An Empath's Survival Guide for "The Lord's Recovery" and other High Control Groups (1)

A mother-figure and I were talking recently, about a recent death by suicide. It took place in the same church/locality where my daughter also felt suicidal a few years ago. This mother and I talked about how painful it is to see companions mistreated, in addition to being directly mistreated by people you have loved and trusted, in what you considered to be your spiritual community.

Our conversation was brief, but eternally valuable, as every interaction with this precious believer is for me. We spoke a bit about how painful it can be, and eventually, if factors present themselves, how impossible it can become, to be an empath in "The Lord's Recovery."

I considered, after that conversation, writing a book, with a title something like that of this blog entry. We will see. Perhaps through blog entries, content for my book will grow toward completion.

Writing, when one is healing, can be like breathing. Staying silent is like holding one's breath.

Here is an outline of my thoughts, for now.

1. Who are empaths?

2. Who are not empaths?

3. Why are some people not empaths?

4. What is a High Control Group?

5. How does "The Lord's Recovery" match the descriptors of High Control Groups?

6. Some other examples of High Control Groups (from cults of one, to totalitarianism)

7. Why do empaths need a survival guide?

8. Ways for empaths to survive High Control Groups:

   a. Internalize doctrine that seems to justify high control (sometimes called "brainwashing")

   b. Intentionally not know (willful ignorance, willful blindness): "Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil"

   c. Dissociate from oneself/one's God-given empathy

   d. Deny the truth, choosing to believe false narratives -especially of respected leaders

   e. Numb oneself - often leading to addictions which are also high control and sometimes fatal

   f. Listen and speak out and accept the consequences

   g. Escape - choose to detach, and do so

   h. Help other survivors

9. What it looks like to not survive

10. In Memoriam of loved ones, empaths, who have not survived

    
    

    I welcome your thoughts. There is so much material out there on these topics. I intend to write my personal experiences, gleanings from experts on related topics, and firsthand observations, rather than a primarily academic thesis on these heartfelt points.

    
    

    On a side note:

    
    

    I would like to interview some survivors of "The Lord's Recovery." I would probably just record a zoom call with you, and ask you to answer a few questions we decide on beforhand. Some possible questions are:

    - How did you find/enter "The Lord's Recovery"?

    - What was your experience in "The Lord's Recovery" (positive and/or negative)?

    - What, if anything, troubled you? Please explain.

    - What has been your experience since choosing to detach from this organization?

    - What led you to speak out about your experiences? (Why are you speaking out?)

    - What do you wish someone would have told you - or you would have known [sooner]?

    
    

    I welcome you to suggest other questions, and to contact me if you would be willing to be interviewed.

    
    

    ruthewise@gmail.com

    310-486-3168 - please text first so I know you are someone I want to speak with. If I am not able to answer, please leave a message, or just text again, and I will call you back ASAP.

    
    

    Thank you.