What Is Brainwashing?

Originally, the term "brainwashing" referred to a Chinese Communist method of ideological persuasion through extreme psychological and often physical coercion. The Encyclopedia Britannica defines brainwashing as "a colloquial term…applied to any technique designed to manipulate human thought or action against the desire, will, or knowledge of the individual." In popular usage it becomes an imprecise, all-encompassing, and pejorative term for describing any kind of persuasion or behavior that we disagree with.

The Krsna consciousness movement is a bona fide religious and cultural organization based upon the ancient spiritual tradition of India. Its founder and spiritual leader, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, is a distinguished scholar and religious leader of international repute. His authoritative translations and commentaries on India's ancient religious and philosophical classics are studied in universities throughout the world.

The ways in which people join the Krsna consciousness movement are quite informal (talking with members, reading books, using Krsna consciousness meditation techniques, and so forth). A member of the movement is free to increase or decrease his involvement as he or she sees fit. Also, an intensive psychological study of more than fifty members conducted in 1975 by Dr. Allan Gerson produced not the slightest sign of "brainwashing." In fact, Dr, Gerson was surprised by the members' above-average mental health.