Psychological Reconditioning and the Remembrance of God

Psychological stresses can be produced in many ways

“The progress of technology has led and is still leading to just such a concentration and centralization of power,” Aldous Huxley.

“Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).

Foundational to Christian living is the remembrance of God. Remembrance while waking. Remembrance while at work. Remembrance while fulfilling the duties of life. Remembrance while going to sleep. The Christian is called to cultivate the remembrance of God in all things. It need not be elaborate; the believer may offer this service from the inner chamber of the heart. He may offer it in solitude or while in the midst of a multitude.

The littlest of things may serve to turn our hearts and minds to the Most-Holy Trinity. While at work, “Lord fashion me according to Your image.” While eating, “Lord feed me with true heavenly food.” While drinking, “Lord, give unto me the Living Water.” Even when we encounter unpleasant situations – that insane driver on the freeway! – “Lord, have mercy and save us! Lord deliver our race from the evil one.” Thus, we can train ourselves to use everyday events to lift up our minds to Heavenly things. Short prayers peppered throughout the day, these will act to cultivate in our hearts the remembrance of God. Our psyche becomes exercised in the good.

If remembrance of God is foundational to the Christian life, then its opposite is foundational for the anti-Christian life: forgetfulness of God. The enemy seeks to use all of the cares of this world to drown the soul in forgetfulness. He seeks to lull it into a false sense of complacency or keep it constantly occupied in worry and fear. He seeks to dehumanize humanity. In a state of dehumanized forgetfulness, he drives our race to the cliffs of perdition. The masses staggering forward in the darkness of forgetfulness are constantly told, “This is true freedom.” And under duress, they begin to believe it.

The devil seeks to convince man to reduce himself to bare material existence – there is nothing beyond what can be seen with physical eyes and touched with fleshly hands. Even if the possibility of something greater is admitted, it is simultaneously wiped away as “unknowable or unknown.” Thus, humanity seemingly frees itself of any duty to contemplate higher things – after all, the thought stirs, what is truth and how could it be actually known? The shuffling masses are well supplied with the narcotic of indifferentism to eternal realities. It is but a small step from indifferentism to outright hostility.

A fundamental confession of modernity is that materialistic existence is the sum of all “good.” For the enemy to make such an illusion seem a reality, he seeks to purge the human consciousness of any striving and longing for Eternal things. Obliterating the remembrance of God in the heart of man is key to this. Humanity is convinced that freedom is found through choking its own soul.

Aldous Huxley, in his work “Brave New World Revisited,” has many very interesting admissions. Regardless of whether one thinks Huxley was trying to warn people about the goals of the elite or that he was engaging in the very typical tactic of “hiding in plain sight,” is not of the greatest concern to me at the moment. One way or another, he expressed ideals, methods, and goals – the spirit – of the “new order” that seeks to take control of man.

“Whatever may have happened in the early years, it seems fairly certain that torture is not extensively used by the Communist police today. They draw their inspiration, not from the Inquisitor or the SS man, but from the physiologist and his methodically conditioned laboratory animals. For the dictator and his policemen, Pavlov’s findings have important practical implications. If the central nervous system of dogs can be broken down, so can the central nervous system of political prisoners.” – And for that matter, those of the general population, we might add – “It is simply a matter of applying the right amount of stress for the right length of time. At the end of the treatment, the prisoner will be in a state of neurosis or hysteria, and will be ready to confess whatever his captors want him to confess” (Brave New World Revisited, Harper Perennial, 2004, pg. 289).

Such tactics were used throughout the Soviet system, as historical evidence testifies. One of the most diabolical of such experiments was carried out in the Communist Romanian prison of Pitesti. It was simply called “Reeducation.” The modern materialist views man as but a biological machine; the human machine needs to be reprogrammed according to the specifications of the governing “powers.”

Controlled stress on people is purposeful. Today, we constantly hear about “stress.” Modern life is de facto “stressful.” A host of ailments, both physical and mental, are connected to high stress. A host of resources are produced to help people with “stress management.” The whole of modern society has been calibrated with a certain level of stress. A Chinese water torture of stress. A constant level of stress is calculated to mentally erode people.

Mr. Huxley continues, “But confession is not enough. A hopeless neurotic is no use to anyone. What the intelligent and practical dictator needs is not a patient to be institutionalized, or a victim to be shot, but a convert who will work for the Cause” (Ibid).

There is a new anti-evangelism going on, one that indeed has conversion as its goal. Modern stress is calculated to wear people down into a primed state, ready to be converted to whatever the modern “cause” might be. Technology and screens then act as triggers to instigate and direct reactions. I take the time to highlight these things so that we may be aware of the methods that are being employed. Christians are told to be watchful. We cannot disallow that we are part of the human race, and if not careful in Christ Jesus, we may be susceptible to the sly tactics devised and utilized.

“Turning once again to Pavlov, he learns that, on their way to the point of final breakdown, dogs become more than normally suggestible. New behavior patterns can easily be installed while the dog is at or near the limit of cerebral endurance, and these new behavior patterns seem to be ineradicable. The animal in which they have been implanted cannot be deconditioned; that which it has learned under stress will remain an integral part of its make-up” (Ibid. 289-290).

The “recondition man” – the enemy’s perverse imitation of Christ Jesus’ making of men “new creation” (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17). But here the goal is to make a hallow man, an animal man that is stripped of all humanity; a utilitarian object that if found to be of no sufficient use or practicality, may be discarded with little resistance. In a multitude of ways, the uniformity of forgetfulness of God is actively being cultivated in the psyche of people.

In the means and methods of producing psychological stress elaborated by Mr. Huxley, the reader, I’m sure, will notice much in common with the social environment that surrounds us. “Psychological stresses can be produced in many ways … it has been found that the deliberate induction of fear, rage, or anxiety markedly heightens the dog’s suggestibility. If these emotions are kept at a high pitch of intensity for a long enough time, the brain goes ‘on strike.’ When this happens, new behavior patterns may be installed with the greatest of ease” ( Brave New World Revisited, pg. 290).

This is why our world is full of what some have labeled “pseudo-ideas.” The human mind is purposely broken down and fed false ideas from every side, even fantastical and self-contradicting ideas, which it then takes as some sort of reality. In this state of constant emotional and sentimental reaction, it is very easy to control. Now, with the continued development of AI, we may no longer trust what our eyes see on a screen. Is that even real? Wait, that’s AI! That’s not a real person! The mind becomes exhausted in the confusion of what is real or not. There’s no mistake here.

People are segmented into groups, each group being inculcated that some opposing group is the source of every world ailment. Fear is played upon; people lash out at others whom they view as the “problem.” Concerted effort is focused on dehumanizing the chosen “enemy.” Hatred keeps them enslaved in a ruthless, spiraling chaos.

The environments of war and conflict, both abroad and nationally, are directly related to this psychological experiment. The flow is constant, high-pitched – because the brain must be broken down and exhausted. Fear, rage, anxiety. The program is written everywhere. Its effectiveness relies on environments of destabilization, and thus it has no authentic interest in tangible peace and stability. It will talk of peace but artfully circumvent it. Devoid of authentic love, the agenda can only use fear and hatred as reconstruction tools.

He continues, “Among the physical stresses that increase a dog’s suggestibility are fatigue, wounds, and every form of sickness” (Ibid). And then, as if explaining events of our day, he elaborates, “Illness is even more effective than fatigue as an intensifier of suggestibility” (Ibid). We witnessed this methodology under covidism. It was primarily psychological – masks, lockdowns (applied, eased, and applied again), new social habits, threat of death unless a vaccine is taken, and so forth. It’s also why the threat of some new disease, just around the corner, is ever in the mainstream media. Covidism proved that people, even Christians, are willing to accept a “new normal” under the psychological threat of illness and death. It was priming the pump. It indicated that people are indeed willing to accept new standards of human interaction (or lack thereof). Even Christians were willing to accept the modification of worship and interaction with the Divine under the threat of a “Pandemic.” Some Christians refused the non-masked entrance into church buildings; some even willingly segregated the unvaccinated or barred them from worship. All of this happened. No Christian group was exempt. The excuse was concern and care for one’s neighbor. A worthy cause. Frequently, worthy ideas are hijacked and altered to promote a particular agenda.

Those who would not accept the new mass psychosis were many times cut off, even by those counted as friends. What do such actions say, and have we as Christians repented and reconciled? Will those Christian leaders who became promoters of covidism admit that they were wrong? It would be a positive thing. Or has it just been easier to brush it under the carpet? This clearly indicates the importance, and on some level the potency, of what is being addressed in this article. Although it may seem at present that covidism is done or dormant, I bring it up because substantial ground was taken; through it, the reconditioning of humanity. Certain mentalities were cultivated in many people and are still there. Certain global institutions took copious notes and are ever warning of the next “pandemic.” The last one was too effective not to try again. Don’t worry, the response will be even more effective and “lockstep” next time!

Mr. Huxley notes, “Intense, prolonged fear broke them down and produced a state of greatly intensified suggestibility … If indoctrination is given in the right way at the proper stage of nervous exhaustion, it will work. Under favorable conditions, practically everybody can be converted to practically anything” (Ibid. pg. 291).

As covidsm was losing its potency, the world was hurriedly moved into its next crisis. Somehow, a war was begun in a European country most Americans couldn’t find on a map. And it became the great scapegoat for a plethora of global “shortages” and hostilities. War also provides an enemy to hate. The seemingly inexhaustible “treats” in the Middle East are always in the playbook. Look, another crazy with nukes! We must also take into consideration that people tend to be more open to saviors in major global instability.

And let’s not forget about the use of “climate” for fearmongering. Keep the masses in a state of anxiety and worry. The Earth itself is imploding on itself! The current powers care nothing for human life or the earth; both are simply grand tools of psychological warfare. For them, “climate” concerns are only useful for implementing greater control systems.

There is undoubtedly a certain reality behind the materialist understanding of the human psyche. The methods have been implemented with great success in many places. It does at least confirm that the human mind will be conformed to something or someone. We are impressionable beings. It’s vital to consider the source of the impressions on us.

Ven. Fr. Seraphim (Rose) candidly proclaims, “The psychological trials of dwellers in the last times will equal the physical trials of the martyrs. But in order to face these trials we must be living in a different world.”

So, what is the Christian to do? Remember God! If in situations of heightened stress we become more “susceptible,” then let us turn these constructed situations of continued crisis around us to a beneficial end. In trials and tribulations, let us turn to God. If the goal is to wear us down, then let’s encourage ourselves in the Lord. The goal is to mentally weaken us, so let’s strengthen our minds in Christ. “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner!” Ultimately, the plans of the Devil, executed through those sad persons who serve him, will all come crashing down and be destroyed.

The Scriptures admonish us, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Pet. 5:6-9).

“Cast thy care upon the Lord, and He shall nourish thee; He shall never suffer the righteous to stumble. But Thou, O God, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction; blood-thirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in the Lord” (Ps. 54[55]:23-24).

And then, if we remain in Christ Jesus, we may say with the righteous Joseph, “Do not be afraid, for I belong to God. But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20).

If, in all the instability of our days, we cultivate in our hearts the remembrance of God, then we will find the calm path through the stormy waters. Even in all the global machinations of men, we may be reminded of God, “O Lord, this world is passing away, and all its lust, only Your Kingdom abides forever! Remember me when You come in Your Kingdom!”

Counteract the psychological attack of the evil one by cultivating in your psyche the remembrance of God. May we have the sobriety to understand the tactics being used against us, and to implement the proper spiritual defense in our Lord Jesus.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me … In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn. 14:1; 16:33).

A prayer by St. Anatole (the Younger) of Optina:

“Deliver me, O Lord, from the deceptions of the God-hating and evil antichrist, whose coming is at hand, and shelter me from his snares in the secret desert of Thy salvation. Grant me, O Lord, strength and courage to firmly confess Thy Most Holy Name, that I may not abandon Thee because of the devil’s fear and that I may not deny Thee my Savior and Redeemer, nor Thy Holy Church. But grant me, O Lord, cries and tears for my sins, and spare me in the hour of Thy dread judgment. Amen