Jenks Hypnosis and Training Center, LLC

805 N. Fir, Jenks, OK 74037    (918) 298-6884
Located in Jenks, America, near the heart of south Tulsa

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Hypnosis and Christianity

Frequently, I am asked how I justify hypnosis and my religion. I'm not sure I know just how to answer that. And whatever answers I have are strictly my own beliefs. I believe whatever talent I have as a hypnotist is a gift from God. I believe we are charged by God to use all the gifts He has given us - like the parable of the talents. Others believe hypnosis is a tool of the Devil. Fortified by Deuteronomy 18: 10-11, they denounce the power and usage of this gift. "There shall not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire or that useth divination or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits or a wizard or a necromancer." (King James Version.)

Before we can really understand what is being said, we need to understand what each of these words mean. Divination is false prophesying. One who attempts to learn the will of the gods (you'll notice this is plural and lower case) in order to manipulate circumstances. Enchanter: One who casts magic spells. Witch: To whisper a spell, enchant or practice magic - a sorcerer. Charmer: One who deals in spells, pretending to achieve desired results by use of spells or charms. Consulter: One who asks or inquires of a divining spirit. Wizard: Originally, this meant "wise one" and did not convey evil. It came to mean a pretender to supernatural knowledge and power, a knowing one as the original Hebrew word signifies. Necromancer: One who calls up the dead to learn the future.

None of these definitions describe hypnosis or hypnotists. There is no magic in hypnosis, no spells cast, no dead resurrected to speak of the future and no prophesying. Still, there are those who assert that hypnosis allows demons forces access to the unconscious mind, that the Devil, rather than the Holy Spirit, is in control. Nothing is all good or all bad. And so it is with hypnosis. There are those in my profession who are unprincipled and prey on the unsuspecting and uneducated. You will find those in every profession. There are those in my profession that adhere to strict standards of ethics and endeavor to provide clients with a positive experience as well as positive results. You will find these in every profession as well.

What does all this hoopla boil down to? Myths, misunderstandings, misinformation and misinterpretations. Many times, the only experience people have of hypnosis is from movies or stage shows. Neither is particularly appropriate to hypnotherapy since they portray hypnosis as a means of total control. Hypnosis is a consent state. If you don't consent, it doesn't happen. Since a person is acutely aware of everything being said, done and suggested, anything that is against a personal code of ethics or moral standard is simply ignored. How can that be control by another person? I face this frequently in my practice. I have many clients who say they want to be a non smoker but when in comes right down to doing it - they don't want to quit. No matter what I do (or any one else for than matter), they will remain smokers. They simply refuse to accept or act on the suggestions.

The biggest obstacle and greatest hindrance I face is undoing the notion of "being under another person's control". I remember story after story in TV shows and movies that showed the "evil" power of hypnosis - a person blithely walks off a cliff, another willingly drinks poison, robs a bank or commits murder. While this may make an interesting plot twist (and I am all for plot twists), it is completely fabricated. Because if it is against your personal code of conduct YOU WON'T DO IT!

Back to reconciling my religion and hypnosis. I profess a deep and abiding faith in a risen Lord and Savior. I am Methodist and I am very active in my church. My pastor is supportive of my profession and frequently encourages people she councils to see me. Does every Methodist believe this way? No. There are those of my faith, in my own family, who believe hypnosis is evil. What do I do about them? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

My beliefs are my own. Their beliefs are their own. The twain may never meet, but we both are entitled to our opinions and our beliefs. There are more than enough people eager to experience hypnosis to keep me well occupied. There is no need for me to crusade against someone else's beliefs. My abilities to lead a person to self understanding and positive changes are a gift and I am blessed to be able to provide this service. Every client is given the opportunity to take the Higher Powers with them on their journey and it is strictly their choice. But whether or not God walks with my clients, He always walks with me.