Have you ever felt like you were under a spell? Like there was something holding you back or influencing your thoughts and actions? It's a strange feeling, one that can leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about yourself. But why do we feel this way? Why do we sometimes feel like we are under the control of some unseen force? There could be many reasons why we feel like we are under a spell. One possibility is that we are simply going through a difficult time in our lives. Stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions can cloud our judgment and make us feel like we are not in control of our own actions. Another reason could be that we are surrounded by negative influences. Whether it's toxic relationships, a toxic work environment, or even just being bombarded with negative news and social media, these influences can have a profound effect on our thoughts and actions.
Whether it's toxic relationships, a toxic work environment, or even just being bombarded with negative news and social media, these influences can have a profound effect on our thoughts and actions. They can make us doubt ourselves, second guess our decisions, and ultimately make us feel like we are under someone else's control. One interesting explanation for feeling like we are under a spell is the concept of subconscious programming.
Under a Spell?
Not long ago the front page of The Wall Street Journal told about two people who were feuding. The weapon involved, however, was not something you'd probably think of or give much heed to: an evil spell.
These people were competitors in the restaurant business, and the hex consisted of rice, pennies, and cooking oil. Now, this may seem foolish. After all, what could such items, placed on a doorstep, do to thwart a competitor? (The goal was to cause bad business.)
While evil spells are common in certain parts of the world, this particular incident occurred in the United States, in Oregon. And other states are seeing more and more interest in curses, voodoo, hexes, and so on.
This isn't new. The belief in dark or hidden powers has confronted each generation anew. Mystical spells, necromancy, hypnotism, occultism, horoscopy, astrology, witchcraft, reincarnation, spiritualism, and theosophy all involve ancient arts and beliefs. Perhaps the question we should ask is not so much "how?" or "why?" but "what?" What perpetuates these practices? And can we keep ourselves from being harmed by them?
Yes, by calling on the power of God. The power of God is good, and it is infinite. This renders any other so-called power null and void.
Here's one example. While in college, I had a music instructor who was a spiritualist. She also believed in the power of the devil. She believed, and through fear made others believe, that she could control people. It became rumored that when she walked into a recital hall while you were performing, her very presence would make you begin making mistakes that you'd never made before. Often, after the lights were turned down low and someone had begun a performance, this professor would arrive late. Almost immediately, the individual on stage would begin making mistakes. The other students would fill with fear and watch this professor until she finally sat down. The performer would then stop making mistakes and carry on.
Frankly, I hadn't noticed any of this until others began telling me about it. Then I became afraid. I certainly didn't want to be on stage with her in the room! And I began to turn to God for help.
I had learned through my study of Christian Science that God is the only power and that all His children reflect Him. I reasoned that this particular professor couldn't be left out of God's control. That all people are created by God to express goodness and can only bring goodness upon themselves and others. Christian Science, discovered by Mary Baker Eddy, is an explanation of the laws of God, which Christ Jesus demonstrated as having healing power. He disproved the power of evil in any form.
Not long after this prayerful reasoning, my fear for myself and others subsided. And the recitals stopped being interrupted, even though the professor was still late to them.
I had seen more clearly that what perpetuates the power of spiritualism is the false belief in a power opposed to God. We can free ourselves from the influence of any curse or spell by understanding that no one can harm us, control our thoughts or actions, since God, divine Spirit, controls all.
Actually, no son or daughter of God is created capable of the desire to harm or control another through dark thoughts, threats, or curses. In God's good creation no one is outside His control.
The belief that evil thoughts or actions have the power to overthrow the omnipotence of God is all that would make anything appear threatening or harmful. But true spirituality (as opposed to spiritualism) does have power. This is why it's helpful to understand, acknowledge, worship, the one, all-powerful, ever-present God - the God of Abraham, the God of Jacob, and the God of Christ Jesus. This God is the governor of everyone.
The Christian Science textbook says, "Mankind must learn that evil is not power" (Mary Baker Eddy, "Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures," Pg. 102). Understanding the truth of God is our sure power. It frees us from any other supposed power. It frees us from the entanglements of all wrong acting and thinking.
Emma Kukuk (they/them/theirs, she/her/hers) is a DNR communications representative who wants everyone who explores our great state to feel welcome, seen and heard. When they’re not busy writing, they can be found creating pyrographs inspired by nature, foraging or tending to their bees.
Our subconscious mind is incredibly powerful and can be influenced by our upbringing, beliefs, and past experiences. If we have been conditioned to think and act in a certain way, it can feel like we are operating on autopilot, like we are under someone else's control. It's important to remember that feeling like we are under a spell is not permanent. We have the power to break free from whatever is holding us back and regain control of our own lives. It may take time, effort, and introspection, but it is possible. **So, the next time you feel like you are under a spell, take a step back and reflect on what could be influencing your thoughts and actions. Are you surrounded by negativity? Are you going through a particularly stressful time? Or is it possible that you have been conditioned to think and act in a certain way? By identifying the root cause, you can begin to take back control and break free from the spell.**.
Reviews for "The Spell of Addiction: Understanding the Power of Compulsion"
1. John - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Why am I under a spell," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The storyline was quite predictable, and the characters lacked depth. The writing style felt amateurish, with repetitive and cliché phrases throughout the book. The pacing was off, with certain sections dragging on unnecessarily, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I was disappointed with this novel and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 3 stars - While "Why am I under a spell" had an intriguing premise, I found the execution to be lacking. The protagonist's actions and decisions often felt illogical and inconsistent, making it hard for me to connect with her. Additionally, the romance aspect felt forced and unrealistic, with little development or chemistry between the characters. The writing itself was average, with repetitive descriptions and a lack of suspense. Although the book had moments of potential, it ultimately fell short for me.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I'm sorry to say that "Why am I under a spell" was a disappointment. The writing was riddled with grammatical errors, making it difficult to read and understand. The dialogue felt stilted and awkward, lacking natural flow. The plot was predictable, and the twist at the end was underwhelming and poorly executed. Overall, this book felt rushed and in need of thorough editing. I struggled to stay engaged and ultimately wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Why am I under a spell" didn't live up to my expectations. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to invest in their journey. The pacing was uneven, with slow sections that dragged and rushed resolutions that left me unsatisfied. The world-building was also lacking, leaving many unanswered questions. Additionally, the writing style felt choppy and disjointed, making it hard to flow through the narrative. Overall, this book failed to captivate me and left me wanting more substance.