This podcast discusses the process of brainwashing. The podcast references an article titled, How Brainwashing Works, by Julia Layton and Alia Hoyt. It is good to reflect on how it is done to review the Quran study how the Prophets nurtured people to God and faced social injustices. When one faces humiliation, they must turn to the Source, who needs no protection from any humiliation. Turning to God is done through prayer and remembrance of God, magnifying God’s glory and greatness. In doing so, the person can break the brainwashing process by focusing on God.
(It is) a Qur’an which We have divided (into parts from time to time), in order that thou mightest recite it to men at intervals: We have revealed it by stages.
Say: “Whether ye believe in it or not, it is true that those who were given knowledge beforehand, when it is recited to them, fall down on their faces in humble prostration, “And they say: ‘Glory to our Lord! Truly has the promise of our Lord been fulfilled!'” They fall down on their faces in tears, and it increases their (earnest) humility.
Say: “Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman: by whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well): for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names. Neither speak thy Prayer aloud, nor speak it in a low tone, but seek a middle course between.” Say: “Praise be to Allah, who begets no son, and has no partner in (His) dominion: Nor (needs) He any to protect Him from humiliation: yea, magnify Him for His greatness and glory!”
(Quran 17:106-111)
Some accounts show that faith in a higher power can assist a target in mentally detaching from the process. People who’ve suffered abuse in childhood, have been exposed to eccentric family patterns and who have substance abuse issues are also more likely to be influenced [source: Curtis].
Mental detachment is one of the POW-survival techniques now taught to soldiers as part of their training. It involves the target psychologically removing himself from his actual surroundings through visualization, the constant repetition of a mantra and various other meditative techniques. The military also teaches soldiers about the methods used in brainwashing, because a target’s knowledge of the process tends to make it less effective [source: Webb].
There are significant differences between guilt aimed at humiliating a person and remorse aimed at nurturing a person. The critical difference in both is a moral choice. The Quran nurtures a person’s conscience in stages. The nurturing process increases one in faith, a sense of tranquility, self-knowledge and removes confusion and disorientation. Unlike the brainwashing process, the nurturing process strengthens a person’s resolve and direction, as the Quran states, “Then, where are you going?”
Credit for photo: The photo was shared by Sami Yusuf