HYPNOTISM
WITHIN THE ADVENTIST CHURCH -1
Above
all-Keeping thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues
of life. {margin) Pr 4:23
SOP
compilation on this subject is on our Companion Web
We
live in Crisis Times! This 10 part article will cover the many faces of
Spiritistic Hypnotism which we now have around us both in the world AND
in the church:
Meditation Sermons
LAB I and II
Ericksonian Hypnosis
Entertainment Behavioral Transfer
Seminar Hypnosis Books
Yoga Exercises
Neuro-Linguistic
Programming
Master Student Guide
Casual-conversation Hypnosis
Hypnotic Cassettes
Story-telling Hypnosis
Power from Within Tobacco Classes
Celebration Pantomime Fixation
THE
PLAN
PART ONE OF TEN
This
set of several tracts will open up before you a major spiritistic
takeover in our denomination. Some of our workers are [HAVE] taking
courses in hypnotic mind-control exercises, with the purpose in mind
of using them on our people. This is a serious matter, and as you read
through all the documented material here, you will be astounded to think
that some of our leaders could be so gullible as to go to the world for
their training.
Non-Adventist
hypnosis specialists are teaching these courses to a number of our
church leaders so they can use this information. In addition, advanced
instructor-level courses are being taken, so that church workers can
instruct our pastors, and bring it into our local churches. In special
conference-wide meetings, some of this information is being taught to
our church members “as a means of reclaiming former members. "
There are sons and daughters of the church who may need to be reclaimed,
but let us use prayer, understanding, and the Word of God to do it, not
hypnotic techniques! Some leave the church because of their own desires
to experience the husks of worldliness. But others leave because our
churches are drifting away from the historic landmarks. This is not a
time to use spiritism to win back former members! What is needed is
heartfelt revival and reformation in our own lives and churches first.
Let us get rid of the worldly entertainment, clothing, diet, and
education.
An
advanced instructor-level course In how to teach these mind-changing,
hypnotic procedures will be [was] given to our leaders In Takoma Park,
Maryland, on May 5-10, 1991. This course is very expensive, and the
expert giving it only schedules an average of three such
instructor-level courses per year. But, by special arrangement, this advanced
course will be given to many of our top leaders this year. Read, weep,
pray, —and act. This is the story of stuporless-trance hypnosis that
is coming into our church.
One
of the first to speak up was a layman in the Oregon Conference, Terry
Ross by name. As you may know, the leadership of the Oregon Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists has rapidly become the foremost and fastest
growing pioneer in introducing worldly concepts into our North American
church services: Such things as Pentecostal celebration
entertainment-type services, Korean Evangelical "cell"
mid-week church member conditioning meetings, variations of Protestant
celebration and cell training manuals,—and now hypnotic counseling!
Whether
or not Terry was the first to discover this fourth phase, he was the
first to loudly condemn it. God needs people like Terry Ross at this
time in history! First, he spoke up against the practice, and then wrote
and printed an introductory warning about this practice. When he began
distributing it throughout the Oregon Conference, the leadership was
highly incensed. Little wonder, for Don Jacobsen, President of the
Oregon Conference was closely working With certain conference pastors in
developing training programs in these new techniques and training
pastors attending training sessions at the Milwaukee Adventist Church,
in south Portland.
"On
February 8 of Last year (1990) another personal friend of mind, who I
choose not to name (as I'm painfully aware of what happens to those who
take stands for truth which expose certain facts), called Elder Don
Jacobsen, president of the Oregon SDA Conference. During the 45 minute
conversation, my friend brought up the NLP hypnosis issue and asked
Elder Jacobsen what his thoughts were on it.
My friend wrote down at that time specifically what Elder
Jacobsen said so he wouldn't forget or misconstrue it. Elder Jacobsen
told him he thought that hypnotism could be used for good or bad but he
thought 'if God were here today it wouldn't surprise him if He [God)
used hypnotism.'” - Terry Ross, You Are Growing Sleepy, p.9.
Later
that year, after the 1990 Indianapolis Session, a letter was written to
Robert Folkenberg, the new General Conference president, appealing to
him to step in and do something about this terrible new trend in our
church. It is very unlikely that Folkenberg ever saw that letter. Instead,
it was routinely passed along to an officer in the very department which
is sponsoring the Takoma Park NLP training sessions: the General
Conference Ministerial Department (which is in charge of Ministry
magazine)! In the paragraph just proceeding the one quoted above, we are
told this:
"A
personal friend of mine wrote a letter of concern on this subject of NLP
to Elder Folkenberg not too long ago. He had a heavy schedule and was
unable to respond personally, so it was forwarded to the Ministerial
Association. The letter of reply is from a well-known man at Ministry
magazine, and he states clearly that he took part of the training
himself in 1981! The letter demonstrates that Adventist leadership has
been involved with NLP training which has dearly been shown to be the
devil's ground. It also sadly demonstrates leadership involvement in
this training has been going on for at least 10 years and that the
training has reached all the way up into the highest ranks of the SDA
Church."-Ibid..
Those
of you who have read our recent report on the peculiar and very
expensive New Age painting that Ministry magazine made available in
August 1990 to our conference evangelists, pastors, and church members
(The Coming of the New Age Christ [WM-301]), will have had some advance
warning of the kind of "training" that Ministerial Department
and Ministry magazine officers are being indoctrinated into.
Because
of the total lack of willingness on the part of conference or union
leaders to do anything about the matter, in the spring of 1990, Terry
printed a brief warning, entitled Omega, and began circulating it
throughout the conference and elsewhere. The only response was a determination
by the conference president to put Terry out of the church.
In
that study, Terry covered the following points: (1) Pertinent Spirit of
Prophecy quotations which we will reprint in this study, along with
still others. (2) Quotations from a book by Roland Hegstad, warning
against spiritistic inroads in the modern world, which we will quote
here. (3) A warning about NLP, and Lab I and Lab 11, which we will also
sound here, although in more detail. (4) A warning about certain
training books, one of which we will cite as evidence that supernatural
aid is given to those using these methods.
(5)
A call for denominational action in regard to certain denominational
leaders, which we will reprint here.
It
is our hope that we may add to and provide a still wider circulation to
the heartfelt warning that Terry Ross gave in Oregon. May our Father
bless him and all like him who will stand for the right and protest the
wrong in these last days of earth's history.
May
it not be said of any of us that we were willing to remain neutral as an
immense crisis gripped our church down here at the end of time. And, we
might add, may God have mercy on those who placidly feel that
"Christian love" requires continued silence on their part,
at a time when spiritism, clothed with a thousand changes of raiment is
entering our denomination.
Let
us now consider the message of Terry's booklet, Omega, for which he was
later disfellowshiped:
"Bringing
the lesson right to our own doorsteps here in Oregon we must say, with
breaking hearts and a prayer on our lips that what's happening in this
conference has been calculated and well planned for some time.
The
"Celebration" style of worship isn't something that just
happened. Our men at the top of the Oregon Conference have been and
may still be in the process of being trained; and have been studying
with those who believe and practice Pentecostalism." -Omega, p. 4.
Terry
directs our attention to a book by RR Hegsted written 17 years ago, in
which he noted that spiritist forces are at work within the tongues
movement churches:
"In
1974 Roland R. Hegstad wrote a book, entitled "Rattling the
Gates." which deals specifically with the Charismatic movement and
how it was trying to influence. Adventism. On page 47 of the book, Elder
Hegstad is explaining .Matt. 7:13-23:
"In
that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we preach in your
name, didn't we cast out devils in your name, and do many great things
in your name?' Then I shall tell them plainly: 'I have never known you.
Go away from me; you have worked on the side of evil!" (Matt. 7:1323,
Phillips).
"Several
points are worth pondering here. First, the false teachers are not
operating from outside of the church, but from within. They are false
religious teachers.” -Omega, p.5.
Some
people think that the spiritists are only outside the church. That
little misconception can be costly. What is it that renders the
charismatic churches so especially vulnerable to spiritism? It is the
emphasis on emotion as the basis of Christian experience. Over two
decades ago the present writer lived near the headquarters of a large
charismatic church for about two years, and made acquaintance with a
number of their members. They were nice people, but the emphasis on
feelings and emotions as the vital basis of their religious experience
was noteworthy.
That
basic flaw is essentially the same that we find in the celebration-type
meetings. Under the influence of such Sabbath morning worship services,
the Christian experience of those who attend them gradually comes to
depend on the emotional pick-up of the entertainment meetings, rather
than a personal relationship with Christ. In such an environment, it is
rather easy for spiritistic activities to be forthcoming.
Significantly
enough, the very leaders of the Adventist 3 celebration church movement
in Oregon-are the leaders In introducing hypnotic training into our
churches there!
Terry
Ross said this:
"When
the flood was about to destroy the antediluvian race, and Noah was
faithfully proclaiming the straight testimony for his time, what were
they doing?
"
'They (the antediluvians) used the probation so graciously granted
them in ridiculing Noah. They caricatured him and criticized him. They
laughed at him for his peculiar earnestness and intense feeling in
regard to the judgments which he declared God would surely fulfill. They
talked of science and of the laws controlling nature. Then they held a
carnival over the words of Noah, calling him a crazy fanatic: (7BC 22
(1BC 1090)
"Yes,
just before the antediluvians were destroyed by God they were singing
and dancing, calling the message bearer a fanatic.
“'And
as it was in the days of Noah, so shall is be also in the days of the
Son of man.' (Luke 17:26)
Did
you notice that the Spirit of Prophecy said, 'minds will be hypnotized'?
Satan is using hypnosis at this time in a tremendous effort to gain
influence over our minds. ..
“'This
entering in of Satan through the sciences is well devised. Through the
channel of phrenology, psychology, and mesmerism (hypnosis], he comes
more directly to the people of this generation, and works with that
power which is to characterize his efforts near the dose of probation.
The minds of thousands have thus been poisoned, and led into infidelity.
While it is believed that one human mind so wonderfully affects another,
Satan, who is ready to press every advantage, insinuates himself, and
works on the right hand and on the left. And while those who are devoted
to these sciences laud them to the heavens because of the great and
good works which they affirm are wrought by, them, they little know what
a power for evil they are cherishing; but it is a power which will yet
work with all signs and lying wonders —with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness. Mark the influence of these sciences, dear reader, for
the conflict between Christ and Satan is not yet ended:'” (2 SM
351-352)
The
power of hypnotic suggestion and so-called "psychological
analysis" is, in these last days, to "especially characterize
his [Satan's) efforts near the close of probation'" What is the
door through which men and women enter the practice of these devilish
arts? What is it that permits them to be willing to dabble in it? First,
is the belief that one human mind can "so wonderfully"
affect another, as mentioned in the above quotation. A second is the
strange, more-than-human power exhibited in it.
"When
brought face to face with manifestations which they cannot but regard as
supernatural, they will be deceived."-Great Controversy, 553.
A
third is the fascination that, apart from God or obedience to His
laws, man's mind can accomplish such extraordinary things.
"If
there were no other evidence of the real character of spiritualism, it
should be enough for the Christian that the spirits make no difference
between righteousness and sin, between the noblest and purest of the
apostles of Christ and the most corrupt of the servants of Satan:'”
Great Controversy, 556-557.
Should
the people of God be taking courses in how to change human thoughts and
attitudes—from men who do not believe in obedience to the law of God?
Speaking of spiritualism, we are told:
"Thus,
in place of the righteousness and perfection of the infinite God, the
true object of adoration; in place of the perfect righteousness of His
law, the true standard of human attainment, Satan has substituted the
sinful, erring nature of man himself as the only object of adoration,
the only rule of judgment, or standard of character. This is progress,
not upward, but downward."-Great Controversy, pp. 554-555.
A
fourth reason that men tamper with these forbidden things is, initially,
curiosity. Then, gradually, they behold a more than human power at work,
and before long they are taken in the snare.
"There
are few who have any just conception of the deceptive power of
spiritualism and the danger of coming under its influence. Many tamper
with it merely to gratify their curiosity. They have no real faith in it
and would be filled with horror at the thought of yielding themselves to
the spirits' control. But they venture upon the forbidden ground, and
the mighty destroyer exercises his power upon them against their will.
Let them once be induced to submit their minds to his direction, and he
holds them captive. It is impossible, in their own strength, to break
away from the bewitching, alluring spell. Nothing but the power of God,
granted in answer to the earnest prayer of faith, can deliver these
ensnared souls."-Great Controversy, p. 558.
Yet
a fifth reason why men venture near to spiritistic phenomena is the fact
it is so well disguised. Eve thought she was talking to a snake, but she
was actually talking to the devil. Men and women today imagine they are
receiving instruction from "magnetic healers," "water
witching experts," "mind-cure scientists," or, as in this
case, from "personal counseling trainers," or "sales experts."
ORIGINS
OF HYPNOSIS
Whereas
herbal remedies were developed and used in China, Japan, the Americas,
and other parts of the world, hypnotism and chemical medications
originated with the Hindus, Egyptians, and Babylonians.
"Hypnotism
as therapy seems to have originated among the Hindus, who often took
their sick to the temples to be cured by hypnotic suggestion or
'temple-sleep,' as in Egypt and Greece. The Englishmen who introduced
hypnotherapy into England —Braid, Esdaile and Elliotson—'undoubtedly
got their ideas, and some of their experience, from contact with
India' . .
"The
general picture of Indian medicine is one of rapid, development in the
Vedic and Buddhist periods, followed, by centuries of slow and
cautious improvement. . It is difficult to say how much Indian
medicine owed to the physicians in the Near East; on the one hand
certain remedies, like opium and mercury, and some modes of diagnosis,
like feeling the pulse, appear to have entered India from Persia; on
the other we find Persians and Arabs translating into their
languages, in the eighth century A.D., the thousand-year-old compendia
of Sushruta and Charaka. The great Caliph Haroun-al-Rashid accepted
the preeminence of Indian medicine and scholarship, and imported
Hindu physicians to organize hospitals and medical schools in Baghdad.
Lord Amphthill concludes that medieval and modern Europe owes its
system of medicine directly to the Arabs, and through them to India.
Probably this noblest and most uncertain of the sciences had an
approximately equal antiquity, and developed in contemporary contact
and mutual influence, in Sumeria, Egypt and India.. "-Will
Durant, Story of Civilization, Vol. 1, p. 532.
"The
unfortunate reason we must bring up hypnotism at this time is because
many of our pastors have been and will be trained in the craft of
hypnosis. Yes, you read it correctly! Although plainly told in the
Spirit of Prophecy that this is from the devil, many pastors, including
some local ones, have, nonetheless, taken the training." Omega,
8.
There
are five levels to these mystic arts:
Level
1: Certain men and women make a contract with Satan. In exchange for
unusual guidance and power, they give him their life and their soul.
From Satan they then learn various things which they write down. Here
you will find occult sorcery, and ritual demonic practices.
Level
2: Other men read these writings and they write still more books on the
subject, thus spreading the poisonous teachings still farther. In this
category you will find séances, and talking with "departed
spirits,"-who are really demons.
Level
3: Reading the books, other men use this bewitching information for
purposes of mesmerism. Here you will find what most people consider to
be hypnotism, with its distinct sleep-tike trances.
Many
people are afraid of the first three levels, but few realize the danger
in Level 4 and 5.
Level
4: On this level, the hypnotic arts are transformed into apparent means
of helping people, but they are openly stated to be hypnotic in
function and effect. The leaders in these fields may not realize the
source of what they are working with, and their followers may not
realize it either. But that does not render it any the less harmful.
Yet, here also, more than human manifestations are to be seen. This
fascinates people and they study more deeply into it. When, later in
this study, we analyze portions of a certain book, you will be
startled to note the supernatural things that occur. Yet similar
training sessions have been and are being taken by certain leaders in
our church. On this level, the instructors openly declare that they are
teaching non-sleep trance hypnosis, and that it is even more powerful
than "classical" hypnosis.
Level
5: Only part of the hypnotic procedures are used on this level. Instead,
it is mingled in with a variety of other things, much of which appears
harmless.
We
will begin with, what in our opinion, is Level 5: Dr. John S. Savage was
a United Methodist minister who decided to take advanced training in the
universities in various aspects of psychology, counseling, and similar
areas. After acquiring four degrees from East Coast universities, he
founded LEAD Consultants, Inc., of which he is president: A certified
psychotherapist, he is now a "consultant to many churches,
organizations, and corporations, working with educational designing,
problem solving, conflict management, team teaching, and research."
He is also a visiting professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and
several other educational institutions.
His
methods are not only used in industry and schools, but Protestant and
Catholic churches are in keen demand of his services also. He presents
his educational materials in training classes which he calls LAB I and
LAB II.
"As
a skilled designer of training systems, Dr. Savage, with other staff
members, developed many significant training events for churches and
business organizations. These include Calling-Caring Ministries (LABS I
and II), Conflict Management and Resolution, Advanced Consultation
Skills, One to One Witness Skills, The Evangelistic Consultant, The
Christian Education Consultant, and Listening Skills for Business,
Education, Medical Professions, and Couples."-Brochure, LEAD
Consultants, p. 1.
For
LAB I Savage trains pastors, local church leaders, and selected church
members how to be "callers," and visit and reclaim former
church members. Certain psychological techniques are taught for this
purpose. The purpose is for local churches to form “calling
teams" to visit and sway former members to resume church
attendance. According to one brochure, he trains "callers in
skills, theology and caring." (At the top of that promotional brochure,
he writes in capital letters: "EVANGELISM, CARING,
CELEBRATION." Another brochure says his instruction includes
"theological" knowledge. This theology is probably solidly
modern Protestant, which, in our church, would be termed
“new-theology." in other words, “you are saved as you are, and,
in fact have already been saved, so come back to church!"
He
also says his instruction will result in a "development in
self-confidence" in those who attend his training sessions. It is
also said to produce certain "skills" in "communication,
perception checks, fogging," etc.
MIND
CONTROL
Satan
wants to control human minds. He seeks to do this directly, and also
through human beings who, in so doing, become his agents. Whenever one
person seeks to control another person's mind, Satan is thereby
given permission to control both minds! Hypnotism is thus only one of
the means by which he seeks to control one mind through another.
Licentious enticers, and men who seek to dictate to workers and
members-are also engaged in mind control. In seeking to do so, they
are immediately controlled by an evil spirit. For, to say it again:
when one man seeks to control another man's mind, Satan is thereby
given permission to control the controller's mind. It matters not
whether the controller be a psychiatrist, physician, counselor, or
pastor; in seeking to control the mind of another, his mind will be
taken captive by Satan!
On
yet a third brochure, even more information is given on the content of
these LAB I classes. We are told that these skills will include
"communication," "fogging," "negative inquiry,
neuro-linguistics, paraphrase, perception check, story listening,
story polarization listening." Elsewhere in this present study, we
will reprint a few of these brochures.
On
page 1 of the same brochure for LAB I, several strange, new things:
"interpersonal gap, Neuro-Lingustic Training, process to debrief
calls, fogging, stop action role play, role renegotiation, story
polarizations, closure role play, return tracks, turtle interview, and
religious journey interview,"
What
is it all about? The stated purposes are to teach pastors and church
members new methods of working with people, in order to bring them back
into active church attendance. Yet it is by beholding that we become
changed, in these last days, what is it that we should be beholding? Who
should we permit to change us? Most significantly, LAB I and LAB II
include various aspects of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
What
is that? It is a trademark name for an advanced series of training
classes. In other words, level 5 teaches you part of Level 4. After
taking level 5, you graduate to level 4 training. And by that time you
have become a full-fledged hypnotist! Someone may reply, "This may
be for the Protestants and Catholics, but surely, not for our
church!"
The
truth is that a number of our leaders have taken, are taking, or will
soon take this coursework, which includes level 4 information on
hypnotic procedures! On the 1989, 1990, and 1991 training schedules for
LAB II, it showed two courses listed for our church. One of them is a
LAB II course. At some earlier time, LAB I training must have been given
to a sizable number of our leaders who attended it. We know this to be
true, since LAB II can only be taken by those who have received careful
instruction in LAB I.
PART
TWO OF TEN
On
December 3-7, 1990, at Takoma Park, Maryland, by special arrangement
with LEAD Consultants and Or. Savage, under the auspices of the Potomic
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, our leaders took a follow-up
course in "Conflict Management and Corporate Pain. " But, on
May 5-10,1991, at Takoma Park, they will take the most advanced course
that Dr. Savage offers to the churches: LAB II.
According
to a different brochure, "LAB II" is "the training of
LAB I leaders"! LAB II graduates LAB I instructors! No one can take
this expensive course unless they have earlier taken Savage's expensive
LAB 1 course. They objective of LAB II is to train men and women so they
can, themselves, begin training still others in LAB I techniques,-which
includes Neuro-Linguistic Training! Looking at that training session
schedule, you will note that Savage gave scheduled in advance five
"Conflict .. Management and Corporate Pain" training courses
for the year 1990. (Others were also given, not listed on this initial
list.) Our leaders arranged in advance that they would receive one of
them. The cost of this must have run into more than $10-$20,000! .
Looking
over the names and locations on that schedule page, they vary all over
the eastern half of America and Canada. From October 1989 to May 1991,
only seven LAB II programs were listed well ahead of time.
(Later
in this study we shall learn that still more LAB I and LAB II seminars
were also held during that time in Adventist churches on both the East
and West Coasts.) LAB II must be extremely expensive, for in it, Savage
is teaching others to do as he does. At the end of each course, he
certifies the graduates to be able to teach his materials (probably with
a franchise fee for each time they do so). Yet, over a span of 20
months, one of those earliest planned LAB II courses, given by the
founder and president of LEAD and LAB I and II, was arranged to be
given to our own leaders! It would be interesting to attend that meeting
and see who will be there. Included will probably be a variety of
conference officers from all across America. But, because you have not
had LAB I training, you will not be permitted through the door into
those meetings. (We will learn later in this study that LAB II
instructor training courses have already been given in Adventist
churches and conferences prior to May 1991.)
Keep
in mind that LAB I and II instruction includes partial training in the
techniques of Neuro-Linguistic Training. That is what it says on the
advertisement brochures.
Although
they are part of the subject content, those receiving LAB I
instruction may never recognize they are learning hypnotic techniques.
That is because this is level 5.
By
now, we are beginning to wonder: If this is Level 5, what is level 4?
To
review the five levels once again:
Level
1: Direct communication with evil spirits by certain men and women,
who then write down the instruction given them.
Level
2: Spiritualistic séances by those who study these magic books.
Level
3: Classical hypnotism: Direct hypnotic sleep trances.
Level
4: Covert hypnotic activity with overt results: stealthy hypnotic
techniques, carried out without the patient realizing he is being
hypnotized. .
Level
5: Covert hypnosis, plus a variety of visitation and interview devices.
On
Level 5, we find LAB I and II, in which certain Seventh day Adventist
church leaders and workers are receiving instruction. Part of that
training includes "Neuro Linguistic Programming" (NLP) which
is level 4 material. You can know that graduates of LAB II-who by
completing that course have become instructors of LAB I,-will now be
anxious for advanced courses in NLP. That next course, solidly in Level
4, is Neuro-Linguistic Programming. On Level 4, the teachers dispense
with discussions about "caring church" and "listening to
pain,"-and go into a deeper study of the hypnotic
personality-changing techniques that LAB I and II partially taught them.
Dr.
Milton H. Erickson was a careful researcher into advanced techniques
of hypnotism. He specialized in the study of that type of hypnosis,
which could be used without the client knowing he was being
hypnotized. Milton determined that the use of such "covert,"
as he called them, techniques would result in far more successful patient
manipulation and mind-conditioning.
"ERICKSONIAN
HYPNOSlS —also called 'the new hypnosis,' based on the pioneering
work of Dr. Milton H. Erickson. This style of hypnosis, is gentle,
open-ended, and indirect. The hypnotic messages and suggestions are offered
in a way that evokes powerful unconscious resources, yet is respectful
of your individuality. "-Advertisement brochure for "Changeworks
Cassettes. "
A
number of sales organizations are making money by selling aspects of
Erickson's hypnotic methods, known as Ericksonian hypnosis. This
includes, among others, (1) Change works Cassettes of California; (2)
LEAD Consultant's LAB courses, based in Ohio; and (3) New England
Institute for Neuro-Linguistic Programming, In Massachusetts. They are
apparently franchised to use Erickson's hypnotic techniques through the
Milton Erickson Foundation, based in Arizona, which provides the field
with ongoing research update reports and lecture seminars. In fact,
there are enough of these Ericksonian promotional sales organizations
in the field, that a professional association has even been established.
Entitled, The National Association for Neuro-Linguistic Programming,
it helps coordinate inter-organizational activities and communication
interchange.
Here
is data on some of these Ericksonian programs:
Change
works: Changeworks Cassettes does just that: through hypnotic
suggestion, it changes a person's thoughts and actions without his
realizing what is taking place. It is being used and recommended by some
Adventist church workers, especially those who have taken the LAB
courses or the higher-level NLP seminars. From ad sheets from
Changeworks, here are some quotations. Notice that the objective is to
(1) quiet and confuse the mind, (2) then directly hypnotize it, (3) and
then tell it what to do:
"Multiple
Voices: Each multi-Evocation cassette features at least two voices
speaking simultaneously during hypnosis. This is an innovative method
which works especially well for rapid, easy trance induction and to
help the analytical thinking mind to let go."
"Special
Effects: The Tapes use music, advanced psycho-acoustic techniques, and
state-of-the-art special effects to deepen the reality of your hypnotic
experience. Some Changeworks cassettes feature 3-dimensional
sound-specially processed effects that sound like they are actually
happening in your presence. Listeners report that the realistic quality
of sound puts them more fully into their hypnotic experience.”
"Multi-evocation tapes are used by therapists, doctors,
hospitals, high schools, businesses, colleges, hypnotists, clients of
hypnotists, regular people making changes." "Positive reviews
and endorsements from [medical, new age, and hypnotic journals such as]
Magical Blend; Medical Self Care; The New Times; Whole Earth Review;
Common Boundary; Whole Life Monthly; Yoga Journal; Body, Mind, &
Spirit" "Expanded Intuition Training will greatly enhance
decision making, finding inner guidance, and improving
relationships."-Changeworks Cassettes brochures.
You
are reading what NLP can do! THIS is Ericksonian hypnotic technique in
action! Here are descriptions of what some of their cassettes will
(shudder) do for you. Please keep in mind that the following is
essentially the same as the premises, concepts, and objectives of all
the other Ericksonian sales firms, including LAB I and II, which our
church leaders are being trained into. This is because all these
Ericksonian franchise firms are heavily based on the same hypnotic
conceptual approaches.
'This
cassette teaches you how to first identify and then interpret the
language of your intuitions." "This tape helps identify and
work with any blocks or resistance you may
have
to use your intuition more often." "This tape takes you on an
inner journey to library where the sum total knowledge of the universe
is stored. On Side B you can ask specific questions and receive answers
from the library." "Tape 5 introduces you to your Intuitive
Guide, A being of personal significance to you, who will also answer
questions. The tape is long, rich and leisurely: it will increase
self-esteem, lower stress. and promote a deeper sense of security."
"Self-Hypnosis-for Reducing Your Stress: For a relaxing time out!
This tape takes you to a magical place." .. A beautiful tape that
offers a natural setting where you can experience the depths of
confidence within your unconscious mind." “Rapid Pain Control: A
comfortable drug-free alternative to all types of pain. From chronic
pain that drugs can't touch to low level nagging aches. . The tape
combines the best of the 'new hypnosis' with 'Multi-Evocation' in a
series of musical journeys to 3-D environments. It win bring fast relief
to all kinds of pain and also works as an emotional mood elevator. No
hypnotic experience necessary." "This tape will help you learn
faster and retain more of what you learn." "This tape has 2
purposes: . . Chronic insomnia, as well as the occasional night when you
just can't sleep. . . Once you are asleep, the tape will also enrich
your dreams. . With this tape, you can not only solve problems, but get
insights, resources, and have especially enjoyable dreams.” "Creative
Inspiration takes you to a secret garden, a refreshing sanctuary from
the world where you can contact the essence of creativity. The tone of
this tape is quite spiritual. Its focus is on Artistic Creativity,
freeing the creative spirit from its source within you.” Changeworks
brochures.
Imagine
an audiocassette that will let you ask it questions,-and then answers
will come back from a being" who is your “intuitive Guide” !
Let me say it again, this is Ericksonian hypnosis, which is the basis of
LAB I and II training. This is all part of Neuro-Linguistic Training,
plus added exotic music and sound.
"Multi-Evocation"
is a trademark word of Changeworks Cassettes.The word, evoke, means
“to call forth, or bring out." Using multiple speakers and a
variety of strange music and tones, Changeworks Cassettes is designed to
subtly change you through hypnotic techniques! Ericksonian hypnosis in
action.
"The
Creativity Unlimited Series uses Ericksonian Hypnosis,
Multi-Evocation, and 3-0 Holophonic sound along with sequenced exercises
and lectures." -Change works brochure.
"Multi-Evocation
cassettes are so effective because 01 new and unique methods of
learning. Each tape features: "ERICKSONIAN HYPNOSIS-also called
'the new hypnosis', based on the pioneering work of Dr. Milton H.
Erickson. This style of hypnosis, is gentle, open-ended, and indirect.
The hypnotic messages and suggestions are offered in a way that evokes
powerful unconscious resources, yet is respectful of your
individuality.
"MULTIPLE
VOICES—. .
"METAPHORICAL
ENVIRONMENTS—..
"SPECIAL
EFFECTS- . ." -Brochure for "Changeworks Cassettes."
LAB
Courses: We have earthier discussed the LEAD Consultant LAB courses.
Here is still more data on the type of courses which LEAD offers, some
of which our leaders are taking in Takoma Park, Maryland. The
following reprinted information from LEAD Consultants will show that
their courses are solidly keyed to Ericksonian hypnosis.
You
will only see the full implications of what LEAD teaches when, later in
this study, we examine part of a book that LEAD highly recommends to LAB
II students.
Here
is what you will learn by taking one of the LEAD courses:
"Know
much more about how other people learn, store, access, and use their
human experiences by just observing their behavior. . Know the effect
your presence and conversation is having on others by learning to read
the non-verbal feedback they are constantly sending. "-LEAD
brochure. '
This
is the kind of things our leaders are delving into. For one
"introductory workshop" on "level 1," LEAD teaches
its students the following:
"Principles
of Neuro-Linguistics: understanding the research, rationale, history
and state-of-the-art of the (NLP) field.
"Rapport
skills: body mirroring, voice and tonal matching, postural, gestural
and facial positions and other useful techniques to develop and keep
rapport, including pacing and leading.
"Sensory
acuity: learning to notice and monitor the external ‘beamers'
accompanying another person's changing internal experiences.
"Representational
systems: the way in which people internally represent the experiences of
their lives. Also, the student learns to translate experiences expressed
through one modality to another to greatly increase understanding and
rapport..
"Predictaes:
identifying and matching the most used sensory-based process words for
purposes of insuring rapport and understanding.
"Meta
model: learning the language patterns upon which Neuro-Linguistics is
based, enabling you to detect and challenge the generalizations,
distortions and deletions which so often lead to miscommunication,
assisting you to transform low quality verbal 'maps' into high quality
descriptions.
"Behavioral
flexibility: creating and maintaining flexible personal approaches to
problems and challenges in order to more systematically and
consistently produce additional choices and options.
"Anchoring:
establishing triggers for responses (pairing one thing with another) to
increase one's choices for positive experiences and stronger
resources.
"Accessing
cues: noticing how people represent, experience, and access
information they have learned, and systematically using these accessing
cues to bridge to better communication."-LEAD brochure.
Advanced
training from LEAD includes the following learnings:
"Hemispheric
lateralization: . . Outcomes: . . Utilization: . . Calibration:
enhancing 'people-reading' skills. . Fast phobia cure: . . Reframing:
choosing the most beneficial perception of experiences from among the
many possible interpretations, and reframing problematic behaviors and
responses. . This (reframing) makes possible separation of a person
from behavior, thus validating the person while choosing new
approaches to their problem behaviors:'-LEAD brochure.
"Satir
categories: learning to recognize another type of language pattern. .
Metaphors: using language in multilevel fashion to maximally produce
desired outcomes. . Incongruence: . . Identifying and changing
'calibrated loops' that lock in un-useful behavior. Polarities: . . Hypnosis:
studying therapeutic language patterns in the Ericksonian mode, known as
the Milton-Model, or the inverse of the Meta-Model. Self-hypnosis:
learning to use personal trance for growth,learning, creativity, problem
resolution and healing."-LEAD brochure.
COMPANION
TRACT
It
has seemed best to place the Spirit of Prophecy quotations referring
to this topic in a separate tract which is being released
simultaneousty with this set. Entitled, The Dangers of Hypnotism
[RS-9], it is a powerful compilation. In it, we are told that these
various types of mind-control are bewitching, terrible, and we should
have nothing to do with them. The Dangers of Hypnotism [RS-9] is a
single sheet tract that should be shared widely with our people-before
hypnotism comes to their local church, and when it does.
As
you might guess, the term "meta" appears to be a code word for
reaching, what the NLP practitioners call, the "unconscious."
Sigmund Freud would have labeled it the "subconscious." As we
continue, you will note that those dealing with NLP are far more
concerned with reaching and affecting the meta-mind, than the reasoning,
judging mind. And they explain why: it provides them with something of a
sneak attack on the brain, enabling changed beliefs, motives, standards,
likes, and dislikes to be more easily instilled in the mind.
"Sub-modality
distinctions: learning to determine the various chunked-down elements
in representation experience. Key Criteria: discerning a person's
internal set of criteria by which that person makes key judgments, decisions
and choices. Interventions: based on sub-modality distinctions to bring
about more helpful, healthy adaptations. Interventions include working
with a person's core beliefs. . Language: directing your language to
have maximum effect and impact upon the person or situation at hand in
terms of altering sub-modalities usefully. Strategies: eliciting,
marking and working with the sequences of activities in a person's
representational systems that have become functional units of
behavior."-LEAD brochure.
"Sub-modalities"
and "intervention" are two other frequently-found words in the
NLP vocabulary. The first means the "unconscious;" the second
means to reach down into the unconscious and make changes in it, thus
changing both the feelings, objectives, and conclusions of both the
unconscious and conscious mind.
Please
do not think that the persons taking these training courses only
listen to lectures and ask questions! They also practice on each other.
Such courses produce seasoned hypnotists. This is the objective of NLP
instruction.
New
England Institute for Neuro-Linguistic Programming: We have noted that
LEAD Consultants base their methods on Neuro-Linguistic Programming
(NLP), as initially developed by Milton Erickson. We have found that
brochures for their courses contain essential Ericksonian elements. In
the materials by LEAD Consultants and Changeworks, we have already
overviewed some of the NLP content. But here is more information on
Ericksonian hypnosis, franchised to various practitioner firms under
this name, Neuro- Linguistic Programming. We will provide you with this
data in connection with materials distributed by The New England
Institute for Neuro- Linguistic Programming. The basic raw material for
NLP was extracted from research into deep hypnosis by Dr. Milton
Erickson. Because many people are afraid of sleep-like hypnotic trances,
Erickson had as his objective the placing of people in a non-sleep
hypnotic trance, so that the very same objectives could be accomplished
as in deep hypnosis.
"The
person most responsible for advancing the field of hypnosis was Dr.
Milton Erickson. This extraordinary person showed us how to use hypnosis
to meet therapeutic goals more effectively. He taught us that we can
communicate with the whole person by reaching both the conscious and
unconscious levels. Erickson also taught us how to utilize and bypass
client 'resistance' by embedding therapeutic interventions in
seemingly casual conversation." -NEINLP brochure.
Someone
will ask, "What can be wrong with LAB I and LAB II training, when
all they do is teach you how to visit homes and get people to come back
to church?" In reply we say, read again the above quotation. We
will repeat it for you:
"This
extraordinary person showed us how to use hypnosis to meet therapeutic
GOALS more effectively. He taught us that we can communicate with the
whole person by reaching BOTH the conscious and unconscious levels.
Erickson also taught us how to utilize and BYPASS client 'resistance' by
EMBEDDING therapeutic interventions in SEEMINGLY CASUAL
conversation." -NEINLP brochure.
(By
"therapeutic, " is meant getting people to do what you want
them to do, either in attitude, belief, action, or physical changes. (We
will learn later that Ericksonian hypnosis is also used for sudden
healings.) Interestingly enough, Although Erickson, himself, is a
reputed master at "therapeutic" hypnosis, yet the book we will
later consider, mentions in passing that he is now confined to a
wheelchair. He is now practicing hypnosis on those who come to him for
help—simply by telling them stories! More on this later.)
Are
you now beginning to grasp the significance of NLP? Ericksonian hypnosis
is carried on through casual conversation, not regular hypnotic sessions
(in the trade known as "classical hypnosis"). People are
hypnotized into doing things they might not otherwise do during the
course of a casual conversation.
Later
in this study we will discover, in a book recommended by LEAD
(producers of the LAB courses), that more-than-human power and ability
is apparent in the methods and results of Ericksonian hypnosis. When
we earlier considered Changeworks Cassettes (which is the application
of NLP to audiocassettes), we found that a "being" or
"Guide" was present, and would answer specific questions. Do
not underrate Ericksonian hypnosis! LAB I, LAB II training, and the
other NLP coursework is not something to toy with, and it is not
something our people should be involved with.
The
research by Milton Erickson was later expanded by Richard Sandler and
John Grinder. They took his findings, and combined them with
discoveries made by other "masters," (That is another code
word.) Hypnotism involves communicating what you want another to do,
and getting him to do it. Well, do we not try to do that all the time?
Yes, but hypnotism is getting him to do what you want, whether or not he
had intended to do it; whether or not he knew why. Instead of force or
coercion, hypnotic mind control is used to change actions and beliefs.
"How do people who are masters in communicating and effecting
changes in others achieve their excellence? It was in pursuit of the
answers to this question that NLP began . .
"In
the early 1970s, Dr. Richard Bandler and R. John Grinder through careful
study of acknowledged masters of communication and change such as Drs.
Milton Erickson, Virginia Satir, Gregory Bateson, and Fritz Perts, discovered
what made these individuals so effective, and in the process developed
the field of Neuro-LInguistic Programing . .
"There
is a growing body of patterns for accomplishing specific desired
changes in emotions, beliefs, thinking strategies, and behavior. In
accomplishing all of this, NLP fosters an attitude of respectful
fascination for the unique way in which each person creates his or her
own experience."-New England Institute of NLP, brochure. The second
paragraph, above, was very important. It is clear that the Ericksonian
passive-type hypnotism is actually far worse than classical hypnosis,
which puts people into a trance. Its intensity is due to the fact that
it operates more subtly, and can be repeated over a period of time. The
reason it can be so easily repeated is that people do not realize they
are being hypnotically worked on. The result can be devastating. Why?
Because, according to the above statement, it can change your beliefs,
your behavior, the way you feel about things, and the way you think!
What else is left? What is the difference between a historic Adventist
and a hardened criminal? The difference is your beliefs, your
behavior, the way you feel about things, and the way you think! All your
life experience is summarized in those factors. They represent your
distinct personality. Those are the factors, which will determine your
future destiny; whether or not you will be saved.
Although
Richard Bandler and John Grinder somewhat modified and made Ericksonian
hypnosis less obtrusive and therefore more effective, yet it was Milton
Erickson which laid the foundation for this modern hypnotism which has
become a hot franchise and sales item.
"The
person most responsible for advancing the field of hypnosis was Dr.
Milton H. Erickson. This extraordinary person showed us how to. .
utilize and bypass client resistance by embedding therapeutic
interventions in seemingly casual conversation.
"Perhaps
most importantly he taught us that each person is an individual and
psychotherapy should be more compatible with the way each person
structures his or her own experience."-Same brochure.
The
sentence in each of the above two quotations is significant. Ericksonian
hypnosis works so effectively by starting with your present likes,
dislikes, belief system, and feelings,—hooking you emotionally through
them, and then turning you toward whatever new direction the hypnotic
manipulator wishes to take you,
Is
all this moral? No, it is outside the realm of morality and has nothing
to do with it. Why can I say that? First- because when a hypnotist-any
hypnotist-takes you from one emotion/logic system to another, he did it
apart from moral considerations. He did it simply because that is what
he wanted to do. Second, because, nowhere in the hypnotic change-over
did he ever concern himself with convincing you of a new belief pattern.
He just gave it to you, outside of and away from your conscientious
judgment. Think about that awhile. Hypnotism, whatever form it may take,
always dangerous..
CONTINUE PART 3 |