HYPNOSIS
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“Hypnosis, mental state of heightened suggestibility, characterized by trance-like sleep. The basis of hypnosis is the fixation of the subjects attention upon a gradually narrowing source of stimulation, until he is attendant upon only the directions of the hypnotist. This is variously achieved by repetition of instructions in a low, level voice, or having the subject fix his gaze upon a light in an otherwise dark room. The subject remembers nothing of what he did during the hypnotic period. Certain effects may be suggested to continue after the subject returns to consciousness; these are called post-hypnotic suggestions.” (The University One-Volume Encyclopedia; 1967 - Franklin Dunham; p 421)
Hypnosis has physical, physiological, psychic and moral, dangers. Hypnosis does more harm than good. To give it a scientific aura its proponents will argue on the basis of practicality and compare it to anesthesia. But the truth is, hypnotism cannot be used routinely and simply remains a dangerous parlor game.
Hypnotism is most dangerous for those who are easiest to hypnotize. Hypnotic suggestions set the senses and reason in conflict with the functioning of the mind. Disturbance in the higher faculties can throw the cerebral mechanism out of gear and can lead to mental problems. These risks will diminish in subjects who are difficult to hypnotize. So those who make good subjects can go mad and the rest is difficult or next to impossible to hypnotize. So then who is it good for?
The latest fad is getting hypnotized or taking classes in self hypnosis in order to escape addictions or to modify personality traits. In hypnotism the subject looses his liberty and his reason and hands himself over to the domination of another. No one has any right to hand over the rights of his conscience to renounce the duty towards his personality. Interestingly the law forbids hypnotizing prisoners.
According to pro hypnosis sites in 1847 the Sacred Congregation “approved” the use of hypnosis: "Having removed all misconception, foretelling of the future, explicit or implicit invocation of the devil, the use of animal magnetism (Hypnosis) is indeed merely an act of making use of physical media that are otherwise licit and hence it is not morally forbidden provided it does not tend toward an illicit end or toward anything depraved."
Then in 1956 the late Pope Pius XII added some guidelines: Hypnotism is a serious matter, and not something to be dabbled in; in its use both science and morality are to be observed; and it is to be governed by the same principles as other forms of anesthesia.
For now the only Vatican document mentioning “hypnosis” is in the context of New Age techniques: here.
Quote: “The point of New Age techniques is to reproduce mystical states at will, as if it were a matter of laboratory material. Rebirth, biofeedback, sensory isolation, holotropic breathing, hypnosis, mantras, fasting, sleep deprivation and transcendental meditation are attempts to control these states and to experience them continuously". These practices all create an atmosphere of psychic weakness (and vulnerability). When the object of the exercise is that we should re-invent our selves, there is a real question of who "I" am. "God within us" and holistic union with the whole cosmos underline this question. Isolated individual personalities would be pathological in terms of New Age (in particular transpersonal psychology). But "the real danger is the holistic paradigm. New Age is thinking based on totalitarian unity and that is why it is a danger...". More moderately: "We are authentic when we 'take charge of' ourselves, when our choice and reactions flow spontaneously from our deepest needs, when our behaviour and expressed feelings reflect our personal wholeness". The Human Potential Movement is the clearest example of the conviction that humans are divine, or contain a divine spark within themselves.” End quote.
There is a fairly good write up on hypnosis on New Advent by Georges Surbled. Unfortunately the actual definition of hypnosis is less than accurate; contingent on popular culture. Surbled examines some of the dangers of hypnosis, but he does not go far enough or deep enough. With the rising popularity of hypnosis and self hypnosis clinics to address addictions and personality traits the Church will eventually have to revisit and formulate a more up to date response to hypnosis.
What does this have to do with charismatics? They are the first ones to go to hypnotherapy; for stress control, to create self esteem or to quit smoking.
According to Mercy Holistic ‘Hypnotherapy’ is used to "quiet the conscious mind and allow access to the unconscious mind" to rid patients of unwanted habits, to ease their pain, to help them lose weight. Mercy Holistic assures its members that "you do not relinquish self-control in hypnosis, nor will you do anything against your will. You remain aware and can leave this relaxed state whenever you choose."
HOGWASH! What do you relinquish if not your will?
On Nov. 4, 1991 Time Magazine reported that there are four types of alternative medicine, They were classified as Life-Style (Macrobiotics, Ayurvedic medicine, and holistic medicine), Botanical (Homeopathy, Herbalism, and Aromatherapy), Mental healings (Crystals, Guided imagery, biofeedback and Hypnotherapy) and Manipulative/Hands-on (such as Reflexology, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Alexander tech., Chiropractic, and Acupressure & Acupuncture).
Hypnotherapy is certainly in there with the rest of them!
“Let there not be found among you anyone who immolates his son or daughter in the fire, nor a fortune-teller, soothsayer, charmer, diviner…” (Deuteronomy 18:10)
