How to Spot Mind Control Techniques

Photo by Meme!.

When people hear about mind control techniques, they either think of dangerous ideas such as cult brainwashing or lesser known and usually more innocuous efforts such as NLP hypnosis. Mind control techniques used against a person's will are considered a form of brainwashing, and its intent is to take away a person's right to control his or her own life. Such negative programming is often used to keep members of cults subservient and highly vulnerably to being reprogrammed into a new will. There are ways to spot brainwashing efforts used in cults.

Instructions

1. 

   One of the most popular mind control techniques used in cults is to discourage people from associating with "non believers," especially family members. The idea behind this is to keep the person isolated and unable to clearly question the role this group really plays in his or her life.

2. 

   Demanding financial donations as a "purification" is another one of the mind control techniques used to keep the targeted person more dependent on the organization and less able to take care of himself. Ordering people to dispose of their assets, whether by giving it directly to a group leader or burying it in a yard (surely for a group member to take later) is a brainwashing method used to make people unable to go back out on their own if they so choose.

3. 

   Threats are one of the major mind control techniques. Usually they start with comments about needing salvation - but not through anyone except the group leader. As the brainwashing escalates, the threats may become more open and physical, literally putting someone's life in danger.

4. 

   Many people under mind control techniques are expected to go through long periods without food or sleep, supposedly for a spiritual cleansing. However, weakening the physical body is the goal of such brainwashing efforts, because it is easier to weaken someone's emotional will when they are not feeling well physically.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember if you or a family member feel that a group is practicing mind control techniques, then likely your inner voice is right.

• Getting away from a brainwashing group may require police intervention. Asking for help may be scary, but could save your life in the end.

• Most churches and spiritual groups are not cults, but always use caution when dealing with any new group.

• Consider reading books about positive and negative mental programming, cult recovery, and identifying cults. There are a few titles noted in the Resources section near the end of this article.

• Do not confront a spiritual group leader if you or a loved one may be victim of mind control techniques.

• Do not feel ashamed if you did fall into the spell of mind control techniques. Everyone is looking for answers, and there are unfortunately unscrupulous people willing to exploit this basic human need for their own power and financial gain.

Resources

• Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships
• Mind Programming: From Persuasion and Brainwashing, to Self-Help and Practical Metaphysics
• Unmasking the Cults