Review of Rewriting the Mind: Mantra Therapy by Mohsen Makhmalbaf
by Hossein Kaji
I delivered a presentation on Rewriting the Mind: Mantra Therapy by Mohsen Makhmalbaf. Below is a concise summary of the key points discussed in that presentation.
Mohsen Makhmalbaf, the well-known Iranian filmmaker, also has a deep interest in psychology and psychotherapy. He founded the London School of Psychology and has been active through lectures, talks, and writings. His book Rewriting the Mind: Mantra Therapy is one of these works, presented as part of the school’s activities.
About the Book The book explores how mantra therapy (dhikr therapy) can be used to rewrite the mind. Makhmalbaf’s interest stems from his imprisonment at age nineteen, where under torture he found solace in repeating certain sayings. This experience led him to study psychology, both in prison and afterward, influencing even his films. During his stay in Tajikistan (2006–2007), he became drawn to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and developed this book using CBT principles.
The book focuses on the “semi-automatic” part of the brain, which, unlike fully automatic (breathing) or fully voluntary (decision-making) processes, can be reshaped through training and environment. He integrates CBT’s model of situations, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors but adds the unconscious and the body, creating a six-part causal chain. His proposed escape from this cycle is mantra therapy.
Makhmalbaf illustrates the method with numerous mantras such as: “Don’t be present in harmful situations,” “Fill your time with good work,” “Push away negative thoughts,” “Delay your anger,” “Do it, the feeling will come,” and “This too shall pass.” He believes such reminders can reshape unconscious patterns and, in turn, influence thoughts, emotions, actions, and bodily states. The book compiles dozens of these mantras addressing various aspects of life.
In later chapters, he highlights the role of willpower in changing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, offering examples of individuals who broke free from deterministic cycles.
Afterword & Critical Notes I find the book engaging, practical, and written in a simple yet elegant style. It makes CBT accessible to Persian readers by weaving in culturally relevant examples. However, several critiques are raised:
1. Lack of references: Makhmalbaf rarely cites classic CBT sources, sometimes reproducing ideas with unnecessary modifications (e.g., his treatment of unconscious thought and the body).
2. Simplification: While his concept of mantra therapy is close to coping statements in CBT, he could have presented it in a clearer model.
3. Cultural resonance: Persian poetry (e.g., verses from Rumi or Hafez) could serve as powerful mantras.
4. Language use: Instead of imperative forms like “Don’t listen to bad news,” it would be more effective to phrase them as affirmations of ability (“I have other options than listening to the news”).
5. Caution with slogans: Some mantras risk oversimplifying complex emotions (e.g., “Don’t feel guilty”), which could be misleading.
6. Translation issue: The English version uses “Mantra Therapy” as the title, but “Coping Statements” would align better with CBT tradition and avoid unnecessary cultural or mystical connotations.
Overall The book is inspiring and useful, especially for Persian-speaking and English-speaking clients who want to use short, motivating statements to handle life’s challenges more effectively. Still, it would benefit from closer alignment with established CBT models and more nuanced language.