Hypnosis is a popular topic in the modern day, and many people are practicing it. According to the Cleveland Clinic, "Hypnosis, also called hypnotherapy, is a state of deep relaxation and focused concentration. It's a type of mind-body medicine."
As we can see, many people use it as a type of medicine or something to help them relax. With this in mind, we need to know what the Bible says. Is it okay to participate in hypnosis?
There will be opposing views on each side; however, it is best to see what the Bible says. Despite the Bible not saying anything directly about hypnosis, we can learn from what the Bible tells us to help us make an informed decision on this practice. If you are someone who practices hypnosis, it is especially important for you to stay tuned also.
Understanding Hypnosis
The Cleveland Clinic defines hypnosis as something that is relatively not harmful. If anything, it sounds really beneficial and something that could help you in your everyday life. Despite this misleading concept, hypnosis is not a good thing.
As someone who goes to therapy, I have often been to many therapists who practice hypnosis. I have always declined this practice as I know it is something that does not adhere to my faith.
While the Bible never directly speaks of hypnosis, we can know it is not the best thing to do to help us grow in our relationship with God.
Hypnosis can take you "out of your body" and can cause you to disassociate from real life. It is not too far from being altered in your thinking, which can significantly change the way you view things.
While it can be understandable that many people turn to hypnosis when they are under severe emotional distress, this is not the way to go. You need to turn to God and place your focus on Him.
Hypnosis tries to get you to control the circumstance, yet God is the one we need to turn to. Never are we in control of our lives — only God is in control.
Seeking Control
Hypnosis also gives you the allusion that it helps you with self-control or with removing your mind in difficult circumstances. From the Bible, we are told that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and something that the Spirit cultivates in our lives.
We cannot learn true self-control apart from the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As far as removing our minds from difficult situations, this is also something we need to bring before the Lord.
Whenever we are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, we need to seek Him out in prayer and Bible study. We don't need to turn to hypnosis to try to hypnotize ourselves into doing or thinking something else.
We can also see it is wrong to use hypnosis because those who practice it claim it gives them inner calmness. While many could relate this to the New Age movement, we can focus on this claim of calmness and how it differs from the calmness and peace that is only found in Jesus.
Hypnosis might trick our brains into a certain feeling or a certain flow, but it cannot give us real peace and calmness. Rather, it gives us these things temporarily and quickly goes away.
Real calmness and peace are only found in Christ. You can practice hypnosis all day and still find yourself stressed out by the events of the day.
Maybe you aren't stressed about school or work, but maybe you are stressed about death or what happens after death. Hypnosis cannot cure you of this, nor can it save you from death.
Sadly, many people self-medicate with hypnosis to ignore these pressing issues, yet there is great strength in addressing these things.
We will all die one day, and we will go to one of two places — heaven or hell. Where we go is ultimately up to us. Hypnosis cannot take us to either of these places as it is only a practice that is utilized in this present world.
If we place faith in Jesus, we are given salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and life eternally with Him in heaven. However, if we fail to place faith in Jesus, we will go to hell when we die.
As much as you might enjoy hypnosis or its temporary side effects, know that it cannot give you what Jesus can.
Jesus gives you eternal life, peace, and calmness. By just knowing Him as your Savior and Lord, your life will change. If you are practicing hypnosis, it could be something tragic that recently happened or you wanted to try something new in therapy.
While the Bible never strictly talks about hypnosis, it is best to conclude that it is not something Christians should practice. Rather than being involved with hypnosis, try traditional therapy. There is nothing wrong with therapy, yet it is important to stay away from hypnosis.
Turning Away from Hypnosis
If you are already involved with hypnosis and find it hard to get out, turn to God in prayer. Tell Him how you are feeling and how hard it is to stop engaging in hypnosis. He will understand and will help you in your struggle.
As you pray, be genuine in your prayers and tell Him everything. You might find this is even more helpful than hypnosis and address your feelings as they cross your mind.
After you have prayed, go to the Bible in your study and read what God is trying to say to you. God speaks to us mainly through the Bible today; therefore, it is best to turn to it when you need to hear from God.
If you are not sure where to start, try one of the gospels or the Book of Psalms. Any of these books can quickly connect with you and help you feel at ease.
In fact, whenever you feel tempted to turn to hypnosis, turn to your favorite passage in any of these books of the Bible. I can assure you that you will feel much better after praying and Bible reading than you would if you turned to hypnosis.
Life can be challenging at times, but you are not in this race alone. More often than not, people turn to hypnosis when they are going through a challenging time. If you resonate with this, know you are not alone and that things will get better.
Turn to the Lord instead of hypnosis, and you will see the benefits of turning to Him. God provides you with lasting peace, and it doesn't fade away. The effects of hypnosis will fade away, yet God's peace is always on our minds.
We have the peace of knowing that He is always with us and that He will never leave our side. Even in death, the Lord is walking beside us and giving us peace. With hypnosis, you will still have fears over these things because the issue was never addressed.
However, with the Lord, you can have real peace and peace that lasts. Even though the Bible doesn't contain information on hypnosis, we know it is not the answer.
It is more beneficial and right if we turn to the Lord in prayer and Bible reading. In the Lord, there is peace, hope, and salvation. We cannot find these things in anyone or anything else.
For further reading:
Can Christians Manifest Their Lives?
Is the Power of Positive Thinking Biblical?
What Does the Bible Say about the Mind?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/bymuratdeniz
