This book has been written to show that hypnotism is a rational Christian procedure which, when properly used, provides a simple solution to the problem of nervous and allied complaints.

If the greatest possible number of sufferers is to benefit in the shortest possible time, the only really practical method is that of light hypnosis, which fully 95 per cent, of people can achieve, and suggestion. This demands a somewhat different conception of mental disorder from the orthodox point of view. Briefly, it is regarded as a form of self-hypnosis resulting from the implantation of a dominant idea in a brain sensitized to hypnosis by an emotional circumstance. Bodily symptoms, such as trembling due to fear, arise as the result of action on the autonomic nervous system. Fear of these symptoms in turn gives rise to further anxiety, and so establishes a vicious circle.

For example, a surgeon performing an eye operation remarked to his assistant, ‘Be careful, or you will break the needle.’ The patient, under local anaesthetic, as is usual in operations of this kind, heard the remark, and had an immediate fear of blindness. Fear caused the heart to palpitate, and, as this continued, the fear of heart disease developed. Worry over this led to headache and insomnia, and the patient soon presented the typical picture of anxiety neurosis.

All cases are not so obvious, but careful investigation will always reveal an emotional incident. Those who object to this theory complain that it is too simple, yet there is much evidence to support it. That neurosis can be deliberately produced by hypnosis is a proved fact. Likewise it cannot be denied that cases of apparently permanent cures have been brought about using only hypnosis and suggestion. Variation in degrees and types of nervous disorders can be accounted for by the fact that people vary in their susceptibility to hypnosis. Those capable of entering a deep trance can, under certain circumstances, develop the more serious types of nervous disorder, while the less susceptible are only mildly affected. This explains those not infrequent cases of severe nervous illness which follow stage performances of hypnotism where only selected and highly susceptible subjects who can enter a deep trance are used.

Emotion is such a tremendously powerful factor that when it enters the picture reason is relegated to the background, and conditions favourable to the onset of hypnosis are established. In even the lightest stage of hypnosis the power of suggestion, which is strong enough in the waking state, is enormously increased.

Modern life is full of such examples. Even the most mediocre singers reduce their admirers to a condition bordering on hysteria by wallowing in false sentiment and emotion. Wealthy politicians living in the lap of luxury are able to arouse their followers to a frenzy of enthusiasm by playing on the emotions associated with class hatred, as they expound on the evils of wealth!

In these days, when one man can address the whole world, it is more necessary than ever to understand the real nature and power of hypnosis and suggestion. Let those who doubt reflect that approximately one third of the world today is ruled as the direct result of the suggestions of one man - Karl Marx!

Hypnosis, like all good things, can be abused. In the past it has been consistently opposed and given a bad name chiefly as the result of extravagant claims by stage and amateur performers, together with wildly improbable, sensational stories of the Svengali -Trilby type.

Certain groups of people, notably Christian Scientists, have been especially active in condemning it. These cults have been examined in some detail, and in the light of what is revealed, the reader will be able to assess the real value of their objections to hypnotism. 

Particular attention has been paid to the theories of Freud.
A few of the more intelligent psychiatrists and analysts, realizing the hopelessly impractical nature of psycho-analysis, have endeavoured to use hypnotism as a short cut, and have developed the method of hypno-analysis. Apart from the theoretical incompatibility, this method demands a deep trance, which relatively few people can achieve, and is still dependent upon the doctrines and philosophy evolved from Freud.

‘No man can serve two masters,’ and mankind must choose between the anti-Christian and materialistic views of Freud, no matter how elaborated and disguised they may be; and the simple, inspired teachings of Christ. In hypnotic treatment it is the suggestion which cures, not the hypnosis. It is essential, therefore, that the suggestions should be based on Christian principles, which have stood the test of time, and will still survive when the works of Freud and his disciples have long since been forgotten.

Hypnotism is no substitute for real religion; but it can, when used on simple Christian lines, enable the patient to call upon the wonderful reserve of power within himself, and, by achieving perfect harmony of mind and body, realize the truth of Christ’s words: ‘The Kingdom of God is within you’.

 S. J.VAN PELT, MB., B.S