Very odd topic that came back to me recently. Fortunately I can keep this one fairly short. I have very very very bad and chronic memory issues. Normally I can work around it, but now that I’ve begun actively reading the Bible again as I correct my walk with Jesus (after 3 long depressive years), I’m quickly discovering that I cannot retain any of the Scriptures I read. Maybe I’ll get lucky and recall “Oh yeah, Jesus said a parable about a king or something.”, but to me that’s not good enough to get closer to Him with.
So I’ve been considering trying to use hypnotism to really engrain what I read into my mind, and hopefully get around the memory and cognitive deficit (also I should mention, I’ve been actively seeking medical help to no avail- this was not my first choice). However, I have the usual reservations (if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here asking for advice ahaha)- specifically that I know many people are afraid of hypnosis or believe it’s a Satanic practice. I’ve tried looking into these claims, but never actually find anything. I’ve done plenty of my own research into the science though, and I don’t really feel convicted to steer clear, so I wanted to ask for opinions on the matter.
(P.S., Toby Mac’s ever popular song “Lose My Soul” has a short verse about being hypnotized by God’s light, so… make of that what you will ahaha)
I’d recommend listening to it as you sleep - I’ve noticed an interesting change in my own dreams whenever I listen to the scriptures as I sleep, and the stories become easier to recall. Of course, I’m a light sleeper, so maybe I’m semi-conscious for the parts I do remember.
Not quite hypnosis, but it’s fairly close - and, when accompanied by prayerful and intentional study, it might help with memorization.
You could also try writing down scriptures that pop out at you and the impressions you feel when you read them. Writing things down helps write information into our long-term memory, and rereading what you wrote can help as well - plus you’ll have a record of inspirational moments from God (though, you may want to stick to simple doctrinal truths: “God loves me and I can talk to Him” and “Jesus knows exactly how I’m feeling” for instance).
I don’t think hypnosis is fundamentally anti-Christian, but I’d still be skeptical if a practitioner wants to suggest supernatural effects.
Do you have ADHD, by chance? I know that makes reading a challenge for a lot of people.
But even still, the fact that you engage with the Bible is a good thing, even if you struggle to remember. Reading the Bible is, in and of itself, a holy act. It’s not like it’s studying for a test.
Like 99% sure I have ADHD. Stack chronic brain fog and memory loss on top of it and I feel like trying to read the Bible is a losing battle. Very disheartening since I crave the scriptures, and my brain basically keeps vomiting them out like anything else.
This is an interesting topic! One, because it could relate to so many other things that we could consider as “tools” that are naturally available to us. And two, hypnosis has usually been depicted as a complete surrender of the hypnotized individual to obey the whims of the practitioner. Hopefully, in a therapeutic setting or intention…
Firstly though, what kinds of hypnosis methods are we talking about? Is looking into a spinning spiral while listening to a soothing voice? Is it staring at a pendulum in motion…while listening to a voice. Is it about “programming” a response to trigger words or commands? What are we placing on the table here, specifically?
I honestly don’t really care about the methods much, just anything that can break past my failing memory and basically “implant” scripture into my subconscious. I’d rather have direct references to back up my morals and lifestyle than just a vague feeling of “Oh, well, I guess I should maybe do that. I think I read about it once… maybe…” because my walk with Jesus isn’t getting any stronger that way.
Since you read my testimony, I’ll use the same metaphor I once shared in the Telegram chat. Basically, as a robot, my wireless receiver I use to get messages and instructions from my master (Jesus) is broken. I’ve tried asking many mechanics if they know what’s wrong, but none of them can pinpoint a specific broken part, let alone repair it or find a replacement. But now I’ve found this alternative. It seems there are special mechanics out there, and they can effectively pop open a component in my head and force the wireless receiver to transmit on a different frequency (hypnosis) which will mitigate the broken part and allow messages to finally get logged. If that all makes sense.
Problem is I don’t know anyone who could be able to help lol. That and having no money and no time to invest into it makes things even more cumbersome.
Ah, I see! Sorry I misunderstood
If you’re only asking for suggestions on what methods you could use/ are available/ what’s worked for others, I’d suggest asking a Christian councilor about the options. Who’s to say that the different methods used do indeed matter in the end?
Due to a lack of time, not much. Mostly just eye fixation techniques, but I can’t seem to get past a basic trance without some professional guidance, which is presently beyond my reach. I’d love to get into a really relaxed state where I’m just soaking up everything I hear, and just read the bible with someone I’m close to and trust, but I’ve hit a wall in each of my attempts. Kinda stuck in that regard.
Truuuue… that is how our current generation gets “hypnotized” with the doom scrolling and social media soup. We’re inundated with content that obviously the enemy wants us mired in. Why not take back control over ourselves and use these technological gifts to create our own Jesus-centric environment? That’s what this forum is all about, right?
The algorithm learns about who you are and, by proxy, what your greatest weaknesses are. It’s default is to lead us astray and concentrate on other meaningless, material things. To combat that, we need to know ourselves and take action to help ourselves with the resources we have at our fingertips. If that means listening to a swirling spiral while listening to the readings of the Bible, so be it! Just because it’s unconventional doesn’t mean it’s ultimately wrong.
I’m not sure I’d attribute malice to it. That said, “idle hands are the devil’s plaything” and whatnot. Overly passive consumption leads to empty minds.
