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MindWar
This 2016 Second Edition of "MindWar" revises and expands the original 2013 book.
In 1980 an obscure internal U.S. Army concept paper, "From PSYOP to MindWar," accidentally became public. Though only a brief, theoretical speculation, it exploded into the focus of alarmist rumors and debates for the next three decades. Is the government involved in invasion of the mind beyond the blundering, haphazard legacy of the infamous MKULTRA experiments? Even more unsettling, do such efforts extend beyond conventional scientific research to dark and arcane arts whose very existence is the stuff of legend?
The answers are here, in this book by one of that 1980 paper's co-authors, Lt. Colonel Michael Aquino. Originally intended for the eyes of government policymakers alone, it is now openly available. Ironically "MindWar" is unclassified only because a level high enough to embrace it has never been anticipated or even conceptualized. What it is capable of setting in motion is simply beyond all previous human interactive experience.
For millennia violent warfare has been the scourge of humanity, and all attempts to end it through negotiated or imposed peace have brought only temporary respite. On the premise that war is endemic to the human disposition, "MindWar" proposes to eliminate its killing and destruction by replacing it with a far more powerful kind of war - one which focuses on the human mind both individually and collectively. The persons and property of people are removed as targets, replaced by the divisive situations and problems originating in their consciousness. These are then controlled, adjusted, and reformed to produce a harmonious and cooperative total environment.
The price for this solution is that, for the first time in practical history, the actual machinery of human thought is accessed, by the methodical application of science, psychology, and esoteric arts of antiquity. MindWar assumes, as did the ancients, that the ultimate aspiration of mankind is to the Good. But, like the Manhattan Project which rashly opened an earlier genie's bottle, MindWar could be misused with even more ominous consequences. Devised to save humanity, it could also supersede it. Hence this genie must be examined and evaluated while its bottle is still sealed.
This book extrapolation and evolution of the original 1980 concept is not merely theoretical. It proposes "laboratory" implementation through the structural redesign of the U.S. Army's three "Special Operations" branches: Psychological Operations, Special Forces, and Civil Affairs. A multiphase sequence of their interaction in a MindWar campaign is outlined, with the international crisis resolution procedures of the United States modified to facilitate it. In a forthcoming second volume, the structures and programs to implement this will be discussed in detail.
Not merely a "military book," "MindWar" extends its application to human political and social interaction generally, identifying and refining what were previously only vague or unknown mental processes into a new science of "thought architecture." It opens the door to a standard of rationality and precision in human affairs in which the experience and exercise of thought are finally, fully mature.
In 1980 an obscure internal U.S. Army concept paper, "From PSYOP to MindWar," accidentally became public. Though only a brief, theoretical speculation, it exploded into the focus of alarmist rumors and debates for the next three decades. Is the government involved in invasion of the mind beyond the blundering, haphazard legacy of the infamous MKULTRA experiments? Even more unsettling, do such efforts extend beyond conventional scientific research to dark and arcane arts whose very existence is the stuff of legend?
The answers are here, in this book by one of that 1980 paper's co-authors, Lt. Colonel Michael Aquino. Originally intended for the eyes of government policymakers alone, it is now openly available. Ironically "MindWar" is unclassified only because a level high enough to embrace it has never been anticipated or even conceptualized. What it is capable of setting in motion is simply beyond all previous human interactive experience.
For millennia violent warfare has been the scourge of humanity, and all attempts to end it through negotiated or imposed peace have brought only temporary respite. On the premise that war is endemic to the human disposition, "MindWar" proposes to eliminate its killing and destruction by replacing it with a far more powerful kind of war - one which focuses on the human mind both individually and collectively. The persons and property of people are removed as targets, replaced by the divisive situations and problems originating in their consciousness. These are then controlled, adjusted, and reformed to produce a harmonious and cooperative total environment.
The price for this solution is that, for the first time in practical history, the actual machinery of human thought is accessed, by the methodical application of science, psychology, and esoteric arts of antiquity. MindWar assumes, as did the ancients, that the ultimate aspiration of mankind is to the Good. But, like the Manhattan Project which rashly opened an earlier genie's bottle, MindWar could be misused with even more ominous consequences. Devised to save humanity, it could also supersede it. Hence this genie must be examined and evaluated while its bottle is still sealed.
This book extrapolation and evolution of the original 1980 concept is not merely theoretical. It proposes "laboratory" implementation through the structural redesign of the U.S. Army's three "Special Operations" branches: Psychological Operations, Special Forces, and Civil Affairs. A multiphase sequence of their interaction in a MindWar campaign is outlined, with the international crisis resolution procedures of the United States modified to facilitate it. In a forthcoming second volume, the structures and programs to implement this will be discussed in detail.
Not merely a "military book," "MindWar" extends its application to human political and social interaction generally, identifying and refining what were previously only vague or unknown mental processes into a new science of "thought architecture." It opens the door to a standard of rationality and precision in human affairs in which the experience and exercise of thought are finally, fully mature.
266 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2013
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276 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 29, 2016
Fascinating stuff. This was one I really took my time reading.
I can't wait to pick up Raghavan Iyer's "Parapolitics: Towards the City of Man" thanks to Mr. Aquino introducing me to this political theory.
I can't wait to pick up Raghavan Iyer's "Parapolitics: Towards the City of Man" thanks to Mr. Aquino introducing me to this political theory.
December 23, 2019
An interesting justification for "mindwar" i.e. war without casualties. Talk to the enemy in their own terminology/belief systems and actually offer them something. Aquino comes across as a bit of a charlatan though... pop psychology, magic, kung fu and radio waves are all in his arsenal.
March 29, 2023
War and violence are inherent in human nature. There is no way to eradicate war and its aftereffects without eradicating the impulse for war in humanity. That will never happen, as a species we are bound for conflict. The only solution is to divert our impulse for war towards something else, like a different kind of war.
Mind War or it’s concept differs in sharp contrast to physical war. Physical war takes a heavy toll on humanity. Not only in lives lost unnecessarily but also in terms of physical damage like we see in war torn areas. Often those who lose the war carry anger and resentment which could flare up later. Sometimes physical war has no official point of saying “Hey it’s over, mission accomplished. Then there is occupying a country after it has been conquered. The populace will be resentful of the occupying power.
Going into a war there is dehumanizing your enemy so that it is justifiable to do anything to them. There are psyops that undermine the security and wellbeing of that country or nation. Mind War is a different concept. It is sort of like Sun Tzu’s concept that the best way to win a war is bloodlessly. In a Mind War there are two different parties (or several) but the enemy is not another country or person but rather the problem. The objective of the Mind War is to convince the other side that it is best to join you rather than fight you. The objective is a win/win situation for both sides.
Mind War consists of identifying the problems and then identifying all the actors in the drama. As everyone comes together internal factors of the opposing nation state are analyzed as well as external factors. Negotiations are held in a building devoid of sharp angle the color red and negatively ionized air. The object is to promote an atmosphere of trust and goodwill.
Ultimately the objective is to have a society or polis based on the moral concept of Maat or something similar. The concept is one of high moral values and respect for human dignity. These just societies help to prevent future problems and help ensure a brighter future.
The concept of Mind War is far more humane than our current use of physical war and negotiating tactics. The use of intelligence gathering will still be there but gone will be the emphasis on deception and getting one over on the opponent. It’s purpose will be to gather information so that we have a full picture of what is going on. Gone will be the false flag operation and propaganda designed to make the enemy look like a monster.
The book puts forth a very enlightened concept. However, looking at things today it seems we have long way to go before we are evolved enough to use the concept of Mind War. Psyops and denigrating the enemy or anyone who disagrees with you is going on left and right. More and more people are willing to use violence to meet their needs. We need re education.
Michael Aquino is a smart man with lot’s of insight. He is a military man and knows full well the psychological tactics of psyops. Many of the concepts put forth are solid and in the end there is always the possibility that Mind War will fail and we will have to resort to physical force, which is happening blatantly these day.
Mind War or it’s concept differs in sharp contrast to physical war. Physical war takes a heavy toll on humanity. Not only in lives lost unnecessarily but also in terms of physical damage like we see in war torn areas. Often those who lose the war carry anger and resentment which could flare up later. Sometimes physical war has no official point of saying “Hey it’s over, mission accomplished. Then there is occupying a country after it has been conquered. The populace will be resentful of the occupying power.
Going into a war there is dehumanizing your enemy so that it is justifiable to do anything to them. There are psyops that undermine the security and wellbeing of that country or nation. Mind War is a different concept. It is sort of like Sun Tzu’s concept that the best way to win a war is bloodlessly. In a Mind War there are two different parties (or several) but the enemy is not another country or person but rather the problem. The objective of the Mind War is to convince the other side that it is best to join you rather than fight you. The objective is a win/win situation for both sides.
Mind War consists of identifying the problems and then identifying all the actors in the drama. As everyone comes together internal factors of the opposing nation state are analyzed as well as external factors. Negotiations are held in a building devoid of sharp angle the color red and negatively ionized air. The object is to promote an atmosphere of trust and goodwill.
Ultimately the objective is to have a society or polis based on the moral concept of Maat or something similar. The concept is one of high moral values and respect for human dignity. These just societies help to prevent future problems and help ensure a brighter future.
The concept of Mind War is far more humane than our current use of physical war and negotiating tactics. The use of intelligence gathering will still be there but gone will be the emphasis on deception and getting one over on the opponent. It’s purpose will be to gather information so that we have a full picture of what is going on. Gone will be the false flag operation and propaganda designed to make the enemy look like a monster.
The book puts forth a very enlightened concept. However, looking at things today it seems we have long way to go before we are evolved enough to use the concept of Mind War. Psyops and denigrating the enemy or anyone who disagrees with you is going on left and right. More and more people are willing to use violence to meet their needs. We need re education.
Michael Aquino is a smart man with lot’s of insight. He is a military man and knows full well the psychological tactics of psyops. Many of the concepts put forth are solid and in the end there is always the possibility that Mind War will fail and we will have to resort to physical force, which is happening blatantly these day.
December 28, 2024
This book isn’t particularly that bad if you’re interested in the sciences or military, I think this book comes more on the interesting side.
But I wouldn’t say this book helps Aquino in any sense of the way on a lot of the allegations of his past.. though I have some belief in many of these allegations I try not to use them when reading this book.
I do believe that some of what Aquino has said I agree with; I do believe if we were to try another target rather than that of Psychical war than it would make more sense to do it mentally.
Though, it also makes me think a lot about our current environment and if some of what Aquino has talked about has been used.. though in many regards it sounds more like theory or fiction.. I think a lot of it does make sense especially looking at human processes and I do agree they often do interact with the energy and actions in our world.
Some of what Aquino mentions also plays into that sociological/psychological factor and that’s where I agree with him on a lot of things since those kinds of things could work understanding the psychological/sociological processes of war. And prevent mass casualty.
I also think a lot of his historical look backs help to understand things and put them together.
A lot of my criticisms though are definitely more personal on this book as I feel it is more of a theory paper than to entertain, though that isn’t to say it hasn’t entertained me in parts as it talks of things of interest but it’s so much information it’s hard to retain in a long term sense.
I also didn’t like how sources would bleed into Aquino’s thoughts though I had read this digitally as I’m aware people had used Aquinos works from what I have heard in harmful manners.. though I would have to disagree with some of this since it does remind me of a psychological war campaign that the US Government would put on the back burner to be released after 50 years. So I can see why this book had been accused in such ways with the present accusations on Aquino.
My only other annoyance is pretty personal but a lot of the pop culture references which I almost feel stupid using as a criticism with this work. Since it still was an interesting work.
But I wouldn’t say this book helps Aquino in any sense of the way on a lot of the allegations of his past.. though I have some belief in many of these allegations I try not to use them when reading this book.
I do believe that some of what Aquino has said I agree with; I do believe if we were to try another target rather than that of Psychical war than it would make more sense to do it mentally.
Though, it also makes me think a lot about our current environment and if some of what Aquino has talked about has been used.. though in many regards it sounds more like theory or fiction.. I think a lot of it does make sense especially looking at human processes and I do agree they often do interact with the energy and actions in our world.
Some of what Aquino mentions also plays into that sociological/psychological factor and that’s where I agree with him on a lot of things since those kinds of things could work understanding the psychological/sociological processes of war. And prevent mass casualty.
I also think a lot of his historical look backs help to understand things and put them together.
A lot of my criticisms though are definitely more personal on this book as I feel it is more of a theory paper than to entertain, though that isn’t to say it hasn’t entertained me in parts as it talks of things of interest but it’s so much information it’s hard to retain in a long term sense.
I also didn’t like how sources would bleed into Aquino’s thoughts though I had read this digitally as I’m aware people had used Aquinos works from what I have heard in harmful manners.. though I would have to disagree with some of this since it does remind me of a psychological war campaign that the US Government would put on the back burner to be released after 50 years. So I can see why this book had been accused in such ways with the present accusations on Aquino.
My only other annoyance is pretty personal but a lot of the pop culture references which I almost feel stupid using as a criticism with this work. Since it still was an interesting work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2023
MindWar provides readers with a blueprint of the U.S. army's use of psychological operations (PSYOP) to initiate a meticulous program of 'MindWar' to mitigate and/or nullify the need for a physical war from eventuating. Given what is currently transpiring around the globe it would be pertinent for the U.S. state department to revisit Aquino's work.
January 21, 2021
I am actually surprised how much i liked this book. The idea of war happening not in physical reality but in the minds of the people is pretty fascinating. Good book, and i'll put it on re-read.
October 1, 2025
Interesante, aunque a veces es demasiado conspitación de twitter.
April 19, 2023
Very advanced information, available to buy for even the average person online. Practical common sense and advanced information regarding modern psychological warfare and it’s physical technology which influences the human mind.
I draw the conclusion after having read the entire book once.
That Dr.Aquino points out the need for inner human collective spiritual growth, and that the individual shall take responsibility for itself and reflect about the human condition, regarding collective humanoid violence and the problem of physical war.
As an individual myself, belonging to the surface population. Reevaluated by myself, I fully believe that now when simply a third world war won’t occur. And national boundaries are set, and pre-determined by history. With old traditional PSYOP still developing to another “ new world level “, with an polarised east and west dichotomy. The war games has produced a war in the mind, in all “ average “ individuals, simultaneously as the solution have been superseded. So, now it’s time for all vultures out there, to justify the responsibility of the surface earth population, to take responsibility for itself. With decreased external influences which contribute in my opinion, to irrationally in the individual decision making process.
#saynotowarnongering
I draw the conclusion after having read the entire book once.
That Dr.Aquino points out the need for inner human collective spiritual growth, and that the individual shall take responsibility for itself and reflect about the human condition, regarding collective humanoid violence and the problem of physical war.
As an individual myself, belonging to the surface population. Reevaluated by myself, I fully believe that now when simply a third world war won’t occur. And national boundaries are set, and pre-determined by history. With old traditional PSYOP still developing to another “ new world level “, with an polarised east and west dichotomy. The war games has produced a war in the mind, in all “ average “ individuals, simultaneously as the solution have been superseded. So, now it’s time for all vultures out there, to justify the responsibility of the surface earth population, to take responsibility for itself. With decreased external influences which contribute in my opinion, to irrationally in the individual decision making process.
#saynotowarnongering
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2015
Interesting, breakthrough conception of a new type of warfare. Absolutely recommended.
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January 21, 2019read
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews