Neither the Fabe sisters nor the Cincinnati Enquirer gave any evidence for their theory that Divine Light Mission members used sophisticated methods of Mind Control. They used the time-tested methods of persuasion and influence: repetition, zealotry, empathy, sincerity, excitement, mass hysteria, promises too good to be true, face to face contact. Methods the Enquirer concedes are "as central to indoctrination in DLM as it is in any religion." The article says: "Barbara and Linda are typical of the bright, strong-willed, affluent, white undergraduates drawn to unconventional religions in the last decade (my bold). Successful cult recruitment did not outlast the 1970s.

The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) * Mon, Feb 5, 1979 * Page 23

Cults Sophisticated In The Use Of Mind Control

By Ben L. Kaufmann
Enquirer Reporter

In Jay Cohen's interviews he speaks of his beliefs while a premie of Guru Maharaj Ji (now calling himself Prem Rawat) and the guru's teachings. TI sometimes sounds insane and unbelievable. I was involved in Divine Light Mission for 10 years from 1973, I practiced meditation, went to satsang meetings, donated time and money but I did not believe those teachings, I did not cut off from my family, I did not think Rawat was God but nearly all of the premies did and that is what was taught by Maharaji and his minions. With hindsight, we can see that the apparent success of cults in the 1970s was not due to devilishly sophisticated techniques of mind-control and/or brainwashing but normal methods of persuasion and influence that attracted a minority of people from the so-called "hippie counter-culture" and its wannabes. Rawat's current followers are the leftover rump from that time, virtually all in their 70s.

Dr. Jay Cohen, DLM Indianapolis Community Co-ordinator 1979 - Deprogrammed