Cult Language Pattern #1 at Covert Metaphor

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Every religion and cult I’ve looked at uses hypnotic language patterns and metaphors, either consciously or unconsciously. Their blissed out followers parrot a few charismatic leaders within the organization; a lot of their jargon and propaganda uses nominalizations freely.

Recently, I was sitting in a technical conference when I suddenly realized as I was breaking down their language mentally and on my notepad, that what they were saying had absolutely no meaning. There was no meat there to bite into. And yet most of the audience sat there as happy as a dog with two tails nodding to every statement. I began to write down many of the words they were using in the presentation. Notice that the following words mean different things to different people. They aren’t tangible objects you can grasp onto. You can nominalize any adjective or verb. Dilbert has given a perfect example of what I’m talking about.

next-generation
appearance
relationship
application
connection
complexity
capability
solution
collaboration
commitment
communication
consideration
decision
choice
experience
peaceful
interesting

There are so many of these.

Ok, let’s see if we can say something without saying anything at all. Start with a few simple phrases with an outcome using a infinitive verb. This can be used as an embedded command as well.

Encourage good communication
Allow meaningful collaboration
Accept this experience
Make a choice
Offer a solution

Now make a sentence using multiple nominalizations:

“Now is the time to make a choice of your realization to accept this meeting as a calling from God/Guru/Authority Figure.”

“It is your choice how this interesting experience will allow you to change your mind.”

You can use anchors as well:

“Tell me about a wonderful experience of your ability to hire an excellent candidate.” (point to yourself as you say this)

“Did you ever have a peaceful feeling about your decision to accept the truth.” (tap the religious prospect in your hand)

What is the mind suppose to make of that? You must go briefly inside to make any sense of the nominalizations, and the embedded command slips right through into the unconscious mind. Play nice!