By Gonny 
Imagine putting on a special pair of glasses each day, designed specifically to spot manipulation. Suddenly, everything you hear, see, or read – from politics to advertising, and even religious texts – takes on a manipulative edge. You feel like a detective, constantly searching for hidden agendas. But what if those glasses don’t actually protect us from manipulation but instead make the illusion of it seem stronger?
The idea of ‘manipulation’ is a story our ego loves, a tale that makes us think we can control something ‘outside ourselves’… or that something ‘outside’ is trying to control us. The ego thrives on drama. Religion, politics, and advertising are wonderful stages where the ego loves to put on its show.
Religion: The Golden Ticket to… Guilt?
Let’s start with religion, that golden source of eternal truths – and, admittedly, the occasional dose of fear and guilt. In some religions, it can feel like there’s a giant, all-seeing eye in the sky keeping track of whether you share your last cookie or not. But all ‘judgment’ resides within ourselves, and our true source of peace lies in forgiveness – of ourselves and that cookie you just wanted to keep. Focusing on a god who judges and dishes out punishment is a clever ego trap, eager to build a theater full of manipulation.
Politics: The Great Puppet Show
Ah, politics! The stage of endless debates, fiery speeches, and that ever-present sense that everyone’s manipulating each other. Every party, every leader has a ‘message’ for us – and not rarely, they try to scare us or lure us in with promises too good to be true. This too is another ego play. When we buy into the illusion of ‘us versus them,’ we create separation instead of unity. Maybe it helps to think: if politicians could really perform miracles, why am I still stuck in traffic every day? A key takeaway is that no political leader can give us what we already possess: inner peace and freedom from fear.
Advertising: The Cunning Seller of Perfection
Then we have the world of advertising, the master of manipulation. The beautiful images, perfect smiles, and the promise that ‘happiness’ is only a purchase away. From those expensive shoes to that new face cream – every product whispers that your life will finally improve if you own it. But these are just smoke screens that obscure the core of our true Self. True happiness can’t be bought, and no ad can twist the truth: you are already complete and perfect without those extra shoes. Imagine saying to the TV, “Dear ad, I don’t believe you. I know who I am.”
Why Does Manipulation Fascinate Us So Much?
The allure of manipulation stories is understandable. The idea that secret forces are quietly influencing us adds a touch of mystery and intrigue to life. We might even feel a bit like detectives, unraveling hidden truths. But deep down, it’s perhaps a search for a sense of control that drives us. If we understand how manipulation works, we think we might be able to protect ourselves from the ‘dangers’ of the outside world.
The ego plays a starring role here. It loves maintaining the ‘us versus them’ idea – as if we need to defend ourselves against invisible powers. Clinging to these stories keeps us focused on external threats, distracting us from what truly brings peace: the inner choice not to believe in fear. This is a subtle way for the ego to keep us busy with apparent ‘problems’ outside, so we don’t look within and discover that we are already safe and complete.
If we wonder why we’re fascinated by manipulation, the answer may lead us to a deeper lesson: what we truly seek is the certainty that we are untouchable in our essence, that nothing outside of us can truly harm us. It’s a reminder that our only real control lies in choosing love over fear. Maybe that feels less ‘exciting’ than a grand theory, but it brings something no manipulation story can offer: inner peace.
How to Make Manipulation Less Real?
This begins with understanding that no power outside ourselves can take away our happiness or peace. When we stop looking for influences that ‘threaten’ us, we discover that they’re all just stories we can either get caught up in – or not. Instead of focusing on who or what might be trying to manipulate us, we can turn our attention to what is eternal and unchanging: our loving core. What if, instead of always looking outward, we consult within for truth and peace?
With a smile, we might say: let’s give the ego a holiday. The less we view the world as one big conspiracy against us, the more space we make for peace. As we say: “Nothing real can be threatened, nothing unreal exists.” This is where true freedom lies – in choosing to look beyond the stories of manipulation and towards the truth that already lives within