Skip to main content
Log in

Hypnotic aspects of spiritual experience

  • Articles
  • Published:
Pastoral Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article presents hypnosis as a concept, process, and perspective from which to view religious and spiritual events. Spiritual experiences are seen as internally-based occurrences which bear noticeable similarity to the characteristics of self-hypnosis. This is considered in reference to biblical accounts, mysticism, contemplation and the Jungian “collective unconscious.” Finally, the unconscious, which is accessed through hypnosis, is explored with regards to its role in spiritual experience.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. C. L. Hull,Hypnosis and Suggestibility: An Experimental Approach (New York: Appleton-Century Croft, 1933).

    Google Scholar 

  2. E. R. Hilgard and J. R. Hilgard,Hypnosis in the Relief of Pain (Los Altos, CA.:William Kaufman, 1975).

    Google Scholar 

  3. George Matheson, Hypnotic Aspect of Religious Experiences.Journal of Psychology and Theology.7(1) (1979), 13–21.

    Google Scholar 

  4. J.R. Laurence and C. Perry, Forensic hypnosis in the late nineteenth century.International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 31(4) 1983, 266–283.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. M. H. Erickson and E. L. Rossi, Two-level communication and the microdynamics of trance and suggestion.American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 18 (1976), 153–171.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. K. S. Bowers,Hypnosis for the Seriously Curious (Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole, 1976).

    Google Scholar 

  7. J. Lindblom,Prophecy in Ancient Israel. (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1963).

    Google Scholar 

  8. D. A. Tappeiner, A psychological paradigm for the interpretation of the charismatic phenomenon of prophecy.Journal of Psychology and Theology.5(1) (1977), 23–29.

    Google Scholar 

  9. W. Sargent,Battle for the Mind: The Physiology of Conversion and Brainwashing (New York: Harper and Row, 1951).

    Google Scholar 

  10. C. Stoner and J. Parke,All Gods Children: The Cult Experience-Salvation or Slavery? (Radnor, PA: Chilton Book Co., 1977).

    Google Scholar 

  11. J. Templeton,The Humble Approach: Scientists Discover God.

  12. L. Dossey,Space, Time and Medicine (Boulder: Shambhala, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  13. J. Travis, Cancer ... who's responsible?Wellness Community Newsletter, 6, (1983) 2–7.

    Google Scholar 

  14. M. D. Chenu, Body and body politic in the creation spirituality of Thomas Aquinas. In M. Fox (Ed.)Western Spirituality: Historical Roots, Ecumenical Routes (Santa Fe, N.M.: Bear and Co., 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  15. N. Berdyaev, Salvation and creativity. In M. Fox (Ed.),Western Spirituality: Historical Roots, Ecumenical Routes (Santa Fe, N.M.: Bear and Co., 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  16. W. Berry,The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture (New York: Avon, 1978).

    Google Scholar 

  17. E. Fromm, D. P. Brown, S. W. Hurt, J. Z. Oberlander, A. M. Boxer and G. Pfeifer, The phenomena and characteristics of self-hypnosis.International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 29(3) (1981), 189–246.

    Google Scholar 

  18. T. S. Eliot,Four Quartets (New York: 1943).

  19. W. Johnston,The Still Point: Reflections on Zen and Christian Mysticism (New York: Fordham University Press, 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  20. A. Poulain,The Graces of Interior Prayer: A Treatise on Mystical Theology. Trans. L.L. Yorke-Smith, London, 1912.

    Google Scholar 

  21. C. G. Jung, The concept of the collective unconscious. FromThe Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Collected Works, Vol. 91 (Princeton University Press, 1936).

  22. C. G. Jung, On synchronicity. FromThe Structure And Dynamics of the Psyche. Collected Works, Vol. 8 (Princeton University Press, 1951).

  23. C. G. Jung, Answer to Job. FromPsychology And Religion: West and East. Collected Works, Vol.11 (Princeton University Press, 1952).

  24. The Cloud of Unknowing. I. Progoff (Trans.) (New York: Julian Press, 1957).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Matheson, G. Hypnotic aspects of spiritual experience. Pastoral Psychol 35, 104–119 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01768710

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01768710

Keywords

Navigation