Description of the Behavioural Structure of the Training - Day 1

DAY ONE, EVENT THREE:

The last exercise of day one is the first of what Vitality refers to as "closed eye processes." Three of 3 "behavior" subjects (100%) reported that this is a long relaxation exercise, starting with a detailed body awareness exercise that uses many hypnotic induction techniques. The use of generalized. global phrases such as "there is nothing to do," and "you will know just where that spot is" are typical induction techniques. The global phrases also emphasize Vitality's ideology of "natural knowing." The induction uses color, progressive relaxation, and embedded suggestions ("If there is stiffness or pain. simply acknowledge it and let it go") to "prove'' the doctrine that experiencing pain will "disappear" it. Participants are instructed to listen to their "who you are" questions as they come up and to notice that "natural" answers also come up.

[COMMENT: This process tends to act as a demonstration of the efficacy and pleasantness of the training: after the unpleasantness and confrontation of the "ground rules" and the "trust walk," the relaxation and non-confrontive nature of this exercise is a pleasant respite. The leniency has followed an attack. Lifton (1961) has found this to be a common pattern in the "thought reform" milieu. Behaviorally, it is also a demonstration of the trainer's control over the participants. Whereas at the height of the "ground rules" exercise, participants were angry and resisting the trainer, his control over them as a group has been established and now they are demonstrating it behaviorally. They all obediently lie down in a physically vulnerable position, and then they allow him to direct their inner thoughts and feelings. This appears to be a highly significant symbolic and behavioral change.