Psychology: The Five Levels Of Consciousness

“Consciousness is defined as everything of which we are aware at any given time - our thoughts, feelings, sensations, and perceptions of the external environment. Physiological researchers have returned to the study of consciousness, in examining physiological rhythms, sleep, and altered states of consciousness (changes in awareness produced by sleep, meditation, hypnosis, and drugs)” (Wood, 2011, 169). There are five levels of consciousness; Conscious (sensing, perceiving, and choosing), Preconscious (memories that we can access), Unconscious ( memories that we can not access), Non-conscious ( bodily functions without sensation), and Subconscious ( “inner child,” self image formed in early childhood). “Hypnosis is a procedure through …show more content…

The fruit of the Spirit is self-control. As we follow the Spirit’s lead, He will give us the power to better control our own selves. Hypnosis involves the transfer of control away from ourselves to another person. Hypnosis leads to an altered state of consciousness in which the mind is very susceptible to outside suggestion. That susceptibility is what the hypnotist needs in order to modify the behavior of his subject. However, the word susceptible should concern us. Scripture says to be watchful and “self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). The hypnotist is not the only one who wants to modify our behavior; Satan also wants to do some modifying, and we should be wary of giving him any opportunity to make his …show more content…

The Bible describes us as tripartite beings made up of spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). In a rough, imperfect way, the spirit corresponds to Freud’s Superego; the soul to the Ego; and the body to the Id. The Bible also unveils a struggle between spirit and body (aka Superego and Id if you will) best illustrated by Paul in Romans 7. However, Freud and the Bible part ways in the diagnosis and prescription for humanity’s internal conflict. Where Freud perceives human beings as completely physical in their makeup, the Bible presents man as part physical, part spiritual. While both agree that the body’s desires are in and of themselves amoral, the Bible contends that a spiritual being should not be directed by fleshly impulses. In short, Freud sides with the Id over the Superego while the Bible sides with the spirit over the body” (Wade). The Bible soundly disagrees. Behavior lies at heart of humanity’s disease. Guilt is created when one violates their standards by following what they want to do instead of what they ought to do. The Bible prescribes confession and repentance as the solution. A person is healed when they acknowledge wrongdoing, accept responsibility, and commit to change”