Hypnosis: Reincarnation, Co-Incarnation, Intercarnation, or Experiential Theater?

As a scientist-practitioner who has been rigorously trained in the methods of experimental psychology, I frankly do not know whether or not reincarnation exists, though half the world believes in it. After reviewing the experimental evidence, Lynn and Kirsch (2006, p. 204) flatly state, "In summary, hypnotically induced past-life experiences are fantasies constructed from available clinical narratives about past lives and known or surmised facts regarding historical periods, as well as cues present in the hypnotic situation." But it is also true that we cannot "prove a negative." That is, we cannot conclusively demonstrate that something does not exist, somewhere and in some form, because it is impossible to investigate all the possibilities.

There is an old Chinese saying which goes, "It doesn't matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice." From a constructivist point of view, since we can never fully know what "truth" is, if one particular set of beliefs helps a client towards a well-adjusted life and a more comfortable view of the world, then so be it. Personally, I would not hesitate to take clients to whatever form of alternate lifetime they would like to visit if it will help them to feel better and make sense of their present existence. In the words of one correspondent who had previously been to several therapists of varying orientations (including past-life regression) without success, "It was the absolute professionalism, kindness and profound patience from my regression therapist that enabled me to trust enough to release my fears."

But another interpretation is also possible. If we are willing to conceptualize hypnosis as a form of experiential theater based upon "believed-in imaginings," then that is "a cat of a different color" which will allow us to account for both the experiential and the experimental evidence -- and we can catch a lot of mice with it!

When they are taken to see their first motion picture, very young children have to be cautioned, as I was, "It's only a movie," so that they can enter into the spirit of the narrative without becoming unduly excited or upset. If we think of hypnosis as a form of experiential theater, we can experience an event "inside and out," not merely with the two senses of sight and hearing, with an absorption so complete that it allows us to work with the ultimate art form -- human experience itself!

See also:

My Life as a Chicken: Implications for Hypnosis

Sources and Citations

Lynn, S. J., & Kirsch, I.(2006). Essentials of clinical hypnosis: An evidence-based approach. Washington, D.C: American Psychological Association.

Gibbons, D. E. (2001). Experience as an art form: Hypnosis, hyperempiria, and the Best Me Technique. San Jose, CA: Authors Choice Press.

Gibbons, D. E. (2000). Applied hypnosis and hyperempiria.. Lincoln, NE: Authors Choice Press (originally published 1979 by Plenum Press).

Gibbons, D. E. (1999, August). Experience as an art form: Alternative paradigm for hypnosis? Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco.

Gibbons, D. E., & Lynn, S. J.(2000) Hypnotic inductions: A primer. In Ruhe, J. W., Lynn, S. J., & Kirsch, I. (Eds.) Handbook of clinical hypnosis, 2nd ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Assn. pp. 257-291.