Freedom of Mind - 3rd Edition by Steven Hassan (Paperback)

About the Book

This book exposes techniques and methods that individuals, cults, and institutions use to undo a person's capacity to think and act independently. Learn how to evaluate, interact, communicate, understand, and help promote freedom of mind.

Book Synopsis

In the post 911 world, people are more susceptible than ever to charismatic figures who offer simple, black v. white, us v. them, good v. evil, formulaic solutions. The rise of the Internet; increasingly sophisticated knowledge about how to influence and manipulate others; and the growing vulnerabilities of people across the planet-make for a dangerous, potentially devastating combination. Dr. Steven Hassan's revised book, Freedom of Mind, provides the knowledge and awareness needed to help yourself and loved ones avoid or escape from such dangerous people and situations. The world has changed greatly in the last decade. The rise of the Internet, the emergence of global terrorism and of dangerous totalistic ideologies, and the shifts in global markets-these and other changes have created new opportunities for unscrupulous individuals, groups, and institutions to exert unethical control over others. Freedom of Mind exposes the techniques and methods that individuals, cults, and institutions of all types-religious, business, therapeutic, educational, governmental-use to undo a person's capacity to think and act independently. Meanwhile, people are becoming increasingly vulnerable. Sleep-deprived, overweight and looking to improve themselves, overloaded with often frightening images and information; anxious about the current economic decline, climate change, and government corruption on all levels. People are more susceptible than ever to charismatic figures who offer simple, black v. white, us v. them, good v. evil, formulaic solutions. Freedom of Mind book aims to fill the gap. It identifies and explains how to identify and evaluate potentially dangerous groups and individuals. Hassan details his groundbreaking approach, the 'Strategic Interactive Approach, ' which can be used to help a loved one leave such a situation. Step-by-step, Hassan shows you how to: evaluate the situation; interact with dual identities; develop communication strategies using phone calls, letter writing and visits; understand and utilize cult beliefs and tactics; use reality-testing and other techniques to promote freedom of mind. He emphasizes the value of meeting with trained consultants to be effectively guided and coached and also to plan and implement effective interventions. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is knowledge and awareness.

Review Quotes

"This book should be required reading for everybody. It will save lives! We know first hand the danger of these groups. It's too late for Gail but hopefully it can save others from going through what we did." Bob and Alice Maeder, Lost their daughter, Gail, in the Heaven's Gate Tragedy

"Steven Hassan has called upon his thirty-six years of expertise in the cult fi eld to write this excellent, highly readable and extremely practical manual. Reading this book and implementing Hassan's advice will help everyone affected by a mind control situation to understand and reevaluate an unhealthy involvement." Rabbi James Rudin, Senior Advisor to the American Jewish Committee and author of The Baptizing of America

"No one understands the cult experience better than Steve Hassan, and no one is better qualified to help people break free of their devastating effects. I wish there had been a Steve Hassan in my life when I needed one." Mitchell Kapor Technology entrepreneur and investor Founder Lotus Development Corporation

"Steven Hassan's approach is one that I value more than that of any other researcher or clinical practitioner. Hassan is a model of clear exposition, his original ideas are brilliantly presented in a captivating style. I am confident that readers of his new book will share my enthusiasm for what this author tells us about how to deal with the growing menace of undue social influence and cults." Philip G. Zimbardo, Ph.D. President of the American Psychological Association (2002) Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Stanford-University, President and Founder of the Heroic Imagination Project