Keywords float in your mind: “what the church says about hypnosis”. This coexistence between tradition and technique stirs your curiosity. Let me reveal something: you are not alone in this regard. Many wonder about the union between religious tradition and practices like hypnosis. It’s great that we found each other! We will approach this topic with the objectivity and transparency you need.

We are the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH), and our mission is to expand the perception of hypnosis as a valuable practice for emotional health. Our approach is based on scientific and ethical guidelines and is naturally cross-sectional to the field of faith and religion.

Clinical hypnosis has proven to be a strong ally in health, especially in managing stress and anxiety. However, much is asked: What is the church’s view on hypnosis? Is there a contradiction between the principles of faith and the practice of hypnosis? Let’s understand more about this together.

Here, we will unravel this odyssey from a technical elucidation of what hypnosis is, through the history of this practice in light of religion, to current positions on the subject. We will address ethical issues, the scientific support of hypnosis, and, more interestingly, professional realities that combine faith and hypnosis. Therefore, we invite you to walk this path with us!

Are you ready for this journey? Then let’s go!

Basic understanding of hypnosis

First of all, it is essential to clarify what hypnosis is. It is defined as an intentionally induced state of consciousness, characterized by focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness, allowing for a greater capacity to respond to suggestion. This suggestion, in turn, is a way of directing automatic thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to achieve some therapeutic goal.

Many associate hypnosis with a state of sleep or unconsciousness, but this is a misconception. In fact, the person in a state of hypnosis is fully conscious. However, they are so focused that they ignore irrelevant external stimuli and remain focused only on the suggestions offered by the hypnotist.

It is worth noting that hypnosis is not a magical or esoteric practice but is based on scientific evidence. It offers various benefits in different areas of health. “What does the church say about hypnosis?” – many ask. The crucial point here is that the church does not condemn practices aimed at well-being and health, as long as they are employed ethically and responsibly.

Therefore, hypnosis is an effective and scientific method for addressing issues related to stress, anxiety, phobias, pain, insomnia, among others. People who wish to work helping others with clinical hypnosis can do so safely and responsibly after proper training and certification.

History of hypnosis in the Church

When examining the history of hypnosis in the church, there are records of both acceptance and rejection. First of all, it is important to highlight that hypnosis as a therapeutic practice is relatively recent, being recognized as such only in recent centuries. However, we can find practices analogous to hypnosis in various religious traditions long before that. The “religious trance,” for example, is a common practice in many cultures around the world, with ritual characteristics that somewhat resemble modern hypnosis practice.

In the Christian tradition specifically, there have been times when practices similar to hypnosis were used for therapeutic, spiritual, and healing purposes. On the other hand, there were also times when these practices were condemned, often for being seen as manipulative or potentially subverting the individual’s faith or morality.

Looking at the 19th century, we can see an important cleavage in the church’s relationship with hypnosis, often divided between acceptance and mistrust. Indeed, the controversial and complex history of hypnosis and the church leads us to ask: “what does the church say about hypnosis?”

This question leads us to the next chapter of our story, where we will explore the current positioning of churches on hypnosis.

Current Church position on hypnosis

When we talk about “what the church says about hypnosis“, it is necessary to consider that the church’s position regarding the practice of hypnosis, especially clinical hypnosis, has evolved over time. Today, there is no unanimous position among the various Christian branches. However, many of them recognize and accept the use of hypnosis as a tool in health promotion.

In general, the Catholic Church, for example, considers the use of hypnosis acceptable, provided it is used for therapeutic purposes and does not go against the moral principles of Christianity. A Vatican statement in 1956 already expressed this position, endorsing the use of hypnosis by qualified health professionals, always respecting the dignity and freedom of the person.

On the other hand, there are more conservative branches of Christian religions that still view the use of hypnosis with reservations, mistakenly associating it with occult or supernatural practices. This occurs due to a lack of knowledge about the scientific nature and benefits that clinical hypnosis can bring.

It is noted that the acceptance or rejection of hypnosis is not an exclusively religious matter, but is also linked to the understanding and knowledge that each person has on the subject. Therefore, correct and safe information is necessary to demystify any prejudice.

Hypnosis and religious ethics

When considering the relationship between hypnosis and religious ethics, it is important to understand that the practice of hypnosis does not oppose religious principles. In general, objections to hypnosis are often related to misunderstandings or misinformation about its nature and uses.

Firstly, hypnosis is not about controlling someone’s mind. It is fundamentally a state of intense concentration and inner focus, where the person maintains full control over their actions and decisions. Thus, the idea that hypnosis could lead someone to act against their principles or beliefs does not hold.

Secondly, hypnosis is now recognized as an effective clinical tool for treating various mental and physical health conditions. This is not in conflict with the health care advocated by various religious traditions.

Finally, it is important to remember that hypnosis is a discipline based on rigorous scientific protocols. Turning it into something mystical or supernatural is a big mistake. It is based on proven neurobiological and psychological processes, having nothing to do with spirituality or religion.

Therefore, when questioning “what does the church say about hypnosis”, we discover that hypnosis – as an ethical and scientific practice – is not at odds with religious teachings. Like any other aspect of life, respect for individual freedom and professional ethics are crucial principles in the practice of hypnosis.

Hypnosis: a health tool approved by professional entities

When thinking about “what does the church say about hypnosis”, it may be surprising to find that it is recognized as a valid tool by various professional entities in the health field, including the renowned American Psychological Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

These organizations state that hypnosis can be an excellent ally in treating disorders such as anxiety, stress, phobias, eating disorders, and sleep disorders. Such broad professional recognition highlights its validity and effectiveness.

Most impressively, in Brazil, several federal bodies representing different professional categories have recognized hypnosis as a clinical tool. Among them are the Federal Councils of Dentistry, Medicine, Psychology, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Nursing, and Speech Therapy.

In this sense, hypnosis is not just a therapeutic aid but is also supported by numerous health organizations at both national and international levels. This means that the practice of hypnosis is a legitimate and approved treatment strategy.

Therefore, if you are considering a career in clinical hypnosis, you can feel secure knowing that hypnosis has serious backing from the medical and health community. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, helping them overcome their mental, emotional, and physical health issues.

Scientific hypnosis and its effectiveness in stress and anxiety control

When we talk about controlling stress and anxiety, scientific hypnosis stands out. It may seem strange, but know that this approach makes perfect sense to assist in these treatments.

As we often say, everything that stress and anxiety can worsen, hypnosis can help. This is because it functions as an aid to enhance treatments based on scientific evidence.

“But how can hypnosis be effective in controlling stress and anxiety?” – you might be wondering.

Scientific studies indicate that hypnosis can help control the physical signs of stress and anxiety, such as palpitations and excessive sweating. Additionally, it can help reduce negative thoughts and compulsive impulses, common in cases of intense anxiety.

A significant advantage of scientific hypnosis is that it does not present unwanted side effects. However, it is important to emphasize: it must be applied by a trained and ethical professional.

And if there is still any doubt about what the church says about hypnosis, remember: we, at the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis, know that it can be a valuable healing tool when used responsibly and for the patient’s benefit.

So, what are you waiting for to discover more about hypnosis?

How SBH views the relationship between hypnosis and faith

Starting from the fundamental premise that hypnosis is a tool focused on health assistance, what the Church says about hypnosis and faith does not concern the clinical practice of hypnosis. Unfortunately, hypnosis, through its popularization in entertainment contexts, has often been associated with practices of control, domination, or intervention on individual freedom. And this is far from the clinical hypnosis technique practiced according to ethical and scientific standards.

In the understanding of SBH, hypnosis and faith satisfy different issues in the human realm. Faith provides spiritual support, offering comfort, hope, and resilience. Hypnosis, in turn, seeks to assist in the treatment of psychological and emotional conditions, aiming to minimize symptoms such as stress and anxiety, for example.

We consider it of vital importance to highlight that clinical hypnosis does not interfere with the principles, convictions, or value judgments of the person being hypnotized. It does not include or involve religious or faith practices. We are very clear that the patient’s faith must always be respected.

In the view of the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis, it is entirely possible to combine hypnosis treatments with religious practices, always under the prism of respect and ethics.

Hypnosis: practices and terms in focus at SBH

SBH allows for an enlightened and safe practice of hypnosis, focusing on appropriate language and terminology. After all, words have power, and in the field of hypnosis, they can be decisive in inducing the hypnotic trance.

One aspect in which we differentiate is the avoidance of the terms “subconscious” and “mental reprogramming”. Instead, we prefer “automatic thoughts or behaviors”, which reflect the essence of the practice more appropriately. Understanding that we are influenced by automatic thoughts and behaviors is fundamental in hypnosis, helping to explain “what the church says about hypnosis” in this aspect.

We also value the integration of hypnosis with other well-founded practices and theories. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy, an effective treatment method for a range of psychological disorders. Hypnosis, when combined with this therapeutic approach, can increase the effectiveness of the treatment.

Another concept we embrace is the “Open Placebo” by Dr. Irving Kirsch. This concept explores the idea that even when participants know they are receiving a placebo, they can still experience improvement in their symptoms. It is a view that challenges prejudices and opens new paths for understanding the human mind.

At SBH, we are committed to providing a clear and precise understanding of hypnosis. All this with a firm commitment to ethics and responsibility in professional practice.

Success case: treatments allied to hypnosis

An example of success demonstrating the effectiveness of hypnosis when integrated into health treatments can be observed in the mental health sector. Scientific hypnosis has been progressively used to relieve symptoms of disorders such as anxiety and phobias, providing a better quality of life for those who benefit from this practice.

A patient who suffered from panic syndrome for years began to have hypnosis sessions as a complement to her treatment. She reported significant improvements in sleep patterns, mental energy expenditure, and reactions during crises. She was surprised to realize that, thanks to hypnosis, she was able to deal more healthily with situations that previously paralyzed her.

Another patient with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) exhibited a checking behavior that prevented him from living his life normally. After a few sessions of clinical hypnosis, he managed to drastically reduce his obsessive behavior.

These cases reinforce the potential of hypnosis to enhance any health treatment when associated with evidence-based practices. This is particularly relevant when we question “what does the church say about hypnosis?”, as it highlights the ethics and responsibility with which hypnosis should be applied, always as a complementary method to already established treatments.

How to become a certified hypnosis professional by SBH

If you are here, you are probably interested in becoming a hypnosis professional. Let’s show how the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis (SBH) can help you achieve this goal. Joining the SBH family is a decision that can change your life and the lives of many people around you. Let’s understand better?

If you are a health professional seeking improvement, a clinical body interested in innovating with respect and ethics, or have a particular interest in hypnosis, SBH is the right place for you. We offer ISO 9001 certification, aligned with the scientific guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA).

How to obtain SBH certification?

Obtaining SBH certification is a process that takes place in three main stages. First, you need to join our community. This allows access to our activities and study materials. Then, you will need to complete a set of training courses, and finally, after successfully completing these courses, you will be a certified hypnosis professional by SBH.

An important point to remember is that SBH expects all its certified professionals to act ethically and responsibly, always respecting the limits of their technical capabilities and their field of action. In clinical hypnosis, this is of vital importance.

Conclusion: Church and Hypnosis, an Open Look to the Future

In our quest to answer “what does the church say about hypnosis?”, we conclude that religion and hypnosis can indeed coexist in an honest and complementary manner. This is based on the ethics and responsible and scientific practice that the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis encourages.

The science behind hypnosis is well-founded and has positively impacted the lives of many patients. With this, recognition by the Federal Councils of different health fields is growing. Therefore, far from contradicting religious principles, hypnosis contributes to the improvement of people’s physical and emotional health, something that every philosophy or religion seeks for its followers.

Hypnosis can certainly be an important tool for any health professional in their treatment repertoire. With hypnosis, it is possible to make a difference in people’s lives, helping them overcome their mental, emotional, and physical health problems.

If the search for the answer “what does the church say about hypnosis” brought you here, now I invite you to go further. Are you interested in learning scientific hypnosis to apply professionally? To enhance your results in your current profession or even have a new profession?

Then, I invite you to learn about the evidence-based hypnosis training and postgraduate courses of the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis. Check through our link and deepen your knowledge in this area that has transformed so many lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Is hypnosis against my faith?

Answer: No, clinical hypnosis does not interfere with your beliefs or faith. It is a scientific tool to enhance various mental and physical health treatments. Used ethically and responsibly, it respects all individual convictions.

Question: Can I practice hypnosis without violating my religious principles?

Answer: Absolutely! The practice of hypnosis requires respect for personal freedom and dignity, in full agreement with religious principles. In clinical hypnosis, the treatment is always conducted in cooperation with the patient, never against their will or beliefs.

Question: Does the church support the practice of clinical hypnosis?

Answer: Many Christian branches recognize and accept the use of hypnosis as an aid in health promotion. The Catholic Church, for example, endorses its use for therapeutic purposes, as long as it does not confront Christian principles.

Question: Is hypnosis considered an esoteric or occult practice by the church?

Answer: No. Hypnosis is a scientifically proven practice and an effective clinical tool in treating various health conditions. Erroneous associations with occult practices are based on misinformation and lack of knowledge.

Question: Why is hypnosis mixed with spirituality or religion?

Answer: In fact, the clinical practice of hypnosis has no link with spirituality or religion. The confusion may arise from its application in some types of spiritual practices, cults, or rituals. Clinical hypnosis focuses on neurobiological and psychological processes and does not include religious or faith practices.