But what if doctors recommend, as a help to relaxation, certain TM (transcendental meditation) techniques and also Yoga or Zen? More and more of them are doing so. In 1978, for example, over 5,000 doctors formed groups in some 20 countries to encourage the medical use of TM. Another meditation technique that is particularly popular in some European countries and that is gaining interest in other lands is what is called autogenic training. But before accepting any such treatment a person should certainly know the facts.

Meditation Techniques

Meditation basically means to turn a subject over in one’s mind, to give it continuous thought, to contemplate it. But meditation techniques are frequently something else.

A former Indian guru, now converted to Protestantism, recently explained the difference to a group of German churchmen. The goal of Eastern meditation techniques, he pointed out, is to separate oneself from the world of reality and conscious thought, oftentimes by inducing a trancelike condition. In this way, as it were, a person “finds himself,” comes to grips with his problems and, with the help of “his inner self,” is able to solve them.

German doctor and author Gisela Eberlein explained it in these words: “Common to all meditation techniques is that they lead inward, [resulting in] relaxation in deep tranquillity. Yoga, transcendental meditation or autogenic training, as different as they are, still have a common goal​—self-realization.”

Some of the meditation techniques designed to lead to “self-realization” have been discussed in previous issues of Awake!a Another method not yet dealt with, but one that is known to many of our readers, especially those living in German-speaking countries, is called autogenic training. A brief discussion of it will help us to understand better how certain meditation techniques differ from “normal” meditation. This should help the reader to draw correct conclusions about similar techniques that may be advocated by doctors in his own country.

[Footnotes]

[Picture on page 4]

The goal of Eastern meditation techniques is to enable a person to separate himself from the world of reality and conscious thought

“Autogenic Training”​—Is It the Answer?

AUTOGENIC TRAINING was developed half a century ago by a Berlin neurologist named Johannes Heinrich Schultz (1884-1970). In 1932 he wrote a book about his theory, explaining its name to be from the Greek autos, meaning “self,” and genesis, meaning “birth or origin.” Autogenic training, therefore, literally means a training originating from, or born of, oneself.

Autogenic training is divided into a lower and an upper stage. The lower stage is composed of a series of six exercises, or procedures, to be progressively learned and done for a few minutes several times a day. Each exercise includes a brief phrase upon which the patient is asked to concentrate as intensely as possible, mentally repeating this phrase while performing the exercise, or procedure. An autogenic manual instructs: “The student, however, should not ‘think’ in words but should simply ‘look’ inward, turning to the pictures of the inner self that correspond with the phrase.”

Therefore, when a person does the first exercise and imagines “the right arm is very heavy,” the arm actually does feel heavy. After performing this first procedure, the second follows: “The right arm is very warm.” As each such procedure is learned and followed through to a successful conclusion, additional ones are added. The last four exercises, or procedures, are directed toward gaining control over the heartbeat, the breathing apparatus, the inner organs and the mind. During the entire training session a person is always to concentrate on the thought: “I am completely relaxed.”

The object is to achieve complete physical relaxation, thereby gaining mastery over the body, forcing it to follow the dictates of the mind. Dr. Gisela Eberlein, who studied autogenic training under its founder, Dr. Schultz, says she introduces autogenic training to her students “as the method of concentrated self-relaxation that makes it possible, first of all, to achieve rest and relaxation any place, any time.”

But autogenic training is designed to accomplish even more, as Dr. Eberlein goes on to explain: “Additionally, one learns to influence the organs and the organic system, that is to say, to quiet the palpitating heart and the nervous stomach. The circulatory system, for example, can be influenced to prevent blushing.”

Does It Work?

Yes, it appears to work in many cases, at least to a certain extent. But why? First, because relaxation and a decrease in body tension can have physical benefits.a

Secondly, there is the “placebo effect.” One German doctor explained it this way: “Over half of all modern diseases are of psychosomatic origin, which means they are open to response from autosuggestive treatment. Some doctors feel that this even includes certain aspects of cancer. People who live in constant fear of cancer develop it more often than do others. . . . People who strongly believe in the effectiveness of certain medicines tend to get better.”

As an aid in making decisions or breaking habits, the power of positive thinking cannot be overlooked. When faced with major decisions, only a positive-thinking person will muster up enough courage to take difficult but nevertheless necessary steps. The I-can’t-do-it person very rarely succeeds; the I-will-do-it person generally does.

But despite these positive aspects, there are also negative aspects about autogenic training that should be considered.

Reasons for Caution

Dr. Schultz warned that the autogenic-training exercises should be learned only under the supervision of a qualified instructor. Why? Because, he said, each exercise could “possibly contain disadvantages along with the advantages.” Dr. Malcolm Carruthers, head of the Centre for Autogenic Training in London, also cautions against learning autogenic training by means of tape-recorded courses or under unskilled supervision. “It can be a very powerful technique and unless properly handled it can be dangerous,” warns Dr. Carruthers. “We know of people who have had untrained teachers and been left worse off than at the start. If an emotionally disturbed person tries the training and it fails to improve matters they may become even more depressed.”

There are other reasons for caution, especially when a person progresses to the upper stage of autogenic training. This upper stage of concentrated suggestions is designed “to produce the ‘new man,’ to develop new patterns of thought and of behavior,” according to B. Peter and W. Gerl in their book Entspannung (Relaxation).

Two autogenic training manuals point out the possibilities such training offers at its upper stage. These possibilities or objectives go beyond improving one’s physical health. One of the manuals says: “Even as a pupil can concentrate on the thought ‘the arm is warm’ he can just as well imagine that ‘being thrifty is joyful’ . . . or ‘the letter will be written.’”

The other manual observes: “Once a person has grasped the matter and senses he is on the right path, he can consciously direct further development . . . ‘I am discovering my abilities. I am putting them to use.’ ‘I am aware of life. I am doing the right thing.’ ‘I have a positive attitude.’ ‘I am striving for harmony and happiness.’ Such concentrated insertions, individually chosen and constantly developed through autogenic training​—never more than one every two weeks—​have their effect. They often enable the ‘new man’ to develop new patterns of thought and of behavior.”

Thus, according to certain practitioners, autogenic training can make you a ‘new person,’ make over your personality, yes, change your behavior. It is “a key to physical and mental health,” says Dr. Eberlein. Some practitioners even say that no problem is too large to tackle, not even physical handicaps and diseases. In effect, autogenic training is proclaimed by some as a cure-all. But is it?

No, answers autogenic training expert Dr. Malcolm Carruthers. “It is not a magic panacea,” he states. “It is simply medicine that the [medical] profession is increasingly taking up.” Thus, the view that autogenic training is a cure-all may lead to harmful consequences. How so? In that some practitioners may fail to seek out other needed treatment.

The upper stage of autogenic training is especially fraught with danger for the Christian. This is because Christians are admonished: “You should put away the old personality which conforms to your former course of conduct and . . . should put on the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.”​—Ephesians 4:22-24.

The “new personality” that a Christian is striving to put on is not one that is developed by employing autogenic training. Rather, it is developed through meditation on God’s Word and by doing his revealed will.​—See Psalm 143:5; Philippians 4:8.

Another reason for caution is that the upper stage of autogenic training appears, in some ways, to be similar to Yoga. Yoga is defined as “the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will.” In other words, the mind is to be completely emptied. Often a mantra (incantation) is constantly repeated to aid in clearing the mind of all thought. This is dangerous. A mind swept completely clean is easy prey to outside influence, either that of imperfect human instructors or, worse still, of superhuman demonic forces that, according to the Bible, are desirous of gaining mastery over man’s mind.​—1 Timothy 4:1; compare Luke 11:24-26.

But is autogenic training true Yoga? Although there are similarities, autogenic training does not appear to be the same as Yoga, at least not in its lower stage of exercises. No mantra is used, and neither is the mind to be emptied, according to some books on autogenic training. Nonetheless, Christians need to be cautious, for they do not want to see how close they can come to practices that can be spiritually damaging. They want to take a clear, firm stand for true worship.​—2 Corinthians 6:14-17.

Origin Linked With Hypnotism

Here is a reason for extreme caution. Dr. Schultz became interested in the subject while working with another doctor who was treating patients with hypnotism. His observations enabled him “to develop ‘autogenic training,’” as he himself wrote, “from hypnotism.” In fact, he even described it as “a daughter of hypnotism.” Autogenic training is acknowledged by some of its practitioners to be a form of “self-hypnotism.” Yet, not all practitioners of autogenic training use hypnotism. Instead they employ concentrated thought suggestions on one’s body parts or functions.

If self-hypnotism is used, then this can present a real danger for a Christian. Why? Although no one can really explain how hypnotism works, yet its background is well known. An Encyclopædia of Occultism says that “its history is inextricably interwoven with occultism, and even to-day much hypnotic phenomena is classed as ‘spiritualistic.’” The practice of any form of spiritism brings divine disapproval.​—Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Galatians 5:19-21.

A Christian cannot indulge in any practice or routine having to do with the occult. For example, what did some occultists of the first century in Ephesus, Asia Minor, do after hearing the Christian apostle Paul preach in their city? “Many of those who had become believers would come and confess and report their practices openly. Indeed, quite a number of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them up before everybody. And they calculated together the prices of them and found them worth fifty thousand pieces of silver.”​—Acts 19:18, 19.

Therefore, autogenic training is fraught with dangers for the Christian. Its origin is linked with hypnotism, some of its practitioners actually use a form of self-hypnotism, and its upper stage employs Yogalike meditation techniques.

Something Far Better

THE claims made for certain meditation techniques are quite attractive: to widen understanding of oneself, to replace negative tendencies and bad habits with positive ones, to overcome anxieties and fears, and, yes, even to improve health.

“If we have the proper inner attitude about life’s problems, then we can also solve them,” promises the book Autogenes Training für Fortgeschrittene (Autogenic Training for Advanced Students). Many people hold up “self-realization” and finding the “inner, or real, self” as the cure-all for every problem. But is this a realistic approach?

“The heart [the seat of motivation] is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate,” says the Bible. (Jeremiah 17:9) So, really, our deep inclinations and feelings, our “inner, or real, self” is not a reliable guide.

Life’s problems are many. To name only a few: discrimination, aging, serious sickness, death. Just how successful can a “proper inner attitude” be in solving these? True, a proper attitude can help us cope with these difficult problems of life and can prevent us from becoming emotionally or psychologically crippled by them, but it cannot solve them. This lies outside the realm of man’s ability.

The wisest man of antiquity, King Solomon of Israel, said: “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6) Yet some may feel that this is unrealistic. One person who turned to a meditation technique for help noted: “To me religious faith and prayer appeared too passive; I needed more: the active support of the subconscious. . . . Autogenic training was to help me get it.” But religious faith and prayer need not be passive; indeed, they dare not be if they are to be genuine.

Personality changes are required of true Christians, but not by means of a do-it-yourself program that employs self-centered meditation techniques. Rather, the Bible urges a total reliance upon God for help in ‘stripping off the old personality and the putting on of the new one.’ (Colossians 3:9, 10; Ephesians 4:22-24) The Christian apostle Paul said: “For all things I have the strength by virtue of him who imparts power to me.” (Philippians 4:13) Obviously the personality changes Paul made were made on the basis of accurate knowledge with the support and guidance of God’s holy spirit, not the “active support of the subconscious.”

A Superior Kind of Meditation

The superior kind of meditation centers not upon the creature but upon the Creator. A Bible writer said to Him in prayer: “I shall certainly meditate on all your activity, and with your dealings I will concern myself.” (Psalm 77:12) This kind of meditation turns our attention to the real cure-all for man’s problems, God’s Kingdom, now near at hand.

Under this Kingdom of God, man will be completely cured of all his weaknesses, bad habits and wrong tendencies, yes, even of all his diseases: “Bless Jehovah . . . who is forgiving all your error, who is healing all your maladies,” says Psalm 103:2, 3. Think what that will mean! Nothing less than human perfection! What report could be better or what sayings could be more pleasant than that? And should not hearing such a report have a beneficial effect upon the human organism, both mentally and physically? Yes, according to Proverbs 15:30 and Pr 16:24: “A report that is good makes the bones fat” and “pleasant sayings are . . . a healing to the bones.”

Let your mind dwell on the blessings that will come under Kingdom rule. As an example, when you read Psalm 37:10, 11, just picture what the earth will be like when filled with only “meek ones.” Then think of something that has recently irritated you, caused by the brusque manner of others. Gone will be those everyday irritations because the “meek ones” will have replaced the harsh. Meditate upon how secure you will feel walking alone at night when “the wicked one will be no more.” Reflect, too, on how you will “delight in the abundance of peace” when the threat of a nuclear holocaust no more hovers over your head. This type of meditation can bring you lasting benefits.

Thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses are living examples that people who gain an accurate knowledge of God’s purposes and obediently follow the fine counsel of his Word can break bad habits, overcome shyness and anxieties, cope with prejudices, develop a personality pleasing to both themselves and those around them, and to some extent even improve their health. How is this done? Not by emptying the mind, but, rather, by keeping it active in being “filled with the accurate knowledge of [God’s] will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension.”​—Colossians 1:9.

No, “self-realization” will never be able to bring the benefits and the satisfaction that come from meditation upon Jehovah God and his Word. Have you made time for this superior type of meditation? If so, you will avoid dangerous meditation techniques that can never be what only God’s Kingdom is​—a cure-all.

[Picture on page 10]

The superior kind of meditation centers not upon the creature but upon the Creator and His purposes