Hypnosis

[Born2BFree]

Negative concerns are often attached by Christians to the phenomena of hypnosis... Most believe it to be a tool of the devil and a medium that accomodates demon possession. Others cite the Bible incident involving Simon the Sorcerer. Others refer to the witch of Endor. The truth is that hypnosis has received a bumb rap at the hands of charlatons and hucksters intent on becoming enriched at the expense of the credulous and ignorant.

All waking awareness in human beings consists of a range of specific focus that is usually need directed. Ever become so engrossed in a book that you tuned out everything around you and never even felt the tennis ball that hit you in the head? Television consumes so much of the attention of children that if their life depended on hearing the call to dinner, they would most likely die of hunger rather than walk off from a good movie. Others find a significant other so central to their attention that nothing else seems to matter. We are all aware of the dangers of 'road hypnosis' and have experienced it to some degree. It has been said that even 'sleep' represents a special state of consciousness not dis-similar to the hypnotic trance. So, what is hypnosis exactly?

[traveller]

And what is the purpose of this thread?

[Born2BFree]

The topic "Hypnosis" is introduced to stimulate dialog about the dynamics of consciousness. Yes. I accept that any 'consciousness' yeilded to God is animated by the indwelling Holy Spirit... purged by the blood of the Lamb and sanctified for service to The King. This service can take many forms depending on the Will of God for an individual. None of this precludes the responsibility of the Christian to clear thinking as prep for clear communication. Communication is a social necessity if anyone is to share anything, interact, or receive anything from another Christian. Saten uses ignorance as a first rate tool to discourage Christians. The first among many kinds of ignorance is ignorance of God's Word. "Study to show thyself approved (of God)...a workman that needeth not be ashamed (of himself)."

Is the motorcycle your own?

[traveller]

Is the motorcycle your own?

It is mine, yes.

[rejoicevermore]

Hypnosis is nothing new. It has been used for thousands of years by witchdoctors, spirit mediums, shamans, Hindus, Buddhists, and yogis. But the increasing popularity of hypnosis for healing in the secular world has influenced many in the professing church to accept hypnosis as a means of treatment. Both non-Christian and professing Christian medical doctors, dentists, psychiatrists, and psychologists are recommending and using hypnosis. Do not be deceived.

[WayneB]

Born,

First, welcome to Worthy. We pray that you enjoy the fellowship here.

The thread you started is not a testimony so to speak. Actually, I would have moved it to the Controversial Forum, which is reserved for those members who have posted 100 posts minimum. Why? We prefer for the new members to get off on the right foot by introducing themselves and making friends before they enter into debate.

Your topic is controversial in nature...definitely not a personal testimony. Regardless, I moved it here in the General Discussion forum so you will be able to post. BUT the thread must remain civil and non-controversial in nature or I will close it.

Please take your time and meet the saints here. You will be blessed.

Be Blessed,

Wayne

[AnotherTraveler]

There is no power that can prevail that is not granted by the individual first.

As a teenager, one day my parents were not home, and we had a party. None of us knew the Lord.

Part of goofing around, I asked a friend if I could try to hypnotize him, and he agreed. I had never been around hypnosis, nor have I since.

I thought he was faking, I got him to bark like a dog, cluck like a chicken, and then I tested if he was actually under hypnosis, I took a needle, telling him he would feel nothing, and poked it into his finger, no reaction, then a little deeper, no reaction, finally I hit bone, no reaction.

When he came out of it, he screamed with tears running down his face,"What happened to my finger?" I had told him he would remember nothing.

He would never have willingly allowed his finger to be harmed like that, as for the other stuff, he was kind of clownish (we all were, we were teenage lost boys).

We were all freaked out by this, but my point is I don't believe that your general statement that I highlighted is quite accurate. In all aspects, the more powerful can and often does by means of force prevail over individuals, and why would a mental aspect be any different than all others in the natural world?

Unless you were referring to a Christian, and we have the protection of the Almighty God which would be still greater power prevailing on our behalf.

Just my thoughts.

Edited September 20, 2004 by AnotherTraveler

[Guest shadow2b]

-Your topic is controversial in nature...definitely not a personal testimony. Regardless, I moved it here in the General Discussion forum so you will be able to post. BUT the thread must remain civil and non-controversial in nature or I will close it.

Please take your time and meet the saints here. You will be blessed.

-heyyyyyy BOB me lill-ole Brother whaRr ya been Bro?? --

CIVIL?? NON-CONTROVERSIAL??? YOU MEEN I CAINT THROW NO NON--CONTROVERSIAL PIES IN HERE??hmmmm?? -DAGGONNE--WE jes caint Hazz no fun no mo-roun thyis hyaRr place----DraTT--

[Born2BFree]

Anyone observing hassidic students in intense prayer is observing an hypnotic phenomenon. Anyone experiencing road hypnosis who suddenly realizes they have driven somewhere entirely different than where they had intended to go to will understand the normal function of the human mind to 'trance' out under common enough conditions.

Deep prayer is a form of directed awareness that is unique to other conscious modals experienced by average people. The lable 'hypnosis' seems to have a negative onus entirely different from trance conduct in general. A person reading a book, or viewing a video, or playing tennis enters a special frame of mind one may call a 'trance'. When rational individuals engage a topic for discussion with the intent of making progress about understanding something, they should not fear that they will somehow be 'damaged' by a discussion. Fear and ignorance is dispelled by rational discourse and logical examination of a topic of choice.

The Christian who has been born again and filled with the Holy Ghost is especially equipped to look dispassionately at any topic of choice. God is their filter. I am not promoting recreational experimenting with hypnosis. Nor do I endorse an unstructured examination of holy scripture.

the topic of prayer is a very important one and much productive discussion can reveal treasure in the Word of God that illustrates the approaches to this important aspect of a life hidden with Christ in God.

It is sad that many evade such a study out of ignorance and fear. "God has not given us the spirit of Fear, but of love and of a sound mind." God has given POWER to His children. One must look at what mysticism is NOT in order to see what it IS and if it has a necessary place in Christian experience.

While I approve of the fact that this forum is monitored by sincere individuals who act to protect the best interests of all, I am saddened by the faintly threatening tone directed at those who engage a lively scriptural and rational examination of topics of controversy. The Bible is filled with controversial topics against which the conservatives reacted.

[Born2BFree]

If I am to continue as a participant of this forum (read my posts to decide this) and to contribute something constructive and of value then I must ask that all who post also present something to idenify themself in the form of profile data so we may know who has breathed bad air our way (justified, or not). I would like to know Who is Shadow2b? Thanks.