Mind Control

1. Mastering Perception: Reality is What You Make It

Because every one of us—bar none—is 100 percent convinced these mind-manipulation “tricks” won’t work on us! And we’re all 100 percent wrong. They will—and do—work on us every day.

Flawed senses. The book emphasizes that our senses are inherently flawed and easily manipulated. Optical illusions, chemical trickery in food, and deceptive fabrics all demonstrate how our perceptions can be distorted. This unreliability extends to memory, which is subjective and prone to alteration based on personal biases and experiences.

Subjective reality. Our individual experiences, prejudices, and desires act as filters, coloring how we perceive and process information. This means that two people can witness the same event and come away with vastly different interpretations. Recognizing this subjectivity is the first step toward understanding how our minds can be manipulated.

Advantage through awareness. By acknowledging the inherent weaknesses in our perception, we gain a significant advantage. We become less susceptible to manipulation tactics and better equipped to critically evaluate the information we receive. This awareness also allows us to exploit the perceptual flaws of our enemies, turning their vulnerabilities into opportunities for control.

2. Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy, Know Thy Environment

Ultimately the prize goes to the swift and the well studied. Of course, sometimes being sneaky helps!

The Three Knows. This section stresses the importance of self-awareness, understanding your opponent, and assessing your surroundings. Knowing yourself involves acknowledging both your strengths and weaknesses, including your "shadow self" – the aspects of your personality you prefer to keep hidden.

Understanding the enemy. Knowing your enemy requires gathering intelligence on their habits, motivations, and vulnerabilities. This includes identifying their enemies, both physical and psychological, and exploiting their fears and phobias.

Environmental awareness. Understanding your environment means recognizing how your surroundings influence your interactions and decisions. This includes being aware of the social dynamics, power structures, and potential threats in any given situation. By mastering these three areas, you can effectively navigate complex situations and exert control over your circumstances.

3. Power Dynamics: Taking Control of Your Life

All these personal likes and dislikes “color” how we perceive, process, and ultimately “file away” for future use incoming information.

Power isn't a dirty word. The book challenges the notion that seeking power is inherently negative. It argues that the drive to control one's life and environment is a natural and essential survival instinct. Denying this instinct can lead to dissatisfaction and vulnerability.

Five sources of power. The book identifies five basic sources of power:

• Love and respect power: Influence based on genuine affection and loyalty.
• Carrot power: The ability to manipulate others through rewards.
• Stick power: The willingness to threaten and punish.
• Expert power: Influence derived from specialized knowledge or skills.
• Position power: Authority granted by a recognized role or title.

Legitimate vs. false position power. The book distinguishes between legitimate position power, earned through merit or consent, and false position power, based solely on a uniform or title. True power comes from within, not from external symbols.

4. The Killer "B's": A Mind Control Arsenal

In warfare, the more you can disguise your intent and angle of attack, the better your chances of first befuddling, battering down, and then burying your enemy.

Six core strategies. This section introduces six key strategies for mind control, all starting with the letter "B":

• Blind: Obscuring your true intentions and creating confusion.
• Bribery and Blackmail: Using incentives or threats to manipulate behavior.
• Bloodties: Exploiting shared secrets or compromising acts to ensure loyalty.
• Brainwashing: Stripping away an individual's identity and replacing it with a new one.
• Bully: Using intimidation and force to exert control.
• Bury: Eliminating opposition through various means.

Blending the "B's". These strategies are not mutually exclusive and can be combined for maximum effect. For example, you might use bribery to gain access to sensitive information, then use blackmail to silence your target.

Ethical considerations. The book acknowledges the potentially harmful nature of these techniques and encourages readers to consider the ethical implications of their use. However, it also emphasizes the importance of understanding these tactics to defend against them.

5. Strategic Scheming: Mind Control by the Numbers

Despite such dismal descriptions of the human condition, we can still generally count on our good points, our “bright side” to be self-evident.

Shuhari: The One Circle. This section introduces the Taoist concept of Tao and the Japanese concept of Shuhari, emphasizing the importance of focus and awareness. It encourages readers to identify and protect their personal "circle" – their physical, social, and mental boundaries.

Two heads are better than one. This section stresses the importance of seeing both sides of an issue and avoiding the trap of either/or thinking. It encourages readers to identify and exploit the resentments and grievances of others to recruit allies.

Inner School vs. Skinner School. This section contrasts two schools of psychological thought: the Inner School, which focuses on subconscious motivations, and the Skinner School, which emphasizes external stimuli and behavior modification. The book advocates for a "Thinner School" approach, combining the best of both to manipulate behavior and achieve desired outcomes.

6. Methods of Mayhem: Deception and Manipulation

By directing the first prong of attack into our foes’ mind, we might eliminate the need to ‘follow through’ with an actual physical attack.

The Art of Listening. This section emphasizes the importance of truly listening to what others are saying, both verbally and nonverbally. It encourages readers to develop their ability to read body language, detect subtle cues, and identify hidden motivations.

Shadow-Talkers. This section explores the concept of "shadow-talk," the subconscious signals and tells that betray a person's true feelings and intentions. It encourages readers to become adept at spotting these signals and using them to their advantage.

Word Slavery. This section examines the power of language to shape our thoughts and beliefs. It explores how manipulators use abstract words, loaded terms, and censorship to control our perceptions and limit our freedom of thought.

7. Masterminds of the Past: Lessons from History's Best

We also learn much from studying master “mind-slayers” of the past. Thus, in the present volume, we study and steal the tactics and techniques of not just accomplished Asian masters like Sun Tzu and Buddha... but also from less well known, but no less accomplished Middle Eastern masters such as Jesus Sirach and Abdullah ibn Maymum.

Learning from the best (and worst). This section emphasizes the importance of studying the tactics and techniques of past masters of mind control, both the infamous and the less well-known. It encourages readers to identify similarities in their methods and motivations, regardless of their cultural background or ethical standing.

East meets West. The book draws examples from a diverse range of historical figures, including Sun Tzu, Buddha, Jesus Sirach, Abdullah ibn Maymum, Rasputin, J. Paul Getty, and Machiavelli. By studying these figures, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the universal principles of mind manipulation.

The blood-pulse. The book introduces the concept of "the blood-pulse," the undiluted teachings passed down from master to student through the ages. It encourages readers to contribute to this lineage by developing their own unique understanding and application of mind control techniques.

8. The Art of Shapeshifting: Adapting to Any Situation

We became flexible, adaptive and versatile—adept at improvisation and innovation—if for no other reason than because we had to in order to survive.

Adaptability is key. This section stresses the importance of being able to adapt to changing circumstances and environments. It encourages readers to develop a versatile skillset and a willingness to embrace new approaches.

The art of disguise. This section explores the art of disguise, both physical and psychological. It encourages readers to learn how to blend in, adopt different personas, and conceal their true intentions.

The power of influence. This section examines the art of influence, the ability to persuade and manipulate others to achieve your goals. It explores various techniques for building rapport, establishing trust, and exerting control over people's thoughts and actions.

Last updated: March 3, 2025