Hello out there,

I am a beginner at self-hypnosis, and am also a beginner student of the spiritual practice known as the Golden Dawn. I recently had the inspiration to combine the two by making a "hypnosis script" of an extremely important and vital ritual in the tradition, called the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram. It is used to clear negative energy from the space (as well as from the mind), connect with the divine source, and call on the presence of the four archangels for spiritual protection.

However, this is the first time I have ever written a script, and I really know very little about it. I understand that it is best to word things in a way that the subconscious will comprehend, and not react to or misinterpret. However, having no training in NLP or hypnotherapy, I am just going by instinct, and my own skills in writing.

I was wondering if anyone on this forum, who is more qualified, and interested in my project, can please give me some feedback and constructive criticism. Any suggestions will help. I am still in the process of writing it, and if there are some with more exp. than I, and are willing to help, then I will post my first draft on this thread (as a note, almost all my induction will be lifted from William Hewitt's Self-Hypnosis).
Thanks,
Mica

Well, I have a little knowledge of both systems. Are you aware that in the Neophyte initiation ritual of the Golden Dawn, something you participate in before doing any work including the LBRP, you take a vow which includes not allowing yourself to be hypnotized?

How do you justify breaking an oath? Why do you think adding hypnosis to a system that has worked fine for over 115 years without hypnosis will be a benefit?

Well Don,

I am aware of that oath, but I have never taken it, and I can "justify" what I am doing for several reasons.

First of all, I am sure you are quite wrong about having to perform the Neophyte Initiation prior to practicing the LBRP. On the contrary, it is required that one have an understanding of alchemical and esoteric symbolism, AND an experiential understanding of the LBRP and even, I think, the LBRH, before taking the Initiation. Otherwise, what would be the point of taking an Initiation into something one knows very little about. It is an "Initiation" after all, not a granting of permission.

Second, when one is meditating, doing rhythmic breathing and going into deep relaxation, one of the main reasons is to enter into an alpha brain-wave state which, I believe, is absolutely necessary for spiritual practice. The only difference between that and hypnotic induction is that the process is guided, using the speech (whether it be your own pre-recorded voice, or another's voice). Therefore, I am really not changing, or "adding" anything. All I'm doing is using another's pre-recorded voice to assist in deepening my focus and relaxation in order to aid in channeling the energy. I really don't see the harm in that. Personally, at this point, I need to be guided along, as I have a lot of trouble with maintaing focus on the visualizations and on entering in that meditative state.

So what is it exactly that you are protesting against? My best friend is an Adeptus Minor in the OTO, and has taken that oath. From what he understood, the oath is not exactly prohibiting hypnosis altogether, but forbids surrendering your will to another, and being in the vulnerable position where you will divulge the secrets of the order, and your own secrets. I can understand that. But as I know exactly what is to happen, having written the script myself, and that it is self-hypnosis (which, as I said, is essentially no different then simple meditation) I am not really surrendering my will to anyone, am I?

When I do take that vow, I will still practice hypnosis and self-hyponsis, but I will always be diligent in not letting myself get into the position I described.
And when it really comes down to it, no one has the right to forbid me from expanding my own mind; and if it helps me, without bringing harm to anyone, then its welcome. I don't blindly follow other people's dogma without question.