The dangers are that you may end up with memories of events that never happened. Hypnosis works, and can create false memories. I doubt you would be able to find a priest and a therapist who would do this (unless it was a priest who is a therapist) due to confidentiality issues.I am considering seeking a therepist who practice’s hypnosis to resurface, expose and outline a couple of spiritual experience’s. There are some things I distinctly remember, some forgoting, some blocked, but some so terrifing that I may want a priest to be there. Would a priest even go for this? What are the dangers of this? Thanks, Tim
It’s called a “general confession” and I spent 3 months in the box when I came back to the faith. Totaly illrelevent to the question at hand, but thanks anyways.My suggestion would be to find a priest who would help you through the process of making a whole life confession, starting of course with an examination of conscience.
Thanks, may send a feeler to my parish priest who directs me at times. Problem is, we are real short on clergy and their time in this area, as my priest runs 3 churches. Can’t even find a catholic marriage counsoler in my area. 4 years searching for answers and I’m starting to get very, very discouraged.Call around, to your diocese and to your seminary, and see if you can find a priest-psychologist-spiritual director who has experience with hypnosis.
That might be the best bet.
In my experience, since priests are celibate, they have a LOT of time to do studying. Many priests have several advanced degrees as well as a lot of experience in areas such as psychology, biblical studies, etc.
So, ask around.
Pray over it.Thanks, may send a feeler to my parish priest who directs me at times. Problem is, we are real short on clergy and their time in this area, as my priest runs 3 churches. Can’t even find a catholic marriage counsoler in my area. 4 years searching for answers and I’m starting to get very, very discouraged.
Be very careful if you are going to do this. I think you will find that a licensed therapist that is qualified to use hypnosis as a way for a patient to reexperience events in their life are reluctant to do it except as a last resort. It isn’t the kind of thing you just make an appointment to go get “regressed,” because there are psychological dangers associated with doing so, and any good doctor is going to want to know you much better through regular sessions before going that route. Oh, you can find plenty who will be happy to do it, usually they specialize in previous life regression, so 'nuff said about those types.I am considering seeking a therepist who practice’s hypnosis to resurface, expose and outline a couple of spiritual experience’s. There are some things I distinctly remember, some forgoting, some blocked, but some so terrifing that I may want a priest to be there. Would a priest even go for this? What are the dangers of this? Thanks, Tim
if the event you’re trying to reexperience is of a spiritual nature, imo hypnosis could easily turn into something ‘preternatural’…Interesting to find that 2 Catholic priest’s, one a jesuit, are the fathers of modern hypnotism.
“The Church has not waited for the verdict of science to put the faithful on their guard against the dangers of magnetism and hypnotism, and to defend the rights of human conscience; but, ever prudent, she has condemned only abuses, leaving the way free for scientific research. “The use of magnetism, that is to say, the mere act of employing physical means otherwise permissible, is not morally forbidden, provided that it does not tend to an illicit end or one which may be in any manner evil” (Response of the Holy Office, 2 June, 1840). The encyclical letter of the Sacred Penitentiary, Tribunal of August, 1856, only confirms this, and Père Coconnier has referred to it in his famous work “L’Hypnotisme franc”, in which he studies the subject apart from all extraneous considerations. Taking up the latest teachings of Rome, Canon Moureau, of Lille, writes: “Hypnotism is tolerated, in theory and in practice, to the exclusion of phenomena which would certainly be preternatural.” This is the opinion of most theologians, and it is the utterance of reason.”
newadvent.org/cathen/07604b.htm
I agree.if the event you’re trying to reexperience is of a spiritual nature, imo hypnosis could easily turn into something ‘preternatural’…
DON’T DO IT!!I am considering seeking a therepist who practice’s hypnosis to resurface, expose and outline a couple of spiritual experience’s. There are some things I distinctly remember, some forgoting, some blocked, but some so terrifing that I may want a priest to be there. Would a priest even go for this? What are the dangers of this? Thanks, Tim
PS. I just read the other posts. This guy/gal must have read the book… Don’t do it. And yes, do a general confession… or find another therapist! Sorry so strong and opinionated about this but… there are alternatives to painful experiences…The dangers are that you may end up with memories of events that never happened. Hypnosis works, and can create false memories. I doubt you would be able to find a priest and a therapist who would do this (unless it was a priest who is a therapist) due to confidentiality issues.
My suggestion would be to find a priest who would help you through the process of making a whole life confession, starting of course with an examination of conscience.
Thanks Annie. I did find a licensed hypnotherapist in a nearby state. He has all the recommendations, degrees… in his field. I am leaning against this now and would only consider it if my priest was there as a moral guide against auto suggestion, which seems to be a problem in this field, to help in the discernment process and for protection. Most likely will never happen. Thanks, Timif you are contemplating hypnosis as some type of therapy then it should be under the direction of a psychotherapist, who either has the hypnotist work under his direction, or does the therapy himself. the hypnotist has to know the right questions to ask and the right things to say, and the therapist tells him that after working with you. If you feel the problem also has a spiritual dimension, tell the therapist why so he can be prepared for it. Yes the therapy can work, in limited situations, under professional direction, as part of an overall therapy process, but no you cannot go hire a hyptotist in the yellow pages and expect an entertainer to provide therapy. If as you suspect and hope the hypnosis will help you recall very painful events and experiences, then you need to be in the care of a therapist who can help you deal with those memories. Yes they would probably agree to have a priest present if you can find one, if your own parish priest can’t do it call the priest who directs hospital ministry in your diocese.
No, but I did just finish a pair of psych courses (Abnormal and Personality)which both warned of the problems with it. Not to mention that falsifiable memories have been used to attack priests and the Church, and were never examined.PS. I just read the other posts. This guy/gal must have read the book… Don’t do it. And yes, do a general confession… or find another therapist! Sorry so strong and opinionated about this but… there are alternatives to painful experiences…
You are being trained well! “Expectations”. Wonderful!No, but I did just finish a pair of psych courses (Abnormal and Personality)which both warned of the problems with it. Not to mention that falsifiable memories have been used to attack priests and the Church, and were never examined.
I am glad that the OP is leaning against this route, as the expectation of bad memories will assure that they exist after hypnosis, even if the events never occurred.