Dr. Steven Hassan talks with Jim Picariello on FB Live - Breaking Rama's Spell 

Thank you for the explanation of seeing the golden light. This happened to me, in the group I was in (fifty years ago). I also experienced an intense electric vibration that scared the crap out of me. I was convinced that this was proof of God. I stayed in the group for the next six year. The group was called the holy order of Mans. The group dissolve, half of the members joined the Russian orthodox religion. One guy took the form of the order and started a truly awful group called the order of Christ Sofia. It broke up after the cofounder separated. I believe Peter Bowe is still operating an offshoot of this group. I believe you may have contacted one of the priests, who was a member of both organizations. Jennifer French was a member of the order of Christ Sophia, and like you, now helps others who have fallen prey to these destructive cults. Thank you so much for the work you have and continue to do.

That was a great talk. It's nice when the talk is friendly and conversational like this. I really need to learn more about the hypnosis side of mind control, because this is one area I didn't learn much about when being educated on cult behaviour and tactics after leaving the cult I was in. Even with everything I've learned and know about cult tactics, I still didn't know until a couple of years ago that a state of hypnosis could be achieved merely by gazing at someone for an extended period of time (in the right environment). I used to attend meditation meetings that had a 'teacher' who did not appear to be cultish because he showed no public interest in 'big noting' himself, or controlling people's lives, or asking for their money, etc. So I trusted that he was 'the real McCoy' because I, too, experienced very similar ecstatic states and visions that Jim described, while sitting in this 'teacher's presence just gazing at him in total silence. But as time went on and I realized he was a cult leader with an 'inner circle cult' (which wasn't visible to those attending the public meetings), I left in much disillusionment and confusion, still not understanding how this teacher could trigger such ecstatic 'spiritual states' in me when he'd turned out to be just another spiritual charlatan. So hearing Jim's story has been extremely helpful to me. He is the only person I (now) know of who has had these same types of experiences gazing at an individual who is acting as a 'luminous attractor', who wasn't in the same meditation group I was attending.

Thank you for that great interview. Ever since Qanon took so many people I knew I’ve been interested in learning about cults. Appreciate you both.

I am so sad because I think someone, more than one person, I care about are involved in a very clever cult situation. I feel so powerless, so will keep studying - just bought one of Steve's books - to hopefully be able to do something about this. It would be great if I am wrong, too!

1:28 "Rama decided he was [an] enlightened master from the continent of Atlantis..." 😂😅😂 W.O.W.

Excellent format. Thank you both. It's so informative to have the both of you talk through what actually happens when getting brainwashed and how to rise out of it.

Great story! Also, the volume seems panned all the way my left earbud fyi.

I didn’t catch this live, but I love it! I like the real life testimonies. Love the chemistry! Great interview!

This is awesome

👏👏👏😭👍👍

"triggering my mind control"... I like that way of putting it.