Hassan's New Book " Freedom of Mind " Chapter 1 Tidbits & Points
by flipper 21 Replies latest jw friends
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flipper
ON THE WAY OUT- I'm glad you've been reading the new book ! I've only read the first chapter as well , but sneak peeked through other chapters and it appears there is some very different information especially regarding handling varying situations. I'm looking forward to reading more !
JOEY-JO-JO- I thought Hassan's 2nd book " Releasing the Bonds " was a lot different from his first book myself. There is a lot of varying and helpful information in this new book regarding pysychological aspects of not only dealing with cults but rescuing people from controlling relationships too. As regards Hassan talking about his Judaism beliefs ? I don't know, have only read the first chapter. If you purchase the book you'll find out.
LV101- Glad to hear you're ordering it ! That's how I found out about the book from a thread Randy started. I knew Hassan was writing this book, just didn't know it was released already a couple months ago ! Great information in it !
LEAVING WT- Exactly ! I agree ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper
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00DAD
Sounds good. Can't wait to read it. From what I understand it's a revised, updated and streamlined version of his 2nd book.
I found THAT to be very helpful so I am looking forward to getting my copy.
00DAD
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rip van winkle
Flipper, I find this particular point very interesting, in lieu of my recent post- Unconditional Love. Steve Hassan equated Unconditional Love as Real Love
1. Real Love is Stronger than conditional love : The fact that you are willing to help and are seeking professional advice means there is reason to hope. The member will realize that YOUR love is unconditional , while the cult's 'love ' depends on their meeting expectations and goals.
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OnTheWayOut
I've only read the first chapter as well , but sneak peeked through other chapters and it appears there is some very different information especially regarding handling varying situations.
Don't ruin the ending for me. I hate knowing whodunnit before I get there.
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flipper
00DAD- Yeah, I think you'll really enjoy it. If you liked the " Releasing " book you'll love this one.
RIP VAN WINKLE- Indeed I agree with you - I liked the way Hassan equates REAL love as unconditional love as well. Good point. Thanks for pointing that out. It was amazing how trapped and underappreciated all of us were really inside the JW cult. NONE of us were shown any gratitude unless we were serving WT functions - which somehow was supposed to make us appear " spiritual " or " righteous ". And any JWs that DID show true human love were looked down upon basically. It was so twisted.
ON THE WAY OUT- I won't ruin the ending for ya. I'll be taking it chapter by chapter as I present a new thread on it each week or every other week. Even though I'm a fast reader- I take my time and ponder and meditate on information I read to dissect it and ingest it - so I won't be getting to the end of the book for weeks and weeks, believe me. LOL ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper
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flipper
Any more thoughts on hw Steve Hassan's books have helped you folks to move on ? I know for myself- his books assisted me to understand HOW I was able to be mind controlled when I was a JW by exposing the methods the WT society used by instilling phobias, fear, and guilt into us and keeping us controlled and paranoid through use of those controlling methods. I have felt much freer in my mind and thinking since I initially read Hassan's first books in 2007. Please- Feel free to share your thoughts as well ! It might help others to see where their minds are ! Thanks ! Peace out, Mr. Flipper
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flipper
BTTT, gonna be working all day tomorrow so I wanted to bump this up for any who'd like to comment. Thanks, Peace out, Mr. Flipper
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sd-7
I started reading this book as soon as I saw Randy Watters' sit-down with Steve Hassan. I first read 'Combatting Cult Mind Control' in 2009, and it was definitely one of the major life-changing books for me. It still took more time to break down the phobias--and it's still a work in progress--but finally understanding that no, I wasn't going crazy and yes, it is a cult, was a huge step towards getting out.
I also checked out Leon Festinger's 'When Prophecy Fails', which I highly recommend as an add-on, same as Mr. Hassan did in the aforementioned sit-down. Great breakdown of cognitive dissonance there. (Plus some interesting historical data on the Millerites, who were clearly an influence on Russell. Really opens the floodgates on how duped we all were, considering.)
One of the most critical aspects of helping others who are still inside cults is trying to be loving and objective--the hardest thing to do. From what I've read, it looks like there will be some helpful tips on that in 'Freedom of Mind' as well. I guess explaining a study done by Robert Jay Lifton to my JW family wasn't the best idea, but it was useful information to me, at least...clearly the direct approach does not work out so well.
Anyway, the book is encouraging because it can seem so depressing and hopeless when you find out you're in a cult and you have loved ones who are still on the inside. It offers a lot of hope there.
Plus, it's even available on the Kindle, for those of you who might need to keep it quiet that you're reading the book and happen to own a Kindle. "What are you reading, hon?" "Great Moments in Basketball History, sweetheart--it's very exciting!"
--sd-7
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rip van winkle
Flipper- I'm getting my book later today. Don't get too far ahead !