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The problem is much the same involving allegations
that the groups practice hypnosis. Most movements in this study do engage
in the induction of altered states of mind. That is, in fact, their
professed goal; that is the transcendent state. Is it, however, a hypnotic
state? Is it a trance in which an individual's free will can be bypassed
and he can be made to act contrary to what he would normally perceive as
his best interests? Given the predisposition of members to believe and do
as their leaders tell them, could it not conceivably be a matter of
self-hypnosis?
An indication of the current state of professional knowledge on this matter was contained in a paper prepared in 1979 for the Ontario Psychological Association by Dr. Frank Auld. Dr. Auld says:
But even if we were convinced that the groups practised hypnosis -- and it is alleged that at least one mind development group has -- definition of the term for legislative purposes seems currently to be impossible. Ontario Ministry of Health officials said a sampling they took of medical opinion on a definition failed to produce a consensus. Even Dr. George Matheson's submission to the study implies a difficulty where it states that, using the "natural" approach, a hypnotist can work during a normal social contact without his subject knowing. Surely such approaches pose major problems in respect to legislative definition. |
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