Saints' Discussion Forums

I was reading an article on hypnosis recently, and the definition given was this:

"a state of mental absorption in which all distracting thoughts are for the moment warded off, and only such thoughts as are suggested by the hypnotist reach the consciousness of the patient. The essence of hypnotism is the concentration of mind on one idea or only a few ideas dictated by the hypnotist."

I want to throw that one by my father..

But what I immediately thought was:

Sounds to me like a person sitting in front of a TV, movie, or computer long enough.

In other words, that suggestive open state of mind, taking in whatever is placed before it -- this can occur especially with TV and movies, but also with the computers, music..

Thoughts?

Depending what you are seeing on those media communicators makes the difference. If you are watching commercial free, good Catholic television or this forum or .... then as long as prayer and charity are part of the equation all's good. However  :o ::)

The article was an excerpt from something larger called "Medical Ethics" by Edwin F. Healy, S.J. published in 1956.

I'll quote a bit more of it:

Hypnotism consists of a "state of mental absorption in which all distracting thoughts are for the moment warded off, and only such thoughts as are suggested by the hypnotist reach the consciousness of the patient. The essence of hypnotism is the concentration of mind on one idea or only a few ideas dictated by the hypnotist."1 If the hypnotist is not skilled in this practice, the patient may suffer various evil effects. Among the deleterious effects that may be produced are (1) an abnormal proneness to become drowsy and to fall asleep; (2) a detachment, more or less pronounced, from reality, even though the patient is to all appearances in a state of wakefulness; (3) an occasional loss of memory and of mental equilibrium resulting in increased irritability; (4) incoherence of speech. The hypnotist has the subject in his power and can strongly influence his mind. He is able, moreover, to force him to reveal secret knowledge, to fill his memory with unwholesome suggestions, and even to perpetrate immoral actions with him.

There is of course nothing wrong in itself with the practice of hypnotism, and therefore under certain conditions its use would be licit. Since hypnotism, however, violently deprives the subject of the full use of reason and free will, a justifying cause is required for allowing it to be practiced. Hypnotism may be licitly used provided three conditions are verified: (1) there is present a grave reason, (2) the consent of the subject is obtained, and (3) due precautions are observed. We shall explain in detail the meaning of these three conditions.

A Grave Reason. A proportionate cause is required in order that one licitly be hypnotized, for we are not permitted to give up, without a compensatory reason, our dominion over the faculties of the understanding and the will.

Shin I've read an article on this a long time ago by a priest who was warning of New Age therapies like Rieki and such. He talked too about hypnosis. I don't remember quite what he said but after reading that it can be a gateway to unholy spirits I resolved that I would steer clear of it.
It may indeed have it's uses in the medical field but I don't trust it at all.

In the words of my old Grandma, "If you have to ask if a think is right, it's most probably not.  :irishwisdom:

Grandma's are so wise! You put things in such down to earth terms, Martin. I like that.

Yes, that was exactly what I was thinking of Martin.. but I was wondering if someone else would bring it up too.. and you did!

Mechanical meditation techniques, the controversies over 'centering prayer'.. and then this device..

Which, I might add, does not produce a constant image of light, but which is set to a frequency, of constant repetitive refreshing of the images it produces.

Just like a watch swinging back and forth, or a constant repetitive drum beat.

By the way, notice how repetitive popular music has gotten? And how it is prone to get stuck in the mind because of this?

I;ve certainly noticed that with so called Rave Music. You can hear it pounding out of cars that pass by with young drivers and you don't hear music but just the constant repetitive thump thump thump.
I do believe that much of todays music (and entertainment) is under the control of the eveil one.

I'm thinking now that you mention it also of the cultural revolution that occurred as television spread.

It's a good thing to note Martin, that repetitive beat, which is almost all some of that music is, in this context, predisposes more towards a suggestive state -- along with of course, the natural way all tend to listen to any kind of music, that is, letting the music move the interior life, in whatever way the music tends to move -- as the composer desires, putting our hearts so to speak, in the hands of another.

Now, I remember awhile back posting an article on nuns and the bad affects of television on students and their moral and spiritual lives, and so school lives.

All these things offer immediate gratification -- without work on our part, we are passive largely, when we listen to music, watch TV.. the mind is especially dulled during the latter.

The goal of the tempter of course, is to get us to give into temptations. What better method to do so, than for us to be passive and receptive to temptation and the pleasures it offers? Then when we 'do as our hearts tell us' or 'do what comes naturally'.. this might be something quite different than someone who has never touched these things.

I think this is more a fact than a maybe..
Although I wouldn't be the best judge in the matter I feel that I'm finding it easier to think more clearly since i gave up TV. .. One of the many benefits I believe in doing so.
From your own experience of ditching the box would you agree that this is so Shin?

Sorry I didn't get in earlier on this conversation.  I was trained in hypnosis.  The definition above is fairly accurate.  People won't do anything they usually wouldn't do if they were not under hypnosis.  For example, they won't murder someone if told to.  There is always part of the conscious mind alert.  Also, we go into trance states all the time: on a long boring stretch of highway, in the shower, etc.  Any time you "wake up" from what you were doing and wonder what happened to the time, you were in a trance state.  And there is the issue of some people being more prone to suggestion than others.  Anyone can shape memories.  We do it all the time with family stories.

I believe the church is fine with its use but cautions prudence.  Perhaps someone already said this........ I just got told by DH that it is time to walk the dog.......Bye!

Yes, thanks for coming in I was hoping for you to help out on this one Bailey2.

You're making me think a good deal about those long boring stretches on the highway now. :D

 :rotfl: :rotflblue: :happyroll:

next weekend I'll be driving 8 hrs each way  :o  for a weekend hockey tournament!  At night!  Oh my, grab that starbucks!

Interesting Baily.. Maybe prayer is a bit like that only instead of getting immersed in trivial things we immerse ourselves in contemplation of God.

St Frances Borgia was a man of much prayer, in which he would remain, as if in ecstasy, sometimes for six hours in succession, which appeared to him but a moment.

I do think though that passively sitting watching Tv can allow our minds to absorb much of what we see and hear, oblivious of the fact that it is actually having an effect on us. I know many good practicing catholic people who believe that this cannot effect them but I know for sure that they have become accepting of certain things that they would never have considered acceptable if there were not some subtle influences working on them that they aren't even aware of.

Now that sounds like a tough trip! We must pray for you on it! Sts. Christopher, Anthony, Michael, and Raphael, orate pro nobis! Those are the ones I ask for help before every trip!

Be careful to pace yourself properly!

I remember once reading about how highways are or should be designed not to be completely straight for too long periods of time, because that can have a hypnotic effect.