Hypnosis and JWs

ezekiel3

The Ministry School features the #4 talk "Why Hypnotism Is Not For Christians". But it is, according the WTS own publications:

First we learn the JW definition of hypnotism:

*** g03 7/8 p. 26 Is Hypnotism for Christians? ***
HYPNOTISM has been the subject of much debate and controversy. Even experts in the field find it difficult to explain. It is generally understood that hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, or trance.

And of course that it is bad (notice the circular reasoning):

*** g74 9/8 p. 28 Is Hypnotism for Christians? ***
Whether a Christian will consult a doctor who at times uses hypnosis in treating others must be decided personally. (Gal. 6:5) But a true Christian would not permit it to be employed in his own case. Why? Because hypnotism is not for Christians.

But did you know that God hypnotized people?

*** w52 4/15 p. 247 The Field of Bible Prophecy ***
Akin to visions and dreams is the trance . It appears that while in a state of deep concentration of mind or in a sleeplike condition the active force of God superimposes a picture of his purpose or a vision upon the mind of the one so entranced . As in the cases of straight visions and dreams the inspired one is left to describe the vivid revelation in his own words or expressions.
*** w97 1/15 p. 31 Enoch?Fearless Against All Odds ***
How was Enoch given a "witness that he had pleased God well"? What evidence did he have? Likely,
God put Enoch into a trance , even as the apostle Paul was "caught away," or transferred, evidently receiving a vision of the future spiritual paradise of the Christian congregation.
*** w97 6/15 pp. 4-5 How Did God Inspire the Bible? ***
Visions, Dreams, and Trances.
A vision is a sight, scene, or message superimposed upon a person?s mind while he is awake , usually by some extraordinary means. For example, Peter, James, and John, "when they got fully awake," saw a vision of the transfigured Jesus. (Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-21) In some cases a message was conveyed in a dream, or night vision, being impressed upon the recipient?s subconscious while he was asleep. Daniel thus writes of "the visions of my head upon my bed"?or, as translator Ronald A. Knox renders it, "as I lay watching in my dream."?Daniel 4:10.
A person whom Jehovah put in a trance was evidently absorbed in a state of deep concentration, though at least partially awake.
(Compare Acts 10:9-16.) In the Bible the Greek word rendered "trance" (ek´sta·sis) means ?a putting away or a displacement.? It suggests the idea of throwing the mind out of its normal state. Thus, a person in a trance would be oblivious of his surroundings while being fully receptive to the vision. The apostle Paul was likely in such a trance when he was "caught away into paradise and heard unutterable words which it is not lawful for a man to speak."?2 Corinthians 12:2-4.

What's more, here the WTS recommends creative visualization, a form of self-hypnosis:

*** w93 4/15 p. 12 Hope?Vital Protection in a Dismal World ***
Further, we should make sure that our hope for the future is not just a vague abstraction. We need to make it real in our minds. Do you hope to live forever in Paradise on earth? Would you like to meet your dead loved ones when they are resurrected on earth? If so, do you picture yourself there at that time? For instance, Isaiah 65:21, 22 speaks of each one building his own house and then occupying it. Can you close your eyes and imagine yourself working on the roof of your new house, nailing down the last shingle? Just think of looking around you at the results of all your planning and labor. The cheery sounds of construction quiet down; you survey the landscape as the afternoon shadows stretch across it. A breeze makes the trees sway gently and cools you from the heat of your work. The laughter of children, mingled with birdsong, reaches your ears. The talk of your loved ones rises from the house below.
Visualizing such a happy moment is not idle speculation; rather, it is meditation on a prophecy that is sure of fulfillment. (2 Corinthians 4:18) The more real that prospect is to you, the stronger your hope that you will be there. Such a firm, palpable hope will protect you from feeling "ashamed of the good news," which might make you shirk the assignment of sharing it with others. (Romans 1:16) On the contrary, you will want to ?boast in the hope? as the apostle Paul did, by sharing it confidently with others.?Hebrews 3:6.

Is the WTS is demonizing a concept while embracing the principle?

I've done eastern style meditation for years, inducing a trance. The student tonight read the scripture about the need to get possession of your vessel and how you cant do that if your in a trance. Shoot nothing has helped my be 'in possession of my vessel' more than meditaion. Nothing bad ever happeded to me... other than I became an apostate. Oh crap.

IPSec

(1 Thessalonians 4:4) 4

that each one of YOU should know how to get possession of his own vessel in sanctification and honor. . .

FairMind

The idea behind not allowing oneself to be hypnotized is that you give control of your mind to another (Duet. 18:10,11). Now it is OK if that other one is God but not if it is another human being, although one could argue that for medical treatment purposes hypnosis is OK. I believe that in general the WT stand on hypnosis is correct scripturally.

jaredg

what are they so afraid of?

IP_SEC

The deeminz will get into your head, or some bad guy will put suggestions into your head.
It?s interesting that there are varying degrees of trance and hypnosis. I believe that the meetings (and church in general) put ppl into a light hypnotic trance and make them more susceptible to suggestion.

IPSec

Elsewhere

each one of YOU should know how to get possession of his own vessel

candidlynuts

what are they so afraid of?

they're afraid of " repressed " memories..a condition that many adults who were molested and/or abused as children suffer from. they got enough lawsuits and troubles.. just imagine the trouble if more people came forward with their abuse experiences!

Big Tex

I did some hypnotherapy to help me with some abuse issues and memories years ago. It was a tremendous help and was invaluable to me.

However at no point was the hypnotherapist in control of myself or my mind. I have total recall of what happened and what was said. While "under" I was aware of the room I was in (I could even hear the tape in his tape recorder). The sessions were difficult emotionally, but I do have pleasant memories of them in that I accomplished what I needed to do.

He did not control, but rather acted more as a guide to help me past one particularly traumatic memory. At the time, I was an active JW. I didn't "justify" seeking hypnosis (although I did rather defiantely told an elder about it), my feeling then and now is I was willing and prepared to do what it took to take control of my life and recover. Having said that, I can see the idea behind the objections to hypnosis, however I do not agree with them.

Chris

IP_SEC

If you believe in god, and that he created our mind then he also created the wonderful mechanism that allows for altered states of consciousness.

The Dub view is superstitious and ridiculous. I think candi hit at least on part of the problem. They don?t want your memories of abuse to be recalled. Other than that they are control freaks who cant control you if you really have possession of your own vessel.

The first time I reached the 5th Jhana was one of the coolest, happiest, most healing moments in my life.

That is self hypnosis. Hypnosis with the aid of someone else can?t harm you.

IPSec

ezekiel3

However at no point was the hypnotherapist in control of myself or my mind.

Agreed. Actually hypnosis can be described as "hyper-awareness" because you are able to tap into a deeper consciousness.

The idea being "out of control" while under hypnosis is pure Hollywood. Even stage hypnotists will seek out people with personalities likely to cooperate. You cannot force a person "under."

However, you can put people into a trance, whereupon they are more susceptable to suggestion. This is happens at district conventions, at about 2PM on any day of the session. You can look around and see the drool pooling on people's lapels.

Hypnosis and JWs

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