·
Cope with stress? When stress is getting the best of us, we are
more likely to be “seduced” by someone selling “happiness.” If you are having
difficulty coping, seek help from reputable, trustworthy persons.
·
NEVER be afraid to question.
·
ALWAYS be wary of anyone who tries to discourage or prevent you
from questioning.
·
Learn to recognize common cult recruitment tactics and
situations.
·
People who are excessively or inappropriately friendly. Genuine
friendships take time to build.
·
People with simplistic answers or solutions to complex world
problems.
·
People with invitations to free meals, lectures, and workshops.
·
People who pressure you to do something you don’t really want to
do. Don’t be afraid to say “no!”
·
People who are vague or evasive. If they are hiding something,
it’s usually because they don’t want you to know!
·
People who try to play on your basic human decency. You don’t
always have to reciprocate a kindness, for example, especially when it may have
been a way to manipulate you.
·
People who claim to be “just like you.” This is often a device to
disarming your vigilance.
·
People who confidently claim that they can help you solve your
problems, especially when they know little about you.
·
People who make grand claims about “saving mankind,” “achieving
enlightenment,” or “following the road to happiness.” If their claims seem too
good to be true, they are probably false!
·
People who always seem “happy,” even when common sense dictates
otherwise.
·
People who claim they or their group is “really special.”
Arrogance is much more common than genuine superiority.
·
People who promise quick solutions to difficult life problems.
·
People who claim that “you need to destroy the mind to find God,”
or “the devil works through the mind,” or otherwise disparage the critical
mind. Your mind is your primary defense against psychological manipulation.
Protect it!
