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Hypnosis
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John Henry
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Oct 12, 2004 08:57 PDT
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HYPNOSIS
By James K. Walker
Founder: The father of modern hypnosis is Franz Anton Mesmer.
Founding date: A practice of unknown, ancient origin, modern hypnosis can
be traced to Mesmer's therapeutic use of Animal Magnetism in 1773.
Other Names and Related Terms: Mesmerism, Trance, Altered States of
Consciousness [1], Induction, Hypnotherapy, Post Hypnotic Suggestion, Past
Life Therapy.
HISTORY
Hypnosis has long been linked to ancient religious practices and eastern
mystical experiences involving similar trance states or altered states of
consciousness. Such altered states are essential to such practices as
out-of-body experiences, astral projection [2] and Yoga [3]. William
Kroger, M.D. and William Fezler Ph.D. maintain that, "hypnosis has been
practiced in one form or another in the civilized and uncivilized world
under many different labels since the dawn of history." They further note
that historically elements of hypnosis have been an integral part of pagan
religious practices and world religions including Assyro-Babylonian
exorcism, Egyptian soothsaying, Jewish mysticism [4], Byzantine
Catholicism, Chinese Taoism [5], Sufism [6], Hinduism [7], Shintoism [8],
forms of Buddhism (Tibetan and Zen) [9], and Yoga (Hypnosis and Behavior
Modification, pp. 6–8).
The modern practice of hypnosis in Europe and America, however, can be
traced to the controversial practice of German physician Fanz Anton Mesmer
(1734–1815) who developed a technique known as Mesmerism. His practice was
based on a theory called "Animal Magnetism" which held that the human body
contains an invisible "fluid" that is affected by the planets and stars or
by magnets. Blockage of the fluid was thought to be the cause of much
disease and Mesmer believed that he could release the blockage through a
crisis event that consisted of a trance state utilizing iron rods and
"magnetic fluid." As part of his treatment, Mesmer "walked around, touched
the patients; they fell into convulsions, sweated, vomited, cried and
were healed" ("Mesmerism," Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology,
Vol. 2, p. 598).
The medical establishment largely rejected Mesmer's theories attributing
the alleged healings to vivid imaginations. Others rejected the animal
magnetism explanation but focused on the accompanying trance noting that
mesmerized patients appeared to be "subject to the least suggestion,
whether by word, look, gesture or thought." Eventually, occult
practitioners such as clairvoyants and spiritualists incorporated
variations of Mesmer's techniques further alienating Mesmerism from
traditional medicine (Ibid.).
In Britain efforts to harmonize Mesmerism were made by divorcing the
induced trance from Mesmer's theories of Animal Magnetism. The Scottish
physician, James Braid (1795–1860) coined the word "hypnosis" after
discovering that all of the effects of mesmeric trances including
hallucination could be achieved without the presence of magnets. By 1893
a committee of the British Medical Association concluded that the mesmeric
state was different than the hypnotic state and that the latter was
beneficial in relieving certain pain and disorders (Ibid., p. 599).
Experimentation with hypnosis played an important part in the early
development of Psychiatry and Psychology. Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) used
hypnotic suggestion as an integral part of his therapy until it was
gradually replaced by his "free association" psychoanalytic technique.
Freud never rejected hypnosis. Indeed, he claimed that it was the future of
analysis, seeing his "free association" as a natural outgrowth of hypnosis
("Freud, Sigmund," "Hypnosis," Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology, pp. 430, 543).
Hypnosis was eventually incorporated into Psychology and seen as an adjunct
therapy. The term "Hypnotherapy" was later adapted to describe "the use of
hypnosis as a technique to be employed in conjunction with other skills by
a trained psychotherapist, physician, or dentist." One popular technique is
Indirect Hypnotherapy, developed by Milton Erickson, in which elements of
hypnosis are subtly introduced or "embedded" into counseling sessions
without the client's knowledge. This form of hypnosis was influential in
the development of Neurolinguistic Programming [10] by Richard Bandler and
Dr. John Grinder. ("Hypnotherapy," "Hypnotherapy, Indirect,"
"Neurolinguistic Programming," Baker, p. 547, 548, 754.)
Another form of Hypnotherapy involves the discovery of forgotten or
repressed memories. Just as a hypnotist can effectively suggest that the
subject "forget" events that take place during the trance, he can also
elicit memories or details of events long forgotten by the conscious mind.
Critics warn that these "recovered memories" may not correspond with
reality. The phenomenon is too similar to the testimonies of those who are
able to "remember" through hypnosis being abducted by aliens on a UFO or to
those who recount vivid memories of reincarnation [11] after being
regressed back to some alleged previous lifetime (John Ankerberg, John
Weldon, Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs, pp. 334–335).
Many of the early myths of hypnosis have been disproved and the medical and
mental healthcare communities have generally accepted the practice. Many
Christians, however, remain troubled by its occult history, the lack of a
scientific consensus on how or why hypnosis works, the potential of
unethical influence, and its possible link to biblical prohibitions against
"charming" or "enchanting" (Ibid., pp. 309–310).
THEORY
One of the troubling aspects of Hypnosis is that there is no generally
accepted theory to explain either physiologically or psychologically
exactly what is taking place in the human mind under hypnosis.
"Psychologically, hypnosis has been explained as a role-playing response, a
primitive phylogenetic response, a conditioned response, a special from of
transference, or a regressive phenomenon. Research continues on all these
theories, and currently none can be eliminated" ("Hypnosis," Baker, p. 545).
While no one can fully explain how or why it works, there is a generally
accepted theory regarding the effect of hypnosis a substantially reduced
ability to think rationally and a remarkable susceptibility to suggestion.
When a subject is hypnotized, the result is a "shift in concentration,
executed in a passive manner (such as occurs in daydreaming or sleeping),
resulting in a state of consciousness distinguishably different from
alertness or ordinary sleep. It is characterized by narrowing of attention,
reduced rational criticalness, and increased response to suggestion" (Ibid.).
This phenomenon is demonstrated by stage hypnotists who can convince their
subjects to believe preposterous claims or perform ridiculous and
embarrassing acts. The hypnotized subject has evidently lost much of his or
her ability to think critically and seems perfectly willing to believe as
fact whatever the hypnotist suggests. Apparently, the subconscious mind,
under the influence of hypnosis has difficulty with epistemological and
ethical discernment. The hypnotized subject has a sharp decline in his or
her ability to tell fact from fantasy or to decide between what is right or
wrong. The loss of ethical or moral decision-making skills is discussed by
Ankerberg and Weldon who cite Dr. J. Meerloo, a psychiatric consultant in
the geriatric department of the Municipal Health Service of Amsterdam, the
Netherlands.
Meerloo warns, "Several textbooks on hypnosis inform us that the patients'
superego is strong enough to protect him against immoral suggestions given
in a trance. Experimental hypnosis has shown that this is not the case. The
art of moral seduction is based on repeated fragmentized suggestions that
gradually permit the other party to give in to what he or she would never
have done without those repeated suggestions…. The act of suicide,
especially, can be suggested…. I called this criminal suggestive strategy
psychic homicide…" (Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs, p. 318).
Concerning the potential dangers and/or misuse of hypnosis, Ankerberg and
Weldon cite seven published studies from The International Journal of
Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis and the American Journal of Clinical
Hypnosis (Ibid.).
INDUCTION TECHNIQUES
Stereotyped by cinema and television is the classic induction technique of
a swinging pendulum or a pocket watch waved back and forth in front of the
eyes of the subject. While professionals may be able to induce hypnosis
using a variation of this technique, the practice of swinging a pendulum
seems to be somewhat rare.
Leslie M. LeCron writes, "Gadgets of one kind or another are sometimes used
in inductions, although they are quite unnecessary." He recommends
induction techniques involving combinations of the following: guided
imagery, visualization, counting backwards, eye fixation, breath control
and slightly swaying the subject's upper body in a slight clockwise circle
(The Complete Guide to Hypnosis, pp. 63–71).
Guided Imagery, considered one of the most powerful induction techniques,
consists of talking the subject through an imaginary journey where with a
soft voice the hypnotist takes them on a walk through the forest or a trip
to the beach. "Good, now I want you to picture yourself strolling in the
park on a lovely summer day…. Go to the hammock, let your body sink into
it…." Throughout the exercise the subject is given suggestions to reinforce
or deepen the trance. "As you walk along feeling so peaceful, so relaxed…"
(Rachel Copelan, How to Hypnotize Yourself and Others, pp. 94–95).
Exercises like this are sometimes used in the workplace and are often used
in schools (kindergarten through college). The practice may be called
directed fantasy, guided meditation, day at the beach, mini-vacation, etc.
Because of its popularity, it is disturbing to know that this practice is
recognized by much of the popular literature as one of the standard
induction techniques for hypnosis.
"Many styles of induction exist, all incorporating a gradual shift in
attention with a reduction in external awareness…. Frequently the induction
encourages the subject to focus his attention, either through focusing his
eyes on something external (eye fixation technique) or through focusing
internally on breathing or any other sensation (e.g., muscle tension).
Further suggestions of comfort, relaxation, or rest are then clearly and
calmly given along with compatible visual, auditory, or physical images
such as a beach, stairs, or floating on clouds" (Baker, p. 546).
A common misconception concerning induction is that one can never be
hypnotized against the will. Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology notes that
this is only a half-truth. "A hypnotic induction does require the
cooperation of the individual, and a trance can be resisted. Nevertheless,
the individual's participation may not be a conscious response, and people
can enter into hypnosis without knowing that they do so. Erickson is famous
in this regard, due to his skill... to induce a trance without preparation
or awareness by the subject. The ethics of this may be debated…"
("Hypnosis," p. 544). Hypnotic induction can take place without the
subject's knowledge or permission. In theory, once induced suggestions and
commands given can have long-lasting effects through a phenomenon known as
post hypnotic suggestion.
BIBLICAL RESPONSE
The Bible warns against the practice of "charming"(chabar or lachash) and
"enchanting" (nachash) (Deuteronomy 18:10-11, Isaiah 19:3). The exact
meanings of the underlying Hebrew words are debatable. Brown, Driver, and
Briggs note that the Hebrew root chabar primarily means to unite, bind
together, or make occult spells but it is sometimes used in reference to
charming a snake a practice ostensibly similar to human hypnosis (A
Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 288). Consistent with
the voice of the hypnotist during induction, the Hebrew root word lachash
translated charmer can be defined "to speak in a soft and gentle manner;
applied to the charming of serpents, probably by soft and gentle sounds"
(William Wilson, Wilson's Old Testament Word Studies, p 74).
It is difficult to know if "charming" is a direct reference to hypnosis as
the evidence is somewhat circumstantial. The Bible, however, is replete
with clear admonitions against involvement with the occult (Leviticus
19:26, 31; 2 Kings 21:6; Isaiah 47:9-13; Acts 8:9-11). This would prohibit
any Christian association in those aspects of hypnosis that directly relate
to the occult (spiritualism, channeling, past-life regression, divination,
etc.) But what about non-religious use of hypnosis such as medical or
psychological? Josh McDowell and John Stewart see a possible medical use
(e.g., anesthesia) for hypnosis but warn: "A therapist may use hypnosis for
crime investigation, UFO abduction recall, Satanic ritual abuse recall,
multiple personality investigation, or some form of therapy. These are all
spiritually dangerous because they release the mind to fantasize
uncontrolled by reason" (The Occult, p. 113).
There is general agreement that hypnotized individuals are somewhat
vulnerable to uncritically accepting as true any suggestion given by the
hypnotist. This factor alone creates the potential for misuse and
deception. Some Christian researchers go a step further warning that it is
possible for hypnotized subjects to be influenced by voices other than that
of the hypnotist. They believe that in a trance state one is more
susceptible to demonic oppression or even possession especially if the
subject has a history of occult experimentation (Encyclopedia of New Age
Beliefs, pp. 327-31).
Hypnosis can be indirectly linked to biblical admonitions against
"charming." It is historically linked to pagan and occult practices. Even
proponents warn of the potential for misuse or unethical application. These
factors coupled with the absence of a provable neutral, non-religious
theory of hypnosis make hypnosis a potentially dangerous practice not
recommended for Christians.
RESOURCES
Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs, John Ankerberg and John Weldon. This very
thorough and user-friendly book contains a 39 page chapter on Hypnosis and
Hypnotic regression that raises evangelical Christian concerns in a
balanced and well-documented critique. Bibliography, index, 670 page paperback.
Hypnosis and the Christian, Martin and Deidre Bobgan. The authors discuss
from a Christian perspective the possible dangers of deep hypnosis, the
similarity to occult trance states, and a biblical evaluation. 61 page
paperback.
SOURCE: http://www.watchman.org/profile/hypnopro.htm
END NOTES:
1. http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Altered
2. http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Astral
3. http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Yoga
4. http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Judaism
5. http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Taoism
6. http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Sufism
7. http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Hinduism
8. http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Shintoism
9. http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Buddhism
10. http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#NLP
11. http://www.watchman.org/cat95.htm#Reincarnation
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