-John Moraga
If you are familiar with some of my previous articles, you will know that I have explained the intimate relationship between occultism and psychology. One very demonstrative example of this is the commonality of hypnosis and demonic possession. Although some psychological illusions are not necessarily indicative of spiritual interactions, spiritual encounters are primarily experienced psychologically.
HYPNOSIS
Hypnosis has an extensive history, but before the actually term "hypnosis" came into usage during the 19th century, its application was employed by several ancient civilizations. Various trance exercises were supposedly used to encounter heathen gods. Today, hypnosis is typically used as a method of psychological therapy (although its benefits are the subjective of debate) or as a part of stage entertainment. Hypnosis requires a person to submit to the suggestions of another human being, and entering an alternative state of consciousness. However, this alternate state is not the same as being under the influence of drugs nor does it cause a person to lose complete control of his actions.
POSSESSION
Demonic possession is achieved by inviting a spiritual and external entity to control, or at least intensively influence, an individual's perceptions and actions. There is a very intricate governance of demonology which exists, and differing names may be attributed to the same demon, respective to a specific culture. However, demons are not preferential to any particular system and are more than willing to accommodate anybody who calls upon them. There are many methods of invocation, but all of them demand that a person surrenders a part of his will (far more so than hypnosis) to demonic control.
The common denominator of hypnosis and possession is the mental pathways in which they are acquired. They both require an individual to volitionally submit some portion of his conscience and will to a third-party: hypnosis to another person, possession to a spirit (demon), although hypnosis is not nearly as controlling or nefarious as possession. However, in both cases, a person cannot claim that he did not initiate the process. This is an extremely important point, because every individual needs to be accountable for his own actions. If a person could circumvent accountability by being hypnotized or possessed, it would be easy to commit harmful acts without repercussions.
I would like to encourage people to be aware of how susceptible our minds can be to unholy influences. Stipulated, there is a gulf between the effects of hypnosis and demonic possession, but they are both illustrative of the effects of opening up our minds to foreign powers.
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