In his book, Combating Cult Mind Control, Steven Hassan outlines the three steps to gaining control of the mind as derived from Kurt Lewin’s work and originally described in Edgar Schein’s book, Coercive Persuasion.

The first step, “unfreezing,” requires the victim’s reality to be shaken up via confusion or disorientation by the indoctrinator. Hassan states that unfreezing is most effectively accomplished in a totally controlled environment, and by inducing a trance state through hypnotic processes.

In the WMSCOG, new members go through an entire curriculum of about thirty core studies, which they are encouraged to complete as quickly as possible before getting involved in other activities.

Studies are conducted in small rooms between a teacher and the student in one-on-one sessions. In these studies, the teacher draws diagrams on the board and asks leading questions that the student must answer.

“The Bible says that the spirit returns to God. What does return mean?”

“To go back.”

“Can you go back to a place you’ve never been?”

“No.”

“Then where was your spirit before you were born on earth?”

The questions are asked in such a way that there is only one possible correct answer, and the back and forth between student and teacher continues until the student gives the correct answer, ensuring that the student’s attention is entirely focused on seeking the teacher’s approval.

From my personal experience, I believe that this method of “studying” induces a trance-like state for the student and makes them susceptible to suggestion.

The studies, which “reveal” important information about the status of the human soul and the truth of the world, upend students’ worldviews. An entire curriculum of such studies thoroughly “unfreezes” people, completing the first step of gaining control of the mind.

Stay tuned for the next two steps, “changing” and “refreezing.”