Updated May 25, 2004 (first published March 28, 1996) (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -

The following is by Dr. Martin Bobgan, who has written many fine books exposing the error of the “psychoheresy” that has permeated Christianity. See http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/.
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Numerous Christian marriage and family books and articles are now filled with “psychoheresy.” An increasingly typical example of occult visualization appeared in the January 1995 issue of ParentLife, a large-circulation publication of the Southern Baptist Convention. Entitled, “A Visit with the Father,” it was supplied by Dr. Pam Highfill, described as a Christian marriage and family counselor.:

The author instructs the reader to find a “quiet place (your sanctuary) for this exercise.” To begin with, the believer must block out his thoughts in order to be ready to focus on the visualization process. These are the instructions for visualization:

“See yourself approaching the great gates that are lined with pearls . . . Walk straight ahead until you see two great big doors.”

The believer is encouraged to view the streets of gold and the jasper walls. As he enters through the doors, he is to “notice the room and the activity in it.” Since all of this is in the imagination, the believer must create the scene by visualization. Not only is he to concoct for himself the details of the room, but he is to see “the King of kings, God, your heavenly Father, your Daddy.” This is exactly the process of occult visualization used to contact a “spirit guide.”

SITTING ON GOD'S LAP!

After visualizing the scene, there comes the contact, the conversation and the request for wisdom. To stimulate as many of the senses as possible, Dr. Highfill suggests that the person sit on God's lap. She says:

“While you're sitting with Him, tell Him about your struggles as a parent, your fears and your hopes for your teen. When you're ready, ask Him for wisdom in one particular area that concerns you. Sit quietly with Him in case He wants to speak to you now.”

In conclusion, this counselor suggests that the believer “say goodbye to your Dad” (referring to his heavenly Father), then leads him back through the visualized doors and “back home.” This reverse procedure is designed to restore ordinary consciousness after participants have entered a hypnotic or other state of consciousness.

Dr. Highfill's article presents a well-known technique for occult entry into an altered state of consciousness in which one is open to demonic suggestion. Shamans use this very kind of visualization technique to contact and utilize a so-called hidden reality, in order to acquire (clairvoyant) knowledge and power. Shamans claim that the quickest way to get a “spirit guide” is to visualize. Through such visualization they constantly consult with their “guardian spirits” (or demons).

Is it not possible that those who follow Dr. Highfill's practice of visualization may contact a “guardian spirit” or “spirit guide” posing as God? After all, is this not what Satan wants-to be treated as God and worshipped?

How does such an occult practice become connected with psychological therapy? The stream of psychotherapy referred to as transpersonal psychotherapy draws freely from Eastern religions and various forms of the occult, such as visualization. Some “Christian” marriage and family counselors have adopted techniques from this stream. Dr. Highfill's article is another example of how psychotherapy distorts biblical doctrine, even turning prayer into an occult exercise.

[Dr. Martin Bobgan served as vice-president of Santa Barbara College, before giving himself full-time to researching and writing in the field of “psychoheresy.” Mrs. Deidre Bobgan holds an MA from the University of California.]

CONCLUDING NOTE FROM BROTHER CLOUD

I was taught techniques of visualization when, as an unsaved person, I studied Hinduism. A few months before I was saved in 1973, I joined the Self-Realization Fellowship Society. This New Age organization is based in Los Angeles and promotes the teachings of Hindu guru Paramahansa Yogananda. The New Age techniques for revisiting supposed past lives (reincarnation) are almost exactly the same as those used by many “Christian” psychologists.