Over the years I have studied several different forms of Mind Control, which tend to be very effective against the one we love the most.
Let that sink in and see how it makes you feel.
The “punchline”, is that we each tend to love ourselves the most. What I studied, were methods of self-control.
If something different first came to mind it’s understandable. Self-control is not particularly valued in our society compared to some others. We tend to over-rely on outside agency like other people, laws and enforcement officials, social media public opinion,, people not making us mad/offended etc.
And even if control shifts to internal agency, it seems very trendy to be controlled by one’s emotions in the moment.
So what are your thoughts on this kind of mind control (self control)?
Do you see the trend in our society against it?
Do you follow the trend, or buck it?
© 2026 – SoulSequel
16 responses to “Mind control”
The tricky thing about mind control (or even self control) is one needs to be willing to engage in it. And at best it’s only as effective as we allow it to be. Which is one of the biggest reasons why I don’t drink til I’m drunk or use drugs. If I’m going to do something – even something others disagree with, I want to be in full control of what I’m doing. The problem is that exhaustion works about the same with me.
@Jear77
Exhaustion is an old friend.
Having a rare visit with too much alcohol in a lovely restaurant with wifi and nowhere to go for at least 30 hours!
Times of letting loose are generally good. But self-control . . . why wouldn’t one want to at least visit it from time to time?
@griz MANY things for self control, I would agree. Others, not so much.
Though, I have found from personal experiences that we can be TOO self controlled. We put up with things that we should not, make excuses for people we should not… when if we told the person what we truly thought from the get go, perhaps even hurting them deliberately in the process to the point where they won’t deal with us anymore, and thus no longer be able to cause us hurt.
@Jear77
My thought is that nobody has the “absolute keys” to it.
It’s probably part of my unique past, but I find I’m very capable of putting up with much of what others might choose to do, and still care for them deeply. I’m able to either deflect or even absorb (and heal from) a lot of hurt — intended and accidental.
And I am not likely to count this as a liablility any time soon.
Thick skin: tender heart.
It beats the hell out of thin skin: thick heart!
@griz actually you’re (half) wrong in your analogy if you’re trying to go the route of biblical language. IIRC, there’s not any language concerning skin and emotions (as that type of language analogy is a modern thing)…BUT Shouldn’t it be a *hardened* heart?
@Jear77
I was NOT trying to use biblical language.
It may coincide to a degree. But I stand by “thick-hearted” as a contrast to thin-skinned.
I’m finding as I get older, that I am beginning to want to be less controlled in my behaviour, which is the first step in not doing it, but currently I seem to still care (to a certain extent) how I am viewed.
I think the trend towards self entitlement is an indicator of self control being less of an issue in how society in general is shifting.
Personally, I think self control is a good thing when it is used to consider the feelings and requirements of others. The challenge however, is that I base my behaviour on my interpretation of the motives of others and I’m pretty sure my interpretations, while sometimes correct, are not always correct.
@spitfire3dc
I think there’s always that concern as to “how we’re viewed”.
I keep returning to the analogy of childhood, because it’s so full of good and valuable stuff. A child’s first germ of self-awareness comes in recognizing how their parents (and grand-parents) view them: react and respond to them. They see that their choices and actions can influence this positively or negatively.
Then the child starts becoming more and more concerned with how their fellows, their school-mates see them. A lot of folly results!
And then, if maturity progresses, they move back into a concern for how their parents see them (in very early adulthood). And in functional family relationship, this continues — which is perhaps why the death of a parent is such an event. We lose “our greatest fan of us”.
I’ve transferred much of this to God in my life. There’s still lingering concern for how “my fellows” see me (which now includes my physical father). But paramount is to be a pleasing child in God’s sight. This is my primary motivation for practicing self-control. At first I did it out of fear of “eternal consequence”. Then, just because I didn’t like how much trouble it caused me to be out-of-control.
But now I see it not as “avoiding folly”, but as “bringing honor to my Parent”.
I don’t know how popular a notion this is these days.
There seems to be a LOT of people running around seeking to actively dishonor their parents (whether physical or Spiritual).
@griz
When we view our Hevanly Father as perfection itself; I think we have set the bar at the perfect height in which to measure our ability to please.
All this business about whether the Great I Am exists is irrelevant in my mind when compared to our response behaviours associated with try to please perfection. It’s a bar that is beyond the human capacity to reach, but a life trying to reach it, versus actually reaching it, is a life well lived. I think you are doing a way better than average attempt to raise yourself as close to that bar as a human can.
@spitfire3dc
I agree that religion tries to set this bar “perfectly high”.
Consider how small a gesture or realization it takes from your grandson to put a smile on your face and make you pleased about the process at work in him.
And the thing is that like “little C”, I’m not busting a gut trying to live up to a “finished standard” that is currently beyond my ability. The process is good. It’s progressive and organic. There’s a lot of grace at work. I’m having an excellent time on the journey.
The “pleasing of a high standard” . . . just sort of happens in a very good sort of way.
And when it doesn’t, I learn from it because I really like living in that arena of “good graces”.
I don’t think self control is for me after watching Yogis do those undulating stomach exercises.
http://canaryinacorporatecoalmine.com/uploads/3/4/5/8/34585230/5452846_orig.jpg
@luftballooneyegouge
Really?
The ability to do the wave with my eyebrows has changed my life!
When I think of mind control I think of the cat that has his own place at the table. He gets in his chair and gives Immortal Pirate a long and intense stare, as if he is trying to convey a mind thought message. Failing that, he has to vocalize a meow to get the attention of his target recipient. His thoughts are : “I want some of what you are eating.” , “I want cat treats.”, “Pet me.” , “I am here!!!”, “I want to sleep in your lap.”
I watch the mind control vibes from afar. They seem to work on Immortal Pirate. He is the kitty cat’s mind controlled slave.
@ladybarbara …what men do for a little pussy…cat.
@immortal_pirate
If you look on YouTube you can probably find some old reruns of Jose and her Pussy. . , cats!
@ladybarbara
That could just be effective pet training and conditioning!
It wouldn’t be true mind control kitty cat style unless he starts purring when you scratch behind his ears!