Theos-Talk Archives (November 2011 Message tt00017)

Dear friends

My views are:

### Part 1 of 3. ###

Here is a lengthy article I have written about the Science of Subtle Mind Control also called Coercive Persuasion...It is about 22 pages in length.
I found it important to write that much so to at least seek to explain this science sufficiently so it might be at least grasped to a certain degree by the readers and other later readers.

I do hope my English is comparatively easy to read and understand.

_________________

THE SCIENCE OF SUBTLE MIND CONTROL

A few preliminary Words.
The purpose with the text or article is to promote altruism.  My view is that one cannot promote altruism without psychological change occurs. Therefore I find that the science of psychology  in various respects is important to an altruistic cause. And this articles scientific views might be called non-esoteric and esoteric dependning on who we are talking with. And since the science of psychology is a science and not a belief, I find it important to explore it as objectively and open-minded as possible. I also write because I find that many seekers after wisdom are not aware of the science of psychology but in a superficial manner. The article is not about promoting a certain theory about psychology, Subtle Mind Control, or Exit-counselling. The focus is about the scientific facts, which can be learned from the science of psychology and primarily the science of Subtle Mind Control. Let the article be taken as a hypothesis if the scientific facts forwarded are found to be questionable.

I have in several posts here at Theos-talk forum and elsewhere written about the psychological term known as "Subtle Mind Control". And perhaps It would be a good idea if I sought to write an article about what my views are about it. Especially because this psychological term seem to be so much overlooked, even among theosophical and esoterical seekers, and serious seekers after the truth about the meaning of life and among New Agers in general. One reason for it being overlooked is perhaps that it in various respect can be said to be a new scientific teaching in various parts of the world, on the little planet we call Earth. Subtle Mind Control might also among psychologist today be called Thought Reform, Coercive Persuasion, or Subtile Persuasion Techiques depending on the use of the term. Some might call it something like Negative Organisational Mindfulness, if they refer to the Buddhistic teachings on Mindfulness psychology.

I am also forwarding this article so to if possible alleviate suffering for the readers and people in general. Suffering is a strange phenomenon on this our little planet called Earth. I will not reject the thought that some of our fellow human beings these days live their lives almost as if they find suffering to be a part of ordinary life. They have gotten so much used to it, or almost conditioned to it, that they almost call it a "tradition" or an established doctrine or similar. Such fellow human beings seem not to be able to imagine the suffering can be alleviated. And they are even afraid to change psychologically, because they fear that more suffering will come along than there already are present. The problem is that there will be no altruism without a psychological change of a certain kind. This is at least logical to most people. But it seems that when fear creeps in no psychological change occurs. When we are ready for psychological change - a change necessary if altruism shall be promoted - then there is a possibility for this psychological change to be helped along. This text or article can be said to be related to this issue as well.

In the following I am in no manner suggesting, that one assumes or think that I find all the mentioned authors more or less philosophical or religious views to be the same as mine. I can only encourage the readers to use discernment or discrimination and not follow various views by me or others blindly.

My view is also that a given communication is not always understood or that it is sometimes misunderstood, and the intentions behind it also. Words, letters and languages have vibrations and they have in a certain sense a life of their own. They set energies in motion, they impact us in various manners and ways, and in various time-periods in this physical world of ours. This seems obvious.

The words in this article might not satisfy all readers, but if just some readers find them helpful I will consider my effort to be a success more or less. Those who cannot understand the content of the text are always welcomed to ask questions and I will seek to answer them to the best of my ability. Also in private by emailing to global-theosophy@gFxr8iS2o09oZXT92wtd1lOy7NPVUyDYRCBf--xZoaXwfmz_2OE1eznFz67hFoBZFkka2oyR4qu311aHrPUKA8S1-bTl.yahoo.invalid. That is the least I can do when I seek to promote altruism to us all.

First a short intro and then I will write a bit about the historical background of the science of Psychology. Secondly, I will define a few central words and terms, which I use, so to avoid misunderstandings as far as it is possible. Thirdly I will define what I essentially define the term Subtle Mind Control to be and seek to explain central parts of the science behind it, also its possible historical background. And also seek to shortly forward central parts of the process which can unfold when it operates on an individual. An article like this one can for good reasons not be covering every aspect about the subject and neither do it in a detailed way. 

But if its purpose is fulfilled to a certain degree, I will be happy, and I hope that at least some of you also will be so.

CHAPTER 1
THE BACKGROUND OF THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
(Shortly forwarded)

I will first write a few views about the historical background which ordinary scientific history recognizes these days about the science we know as Psychology. 

The importance of the science of Psychology aught perhaps not to be underestimated in our times. Just a few hundred years ago, it was in general not known by ordinary people in the Western countries and also in many other countries on the planet. But in the recent decades the percentage of persons being able to read and write has increased tremendously in great many countries on the globe. And since we are dealing with a science and not a belief - we aught to take it seriously if we, as most Seekers after Wisdom do, are seeking to promote altruism, and seek to do it earnestly and sincerely. Because it must be a fact, that there cannot be promoted altruism without some kind of psychological change in the individual and among people in general. And this I find to be important and I hope that you do the same, unless a better angle can be presented.

Now first some info about the historical background on Psychology before we move on to the science of Subtle Mind Control.
These words will perhaps be helpful in understanding, the level of importance or relation the science on Subtle Mind Control has in various countries on the globe, the little planet called Earth.

When we look at the historical events on this planet we call the Earth, we have experienced the arrival of the science of Psychology in the public and among scientist in general only for the last 150 years or so in the Western countries or what we can call the Christian-related countries. The ordinary and mostly materialistic related science of Psychology was in fact known about and mentioned much earliere in a materialistic sense - and - also in a religious, spiritual sense, or a philosophical sense. It has to be said , that among the Greeks, there were in the old days philosophers teaching about a science similar to psychology. The philosophers Thales and Pythagoras should be mentioned. And also Aristotle and Socrates should be mentioned. And there are some historical evidence and signs on that the Greeks got their knowledge from what in the old days was called the Mages, - those who was said to have come from the areas surrounding Bactria, in what is called Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Northern India today. There are also ordinary scientific evidence about the fact that the Egyptians had a science on psychology, although some of it was mixed with their religion. But it seems not all of it. (See the Edwin Smith Papyrus).

On our little planet there are the historical background of the science of Psychology as materialistic-oriented Psychology, Christian-oriented Psychology, Islamic-oriented Psychology, Buddhistic-oriented Psychology, and Hinduistic-oriented Psychology, and more. The science of Psychology within these groups is today and has in the past been more or less related to the science of Philosophy. Here will follow some info about the historical background of these groups.

# The historical background of the ordinary, philosophical or materialistic-related science of Psychology. #
Most persons have heard about the relatively new and accepted science of psychology, which was said to have begun after the year 1879 or so by persons like Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920), Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), and C. G. Jung (1875-1961). Within other circles we find names as Robert Assagioli (1888-1974) and John Dewey (1859-1952), Hugo Munsterberg (1863-1916). But also ReneDescartes (d. 1650) and Cartesian psychology should be mentioned. And Spinoza (d. 1677), John Locke (d. 1704), Anton Mesmer (d. 1815) and many others, some of them mostly philosophers with a minor emphasis on Psychology as a science.
But in reality it was first around the 1880'ties that the science of psychology was coming out of the shadow of the science of philosophical thought - although it still today is very much related to it. (See for instance "History of psychology" in Wikipedia or elsewhere.)

# The historical background of the Christian-oriented science of Psychology #
Among the Christians there has for centuries not really been a science on psychology, and not a well-researched one as far as historical research can tell.
Since the arrival of the Cardinal Desire-Joseph Mercier (d. 1926) who sought to integrate psychology with Thomistic philosophy, we can say that Christian psychology arrived for real. He forwarded the view that the Neoscholastic framework provided the ultimate interpretation for psychology. And supported the Pope back then in the view, that the Catholic scientists are isolated in the scientific world. Mercier also detected a danger in Catholic neglect with regard to the science of Psychology. A neglect, which seem very much to continue until this very day.  (A short note by me: The psychological basis used by the Catholic Church with regard to confessions to the superior within the Jesuits order named the Society of Jesus, seem not to clearly relate itself to the use of Subtle Mind Control). Before Mercier, one aught to briefly mention Christians like Marco Marulic (d. 1506) and Goclenius (d. 1628). - Later after Cardinal Mercier, one aught to mention Archbishop Fulton Sheen (d. 1979). There are a number of videos with Fulton Sheen on Youtube, dating from the 1950'ties and onward. Fulton Sheen is currently being under considering for being sainted by the present pope of the Catholic Church. - Wilhelm Wundt (d. 1920) is also often mentioned among the Christians as the one to look for when interpreting the Catholic psychological teachings.
Christian psychology is sometimes humorously referred to as the act of confessing. Confessions are made to a priest or a father-superior or mother-superior or general superior as in the Jesuit orders etc. etc.

But the science of psychology seem not to be - officially - emphasised very much among Christians and their clergy even today. It is seem to be de-emphasised instead. The non-Christianized version of psychology seem to run the show very much these days in the Western parts of the globe, ie. the Christian-related ones. 

# The historical background of the Islamic-oriented science of Psychology #
In the Middle East they have in a certain sense experienced it similarily with regard to the public and even so in a smaller scale - when compared to the Christian religion. But in the Middle East there has been a science on psychology among a groups of scientists for centuries. This is not to be seen in the Christian religion. And it can be said that the science on Psychology developed much earlier in the Middle East than in the Western countries and among the Christians and their clergy in these countries. Because such well-known Islamic Muslims, mystics and scholars like Al Gazhali (d.1111), Ibn El Arabi alias Doctor Maximus (d.1240), Avicenna (d. 1037), Jalaluddin Rumi (d. 1273), Rhazes (d. 925), Alpharabius (d. 950), Alhazen (d.1050) and others wrote much about this science, although they also related it to their religion Islam and philosophy. The science on psychology has especially during the last century or so been examined much more carefully among Islamic Scholars and within Islamic groups. The results of it so far I am not aware of on a profound level at the moment. But is clear that the Islamic Scholars are having an eye on Western Psychology and its possible use in Islamic countries.

# The historical background of the Eastern-oriented science of Psychology #
In the Eastern countries, there has for centuries been a teaching about the science of psychology and scientific teachings more or less directly related to it.
Within Buddhism, the doctrines on Abhidharma has been in existence for more than two thousand years, in fact since Gautama Buddha more or less founded Buddhism. The science on psychology within Buddhism is quite often mixed up with the assertions about the reality of the existence of the Divine (Adi-Buddha) and the doctrines about karma and reincarnation.
Within Hinduism, and its many religious groups, we find a number of doctrines in the Vedas, among the Vedantists and in Patanjali's "Raja Yoga", and other Yoga Sutras with regard to the science of psychology. It is however often mixed up with religious doctrines, like for instance the assertions about the reality of the existence of the Divine (which are given various names, but often we are talking about the same) and the doctrines about karma and reincarnation.

# The historical background of other areas with regard to the science of Psychology #
And we can trace a science of psychology among the esoteric Kabalists as well. Also it seems a bit in the "Manual of Discipline", in Hebrew "Serekh ha-Yahad" - a scroll belonging to the so-called Dead Sea Scrolls.
In ancient mythology we can trace the science of psychology in a much more veiled manner - in what can be called the science on allegorical psychology.
And this science can also be found in the the above mentioned religions. In ordinary non-religious scientific psychology we do not find a profound emphasis on allegorical psychology, but has in the later years been recognized much more.

The above is of course not an full account on the science of Psychology and its historical background.
Now this was a few words about the historical background of the science of psychology. Now I will turn my eyes to the science which I and others call Subtle Mind Control and do it with emphasis on religious groups, organisations, sect and cults.

Before I do this I find it important to define a few words I use in this article or series of articles.

CHAPTER 2
DEFINITIONS OF VARIOUS WORDS and TERMS:

I find it important to say, that languages has their limitations in communicating various views with. And words are defined in a variety of ways by different individuals.
And there is also the fact, at least it seems so to me, that the vocabulary of the English language lack various words when we exchange upon psychological and religious topics and subjects.
The below definitions of words are therefore only mine in connection with this article. The definitions chosen, have been chosen with regard to the subject exchanged upon. And they might be inadequate to some readers or authors who use different definitions. But because we lack words which properly express the views I am seeking to give, I have chosen to define the words in the below as I have, - at least until better words are to be found.

My experience is that there are many different opinions and views about these words within science, as well as within the many religious organisations and New Age groups and organisations. Also among theosophical and esoterical seekers after Wisdom and Altruism, and the Truth about the meaning of life. And also among Journalists and politicians compared to other groups and how the define these words. And this is important not to overlook. 

SECT = A religious organisation or group, which has a leader or a group of leaders who forwards a religious doctrine or teaching on behalf of its members. A religious organisation or group which avoids emphasis on the science of Subtle Mind Control. A religious organisation or group which refuse comparative studying or avoids it carefully or de-emphasizes it or does not mention it all. A religious organisation or group where the A religious organisation or group which most often disallows criticism or do not respond to it.

CULT = A religious organisation or group, which has a leader or a group of leaders who forwards a religious doctrine or teaching on behalf of its members. A religious organisation or group which avoids emphasis on the science of Subtle Mind Control. A religious organisation or group which refuse comparative studying or avoids it carefully or de-emphasizes it or does not mention it all. A religious organisation or group where the A religious organisation or group which most often disallows criticism or do not respond to it. - The same as a sect, but where the religious organisation or group much more clearly and strongly destroys or hurts various individuals health and well-being psychologically, mentally, or physically etc. etc.

DOGMA and DOGMATISM  =  Dogma is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion, ideology or any kind of organization: it is authoritative and not to be disputed, doubted, or diverged from. Those who forward such a teaching can be called dogmatic. Condemnation or worse is a part of dogmatic teachings. Murder might even be advocated to oppose those who by the leader or leaders of such a religious organisation er considered enemies of it. Those who are open to other views without ever using condemnation or worse, or similar even if they disagree with the dogmatic views given by the religious organisation are not dogmatic.

POLITICAL RELIGIOUS PERSON or POLITICAL RELIGIOUS ORGANISATION = A person or religious organisation, who is either actively involved with or employed in a political party or is part of the leadership of a country or a local area in a country, or a region with more than one country. And is involved with or employed on a daily basis with regard to the before mentioned. A religious organisation is more or less political, if it is either involved with or has one or more individuals employed in a political party or is part of the leadership of a country or a local area in a country, or a region with more than one country - and - if they at the same time are acting on behalf of the members without they are having any direct influence on the activity. And if the religious organisation is involved with or employed on a daily basis with regard to the before mentioned. Being involved is here meant in a manner where politics plays an important part of the organisations religious doctrines and teachings - and where the religious organisation is sectarian or a cult, and not non-sectarian. And where an open support for a religious party, government, local political group or activity, or an inter-governmental body is emphasized and forwarded by a leader or leaders in a religious group or sect. - A religious group or sect doing like that is effectively conditioning the ordinary members, because it acts on behalf of the members and not with en eye for the consequences of Subtle Mind Control, which political legislation are deeply involved with. A non-sectarian religious-philosophical organisation where individual members are involved with politics on behalf of themselves are not political. In such an organisation administrative leaders of it are only involved with communications with political persons or government or inter-governmental bodies on behalf of the non-sectarian organisation on behalf of the members if it is to protect the existence of the religious organisation, not so to promote a political opinion or to seek promotion of a certain kind of legislation. - Political legislation conditions the individual human being. --- To create a short and precise definition is perhaps not easy, because the English language lack words in this regard.

CONDITIONING and CLASSICAL CONDITIONING = Conditioning and Classical Conditioning have today within ordinary science developed into a blossoming variety of versions and sub-versions seeking to cover all aspects of human life and other kinds of life-forms.

There are in this text two short definitions given by me within religious-related contexts. In psychology, conditioning is the process of performing some particular action(s) to directly influence an individual's learning or thought -patterns; also within education - in the broadest sense of the word, when it is done in a non-philosophical manner and without teaching about the science of conditioning.
Conditioning happens when a leader or a group of leaders forwards a doctrine or a teaching on behalf of its members, and when open-minded comparative studying is disallowed or disregarded. It happens in a religious organisation or group which avoids emphasis on the science of Subtle Mind Control. A religious organisation or group which refuse comparative studying or avoids it carefully or de-emphasizes it or does not mention it all. Conditioning can also occur in other modes and ways. There are various modes and levels or degrees of conditioning and the impact it has on individuals.

Classical Conditioning can happen in a religious organisation or group - or in a sect. But it does not necessarily do so. 
With classical conditioning I here focus on its use with regard to religious conversion. There are many more profound explanations of this subject, which has been forwarded by various psychologists. Pavlov's Classical Conditioning can be read about elsewhere.
The example with Pavlov's dogs is an excellent analogical example on what not seldom happens when an individual convert religiously in a sect. It is given here in the below paragraph. People do how-ever convert for other reasons, when fear of death is not the motivator. And - also when various conditioning factors are not the primary reason for the conversion or reason for joining a religious organisation or group - or even a sect or a cult. But that is seldom with regard to the last to types. Now to the example with PAVLOV's DOGs.

"Classical Conditioning", PAVLOV's DOGs and related issues.
The Russian psychologist Pavlov performed psychological experiments on dogs in
the 1920'ties and 1930'ties, and experienced a particular incident where it
happened that a flooding took place in the basement where the experiments took
place.

The flooding caught some of Pavlov's dogs in their cages, while the water was
raising all the way op to their heads, before it disappeared again. Pavlov
discovered as a consequence thereof that the intense fear experienced by the
dogs "completely erased" the tricks he had taught them in advance. And the dogs
who before the flooding had a good relationship with their guardians, now in general turned 
against them. And those whom they before the flooding had disliked, they acted friendly towards.
This has a strong parallel to what we experience happen when people in general convert
to another religious group by the use of Subtle Mind Control.
After the flooding Pavlov could "re-program" several of the dogs and learn them new "tricks". 
The dogs which did not have the experience did not have this relation.
(Taken in part from the book "Battle for the Mind" by William Sargant. The experiment is dated year 1927)

The same can be done by inducing "Phobia" in various individuals, and do it by forwarding a religious doctrine or teachings. Sometimes it happens by forwarding a view about the existence of an "enemy" outside the religious group. They can be called "dis-believers", "non-religious", "ignorants" or the "dark brotherhood", or merely non-converted.

And a last issue which might be important to consider: Conditioning factors are in operation all the time in our lives, and in your life as well.

___________________


CHAPTER 3
THE SCIENCE OF SUBTLE MIND CONTROL
(Shortly forwarded)


___________________

All the above are of course just my views. And I might be in error about a number it things in the above.
And I do not claim myself infallible. I just have the hope that some of it might be useful to some of the readers of it.

>>> Part 2 follows shortly. <<<


M. Sufilight




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