False Memory Syndrome and deeper underlying mental problems

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ex-l

ex-BK

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False Memory Syndrome and deeper underlying mental problems

Post08 Jul 2012

In psychology and psychiatry, there is a fair amount of discussion about "False Memory Syndrome", "planted memories", and how group propaganda indoctrinates memories within individuals. Obviously, there is a whole other level of human mental activity where real memories are reinterpreted or given other, more profound meanings.

False memory syndrome is defined as a condition in which a person's identity and interpersonal relationships are centered around a memory which is false but in which the person strongly believes and when the memory is so deeply ingrained that it orients the individual's entire personality and lifestyle, in turn disrupting all sorts of other behaviour.

False Memory Syndrome is considered destructive because the person assiduously avoids confrontation with any evidence that might challenge the memory. Thus it takes on a life of its own, encapsulated and resistant to correction. The person may become so focused on memory that he or she may be effectively distracted from coping with the real problems in his or her life.

"Planted memories" happen when the sufferer was in a very suggestible state, e.g. following or during hypnotherapy.
    A practice forbidden by medical ethics ... but, yet, which makes up the core of Brahma Kumari conditioning.
These are said to leave the sufferer unable to tell which memories are genuine and which are not. The unconstrained fabrication resulting from the planting of such memories may resolves temporary conflicts in the sufferer's mind but lead to chronic damage which is permanently disabling, resulting in deeper personality disorders.

False memory syndrome can appear based on "indoctrinated memories" where individuals are led to believe in propaganda through repetition and the breaking down and reducing of an individual's ability to think for themselves.

In the Brahma Kumaris, how much are the leaders engaged in creating false memories, and the followers engaged in supporting and repeating them? Clearly it is a large part of the religion.

We have discovered without any doubt that their organization's history has been deeply falsified by individuals who were not even there at the time it happened. They also continue to push their 5,000 year history cycle as a true fact within which many adherents will claim to have vision and memories of things happening and fit those into the BK framework.

But what of the claims that the therapists make, than underneath the "sticking plaster" fix ... the children's fairy story versions ... real personality problems are not fit and lasting damage might be done.

Yes, I can admit that for a brief period at least individuals "feel benefits" or highs from following BKism. The daily disciplines also help in this giving order and structure to individuals. But even within the religion adherents admits that after a time "the dirt must come up", the example given being like that of a carpet being beaten.
    How much of that is "dirt coming up", and
    how much of that are serious personality problems being encouraged within individuals?
I, personally, don't believe BKism magically "washes" the soul clean and returns it to an original, Golden Age form. 75 years later, I don't see any evidence of that for its leaders, the very individuals they claim at the most spiritual and enlightened 8, 108 or 16,108 individuals in all. What I see is institutionalise arrogance, bigotry, dishonesty, petty corruption, superiority complex, a fascination with status, celebrity and nice properties.

Am I wrong?

We know for a fact the religion's history is false ... it is highly unlikely its version of human history is correct ... can positive changes be made on the basis of falsehoods and denial?


One such paper is: Loftus, E. F., & Pickrell, J. E. (1995). The formation of false memories. Psychiatric Annals, 25, 720-725. (and, remember, like most scientific papers is debated over rather than "truth" so take your own conclusions from it).

dany

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Re: False Memory Syndrome and deeper underlying mental probl

Post08 Jul 2012

Certain people do develope "false memories" of events they have never experienced, and they truely believe that they have experienced these events . Traumas and accidents migt trigger some of these false memories.

In cultic affairs, the terminology to be used might be "implanted memories", which are the result of intensive brain wash accompanied by mild hypnosis .

I recall a Forum member stating that he felt stronger after joining BK . The question to arise, where did that strength came from and how was it generated ..? Is it not a falsely induced and planted in the imagination and memory, as a result of the frequent repetition of the rythm of being, strong, elite, chosen, ..etc..??

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