Hypnosis, Religion and Society

Hypnosis is derived from the Greek word hypnos, andexternally induced hypnosis.
is described in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as anAn analysis of East-West recorded references on
induced state that resembles sleep and in which thehypnosis can bring about a better understanding of
subject is responsive to suggestions of the inducerhypnosis because experiences can be compared and
(hypnotist or hypnotherapist).analyzed based on indetified and quantifiable
Going by the definition, hypnosis is brought on artificiallyphenomena of control, awareness of environment,
either by external (another person) or internalconcentration, mental energy, emotion, identity,
(self-hypnosis) means. Presently, hypnosis and itsout-of-body experience and content of experience. In
underlying effects on mental and physical improvementrecognizing the common elements in of different
of man is the subject of experiment and methodicalreligions and philosophies, we also recognize multi-state
study by men of science, physicians or physiologists.psychologies and philosophies.
Passages in the Bible and the Talmud indicate that theEasterners who practice hypnosis have learned to
phenomena of induced sleep states, visions of spiralmanipulate and build on an individual's inherent ability to
wheels, cures by Rabbis (known as sorcery) in earlybring about self-resolution of life's problems and
Christian era, miraculous cures which could be due toalleviation of suffering through altered states of
suggestion, and creation of illusions by rabbis asconsciousness such as dreams, trance states,
reported in the Talmud are recorded references ofdissociations, and mystical experiences of various
hypnosis - more than 2,000 years ago. Biblical andsorts which are cultivated for therapeutic purposes.
Talmudic references to hypnosis (hypnoticThey claim that an individual's healing mechanism
phenomena) are intermingled with treatments ofdevelops spontaneously and reaches its peak when
psychiatric illnesses.an individual is distressed but it has to be directed from
Even Eastern religions and philosophies have their ownwithout.
recorded references about hypnosis. A NepaleseThe Catholic Church, since the mid-19th century did not
shaman drums himself into a trance state,contravene the advantages of hypnosis but rather
demonstrating an ability to enter and leave an alteredwarns the faithful to be prudent on the matter.
state of consciousness and control experience; the"The...mere act of employing physical means otherwise
meditation of a Buddhist monk is a training awarenesspermissible, is not morally forbidden, provided that it
to examine experience as minutely as possible, indoes not tend to an illicit end or one which may be in
effect a heightened awareness (Vipassana); a yogaany manner evil" - Response of the Holy Office, 2
practitioner engages in concentration, focuses on aJune, 1840. 'Hypnotism is tolerated, in theory and in
fixed stimulus and holds it unwaveringly, until a sense ofpractice, to the exclusion of phenomena which would
unity with the object and ultimately with the Self iscertainly be preternatural.' This is the opinion of most
achieved.theologians of the Catholic Church, and it is the
A comparison of the recorded references of hypnosisutterance of reason.
from both Western and Eastern cultures reveal thatHowever, aside from the Church, civil authorities are
Western experience is primarily derived almostalso concerned in order to preclude accidents resulting
exclusively from the waking state; Eastern experiencefrom the use of hypnotism. Most western countries
draw their view from induced dreams, meditative, orhave passed laws that effectively limited the practice
contemplative states. Interestingly, most Easternof hypnosis per se. Denmark and Germany even
references can be termed as self-induced (selfpassed laws making the diploma of Doctor of
hypnosis) while Western references are mostlyMedicine a pre-condition for the practice of hypnosis.