,
tacked-on. From experience of talking to many customers over the last year and a half though I've confirmed at least anecdotally that these lightweight practices are indeed often a stepping stone to more serious investigation.
Even in the context of a stepping stone I would find it hard to condone, even indirectly, "channeling angels"...
Great points Ona, thanks so much for sharing them!
Fivebells:
There is no need to bring these practices up at all, and doing so is just asking for unnecessary conflict. Just talk about the benefits of the practices you will be teaching. That will provide the most benefit to your audience. If someone brings up a specific practice which you happen to have specific reason to believe to be harmful, slag away. Otherwise, steer clear. "I don't know anything about that and as far as I know it's not related to MBSR (or whatever you're teaching)" is almost always a good answer.
I agree that naming specific practices would not be helpful. Hell, who'd hae the time to track them all down to start with? Excluding such things from a list of "worthwhile" practices seems the way to go. I am not proposing to actually teach anything by the way. Though Im no doubt pretty advanced compared to your average lay person, I know enough to know I don't know much! Maybe some basic anapana instructions on the site with pointers to more detailed references at most. Im proposing to write a guide, specifically to point people to what I think is worthwhile, and away from what I think is a waste of time, or harmful.