从反洗脑父母谈起：谁更容易看透极权的谎言并重塑价值观？

Reflections on Successfully "Deprogramming" My Parents: Who Is More Likely to See Through the Lies of an Authoritarian State and Reshape Their Values? My parents have been here for over half a year now and have adapted very well to life in Europe. The process of "deprogramming" them has been very successful. Since we live less than a kilometer apart, we meet almost daily. Although they had visited several times in past years, we had never discussed so many things so deeply and thoroughly before.

The pandemic changed many people and events profoundly.

Last month, I took them to the Alps for a sightseeing trip to the summit. At the highest peak, only black ski runs extend downwards, meaning that anyone taking the large gondola up is a seasoned skier. Among them were some older skiing enthusiasts, both men and women, who appeared to be in their sixties but were in excellent spirits. There was also a group of children, all physically fit and healthy. My mother suddenly remarked, “We’ve never lived a single day like this—free and carefree.” My father added, “Their whole life is just playing.”

Though simple and honest words, they made me reflect deeply. Who, after all, is more likely to awaken to reality? It's not directly related to economic status, education, or social class. Based on my observations, I believe that those more likely to awaken share certain personality traits:

1️⃣ A Love of Thinking and a Strong Curiosity About the World These individuals are not content to simply follow the crowd, drift along, or muddle through life. They have a keen desire to understand and question the world around them.

2️⃣ Access to Diverse Information and Cultures They have avenues to access more information and the opportunity to experience different cultures. In authoritarian contexts, such individuals are often labeled as “disobedient” or “restless.” Exposure to diversity creates contrasts and forces them to confront questions they may never have considered before.

3️⃣ Empathy This, I believe, is particularly crucial. In an unjust environment, few people go through life without encountering some form of injustice. When such events occur, empathy enables a deeper anger and reflection.

4️⃣ An Open Mind and a Habit of Self-Reflection We all come from the "well" of limited perspectives. When faced with a wider world, those who can set aside their attachment to the well and confront contradictions between their past beliefs and new realities are more likely to reflect deeply. They avoid retreating into self-protective isolation, choosing instead to grapple with uncomfortable truths.

5️⃣ Courage and a Drive for Truth Breaking down ingrained values and overturning past beliefs is a bittersweet process. It means acknowledging that much of what you once believed may have been false. Reshaping one’s value system requires time, repeated learning, and a willingness to unlearn and rebuild. This journey can be lonely, but the outcome is ultimately fulfilling.

6️⃣ Action-Oriented and Decisive People with these traits quickly act on new goals and experiences without hesitation. They move forward boldly, and often, the path reveals unexpected opportunities and brighter horizons.

One example comes to mind: a YouTuber named Rocky, who has over 400,000 followers. In one episode, I learned that his mother was a victim of human trafficking, taken by his father. Coming from a poor rural background, he was able to start anew in the land of freedom—the United States. His journey reflects many of these traits.

Awakening as the Greatest Gift to the Kind-Hearted and Truth-Seekers Awakening is the greatest blessing for those who value kindness, justice, and truth. It’s about rejecting numbness, injustice, and cowardice, and striving for authenticity. The kind of person you are determines where you will eventually belong.

A free soul cannot be confined to hell.