Group unconsciousness

Unlike group meditation, brain-storming or other techniques such as dialogue, consciously practised by two or more of people to heighten their attention or awareness and develop their human potential, group activity without such an intent tends to allow for domination of the many by the few. In addition, such a group tends to be idea-poor, and to be guided by non-rational considerations that a skilful leader may manipulate. Groups can have the will of their individual members weakened and destroyed, starting with the initial surrender to authority, or to apparently innocent ideals such as mutual sharing and personal sacrifice to help others.

The fear of becoming a "groupie", an anonymous unit in a collective being, is real to many people. It is real to them in proportion to the weakness of their personalities. People who are described as "loners" and who particularly disdain participation in activities with others because of its group nature, simply show another kind of "unconsciousness". They constitute their own "group" characterized by individual isolation and resistance to worthwhile cooperation with others.