Wu Wei Wu
Jedi Master
As many of us will be aware of, Gurdjieff was a master hypnotist. He also applied specific rules on the conducting of his hypnotism, namely that he will restrict his capacity to control people except with regards to his experiments for attaining more knowledge of the matter.
Most of us will also be aware that Laura is a hypnotist, specifically a hypnotherapist and it was her expertise in this area that has led to much of the wonderful material we here are so blessed with.
So the question truly deserves to be asked: What is the possible role of hypnosis in the work?
In one sense, we could simply apply the law of three to whichever situation we encounter and determine there its place in the work, in a 'moral' sense. But this does not address very much at all. For example, both Laura and Gurdjieff have expertly used it to attain valuable knowledge and make certain changes related to the understanding derived thereof (acting on the knowledge attained). But is this the only positive use of hypnosis in the work?
So far I have concluded that while hypnosis for the purposes of attaining information is excellent, hypnosis for the purpose of purging parts of the personality, or adding things to it (ie standard eliminating anxiety or increasing confidence) is a gray zone. What right do I have to mess with the minds of my subjects? Even if they ask me to, am I not denying them the learning experience by solving their problem for them? And is not my solution (depending on the method) devoid of their acquiring understanding, such that the whole situation is likely to repeat itself? And what of the question of outright manipulation of, for example, narcissists and other such people as to get out of my life? Is that not also denial of their free will (doesn't seem like 'acting in favor of my destiny')? This is a big topic that I'd like to address before my group becomes much more skilled. We need boundaries, and I haven't finished thinking of them.
I would enjoy some dialogue and discussion on this matter, for it relates to a present circumstance of mine. Within my circle, a group of us have decided that we are going to participate in an experiment with hypnosis. Some of us want to learn and understand the discipline, such as myself. Others seek the benefits of the practice. Some of us in this group are involved in the Work, with me, while others are not, or not explicitly so. I have been reflecting on the matter myself, and would appreciate additional perspectives on the matter. I'd rather have an idea of the proper limits of my practice before I get into some potentially messy situations (from an ethics perspective) and the best way I can come to such limits is by my own reasoning, combined with the reasoning of the group which is devoted to the same goal.
So, thoughts, perspectives, comments, advice? The more the merrier.
Most of us will also be aware that Laura is a hypnotist, specifically a hypnotherapist and it was her expertise in this area that has led to much of the wonderful material we here are so blessed with.
So the question truly deserves to be asked: What is the possible role of hypnosis in the work?
In one sense, we could simply apply the law of three to whichever situation we encounter and determine there its place in the work, in a 'moral' sense. But this does not address very much at all. For example, both Laura and Gurdjieff have expertly used it to attain valuable knowledge and make certain changes related to the understanding derived thereof (acting on the knowledge attained). But is this the only positive use of hypnosis in the work?
So far I have concluded that while hypnosis for the purposes of attaining information is excellent, hypnosis for the purpose of purging parts of the personality, or adding things to it (ie standard eliminating anxiety or increasing confidence) is a gray zone. What right do I have to mess with the minds of my subjects? Even if they ask me to, am I not denying them the learning experience by solving their problem for them? And is not my solution (depending on the method) devoid of their acquiring understanding, such that the whole situation is likely to repeat itself? And what of the question of outright manipulation of, for example, narcissists and other such people as to get out of my life? Is that not also denial of their free will (doesn't seem like 'acting in favor of my destiny')? This is a big topic that I'd like to address before my group becomes much more skilled. We need boundaries, and I haven't finished thinking of them.
I would enjoy some dialogue and discussion on this matter, for it relates to a present circumstance of mine. Within my circle, a group of us have decided that we are going to participate in an experiment with hypnosis. Some of us want to learn and understand the discipline, such as myself. Others seek the benefits of the practice. Some of us in this group are involved in the Work, with me, while others are not, or not explicitly so. I have been reflecting on the matter myself, and would appreciate additional perspectives on the matter. I'd rather have an idea of the proper limits of my practice before I get into some potentially messy situations (from an ethics perspective) and the best way I can come to such limits is by my own reasoning, combined with the reasoning of the group which is devoted to the same goal.
So, thoughts, perspectives, comments, advice? The more the merrier.
