Police warn against illegal 'spiritual cultivation'

Police have warned against illegal activities posing as "spiritual cultivation".

An officer from the Ministry of Public Security said that such activities often borrow concepts from psychology, success theory and modern technology to fabricate courses promoting false ideas such as communicating with gods, shaping souls and accumulating wealth through spiritual practices.

The organizations involved employ methods like isolating participants, hypnosis, brainwashing, self-denial and indoctrination to exert mental control. They also recruit and exploit participants through methods like membership, franchising and pyramid schemes to accumulate significant wealth.