What are hypnosis and
hypnotic regression?
Hypnosis is a deliberately induced condition of heightened suggestibility and
trance, producing a highly flexible state of consciousness capable of dramatic
manipulation. It is employed by thousands of medical professionals and psychotherapists.
The practice can be traced to antiquity and is frequently associated with the
occult. The hypnotist and psychic Anton Mesmer (from whom we derive the term
"mesmerism") is often considered the modern "father" of hypnosis.
The exact processes by which hypnosis works are unknown. Scientific research has
been conducted supplying much information on the level of hypnotic trance and
susceptibility to it; nevertheless, what hypnosis is and how it works are still widely
debated. Widespread and frequently exaggerated claims are made for its application to
medicine, psychotherapy, education and many other fields. For example, some self-help
promoters make sensational claims that hypnosis can be used to treat or cure an endless
variety of physical ailments and personal problems--from allergies, obesity and cancer to
low self-esteem, smoking, and guilt. They allege that its potential application to
personal growth, human potentialism and self-transformation is nearly endless.
We readily agree that hypnosis is a unique altered state of consciousness that
can be used for a wide variety of occult pursuits,--including psychic development, spirit
contact, astral travel, automatic writing, past life (reincarnation) regression and/or
therapy and many others. But as we have documented in "The Facts on the Occult,"
and "The Facts On Hinduism In America" such practices are dangerous.
Nevertheless, other problems are present with the use of hypnosis, not the least
of which are the releasing of one's mind to the suggestions and control of another, as
well as possible uncertainties as to the nature and long term implications of the hypnotic
state. It is also at least possible that hypnosis may be related to the biblically
forbidden practice of "charming" and/or "enchanting." If so, the
practice would be prohibited in that the Christian is to be filled with the Holy Spirit;
he is not to permit his mind to be controlled by another person, in particular an
unbeliever, or to permit the possibility of influence by spirit entities, as in certain
occultic applications of hypnosis.
Other risks of hypnosis include the possibility of unintended and unexpected
occultic influences or other problems arising from the trance state, and abuse by the
hypnotist.
In addition, literally scores of New Age and many conventional psychotherapists
employ what is called "past life therapy." Over a dozen texts by licensed
psychologists have been written on this topic. Past life "therapy" employs
hypnosis to place the individual into a trance state for a specific purpose. That purpose
is to send the person "back" into his/her supposed former life or lives in order
to "resolve" hidden emotional or spiritual conflicts that are allegedly
affecting his/her physical, emotional or spiritual health at the present. But the results
of such therapy are typically to support occultic New Age philosophy and goals.
Our own extensive research into reincarnation phenomena leads us to conclude
that these and other reincarnation experiences are the result of one or more factors: (1)
the suggestions of the therapist, (2) inventions or delusions of the patient, and (3)
often, spiritistic manipulation of the mind.
Hypnosis can easily induce a state of trance conducive to spiritistic
manipulation. Because reincarnation philosophy is so anti-biblical in its implications and
the entire purpose of past-life regression is to encounter alleged previous lives,
spiritistic input is not out of the question. Even some leading secular researchers such
as Dr. Ian Stevenson of the University of Virginia have confessed that possession by an
evil spirit is one of the possible explanations for reincarnation phenomena (Twenty Cases
Suggestive of Reincarnation (1978, pp. 374 ff.).
People who have these "past-life" experiences can be profoundly
affected by them and they not infrequently lead to occult involvement. They may produce
dramatic life and world view changes. For example, the individual who comes to believe in
reincarnation through past-life regression is convinced that when he dies, he will not
encounter divine judgment as the Bible teaches, but simply another life. Thus, one who
believes in reincarnation cannot logically accept his/her need to believe in Christ as
savior from sin. If he will atone for his own sins over many lifetimes through karma and
achieve his own perfection, why does he need a savior?
But the Bible rejects all philosophies of reincarnation. If Christ paid for all
sin upon the cross, one sacrifice for all time, what sin remains for us to individually
atone for over many lifetimes? The atonement of Christ disproves the karmic theory of a
gradual remission of sin and self-perfection just as the biblical doctrine of individual
resurrection disproves the idea of many lifetimes.
Unfortunately, past-life "therapy" has often become a form of occultic
practice leading patients to adopt an occultic world view and to seek out such activities
as developing altered states of consciousness, psychic powers and spirit contact. Because
of the subtlety of the spiritual implications involved, past-life therapy is no less
profound in its destructive potential than similar areas where spiritual warfare is
unsuspected, but nonetheless pervasive. For example, in near-death experiences and the
phenomenon of UFO "close encounter" episodes, both frequently induce occultic
initiations and transformation in a participant.
For more information, see our Resource Catalog: Can You Trust Your Doctor?.
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