Brainwashing
Brainwashing is a term we hardly hear anymore. But just because the word isn’t in popular usage doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. It does happen, and in various, often hard to recognize ways.
The legitimacy of the concept has been questioned for years. Still, there’s little doubt that something happens to people’s minds when bombarded with various psychological manipulation techniques.
Brainwashing is a close cousin to the phenomenon I first described in the opening pages of In Sheep’s Clothing. In recent years we’ve called that phenonmenon gaslighting. That’s when someone is made to question their perceptions of reality – even their sanity! And some of the same tactics all manipulators use to gaslight and get their way are among the tools employed in brain control.
When It Happens
It’s not often that someone is completely brainwashed. But aspects of this coercive mind control happen more often than one might think. It’s largely a matter of subtlety and degree. Subtle coercion and persistent persuasion can be far more effective ways to influence a mind than using force or terror.
How It Happens
Perhaps the most common brainwashing technique is indoctrination through constant repetition of a limited set of ideas while simultaneously discouraging or disparaging alternative thinking. And it helps if the ideas you want to promote resonate with some beliefs a person already holds. Say the same things over and over again. And say them with assuredness and conviction. Add to that the persistent message that anyone who believes otherwise is either a fool or an inferior creature, and voila! You may very well be on your way to gaining control of a mind! Of course, there’s usually more to it than what I’ve mentioned above. But with all the right tactics, what started out as a questionable point of view or possibly even a total lie can become the gospel truth!
Being Of A Mind To Prevail And Dominate
Some narcissitic individuals are of a constant mind to have their desires and their will prevail. They rabidly seek the dominant position. (See: Rabid Dominance Seekers.) And they’ll do whatever they think is necessary to browbeat others into submission. (That’s why I conceptualize manipulative maneuvers as “offensive power tactics.”) See things their way, and there’s relative peace and harmony. Question their views or actions, and there’s hell to pay. Those who fall in line might not be technically or completly brainwashed, but they’re also likely not to be of a fully independent mind either.
Many survivors of manipulative, controlling relationships have told me the same thing. They say that the greatest joy is reclaiming what they always knew to be reality but were made to feel crazy for thinking. Gaining your mind back is often the biggest part of gaining your life back.
I’ll have more to say about the prevalence of dangerous manipulation tactics in our character disordered world in upcoming posts. We live in dangerous times, with severe character disturbances increasingly prevalent. And tragically, many of the worst characters among us know the secrets to manipulative influencing, or even brainwashing.
Thanks Dr. Simon. As always, your brilliance and insight overwhelm me. I do enjoy reading your books and post.
You are so kind. Thank you, Cleo.
Dr Simon
Your Utube channel, books & blog have been helping so much through a challenging time in life in a challenging world gone mad!
In my 60’s with a lifetime of experience & growth behind me, it has taken this long to realise that I’m the one with the sound character, the disturbed ones consider otherwise, we let them think as they wish & live our truth.
I read In Sheep’s Clothing decades ago & put it attractively on my book shelf. After having been done over by a number of disturbed characters, I’ve come back to your books & videos making meaning of it all, shattered but grateful.
Thank you for Essentials for the Journey, am savouring my way through it at this point.
Looking forward to whatever work you’re able to bring to us in the future, but you must look after your health, you have given so many of us, so much.
Warmly,
Marianna (Sydney Australia)
Dr. Simon,
What a great article. It is all about brainwashing a person, the goal is to eventually take control of the intended victims thought process. It’s a well thought out plan, just as our own government uses MK Ultra, Project Monarch on the populace in our country. The mind control is projected by the smut and garbage flowing out of the television, radio and our devices and whatever means they feel is necessary.
The brainwashing is subtle and we the sheeple think our government has our best interest in mind when all they are doing is slowly making us docile and weak to the point we acquiesce to whatever controls they want!
Its the same tactics the Character disordered individual in our lives have used on us, except the government does it on a larger scale.
I remember how different society was 60 years ago. I hope people wake up and see what is being done to them. I sure know I had a great awakening in my life when the realization of what was happening to me with the Character Disordered in my life was doing to me.
I can only say this site was and is a God send. I learned so much from you and all the kindred spirts who have shared on this site for so many years. I cant thank you enough for all you have given to all on this blog.
Thank you with all my heart and Gods Peace be with you
BTOV
Thank you!
Thank you!
We’re being constantly assaulted with lies and propaganda. Even with video evidence, they tell us not to believe our own eyes.
In Minneapolis. The victim, a young mother of three, murdered, is labeled a domestic terrorist, and the reckless thug that stepped in front of her car and shot and killed her, the hero. The FBI will not allow the state access to the investigation.
They want zero transparency and zero accountability. Thugs, all of them. Might makes right. If you try and stand up for your rights, you’re an obstacle to be eliminated.
Just listed to stephen miller, he doesn’t hide his beliefs, he boasts. He enjoys dominating and terrorizing.
I mourn for our country, what’s left of it. And I’m furious this reckless indifference of this administration to the law, the constitution, and humanity. They are selfish and greedy and increasingly unhinged and dangerous.
She even tried to de-escalate the situation, smiling and telling him “I’m not mad at you”. She just wanted to leave.
He then proceeded to shoot her in the face three times at point blank range! Then said “f*cking bitch” after he shot her! It was pure malice.
It’s terrifying and I guess that’s the point.
He was not a law enforcement officer. Law enforcement officers don’t wear masks. He was there as an ICE “officer”. They can only legally stop suspected illegal immigrants.
Instead, they are masked gunmen, in plain cars with no plates, shooting and kidnapping unarmed citizens if they do something they don’t like. They are not being held accountable, they are being protected by the government. Given immunity to do whatever they want.
They are setting up for martial law. If you believe it won’t can’t happen in the U.S., think about all of the norms, boundaries, laws, etc.. that have already been violated. We have passed into an authoritarian state.