A Christian Perspective on Hypnosis

Proverbs 8:10

“Receive my instruction and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold.”

King Solomon knew the value of instruction.  He indicated that instruction is a source of knowledge and wisdom that is of lasting value.
      My perception of hypnosis has changed over the past several years as I have expanded my information bank filling it with facts, while at the same time, removing the old myths.
      As a Christian, one myth I am aware of is a strong stigma against the use of hypnosis.  “You shouldn’t open up your mind - Satan will come in.”  “Beware, the devil and evil spirits will take advantage of your vulnerability.”  Rigid thinking has permeated my thought process for many years, and has consequently prevented growth in my personal and professional life.  Secondly, the use of stage hypnosis with it’s many antics and tricks have greatly tainted hypnosis along with its long history of beneficial usefulness.
      It was due to this indoctrination that I chose to shy away from any further learning, continuing to discount the curative potential that hypnosis inherently possesses.  However, there was something that pulled at me and silently drew me to the mysticism of its secrets.  Being cautious, yet tenaciously holding to that tugging inside me, I decided to take the leap and pursue the gathering of more information.  I needed to educate myself in order to make a more unbiased opinion of the merits of hypnosis.  What better way than to seek instruction and be trained!  The tentative person that I am, I began the life of a student of hypnotherapy.
      At present, being a neophyte in the field of hypnotherapy, my thoughts and feelings as well as perceptions on the subject are on a continuum, constantly being changed, a process I see as never ending.  I feel like a babe ‘on the milk’ as I thirst for information seeking to learn, and striving to improve my skills.
      The study of hypnosis is like an adventure into the unknown.  As my awareness and knowledge increases regarding this field, I find myself becoming more intrigued, curious and stimulated.  There is a challenge here, one that is internally motivating strong desires in me to “grow” myself in order to be of greater service to others.
     Looking at the more concrete side of hypnotherapy, I recognize that hypnosis has been a form of treatment for several hundred years with numerous successes.  In 1958 the American Medical Association acknowledged hypnosis as a psychological and scientific modality.  This was a major step in validating the constructive use of hypnosis as a viable productive tool to be utilized in the treatment of people experiencing difficulties.  Hypnosis has grown in popularity as well as credibility since that time to the place it occupies today, that being a powerful modality employed to improve the quality of life for those individuals fortunate enough to experience it’s healing power.
 In closing, I would like to quote:

11 Timothy 1:7
 
 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
 But of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

      This scripture personally indicates that fear is not from God and that it encapsulates us in a world unto ourselves.  It is a world that is filled with negativity and darkness, shutting out love from others, while stifling our emotional, physical, mental and spiritual growth.
      I was afraid of hypnosis at one time and have wasted many years.  I now have moved out of that place of fear to one of acceptance, love, and a longing to grow.  I strongly feel hypnosis has the capability to empower those who are brave enough to embrace it.  It enables us to use our minds to conquer weaknesses, fears, uncertainties and that sense of helplessness.
  What we can dream, we can believe;
  What we can believe, we can become.

     Aspiring to this philosophy could ultimately result in the loss of our fears, being replaced by a spirit of power, thus freeing us to love more openly, confidently and with sound mind.  I believe hypnosis has great potential to move us toward a more peaceful, productive and meaningful life.

 Joyce E. Davis, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., C.A.C.1, C.Ht.
 Jade2844@aol.com

This article was written as part of an assignment during my Hypnosis training at Infinity Institute.