Dr Jayant Athavale and Mind Control

Several people have alleged that Dr Jayant Athavle uses hypnosis or mind control techniques to attract sadhaks into Sanatan Sanstha. I don’t think hypnosis will work as the number of sadhaks is quite big. Ericksonian hypnosis, though a very powerful psychological tool, can work only when the subject is physically present in front of the hypnotist. Mind control, on the other hand, is possible even when the persons are not face to face.

Preparation and Planning

Dr Athavale has studied mind control techniques before starting Sanatan Sanstha. He spent a number of years as a very successful clinical hypnotherapist and also studied in London for many years. He understood that hypnosis can only affect 70% of the people. The effects were short term. He had to spend several years in order to perfect his technique. He needed a perfect cover so that the initial resistance could be easily overcome. To find this cover, he visited several saints from different spiritual paths and questioned them about spirituality. He would note down their answers. He was always a very meticulous learner and he had a very ambitious objective in mind. The objective was the establishment of a kingdom where he is the undisputed king.

Spirituality is a perfect guise; Indians consider themselves deeply spiritual people and digest anything with a spiritual flavor. Look at the recent controversies surrounding such spiritual gurus. Spirituality also gave him a delivery weapon. Meditation is the main-stay in any spiritual pursuit. Dr Jayant Athavale had hit upon a perfect plan.

Mind control techniques

The practitioner must identify the right person and his vulnerabilities in order to achieve control over mind. They should understand the working of the mind, identify barriers and have a strategy to overcome these barriers. Let us look at them one by one

• Identification of the right person: This is not a major issue. Sanatan Sanstha conducts road shows, satsangs, dharmasabhas, direct contact programs at various places. The main focus in these interactions is always attacks on Hindus and the issues facing Hindu Dharma. Anyone showing a slightest interest in these issues can be converted. If you read Ms. Amruta Acharya’s blog, this was used very effectively on her.
• Understanding the person: Once a person has been identified, Sanatan chases the person either personally or through phone calls. A personal visit happens within a couple of days. This is very important because as time passes by, the person loses the positive impression. Though first impression is said to be the last impression, it is not ever lasting. Dr Athavale stresses the importance of the personal visit to all his sadhaks.
• Identifying vulnerabilities: Each one of us has vulnerabilities. They can be very small in nature. Sanatan Sanstha identifies these during the one to one sessions. It is very simple. They just ask the person. Before doing so they share some of their own vulnerabilities and gain his trust.

A very complex issue has been so simplified by Dr Jayant Athavale that it can be replicated very easily and even ordinary people can use them on others.