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Abridged Explanation of Hypnosis
Since hypnosis is often portrayed inaccurately in the media, movies and television, it often leaves inaccurate impressions, and fears about hypnosis. Even though the American Medical Association has approved hypnosis as a viable therapeutic tool in 1958, many people still possess misconceptions regarding this fascinating subject. This section will briefly discuss the process of hypnosis, and address the three most common misconceptions so you can know the truth about hypnosis, and not what Hollywood wants you to believe.
There is nothing mystical, or supernatural about hypnosis. Hypnosis is not brainwashing, or mind control, and a hypnotist definitely doesn't possess any special powers. Hypnosis is nothing more than applied psychology, or psychology in action. You have experienced hypnosis so many times in your life you just haven't called it hypnosis. Examples of waking, or everyday hypnosis, include driving your car on autopilot, daydreaming, getting lost in a great book, crying during a movie, or getting glued to the television. These are, of course, light levels of trance, however, our environments are constantly hypnotizing us, and we go in, and out of this natural state of mind all the time. While in this state of mind, your subconscious mind is highly receptive to new ideas, and hypnosis is a communication process to the subconscious that enables rapid acceptance of new beneficial thoughts and ideas. A hypnotist helps you to utilize this state of mind to reprogram your subconscious for success in the area you want.
In the world today, one of the biggest fears regarding hypnosis is the fear of losing control to a hypnotist. Some people believe that if they are hypnotized, a hypnotist can take over control of their mind. This idea could not be farther from the truth. In fact, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. Only about twenty-percent of the process is the effort of the hypnotist, and eighty-percent is the responsibility of the hypnotic subject. You might view a hypnotist as a skilled, and talented tour guide that will assist you in change. Hypnotherapy is unique from all other forms of medicine, and healing because it is the only therapy that puts you in complete, and total control of creating the desired change. You begin the process of change by entering the hypnotic state. You then create the change in your mind by receiving, and accepting the hypnotic suggestions for improvement, creating a new self-image, and by following techniques given by the hypnotist. The end result is that you create the change within your mind. You are in ultimate control over how much you will relax. This in turn impacts your receptivity to suggestions, and the depth of your hypnotic trance. It is impossible for a hypnotist to control your mind. If an attempt is made by a hypnotist to give a suggestion that was outside the framework of your moral orientation or value system, your subconscious mind would immediately alert you, and terminate the trance state.
Here is an example of how your subconscious mind always protects you. Have you ever had a lot of things on your mind while driving home some place very familiar and when you got there, you didn't or couldn't remember driving there? That is a very common occurrence for most people, and this happens because driving a car becomes second nature and not much thought is required to get you to familiar destinations. It does not take much thought when driving to a familiar place like home or work so driving to these places becomes almost automatic. During these occasions, your subconscious mind acts as an autopilot, and will deliver you to your destination. If you encounter any obstacles along your way, your subconscious mind will immediately alert your conscious mind to keep you safe. For example, while driving your car on autopilot, if a deer ran out onto the road, or a car swerved in front of you, your subconscious would instantly alert your conscious mind to step on the brakes. The same is true about hypnosis. If your mind encounters obstacles, or suggestions that are not within your moral, and value orientation, your subconscious will immediately reject the thought and terminate the hypnotic state. When you are hypnotized you never give up control, you take back control of your life!
Another popular misconception centers on the fear of being trapped in hypnosis. This is also far from the truth. When hypnotized your mind, and body are in a natural altered state of consciousness. This state of mind is completely safe, natural, and innate. We actually slip in, and out of the hypnotic state all day long. When you daydream, you enter into a form of this peaceful consciousness. You allow yourself to drift away, and wander around in your mind for a brief moment. Another example is when you get involved in a novel, you imagine yourself actually being there. Consequently, you become oblivious to what is going on around you. You also understand that there is no way for you to get trapped in these states of mind. The hypnotic state is very similar to these two examples. Since doing hypnosis is as natural as daydreaming or getting involved in a book, it is 100% safe, and impossible to stay in a hypnotic state of mind. Sooner or later you will wake up. If the hypnotist stopped talking or left the room one of two things would happen. First, you as the hypnotized subject would open your eyes, and emerge from this relaxed state just as easily as you would from a daydream. The second possible outcome, would find you as the hypnotized subject waking up in a few minutes just like you do in the morning from a good night sleep. You would feel like you had just taken a refreshing nap. Once again, hypnosis is natural, safe, and you are in total control of the process.
The third misconception centers on what happens to you when you are hypnotized. Due to various factors including Hollywood, some people believe that they will go off into a dream world, or they enter into a comatose state. When you are hypnotized, you are still conscious, and aware of things happening around you. You are in a different state of consciousness than the full waking state. Most people are unaware that while hypnotized you can still hear other sounds in the room around you. When hypnotized, you have altered your state of consciousness, like if you were daydreaming. Since we slip in and out of this state of mind everyday, it feels very natural, and enjoyable to people. It feels so natural many on their first time that sometimes they don't think they were hypnotized when in fact they really were. While others go so deep into profound relaxation that there is no denying the hypnotic trance. Regardless of the depths you experience while hypnotized, whether it light or deep, you can and will achieve the success you are looking for.
This was a very brief explanation of hypnosis. You can read a more detailed description, and explanation of the process of hypnosis in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website.
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