Hypnosis and Religion
Today millions of Christians are celebrating their faith’s seminal holiday, Easter. While it has been largely secularized by the odd concept of egg-laying bunnies, thanks to my Catholic upbringing I still tend to think of Easter as primarily a religious holiday, so my last guest post this Easter weekend will touch on religion as it relates to hypnosis.
Some religious sects to this day teach that hypnosis is a tool of the devil — that by clearing your mind to enter a trance, you allow Satan access to corrupt your heart and soul. Born-again Christians seem prone to this view, at least from what I’ve heard and experienced, though I doubt the attitude is limited to that group and I don’t have a good citation for you.
But someone who believes that being hypnotized will jeopardize their immortal soul is unlikely to show up in a hypnotist’s office anyway, so as a practical matter that belief isn’t all that relevant to client interactions. What I have found on occasion are clients who draw strength or pride from their religious faith and for whom it is an important component of their lives.
Not all religious people are Christian, of course. There are devout Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, pagan, and every other persuasion everywhere and inevitably some will seek out a hypnotist. When I encounter such a person I try to incorporate that faith when formulating suggestions because I believe that it helps if the client perceives that I understand and respect their religion even if I don’t share it (and of course I don’t bring up my own religious background at all). That requires a certain amount of caution, though, because if I misstate something important to their faith it breaks rapport.
Having said that, my Easter Sunday Question for you is:
What do you do differently, if anything, with a highly religious client?
<MR>
This brings my run as guest blogger to an end. Ellie will be back tomorrow, hopefully refreshed and energized by her time away. I look forward to her return, and I thank all of you for reading and commenting on my posts. And thank you, Ellie, for lending me the big chair. ;^)
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Michael,
First of all, you have done a marvelous job filling in for Ellie. Although I have not posted a comment on everything you wrote, I read it each day. Thank you for keeping this blog interesting in her absence. (I must admit, I would love to hear from your son regarding the hypnosis show you both attended.)
Now, in regards to the Christians. I believe we spoke about this when we met at the
conference. I do a lot of work with born again Christians. My father is a Baptist minister and was so very concerned when he first heard my chosen profession. Until, I was able to explain the science behind what I do.
I incorporate bible verses into sessions for my Christian clients, words that bring comfort and speak of change. Often, I see them repeating the words as I speak them, it is amazing the power and conviction I see behind their words. I know changes will occur then.
I have one client whose children attend a private Christian school and they have used my gift certificates at fund-raisers, as well as my audios.
I am able to speak to a couple of other faiths as well, who have visited with me. There are some (faiths) I am ignorant of and it seems they find another hypnotist. So, gee, maybe we do attract the perfect client at the perfect time….
August 28th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Hey Debbie,
I love the way you uses bible verses within a session. If people only knew the truth behind what we do. I wondered about the same thing before I got into hypnosis, but after talking with many others as well I learned hypnosis is not from the devil
I actually joined a christian hypnotists organization to help promote the fact that hypnosis is not against christianity. If your interested in this group check out http://fchypnotists.com/
Joshua Houghton