Hypnosis is a normal state that everyone experiences
It happens to all of us, young and old, in everyday life and on special occasions.
You are already familiar with hypnosis, although you may not realize it. You go through these altered states of consciousness, or brain wave levels, a minimum of twice a day when you are crossing over into sleep and when you are awakening.
Have you daydreamed and failed to notice what was going on around you?
Perhaps you have been driving along on a freeway, listening to the radio and missed a familiar exit while “lost in thought”
Have you ever been so engrossed in a book or a movie or a TV program or game that you were unaware of the passing of time?
These are all hypnotic-like trances
People with very low IQ’s, neurotics, and very young children are also good subjects
though they have short attention spans.
WILL I BE ASLEEP?
The word, hypnosis, is derived from the Greek root for sleep, but hypnosis is not sleep. The hypnotized person may have the appearance of being asleep but he is actually awake. Psychologists have proven this by the use of the electrocardiograph and other devices that show the hypnotized person has the reflex responses of one who is awake.
A person in a hypnotic state is not asleep. The mind is active and functioning while you
are fully in control of yourself and your choices. As there is the intention and desire for
change, this heightened state of awareness in hypnosis allows the subconscious mind
to directly receive positive suggestions for the' therapeutic transformation.
The person who is asleep cannot hear what we say and cannot answer us. He is not conscious of his movements and does not have the ability to control them. On the other hand, a person who is hypnotized can hear every word; he does answer our questions and is conscious of his movements and can control his actions.
The hypnotized person is more keenly aware and deeply relaxed. You are aware of what is taking place since his senses are sharper and he can think more clearly. He can a/so summon unusual strength and exert remarkable control over his body.
Your mental awareness is increased and you become more focused. As when you are, engrossed in music.
Some fatigued people may go out of hypnosis by falling into natural sleep, simply because they were tired, but then they may need to be awakened; if a person is trying to recall a memory under hypnosis, he or she can't do so while sleeping.
If the subject does fall asleep, it is only because the person was completely relaxed and wanted to sleep. S/he will ultimately awaken refreshed.
IS IT DANGEROUS?
Hypnosis is absolutely safe. There is no case on record reporting harmful results from its therapeutic use. In this respect it has a clear advantage over electric shock therapy or brain surgery, which may sometimes result in serious impairment of memory or loss of mental function.
Hypnotism never harms the memory, it strengthens it. Hypnosis achieves its results, not by destroying mental channels, but by reclaiming them.
Hypnotherapy has probably the lowest risk factor as a therapeutic intervention since practitioner’s journey with you as you go gently into your inner world to make desired changes.
Unskilled persons may give subjects foolish suggestions, such as one often witnesses in stage hypnosis, where the trance is used for entertainment. A delicately balanced and sensitive person exposed to unwise and humiliating suggestions may respond with anxiety.
CAN A PERSON’S MEMORY BE ERASED?
In some cases, if the client wants to forget something, amnesia can be produced with a post-hypnotic suggestion, but it wears off as quickly as the subject wishes.
Your subconscious mind was formed when you were about 5 years of age. Its job is to protect and help you.
WHAT DOES HYPNOSIS FEEL LIKE?
To quote the June, 1977 issue of "Psychology Today":
People who are hypnotized for the first time are frequently disappointed to find that they experience nothing overwhelming. They feel mildly relaxed but they remain in touch with reality and in control of their thoughts.
The average person has the idea that he/she will go through something different, new and spectacular in the hypnotic slate.
You will feel very relaxed, but alert and aware. Your subconscious mind remains open and receptive. You retain full conscious awareness and control, while in touch with subconscious memories, emotions and feelings.
If you are a deep sleeper, you may feel like you momentarily dozed; if you are a light sleeper, you may have a feeling of having been completely awake.
The majority of people who insist that they have only experienced a light trance or none at all should realize that it is perfectly normal that they should hear external noises and maintain rapport with the hypnotist and remember everything that went on.
On awakening, you will feel no different than you did before being hypnotized, but the effects will be there.
