Hypnosis- opinions on it?

Marcia, you said: "In the U.S., remembering things under hypnosis is not accepted as testimony in courts, and for good reason. People can remember things under hypnosis that are not true, but they think they are."

That's true, and lie detector tests are also not admissible in court. But they are still useful tools in capturing criminals.

People can remember details like license plate numbers under hypnosis that they normally wouldn't remember. Although it's not accepted in court, it can be very useful in providing good leads for the police to capture the suspects--rapists, child molesters, murderers-- and put them behind bars.

When someone has been through as much emotional trauma as a molested child or raped woman, they aren't going to remember the details. They're going to want to supress as much of the information as they can. If calming them down enough by hypnosis will enable them to provide details to put these jerks behind bars, I say "go for it!"

I'm not talking about people who had something happen to them thirty years ago and is holding a gridge against their father, yadda, yadda. That's happened and it's been exposed. I'm talking about professionals-not circus freaks-who can help the victims recall enough detail to capture these monsters.

I am aware that there are bogus doctors who will make a "memory" for someone and convince them their "memory" is real and this is a big moneymaker...or it has been in the past. But every profession you look into...including pastors ...you're going to find someone who is going to abuse the profession for his own gain or glory.

The media is also doing their part to distort stories and overexpose incidences to make the entire profession look bad. Wait a few months and the media will make all of us active church members look like serial killers because of this BTK killer, Dennis Rader. The press is notorious for overexposing isolated incidences, stereotyping others who are in the same "catagory" and leading the public to come to their own "conclusions" that all are the same. There's your wicked hypnotism right there...the television set. THAT'S what messes with the mind and corrupts the brain.

Yes, you have performers who claim to hypnotize audience members and make them cluck like a chicken, float or talk to dead Aunt Martha. These are freaks. They abuse the true meaning of hypnosis, and no, I don't believe they are even hypnotizing the people. Satanic stuff could be part of this, I agree. I'm not talking about them.

Hypnosis is nothing more than knowing how to help the patient calm down enough and forget about "debris" in their minds so they can concentrate on one specific thing. Sometimes they use medicine to help them relax.

People "go hypnotic" all the time when they are so engrossed in a project that they lose all track of time. The only difference is that the professional knows how to control this. Video cameras and tape recorders will provide the evidence the police need to prevent suggestive memory planting.

No, it can't be used in court...but the information they retrieve from the memories of the victims can provide enough evidence the police CAN use in court to convict these "people".

 

By the way, sometimes it's difficult to determine if the writer of a post is posting in anger. If I'm not joking around like I usually am I tend to appear angry in my posts. Please don't take it like that.

I have no reason to defend or attack hypnosis. It has no part in my life directly. However, I do have reason to be angry at criminals when they get away with their deeds and if hypnosis will help, then in that form, I want to defend it.

But, I'm not posting in anger...just so you know I'm not attacking you or your opinions personally, Marcia.

 

No, it can't be used this way: anything remembered under hypnosis cannot be used to lead to anything used for evidence. Information "recalled" under hypnosis cannot be used.

Please give evidence where hypnosis has been used to put rapists, child molesters, etc, in jail. Where have you seen the facts to verify this?

Actually, studies have shown that people usually remember traumas, not forget them. Women recall their rapes quite well, too vividly, in fact. Hypnosis will not necessarily allows them to recall anything they forgot. Hypnosis for memory has been found to be extremely unreliable.

You are not correct. Being engrossed in a project is not the same as being hypnotized. It is entirely different. I have been in that state and went into it for years -- it is not like regular relaxation, it is not like being engrossed in something, it is not like daydreaming. What it is like, is like putting your mind in a different gear where you can actually believe things that are not true.

 

While others see spirits where none exist. </font>[/QUOTE]I think this is an unfair statement. No one posting here is seeing spirits where none exist.

 

Marcia:

http://www.crimelibrary.com/criminal_mind/forensics/hypnosis/2.html?sect=21

 

There's actually an entire article on it, the link I posted is page 2. The article states the problems that can arise from hypnosis and how it has been used to help solve crimes.

And this is just the beginning. Just because the internet isn't littered with cases that have been solved doesn't mean it doesn't work. It just tells me that they are just beginning to understand the potential of hypnosis AND that they are careful about how to use it.

Keep in mind that people can come up with false memory WITHOUT HYPNOSIS. Ever wonder why police officers immediately seperate witnesses at the scene of a crime? Because once they begin talking with each other, they forget what they saw. They forget the facts...their memory gets muddled. The best thing as a witness that you can do is get away from everyone else and immediately write down what you witnessed, heard, smelled, felt, etc. Everything.

Hypnosis can bring out the details of actual events IF THE RIGHT PERSON KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING. The problem is finding those people who are competently trained.

Marcia, you stated: "You are not correct. Being engrossed in a project is not the same as being hypnotized. It is entirely different. I have been in that state and went into it for years -- it is not like regular relaxation, it is not like being engrossed in something, it is not like daydreaming. What it is like, is like putting your mind in a different gear where you can actually believe things that are not true."

You're saying you've been hypnotized for years? If so, and if you're so convinced that all you got from it were "lies" and "false memories", perhaps the therapist didn't know what he/she was doing. Just because you had a bad experience doesn't mean everyone will.

I've had horrible experiences with doctors...specialists, mainly...but I don't discourage anyone from seeing one if it can help them.

And by the way, I'm not implying everyone should go out and see a hypnotist. I'm talking about using this method in extreme cases when everything else fails and it's used as a tool to lead detectives to the right evidence so they can pick up from there. It's almost a bridge, if you will, ...or a map...that helps detectives find the evidence they're looking for. The evidence stands alone with or without the aid of hypnosis.

Personally, I wouldn't go to a hypnotist. They freak me out. But I think they can be used if used correctly.

 

Just a thought here and not trying to step on toes. I think it is irresponsible to classify something as "Occultic" just because it happens to be used, or misused if you will, by cults. There are a lot of similarities between Christian practices and cult or pagan practices.

**************NOTE****************

The following is to be used for illustration and information. I am not advocating the boycott of Easter. I am simply making a valid point in a way that is often overlooked and more often not known.

******************************************

Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. Though Easter is not mentioned in the Bible. Many of the trappings of Easter celebrations,pre-date Christianity and have clearly pagan roots.

Easter originally takes its name from Ishtar, the Babylonian and Assyrian goddess of love and fertility. The Phoenicians knew her as Astarte, sister and consort of Baal, a god worshipped in much of the Middle East and Mediterranean as well as many ancient Hebrews.

Astarte spread through Europe, becoming Ostara, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, fertility, and the rising sun. The Old English word for Easter, "Eastre" refers to Ostara.

Around the second century A.D., Christian missionaries seeking to convert the tribes of northern Europe realized that the time of the crucifixion of Jesus roughly coincided with the Teutonic springtime celebrations, which emphasized the triumph of life over death. Christian Easter gradually absorbed the traditional symbols.

The egg and the rabbit, two of Easter's most common symbols, also have ancient associations with pagan spring rituals. Eggs and rabbits symbolize birth and fertility in many cultures. Ancient Egyptians and the Persians colored eggs to give as gifts during their spring festival.

There are other examples that I won't go into at this time. But the point is while I do not spcifically endorse hypnosis, I do not condem it on general association.

 

I echo Rachel's point re psychics. Also, as far as the article goes, look at this part:

As I said, it's not that reliable and that is why events recalled under hypnosis are not allowed in court.

It's not whether someone is trained or not, it's hypnosis itself that I am contending is problematic. I was a licensed astrologer - licensed by the city of Atlanta. So does that make astrology okay? I also "helped" a lot of people. If I were still an astrologer, I could testimonial after testimonial of the people I helped.

 

As I said earlier, I practiced techniques that put me in the same state as a hypnotic trance , yes, for a number of years. I was not in it all the time, but went into it through techniques of Eastern and New Age meditation. This state of mind, the trance state, is the same as a hypnotic state. Also, I would fall into this state automotically when doing astrology readings.

I think you are missing the point -- this state of mind suspends the critical thinking skills and normal judgement. It is not a normal state. It is not a healthy state. It is the state sought after for centuries by shamans and occultists as the state in which they contact spirits, go out of body, "center" for readings, "commune" with gods, etc. Hypnotherapists have acknowledge that this trance state achieved in Eastern and New Age meditation and similar techniques is the same state that is induced under hypnosis. All I am saying is that this is a dangerous state to be in, no matter what the purpose and no matter who the hypnotist is.

 

i always understood hypnosis to be the mesmerism of the OT, I think it was prohibited for good reason, my mother-in-law used it to lose weight and she started eating all kings of weird combinations of food

 

hyp·no·sis (hp-nss)
n. pl. hyp·no·ses (-sz)

An artificially induced altered state of consciousness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and receptivity to direction


mes·mer·ism (mzm-rzm, ms-)
n.

A strong or spellbinding appeal; fascination.
Hypnotic induction believed to involve animal magnetism

 

The word "mesmerism" comes from Anton Mesmer, who was a hypnotist that went around and put people into a frenzy at times by manipulating what he called "animal magnetism" which today would be called the "vital force" or "energy." Anton Mesmer influence Phineas Quimby who influenced Mary Bakker Eddy, founder of the Christian Science Church.

Mesmer and Quimby were early forerunners of the New Thought Movement which birthed Unity School of Christianity (founded by the Fillmores), the Church of Religious Science (founded by Ernest and Fenwicke Holmes), and Christian Science, as well as other mind science groups not as well known.

Here is some info I use in my oultines when I speak on the New Age (New Thought influenced the New Age):

"Phineas Parkhurst Quimby (1802-1866), student of hypnotist Anton Mesmer, taught that: Christ is a power that has appeared throughout history; Christ came to correct wrong thinking; illness is a result of incorrect thinking; Quimby claimed he was healing like Jesus; and Quimby was filled with the “Christ-Spirit.” Influences on New Thought were: Buddhism, Hinduism, “animal magnetism” (an energy or force accessed spiritually)."_________End outline excerpt by MM

I forgot to mention that it was during one my trance states that I "met" my spirit guide.

 

I have never been hypnotized, but there is a dentist in town that hypnotizes people and works on their teeth with absolutely no pain.

That sounds better to me than Novocain.

As for acupuncture. God made certain points on our body, that when touched, can be very healing. They now have 'electronic' acupuncture where you feel no needles and your body is not penetrated.

I would rather see hypnosis and acupuncture used to control pain rather than Marijuana (which definitely alters your mind and is very addictive) or some other dangerous drugs...

Sodium Pentathol (truth serum) is used by a lot of dentists while pulling teeth. I have used this and was very glad my mouth was propped open, and stuffed with cotton, so I couldn't talk.

 

Follow the path to New Age and Occult. Satan parades around as an angel of light.

Hypnosis: Technique inducing an altered state of consciousness or trance by verbal or non-verbal stimuli. Participants experience reduced ability for critical thinking and are generally open to external suggestion. See Mesmerism. Profile available.

Trance: An spontaneous or induced altered state of consciousness, similar to hypnosis, which is often employed by channelers and mediums.

Altered States of Consciousness: Trances entered through hypnosis, meditation, drugs (including hallucinogenics), visualization, etc. State of being in which one allows the subconscious to take control and guide. May heighten one’s vulnerability to suggestion or susceptibility to deception

Visualization: New Age practice of using one’s imagination allegedly to affect or manipulate reality. Meditating on, affirmation of, or “naming” of an object or goal, which supposedly creates the desired effect through “mind over matter.” See Maya.

Maya: The Hindu principle that all is an illusion and that ultimately the physical world, contacted through the conscious mind and the five senses, does not represent reality. This philosophy is also taught by many within the New Age Movement.

Hinduism: The major world religion that originated from the ancient religions of India, which originally embraced polytheism. As a more unified world religion, Hinduism teaches pantheism; the ancient gods (especially the triad of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) are commonly interpreted as representations of the various aspects of the divine (Brahman). Human beings progress to the ultimate realization of their oneness with Brahman (often called Nirvana) through reincarnation according to the law of karma. Some of the concepts of Hinduism are incorporated, modified, and expanded upon in the New Age Movement.

Channeling: New Age term for the occult practice of Spiritualism (also called trance channeling). Spirit beings, Ascended Masters, deceased humans, familiar spirits, or animal spirits allegedly communicate important messages by temporarily entering the body and controlling the voice of a host (channel or medium). Most channelers give the same basic message, that man is a God. Profile available.

Medium: A psychic or channeler who claims to be able to contact and communicate with the dead, as in a seance. Such occult communication with the dead, known as necromancy, is forbidden in the Bible.

Necromancy: A form of divination in which a person attempts to discover the future or obtain other information through communication with the dead, typically using occult methods.

Divination: The biblical term describing attempts to gain hidden knowledge supernaturally, usually about the future, apart from the God of the Bible (Ezekiel 21:22–25, Acts 16:16). Most often props are involved such as the hand (palm reading), the stars (astrology), cards (Tarot), or random symbols (I Ching).

HYPNOSIS
by James K. Walker
Founder: The father of modern hypnosis is Franz Anton Mesmer.

Founding date: A practice of unknown, ancient origin, modern hypnosis can be traced to Mesmer's therapeutic use of Animal Magnetism in 1773.

Other Names and Related Terms: Mesmerism, Trance, Altered States of Consciousness, Induction, Hypnotherapy, Post Hypnotic Suggestion, Past Life Therapy.


HISTORY
Hypnosis has long been linked to ancient religious practices and eastern mystical experiences involving similar trance states or altered states of consciousness. Such altered states are essential to such practices as out-of-body experiences, astral projection, and Yoga. William Kroger, M.D. and William Fezler Ph.D. maintain that, "hypnosis has been practiced in one form or another in the civilized and uncivilized world under many different labels since the dawn of history." They further note that historically elements of hypnosis have been an integral part of pagan religious practices and world religions including Assyro-Babylonian exorcism, Egyptian soothsaying, Jewish mysticism, Byzantine Catholicism, Chinese Taoism, Sufism, Hinduism, Shintoism, forms of Buddhism (Tibetan and Zen), and Yoga (Hypnosis and Behavior Modification, pp. 6–8).
The modern practice of hypnosis in Europe and America, however, can be traced to the controversial practice of German physician Fanz Anton Mesmer (1734–1815) who developed a technique known as Mesmerism. His practice was based on a theory called "Animal Magnetism" which held that the human body contains an invisible "fluid" that is affected by the planets and stars or by magnets. Blockage of the fluid was thought to be the cause of much disease and Mesmer believed that he could release the blockage through a crisis event that consisted of a trance state utilizing iron rods and "magnetic fluid." As part of his treatment, Mesmer "walked around, touched the patients; they fell into convulsions, sweated, vomited, cried — and were healed" ("Mesmerism," Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, Vol. 2, p. 598).

The medical establishment largely rejected Mesmer's theories attributing the alleged healings to vivid imaginations. Others rejected the animal magnetism explanation but focused on the accompanying trance noting that mesmerized patients appeared to be "subject to the least suggestion, whether by word, look, gesture or thought." Eventually, occult practitioners such as clairvoyants and spiritualists incorporated variations of Mesmer's techniques further alienating Mesmerism from traditional medicine (Ibid.).

In Britain efforts to harmonize Mesmerism were made by divorcing the induced trance from Mesmer's theories of Animal Magnetism. The Scottish physician, James Braid (1795–1860) coined the word "hypnosis" after discovering that all of the effects of mesmeric trances — including hallucination — could be achieved without the presence of magnets. By 1893 a committee of the British Medical Association concluded that the mesmeric state was different than the hypnotic state and that the latter was beneficial in relieving certain pain and disorders (Ibid., p. 599).

Experimentation with hypnosis played an important part in the early development of Psychiatry and Psychology. Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) used hypnotic suggestion as an integral part of his therapy until it was gradually replaced by his "free association" psychoanalytic technique. Freud never rejected hypnosis. Indeed, he claimed that it was the future of analysis, seeing his "free association" as a natural outgrowth of hypnosis ("Freud, Sigmund," "Hypnosis," Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology, pp. 430, 543).

Hypnosis was eventually incorporated into Psychology and seen as an adjunct therapy. The term "Hypnotherapy" was later adapted to describe "the use of hypnosis as a technique to be employed in conjunction with other skills by a trained psychotherapist, physician, or dentist." One popular technique is Indirect Hypnotherapy, developed by Milton Erickson, in which elements of hypnosis are subtly introduced or "embedded" into counseling sessions without the client's knowledge. This form of hypnosis was influential in the development of Neurolinguistic Programming by Richard Bandler and Dr. John Grinder. ("Hypnotherapy," "Hypnotherapy, Indirect," "Neurolinguistic Programming," Baker, p. 547, 548, 754.)

Another form of Hypnotherapy involves the discovery of forgotten or repressed memories. Just as a hypnotist can effectively suggest that the subject "forget" events that take place during the trance, he can also elicit memories or details of events long forgotten by the conscious mind. Critics warn that these "recovered memories" may not correspond with reality. The phenomenon is too similar to the testimonies of those who are able to "remember" through hypnosis being abducted by aliens on a UFO or to those who recount vivid memories of reincarnation after being regressed back to some alleged previous lifetime (John Ankerberg, John Weldon, Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs, pp. 334–335).

Many of the early myths of hypnosis have been disproved and the medical and mental healthcare communities have generally accepted the practice. Many Christians, however, remain troubled by its occult history, the lack of a scientific consensus on how or why hypnosis works, the potential of unethical influence, and its possible link to biblical prohibitions against "charming" or "enchanting" (Ibid., pp. 309–310).


THEORY
One of the troubling aspects of Hypnosis is that there is no generally accepted theory to explain either physiologically or psychologically exactly what is taking place in the human mind under hypnosis. "Psychologically, hypnosis has been explained as a role-playing response, a primitive phylogenetic response, a conditioned response, a special from of transference, or a regressive phenomenon. Research continues on all these theories, and currently none can be eliminated" ("Hypnosis," Baker, p. 545).
While no one can fully explain how or why it works, there is a generally accepted theory regarding the effect of hypnosis — a substantially reduced ability to think rationally and a remarkable susceptibility to suggestion. When a subject is hypnotized, the result is a "shift in concentration, executed in a passive manner (such as occurs in daydreaming or sleeping), resulting in a state of consciousness distinguishably different from alertness or ordinary sleep. It is characterized by narrowing of attention, reduced rational criticalness, and increased response to suggestion" (Ibid.).

This phenomenon is demonstrated by stage hypnotists who can convince their subjects to believe preposterous claims or perform ridiculous and embarrassing acts. The hypnotized subject has evidently lost much of his or her ability to think critically and seems perfectly willing to believe as fact whatever the hypnotist suggests. Apparently, the subconscious mind, under the influence of hypnosis has difficulty with epistemological and ethical discernment. The hypnotized subject has a sharp decline in his or her ability to tell fact from fantasy or to decide between what is right or wrong. The loss of ethical or moral decision-making skills is discussed by Ankerberg and Weldon who cite Dr. J. Meerloo, a psychiatric consultant in the geriatric department of the Municipal Health Service of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Meerloo warns, "Several textbooks on hypnosis inform us that the patients' superego is strong enough to protect him against immoral suggestions given in a trance. Experimental hypnosis has shown that this is not the case. The art of moral seduction is based on repeated fragmentized suggestions that gradually permit the other party to give in to what he or she would never have done without those repeated suggestions…. The act of suicide, especially, can be suggested…. I called this criminal suggestive strategy psychic homicide…" (Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs, p. 318).

Concerning the potential dangers and/or misuse of hypnosis, Ankerberg and Weldon cite seven published studies from The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis and the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis (Ibid.).


INDUCTION TECHNIQUES
Stereotyped by cinema and television is the classic induction technique of a swinging pendulum or a pocket watch waved back and forth in front of the eyes of the subject. While professionals may be able to induce hypnosis using a variation of this technique, the practice of swinging a pendulum seems to be somewhat rare.
Leslie M. LeCron writes, "Gadgets of one kind or another are sometimes used in inductions, although they are quite unnecessary." He recommends induction techniques involving combinations of the following: guided imagery, visualization, counting backwards, eye fixation, breath control and slightly swaying the subject's upper body in a slight clockwise circle (The Complete Guide to Hypnosis, pp. 63–71).

Guided Imagery, considered one of the most powerful induction techniques, consists of talking the subject through an imaginary journey where with a soft voice the hypnotist takes them on a walk through the forest or a trip to the beach. "Good, now I want you to picture yourself strolling in the park on a lovely summer day…. Go to the hammock, let your body sink into it…." Throughout the exercise the subject is given suggestions to reinforce or deepen the trance. "As you walk along feeling so peaceful, so relaxed…" (Rachel Copelan, How to Hypnotize Yourself and Others, pp. 94–95).

Exercises like this are sometimes used in the workplace and are often used in schools (kindergarten through college). The practice may be called directed fantasy, guided meditation, day at the beach, mini-vacation, etc. Because of its popularity, it is disturbing to know that this practice is recognized by much of the popular literature as one of the standard induction techniques for hypnosis.

"Many styles of induction exist, all incorporating a gradual shift in attention with a reduction in external awareness…. Frequently the induction encourages the subject to focus his attention, either through focusing his eyes on something external (eye fixation technique) or through focusing internally on breathing or any other sensation (e.g., muscle tension). Further suggestions of comfort, relaxation, or rest are then clearly and calmly given along with compatible visual, auditory, or physical images such as a beach, stairs, or floating on clouds" (Baker, p. 546).

A common misconception concerning induction is that one can never be hypnotized against the will. Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology notes that this is only a half-truth. "A hypnotic induction does require the cooperation of the individual, and a trance can be resisted. Nevertheless, the individual's participation may not be a conscious response, and people can enter into hypnosis without knowing that they do so. Erickson is famous in this regard, due to his skill... to induce a trance without preparation or awareness by the subject. The ethics of this may be debated…" ("Hypnosis," p. 544). Hypnotic induction can take place without the subject's knowledge or permission. In theory, once induced suggestions and commands given can have long-lasting effects through a phenomenon known as post hypnotic suggestion.


BIBLICAL RESPONSE
The Bible warns against the practice of "charming"(chabar or lachash) and "enchanting" (nachash) (Deuteronomy 18:10-11, Isaiah 19:3). The exact meanings of the underlying Hebrew words are debatable. Brown, Driver, and Briggs note that the Hebrew root chabar primarily means to unite, bind together, or make occult spells but it is sometimes used in reference to charming a snake — a practice ostensibly similar to human hypnosis (A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, p. 288). Consistent with the voice of the hypnotist during induction, the Hebrew root word lachash translated charmer can be defined "to speak in a soft and gentle manner; applied to the charming of serpents, probably by soft and gentle sounds" (William Wilson, Wilson's Old Testament Word Studies, p 74).
It is difficult to know if "charming" is a direct reference to hypnosis as the evidence is somewhat circumstantial. The Bible, however, is replete with clear admonitions against involvement with the occult (Leviticus 19:26, 31; 2 Kings 21:6; Isaiah 47:9-13; Acts 8:9-11). This would prohibit any Christian association in those aspects of hypnosis that directly relate to the occult (spiritualism, channeling, past-life regression, divination, etc.) But what about non-religious use of hypnosis such as medical or psychological? Josh McDowell and John Stewart see a possible medical use (e.g., anesthesia) for hypnosis but warn: "A therapist may use hypnosis for crime investigation, UFO abduction recall, Satanic ritual abuse recall, multiple personality investigation, or some form of therapy. These are all spiritually dangerous because they release the mind to fantasize uncontrolled by reason" (The Occult, p. 113).

There is general agreement that hypnotized individuals are somewhat vulnerable to uncritically accepting as true any suggestion given by the hypnotist. This factor alone creates the potential for misuse and deception. Some Christian researchers go a step further warning that it is possible for hypnotized subjects to be influenced by voices other than that of the hypnotist. They believe that in a trance state one is more susceptible to demonic oppression or even possession — especially if the subject has a history of occult experimentation (Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs, pp. 327-31).

Hypnosis can be indirectly linked to biblical admonitions against "charming." It is historically linked to pagan and occult practices. Even proponents warn of the potential for misuse or unethical application. These factors coupled with the absence of a provable neutral, non-religious theory of hypnosis make hypnosis a potentially dangerous practice not recommended for Christians.

http://www.watchman.org/profile/hypnopro.htm

 

I saw on the tv guide channel recently this guy was hypnotizing people on the streets and making themvery embarresing stuff. Like proclaiming love and devotion to a light post, and two girls actually argued over which of them the light post should choose for marriage, as passers by stopped to laugh at them. Doesn't sound like something people would normally do does it, the suggestion can casue people to do things they in their normal life would not do. And of course we've all heard of people being given suggestions to some activity, like stop smoking or biting nails, apparently anything can be made as a suggestion to anyone under hypnosis. A hypnotized person in not in control of themselves, but accepts suggestions from the hypnotizer. But the bible tells us the fruit of the spirit is self control, which the hypnotized person no longer has.

 

I'd liked to have punched you for that one, Blessed! I'm already in a lot of pain and I couldn't stop laughing over that comment.

I'm not going to fight this. I know hypnosis is being used AND IS EFFECTIVE IN CRIME. I have a past, too, Marcia, and I'll fight to my death to see victims gain victory over those who have been guilty for crimes they seem to get away with every day. Just because it can't be used in court does NOT mean it's not useful, has never been useful, and doesn't help. I'm in too much pain now to research this further, but I will when I feel better.

Lie detectors are also prohibited as evidence in court, but that, also has been instrumental in getting the suspects.

Here's another thing to think about: Many of us women have decided against using pain medication in childbirth, so we opt for natural childbirth. What is natural childbirth?

You have certain rhythmic breathing exercises and control your breathing when a contraction begins...continue to control the breathing until the contraction passes.

While the mother is breathing rhythmically, she focuses on ONE SPECIFIC focal point, trying to block out any other distractions.

As the contraction worsens, the breathing is to become more controled. This is supposed to control the pain.

Sound familiar? When I was reading your website (yes, I told you I researched everything, pro and con) I got to the page about meditation and it sounded very familiar...then I remembered why. This was the same techniques taught in natural childbirth.

Back in 1986, we couldn't have children without medication unless we took the class, first. We even got a cute little certificate that proved we took the class.

Our husband could not be with us during childbirth unless he took the class and he participated in it as the coach. The coach had to squeeze our arm, simulating the contraction. As the squeeze got firmer, we had to practice the breathing while focusing on the object. Mine was a stuffed bear. We had to bring the focus point with us to the hospital.

Unfortunately, my husband didn't get the concept of squeezing the arm, so when I went into my REAL contractions, my husband grabbed my arm, began to squeeze harder and harder. I couldn't convince him that he was NOT SUPPOSED to squeeze my arm any more. In his defense, I think he thought the armsqueeze was supposed to take my mind off the small pain I was experiencing in my belly.

So, Marcia, I'm assuming you are against natural childbirth techniques, also?

 

Originally posted by I Am Blessed 16:

Originally posted by Victory in Jesus:

Sorry VIJ, but you ladies aren't the only one with a past.

 

Nah... that's NEW AGE natural childbirth. I didn't do any classes or fancy breathing when I gave birth to 3 with no meds. You just dealt with the pain and told your husband he was NEVER touching you AGAIN... and then pushed one last time....