The Mind is an expression of Thinking and
is therefore a natural function of the human mind. It
is a powerful graphic technique which provides a universal
key to unlocking the potential of the brain. The Mind
Map can be applied to every aspect of life where improved
learning and clearer thinking will enhance human performance.
Destructive mind control can be understood in terms of
four basic components, which form the BITE:
| I. |
Behavior Control |
| II. |
Information Control |
| III. |
Thought Control |
| IV. |
Emotional Control |
It is important to understand that destructive
mind control can be determined when the overall effect
of these four components promotes dependency and obedience
to some leader or cause. It is not necessary for every
single item on the list to be present. Mind controlled
cult members can live in their own apartments, have nine-to-five
jobs, be married with children, and still be unable to
think for themselves and act independently.
I. Behavior
Control
1. Regulation of individual's physical reality
a. Where, how and with whom the member lives
and associates with
b. What clothes, colors, hairstyles the person wears
c. What food the person eats, drinks, adopts, and rejects
d. How much sleep the person is able to have
e. Financial dependence
f. Little or no time spent on leisure, entertainment,
vacations
2. Major time commitment required for indoctrination sessions
and group rituals
3. Need to ask permission for major decisions
4. Need to report thoughts, feelings and
activities to superiors
5. Rewards and punishments (behavior modification
techniques- positive and negative).
6. Individualism discouraged; group think
prevails
7. Rules and regulations
8. Need for obedience and dependency
II. Information
Control
1. Use of deception
a. Deliberately holding back information
b. Distorting information to make it acceptable
c. Outright lying
2. Access to non-cult sources of information
minimized or discouraged
a. Books, articles, newspapers, magazines,
TV, radio
b. Critical information
c. Former members
d. Keep members so busy they don't have time to think
3. Compartmentalization of information; Outsider
vs. Insider doctrines
a. Information is not freely accessible
b. Information varies at different levels and missions
within pyramid
c. Leadership decides who "needs to know" what
4. Spying on other members is encouraged
a. Pairing up with "buddy" system
to monitor and control
b. Reporting deviant thoughts, feelings, and actions to
leadership
5. Extensive use of cult generated information
and propaganda
a. Newsletters, magazines, journals, audio
tapes, videotapes, etc.
b. Misquotations, statements taken out of context from
non-cult sources
III. Thought
Control
1. Need to internalize the group's doctrine as "Truth"
a. Map = Reality
b. Black and White thinking
c. Good vs. evil
d. Us vs. them (inside vs. outside)
2. Only "good" and "proper"
thoughts are encouraged.
3. Thought-stopping techniques (to shut down
"reality testing" by stopping "negative"
thoughts and allowing only "good" thoughts);
rejection of rational analysis, critical thinking, constructive
criticism.
a. Denial, rationalization, justification,
wishful thinking
b. Chanting
c. Meditating
d. Praying
e. Speaking in "tongues"
f. Singing or humming
4. No critical questions about leader, doctrine,
or policy seen as legitimate
5. No alternative belief systems viewed as
legitimate, good, or useful
IV. Emotional Control
1. Manipulate and narrow the range of a person's feelings.
2. Make the person feel like if there are
ever any problems it is always their fault, never the
leader's or the group's.
3. Excessive use of guilt
a. Identity guilt
1. Who you are (not living up to your potential)
2. Your family
3. Your past
4. Your feelings
5. Your thoughts, actions
b. Social guilt
c. Historical guilt
4. Excessive use of fear
a. Fear of thinking independently
b. Fear of the "outside" world
c. Fear of enemies
d. Fear of losing one's "salvation"
e. Fear of leaving the group or being shunned by group
f. Fear of disapproval
5. Extremes of emotional highs and lows.
