Koolbloke wrote:... But it is ultimately "our choice".
I disagree with you Koolbloke. It is not quite so black and white exclusive.
As someone that has had some experience with individuals who have suffer child sex abuse, for example, I find it impossible to say "it was their choice" ... and I reject the New Agey/Karmic philosophy that suggests it was too.
However, I do not wish to make an example out of such an extreme case.
What I was thinking about was how easily it was for them to be manipulated and abuse by others, once broken by one person. How they found themselves in position carrying out actions that they absolutely did not wish to do so ... but yet found themselves powerless and controlled.
If we look anything from the effects of stage hypnosis to mass marketing, I think we can see other clear examples of the power of suggestibility to which some of us are more prone than others.
I can accept believing everything was "our choice" is a good cure for a culture or mentality of blaming others ... but I reject it as an objective truth. I think to present it as such could be damaging to the most damaged.
I am slightly defensive as well because behind it lies typical Brahma Kumarisms, e.g. "it's your decision ... no one is forced to follow ..." etc which are true enough to a degree BUT not absolutely true when at the same time one is being deeply hypnotised and mentally programmed. And add to that force of collective consciousness whether you see it as a real thing or a social metaphor for group pressure, as with Alanna's example above.
There is even a term for it in psychology ... Folie à deux (or shared psychosis).
Do you agree there might be limitations to that theory?
(Thank you for your deeply personal and earnest post, alanna).