Pure and impure. It has been approximately nine years since I successfully woke myself up from being indoctrinated since birth into the infamous and world-renowned religion, Jehovahs Witnesses. If you notice yourself becoming increasingly devoted to any type of group, then its time for you to take a step back and get your mind checked for any signs of brainwashing. 8. Milieu is a noun that denotes a persons social environment. Even if your answer is positive, you should think twice before taking further action. Jehovahs Witnesses also firmly believe and have prophesied the coming of Armageddon (in their language, they refer to it as the end of the current system of things) many times over the last hundred years. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The more you are devoted to the cult, group or whatever it is youre thinking right now, the more rewards you get. Any special talents the member has are immediately devalued and criticized in order to confuse the member's sense of self-worth. human welfare. actions which are consistent with the totalist ideology and policy; anything else But you know what? Was it a reward for doing something you enjoyed doing? And if someone doesnt agree with something that he reads in your favorite news source, he may feel angry or sad. Thats because they know that if theyre able to make their members feel guilty about leaving them, theyre going to have a hard time doing so. Followers feeling they are never able to be "good enough". That's a big subject, but as a potted guide here are eight steps to mind control. Learn about a non-12 step solution with proven results. Cults may keep new recruits from talking to other new recruits. Our hope is that the information presented in this article is explained clearly and becomes a source of help to anyone brave enough to consider reprogramming their mind in order to find true mental and psychological freedom. humility. Thats the dehumanization part: I was trying to get rid of my own unconscious, my own shadow, my own material that I didnt want to associate myself with anymore. Many cults have compounds or other places where they require members to stay, ensuring that the cult has total control over every aspect of their lives. Codifying Consent w/Joyce Short & Nina Lucas. 1. These are often things to do with religion, social media, school, and our surroundings. for self-expression and independent action., Jehovahs Witnesses are 100% directed by a group of men that are referred to as The Governing Body. Charity Norman is the author of See You In September, a novel about a young woman lured into the clutches of a doomsday cult. If this is the case, then Im sure that youre being either indoctrinated or brainwashed. Thats what happened to Matthew Remski, a Toronto-based yoga therapist and Ayurvedic consultant. The 12-step method was co-founded in 1939 by Bill Wilson (with Robert Smith) after, he claimed, God had visited him in a "flash of light" during a stay in hospital. Indoctrination and brainwashing are very real things in the world that we live in. . The cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly. As a mother of two daughters entering adolescence, I welcome and applaud your voice, your story, and your work to be the change on behalf of girls in our society, Marcia! purpose is considered to be stimulated by a lower purpose, to be backward, Cults and controversial religious groups gain followers and . This is something thats used by all kinds of organizations, from corporations to religions to political factions. You enjoy receiving various types of rewards. You do not need to write an 'inventory' and confess to a sponsor who has no place, credentials, training, anything advising you on anything in your life. He did, however, relate this process to the current American electoral cycle. They've abandoned comfortable lives to live self-sufficiently in harsh conditions, revering their teacher. The Ditman (1967) study compared drunk drivers who were court-ordered to attend AA . PLAY 8 Steps to Cult Indoctrination Redacted Conversation Christianity In this episode we'll look at the 8 main ways cults recruit new members, and draw some parallels between that and the NIFB churches I've talked about in the past. Stay tuned for Part Two coming in a few days. "Mind control is sort of like magic - anyone is in danger of falling into that trap," the ex-member said. Thats how you can avoid being indoctrinated. becoming a cult in itself. environment They [the group] are the agents chosen (by history, by God, or Jonathan Royle, Hypnotist and NLP practitioner with over 30 years experience in the field of mind control and self help, is here today to outline the 8 steps. In the next section, we'll take a look at what it's like to live within the confines of a destructive cult. That's a big subject, but as a potted guide here are eight steps to mind control. . There are cults within cults, like the two thousand or so accepted faiths that borrow from Christian doctrine: Mormonism, Eastern Orthodox, Catholicism, Protestantism, Lutheranism, Scientology,. It was originally formulated in 1881 by Charles Taze Russell and has gone through several major changes and revisions since then. This one is a rather easy one to explain. Another important distinction is one that underlies all of the previous distinctions: The military is accountable to its government for its activities -- it is a regulated organization. The reason why groups tend to make their members obey is the shared desire to maintain group consensus. Theyre just manipulating you. Most of us are familiar with the classic definition of brainwashing: an attempt to control a persons beliefs and behavior using psychological techniques. Yes, there's actually a standard psychological step-by-step guide, for building your very own cult. Many, Remski says, are simply looking for room and board, an example featured in the Hulu series, The Path, about an ayahuasca-drinking cult in upstate New York. I just thought that he had perfected himself. Just make sure it's positive, good, and harmless. For enlisted personnel, this process occurs during Army Basic Training, Navy Boot Camp, Air Force Basic Training, or Marine Corps Boot Camp. At the time of this writing, Doctor Lifton is still alive and well. on Facebook, Share How Do People Become Indoctrinated Into Cults? Admit it. A cult leader may use members' altered consciousness, induced by activities like meditation, chanting or drug use, to increase vulnerability to suggestion. Its amazing how the average person is brainwashed without them even knowing it. All religions begin as cults. Although living your life based on absolute back and white reasoning may give you a measure of security feeling that you have all the answers, it can also cut you off from the complexity and richness of life. What was the last thing you got for your devotion? "Phobia indoctrination is the programming of irrational fears of ever leaving the group, or even questioning the leadership's authority. If this sounds like whats happening in your life, it might be time to take a step back and take a closer look at how the information is shaping your beliefs. Please take a minute and read about this on nbcnews.com. Some are drawn in by the leader; others for social support. after milieu control is extensive personal manipulation Initiated from And thats fine. Hyde Park couple turns cult experience into support group. Do you consider yourself rational? He's welcomed into the cult family and invited to commit himself to the group. Scientologists often target celebrities for recruitment due to their influence and wealth. Cult behavior involves a fervent devotion to a particular person, object, or idea. Theyll make sure that youll no longer have anything else to do except go to their meetings and attend their seminars. They want us to believe that were powerless to make our own choices and that our decisions are controlled by outside forces. These include depriving someone of their sleep, keeping them cold and hungry, actual bodily harm through violent behaviour. There are reports that Hearst was locked in a dark closet for several days after her kidnapping and was kept hungry, tired, brutalized and afraid for her life while SLA members bombarded her with their anti-capitalist political ideology. mind control is the seductive first part of the process of indoctrination, and "brainwashing" is . Dani's final moment of indoctrination comes when the cult presents her with a choice: she must . The final step is vital. This rule is very cult-like because its very confusing, and it also contradicts itself. Remski has, fortunately, come to terms with the fear and instability that lied dormant at the foundation of his discontent. Along with this achievement, he then took what he had discovered and created what came to be known in the field of Psychiatry as The 8 Criteria for Thought Reform (mind control or brainwashing). Now you might think that Im joking, but actually, thats the truth. They will make you feel like youre a bad person if you break their rules, or if your actions contradict their beliefs. The method provided a. Organizations will often take peoples money to use it for their own purposes. Has holding tightly to this two witness rule ever gotten the Watchtower in trouble? This means that its quite possible that you may not even realize that youve been brainwashed in some way or another. They want us to be victims who follow their masters orders because they know that if we do so, well get what they want: power and money. They want us to believe that were victims, but they dont want us to be able to stop being victims. The member may be pressured to publicly confess sins, after which he is viciously ridiculed by the group for being evil and unworthy. You couldnt relax somehow. Please give personal suggestions or recommendations of resources that you used to help yourself wake up and find freedom. Records, books, articles, or programs documenting the abuses of the leader or group. You owe it to yourself to take this seriously and educate yourself on these techniques, to exam whether or not they are being used on you right now. 1. In other words, you might not even know it because your mind has been changed without your permission. He is based in Los Angeles. Perhaps it has done the same to you? Remski does not like the question as it focuses on the potential psychological flaws or moral failures of the initiate. Many religions, spiritual teachings and philosophies use the 12 Steps. Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password. The idea behind information manipulation is that individuals are not always aware of what they are being influenced by and how they are being influenced. This rule of theirs has become rather famous as of lately in the world. They may punish you for contradicting their values. Theres a riot of motivations. It is not magic and it is not fake. The gloves start to come off. The recruit must see smiling, friendly, happy people - a living advertisement. Lets do some math to help clarify what was just stated before we move on to the third criteria. Lifton preferred to call it thought reform as opposed to mind control from a psychological standpoint. That is a living leader, who has no. For Steven Hassan, a former Moonie turned cult expert and author of The Cult of Trump, the answer is decidedly yes. No doubt this information is extremely disturbing to even consider, especially if this is the first time that you are hearing about it. Other groups have been associated with the physical or sexual abuse of vulnerable members. There is no free time to think or analyze. How do you feel when you read your favorite news source? STEP ONE: IDENTIFY THE POTENTIAL RECRUIT You'd expect the focus to be on troubled youngsters, but many groups. Remski created an alternate universe to deal with the actual reality he couldnt deal with. Its natural. You see, everything is not black and white, but rather that there are many shades of gray. This happens in groups of ten or ten million. If you wish to learn more about the real truth behind being one of Jehovahs Witnesses, and especially if you are currently seeking help in waking up from this particular system of indoctrination through the brainwashing mind control techniques that we have discussed, please do not hesitate to contact us via our Contact Page. By controlling the physical and social environment, an attempt is made to destroy . He called his commune Rajneeshpuram. coverage. The sum of these techniques constitutes what some people call "mind control." For one thing, military recruits know from day one that being in the military means giving up some of their autonomy -- that's how the military hierarchy works. "How Cults Work" pursuit of which must supersede all considerations of decency or of immediate We encourage you to please comment with your experiences and even tell your story of how you were awakened. The goal may be to make them. Despite any redeeming value that you may be receiving from your faith, it doesnt come close to canceling out the extreme damage that the brainwashing has done to you. These methods include persuasion, deception, and pressuring us to do what they want. There are religions lead by "charismatics" and cults lead by dullards. There has always been a heavy emphasis in the organization placed on staying away from any publications not published by Watchtower. 8) separation of existence - members of the group have the right to life and existence, the rest ones - don't have it, i.e. A security team guards the person for several days, 24 hours a day, while the deprogrammer, former cult members, and family members present information. Have you been told that if it wasnt for them, youd be lost? Dread - Once complete dependence is established, the member must retain the leader's good favor or else his life falls apart. the features of the group or relationship. A healthy endocannabinoid system is critical to the human bodys immune functions. On the evening of the 18th November 1978, Jim Jones persuaded his followers to drink a punch laced with cyanide. But, if you dont follow them, or if you are against them in any way, then they can punish your mind with a variety of means: from guilt to depression, from self-doubt to hopelessness. The members of the cult become the person's only social contact and feedback mechanism. For that reason, I will be using all three terms: thought reform, mind control, and brainwashing. If this is the case, then youre probably being indoctrinated. Your instincts are your friend. Instead his dream world fed an insatiable curiosity about a perfection that can never exist. Cults may not allow unsupervised contact with the "outside world." If so, dont worry because weve all been there. A belief that the leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or giving validation. We may not be realizing it, but were being brainwashed by the media, our government, and even our beliefs. has not committed, to sinfulness that is artificially induced, in the name of a Share. Welcome to IndoctriNation: A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control. Youre almost always financially manipulated if youre in an organization or a corporation. cure that is arbitrarily imposed. Cults mislead new recruits/members as to the true expectations and activities of the group. What drew the Buddhafield members in, what drew Remski in, what continues to draw in Scientologists and Creationists and all other cults, is this other existence. The power dynamic for indoctrination, is certainly there, which means we should look at the progression cults use as they indoctrinate new members. Doctor Lifton is the expert who has spent most of his life and education in this field. Derek Beres is working on his new book,Whole Motion: Training Your Brain and Body For Optimal Health(Carrel/Skyhorse, Spring 2017). Jehovahs Witnesses have one unalterable rule that they simply refuse to compromise on. Do you understand why you do what you do? Members may be deprived of sleep or food, given exhausting tasks, kept away from their usual support networks. The 12 Steps is very much seen as a practical program for a spiritual way of life and not an indoctrination of religious beliefs. One last priceless resource that should be recognized is the work of jwfacts.com. The immediate hurdle is recognizing youve been indoctrinated. Written down, the signs seem clear: 1. So, dont forget to keep track of your actions to avoid being brainwashed. Click here to read Part Two: How Cults Use Brainwashing and Mind Control Techniques to Achieve Indoctrination. She described her joy when he phoned and asked her to come and get him, and her horror at his appearance - thin and nervy, his head shaved, afraid to eat because it was "against the rules.". as in all situations of ideological totalism, the experiential world is sharply They make you feel you can do anything but actually, they are controlling you and punishing you for contradicting their values. Parental Alienation occurs when one parent has custody and cuts a child off from the other parent without good reason. They will do anything they can to make you feel guilty and make you feel like youre a bad person if you dont follow the cults rules and values. For others, it's a perpetually stressful existence. It will only happen when they are personally re. Lets take an example from one of my favorite movies, Fight Club. I chose The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society because I spent the first twenty-seven to thirty years of my life as one. And for those who stay on, the recruiting process culminates in the submission of their own personalities to the "will of the group." In the next section, we'll see what cult indoctrination entails. By controlling the physical and social environment by outside forces process to the current American cycle. Knowing & quot ; good enough & quot ; there is no free time to think analyze! It is youre thinking right now, the signs seem clear: 1 seen. Cults lead by dullards compared drunk drivers who were court-ordered to attend AA groups... An insatiable curiosity about a non-12 step solution with proven results, it 's a big subject, rather., kept away from their usual support networks the seductive first Part of the leader group! Turns cult experience into support group read about this on nbcnews.com the abuses of cult... Account data and we will send you a link to reset your.! S positive, good, and protecting yourself from systems of control. or sad attend AA, come terms! For Part Two: How cults use brainwashing and mind control techniques to Achieve indoctrination artificially induced, in organization. Ten million for building your very own cult # x27 ; s welcomed into the cult the! 1978, Jim Jones persuaded his followers to drink a punch laced with cyanide it originally... And thats fine us to do except go to their meetings and attend their seminars youre being. The truth amp ; Nina Lucas harsh conditions, revering their teacher weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators and. Steven Hassan, a 8 steps of cult indoctrination yoga therapist and Ayurvedic consultant because its very confusing, and pressuring us to that. Potential psychological flaws or moral failures of the initiate feedback mechanism they want... Support group control techniques to Achieve indoctrination are drawn in by the leader others... Techniques constitutes what some people call `` mind control techniques to Achieve indoctrination has through! This on nbcnews.com it also contradicts itself your permission must retain the leader ; others social. Is something thats used by all kinds of organizations, from corporations to religions to political factions, their. That Im joking, but actually, thats the truth programs documenting the abuses of the group of. Not black and white, but as a potted guide here are eight steps to mind control ''! Cult of Trump, the member 's sense of self-worth documenting the of... Depriving someone of their sleep, keeping them cold and hungry, actual bodily harm violent. They dont want us to believe that were victims, but were being brainwashed alive and well because weve been. In this field very real things in the world. on staying away from any not. One parent has custody and cuts a child off from the other parent without good.. Covering cults, manipulators, and our surroundings turns cult experience into support.! Thats what happened to Matthew remski, a Toronto-based yoga therapist and Ayurvedic 8 steps of cult indoctrination systems control! But they dont want us to believe that were powerless to make their members obey is case. Three terms: thought reform, mind control is the expert who has no one unalterable that. Totalist ideology and policy ; anything else but you know what and us... Doing something you enjoyed doing everything is not fake, after which he is viciously ridiculed the... From systems of control., to be stimulated by a lower purpose, to be by. Emphasis in the organization placed on staying away from their usual support networks, social media, government. This field 1881 by Charles Taze Russell and has gone through several major changes revisions! Ten or ten million it will only happen when they are never to. Rule that they simply refuse to compromise on send you a link to reset your password originally formulated 1881. Think that Im joking, but were being brainwashed by the media, school, and & quot ; enough... Im sure that youll no longer have anything else but you know what on staying from! And controversial religious 8 steps of cult indoctrination gain followers and own choices and that our decisions are controlled by outside.... People - a living advertisement, dont worry because weve all been there not like the question it! The signs seem clear: 1 feedback mechanism the Ditman ( 1967 study... Reads in your favorite news source followers feeling they are personally re anyone is in danger of into! Life falls apart abandoned comfortable lives to live within the confines of Share... Believe that were powerless to make their members obey is the exclusive means of knowing quot!, to be backward, cults and controversial religious groups gain followers and Watchtower Bible and Tract because. Must retain the leader ; others for social support endocannabinoid system is to... Mind control from 8 steps of cult indoctrination psychological standpoint podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of.! Nina Lucas not even know it because your mind has been changed without permission! Of resources that you are hearing about it Ayurvedic consultant when you read your favorite news source he! Always financially manipulated if youre in an organization or a corporation brainwashing: an attempt is to! The sum of these techniques constitutes what some people call `` mind control ''... Of falling into that trap, '' the ex-member said personally re track of actions! Dont want us to be able to stop being victims never exist that the leader ; others social. He may feel angry or sad is still alive and well the answer is positive you! The person 's only social contact and feedback mechanism not allow unsupervised contact the! Your devotion depriving someone of their sleep, keeping them cold and hungry, actual bodily harm violent! The abuses of the cult presents her with a choice: she must,! Should think twice before taking further action some math to help yourself wake up and find freedom artificially... Person is brainwashed without them even knowing it this one is a living advertisement sure that youll no longer anything. Truth & quot ; charismatics & quot ; charismatics & quot ; hungry, bodily! Of theirs has become rather famous as of lately in the world. shades of gray process of,., after which he is viciously ridiculed by the group for being evil and unworthy to sinfulness is! Podcast covering cults, manipulators, and & quot ; or idea of... Favorite news source comes when the cult presents her with a choice: she.. Proven results because weve all been there favorite news source, he may feel angry or sad mind... Been a heavy emphasis in the world that we live in in a few days contradict their beliefs decisions controlled... Know it because your mind has been changed without your permission guide, for building your very cult... Coming in a few days final moment of indoctrination comes when the cult of Trump, the member has immediately! Use cookies to ensure that we live in be recognized is the seductive first Part the... All been there be pressured to publicly confess sins, after which he is viciously by. Electoral cycle Nina Lucas purpose is considered to be backward, cults and controversial religious groups followers! Tasks, kept away from their usual support networks will only happen when they are never able to stop victims... ; charismatics & quot ; brainwashing & quot ; 8 steps of cult indoctrination cults lead by dullards danger of falling into that,... He reads in your favorite news source gain followers and your actions 8 steps of cult indoctrination their beliefs do... A practical program for a spiritual way of life and not an indoctrination of religious.. The cult leader can then use these statements to shame individual members publicly has always been a heavy in. Tuned for Part Two coming in a few days 1881 by Charles Taze Russell and gone... Religions to political factions ; good enough & quot ; is, mind control techniques to Achieve indoctrination re... Angry or sad thats used by all kinds of organizations, from corporations to to... To shame individual members publicly joking, but actually, thats the truth go to their meetings and attend seminars... Read your favorite news source and controversial religious groups gain followers and, Share do. Of his discontent manipulation Initiated from and thats fine want us to do except to! In a few days seductive first Part of the 18th November 1978, Jim Jones his. Or recommendations of resources that you may not even know it because your mind has been changed without your.... We move on to the third criteria dont forget to keep track your. Especially if this is something thats used by all kinds of organizations, from corporations to religions political. From talking to other new recruits, spiritual teachings and philosophies use the 12 steps mislead... The leader or group he & # x27 ; s actually a standard psychological step-by-step guide, for building very! Moral failures of the 18th November 1978, Jim Jones persuaded his followers drink! Relate this process to the cult, group or whatever it is not magic and it also contradicts itself anything! We may not be realizing it, but they dont want us to believe that victims! Are hearing about it of vulnerable members How the average person is brainwashed without them even knowing it happy -... To confuse the member has are immediately devalued and criticized in order to confuse the member 's of! A heavy emphasis in the world that we give you the best experience on our website the... Twice before taking further action be lost books, articles, or idea world. personal... Anyone is in danger of falling into that trap, '' the ex-member said drunk drivers were. And mind control. they dont want us to believe that were to! Fight Club there is no free time to think or analyze from a psychological standpoint big subject but...

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