- Introduction <
- Behaviour Control
- Information Control
- Thought Control
- Emotional Control
I was involved with Mahikari for 14 years, many of them not very happy
ones. I was finally able to get myself out, which was a very traumatic time. I
was confused, upset, and angry that this group was able to manipulate me
in the way that it did, for so long. I felt that I had been rational and
reasonable while a member, but in reality I had been mentally conditioned on many
levels. I am by no means an exception, either - all ex-members that I
have spoken or corresponded with have suffered in similar ways. How did
Mahikari achieve this?
Since leaving Mahikari in early 2000, I have read widely and researched the
real history of this group, and particularly how they use persuasion and thought
control on their unaware members. I am especially concerned that
children are being allowed to join this group from the age of ten, and
that teenagers and young adults are at risk.
When I came across the work of Steve Hassan, reading his book
Combatting Cult Mind Control, my eyes were opened as to how
Mahikari influenced me to such a huge degree. In this section I will use
his "BITE Mind Control Model" [Releasing the
Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves, 2000 by Steven
Hassan, Chapter 2; Freedom of
Mind Press] points as a basis for an investigation of mind control in Mahikari.
I have done my best to be fair and accurate in this assessment,
based on group literature, my own experience, and the experiences of other
members.
Steve Hassan writes "The average person doesn't stand much chance
[against cults]. He doesn't understand mind control. He doesn't know how
different cult groups operate. He doesn't know what questions to ask and
what behaviours to watch out for. The average person assumes he could
never be sucked in." [Combatting Cult Mind Control, Steven Hassan; pg 42]
"People believe that 'it could never happen to them' because they
want to believe they are stronger and better than the millions who have
fallen victim to cult mind control. Our need to believe that we are
invulnerable, though, is actually a weakness than can easily be played
upon by cult recruiters." [Ibid, pg 44]
"Since destructive groups deliberately seek out people who are
intelligent, talented, and successful, the members themselves are
powerfully persuasive and seductive to newcomers. Indeed, the sheer
number of sincere, committed members whom a newcomer meets is probably
far more attractive to a prospective convert than any doctrine or
structure. The large cults prove that they know how to train their
'salespeople' well. They indoctrinate members to show only the best
sides of the organisation. Members are taught to suppress any negative
feelings they have about the group and always show a continually smiling
'happy' face." [Ibid, pg 41]
This is why it is so important for anyone associated with Sukyo
Mahikari to educate themselves. There is no doubt that Mahikari uses
mind control techniques to condition members. Mahikari members are
constantly told to be "Always smiling Yokoshi" [sunny, bright, positive
people]. We were taught how to introduce teachings to different types of
people, depending on their interests. We were supposed to always be good
examples of dedicated members, and present the group as well as
possible. We were never to criticize the group, teachings, staff, or
other members, as this was evidence of our deep sins and impurities, and
the machinations of evil deities trying to destroy the group.
Experienced hypnotist Dick Sutphen says "In the entire history of
man, no one has ever been brainwashed and realized, or believed, that he
had been brainwashed. Those who have been brainwashed will usually
passionately defend their manipulators, claiming they have simply been
"shown the light" . . . or have been transformed in miraculous ways."
[The Battle for your Mind, Persuasion & Brainwashing
Techniques Being Used On The Public Today, Dick Sutphen]
For clarity, Steve Hassan's BITE Control Model points are in bold
text, while my responses are in normal text. Direct quotes from
Mahikari literature are inset, within quotation marks, and are
referenced.
There are four basic sections that can be used in understanding destructive mind control. I will
address each point in turn. It is clear from the extent of control behaviour used by Mahikari that they
are using effective and subtle conditioning techniques on their members.
- Introduction <
- Behaviour Control
- Information Control
- Thought Control
- Emotional Control
