Question:
Hi there,
Does hypnosis exist?
The old debate but a good one.
Ian
I've tried being hypnosed, and it doesn't feel any different while you are under. I only noticed it when I came out.
Then I realised there was a difference.
Only way to find out is to try it!
Hi transtrat,
Hypnosis is that condition you enter in between being awake and going to sleep. You enter the state everyday of your life - naturally. Being hypnotised is simply calming the body and mind to the point just before sleep takes over and by talking quieltly to the patient, the patient remains in limbo so to speak. The hypnotist - I don't like that word - watches for bodily signs when the patient is 'going under' - I don't like that term either. The eyebrows flutter, the fingers tremble, the face flushes, these are some of the signs.
It's a wonderful state to be in and all hypnotists can do it to themselves.
Best wishes
Publisher :)
Hi Transat,
Hypnosis is simply a form of trance state, a narrow focus of attention. People slip in and out of trance state during the day without realising it - when you daydream, you are in trance state; when you realise that you can't remember driving the last mile or two, you were in trance state; when you get so engrossed in a book that you become oblivious to all around you, you are in a trance state. These are all inward trances, there's also the outward trance state of an athlete about to begin a race, all they are aware of is themselves and the finishing line, they are not aware of the spectators, any other sport in the stadium, they may only have a fleeting awareness of the other runners. There are many more examples, but basically a narrow focus of attention = trance state.
Hypnosis is simply the act of inducing a deep trance state - there are a number of ways of doing this, called inductions.Where the hypnosis is being used for therapy, the therapist can then talk direct to the unconscious/subconscious mind to change faulty patterns, such as getting you to reach for an apple instead of a cigarette, or to help with pain management and so on. Where hypnosis is used for entertainment - well we've all seen that, haven't we!
Just to be clear, hypnotic trance has nothing to do with sleep other than it takes you into REM state, you can be perfectly aware of what is being said to you, and you always have the ability to exercise free will - your own beliefs and values are still active, hypnosis can't make you do anything that you wouldn't, neither can it stop you doing something that you want to do, i.e. smoke!
Publisher, I also hate the word hypnotist but don't know why - maybe because for most of us our first experience of hypnosis is watching a stage show and dreading anyone doing that to us? I practice solution-focused psychotherapy and hypnosis so call myself a hypnotherapist, but I read on another forum that people like me were being pretentious and should be honest and call ourselves hypnotists - I disagree as firstly I'm not JUST doing hypnosis and secondly because it is hypnosis for therapeutic purposes.
And I have to say that after all this time it STILL fascinates me and I'm STILL blown away by the power of the mind, the fantastic results and seeing people's lives being transformed for the better! :)
Amber
You're right Amber, the word hypnotist has become a dirty word through stage acts - most of which are very aggressive to the participant. And like you I think that hypnosis is a wonderful tool and very relaxing for the client. You get a genuine feeling of 'wellbeing' after a session.
Yet because of the associations hypnosis is now very much out of favour I feel, with other therapies enjoying their honeymoon period. Perhaps all we need is a new word. Better start looking up the Greek and Latin derivations :eek:
Have a great day
Publisher
Well don't forget that most people's first introduction to Hypnosis is from stage shows or tv shows, so this is what their first impression comes from.
I've seen a few stage shows and they have been not just entertaining and fun, but also showed what hypnosis can do for people, so don't knock it.
Having also been hypnosed on stage, I can say that there was no aggression or negativety towards either me nor the other people.
There'll also be some rogue elements doing various therapies and giving them a bad name. But at least everyone knows about hypnosis, how many knows about EFT?
Everyone knows about hypnosis, but so many people are still only aware of it for entertainment or to stop smoking.
So many people live with chronic pain every day of their lives but are not aware that hypnosis can help them manage it.
So many people live with the after-effects of trauma, whether it be PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks and so on but are not aware that some forms of hypnosis can remove these problems for good.
So many people live with depression, popping pills, and are not aware that hypnosis can help them.
I could go on and on. So yes, everyone knows about hypnosis, but many are still not aware of how hypnosis can help them change their lives for the better. As much as I dislike Paul McKenna, at least he is raising public awareness of just how useful therapeutic hypnosis, particularly combined with NLP, can be.
Hi everyone and thank you for the points raised.
As a hypnotherapist myself and a holder of a degree in Clinical Hypnosis I know what all the different schools think hypnosis is. The meaning differs.
What I am getting at is this:
Is hypnosis a real state of mind of is it really perfectly natural states that we drift into and out of all day long.
I think we are always in altered states and that hypnosis is much more than a "trance like state".
I do most of my hypnosis work before I ge anywhere near a trance like experience for the client by using language patterns, pacing and leading etc. Then, and only if the client needs to perceive actual hypnosis (an induction) do I bother to go through it. Sometimes you have to use the belief system of th client if you get my point here.
I look forward to more replies.
Ian
This is a very good description of hypnosis. Anyone thinking of going for reading this can rest assured that they will be hypnotised even though they will be totally conscious.
Does hypnosis exist?
The old debate but a good one.
Ian
Answers:
I've tried being hypnosed, and it doesn't feel any different while you are under. I only noticed it when I came out.
Then I realised there was a difference.
Only way to find out is to try it!
Answers:
Hi transtrat,
Hypnosis is that condition you enter in between being awake and going to sleep. You enter the state everyday of your life - naturally. Being hypnotised is simply calming the body and mind to the point just before sleep takes over and by talking quieltly to the patient, the patient remains in limbo so to speak. The hypnotist - I don't like that word - watches for bodily signs when the patient is 'going under' - I don't like that term either. The eyebrows flutter, the fingers tremble, the face flushes, these are some of the signs.
It's a wonderful state to be in and all hypnotists can do it to themselves.
Best wishes
Publisher :)
Answers:
Hi Transat,
Hypnosis is simply a form of trance state, a narrow focus of attention. People slip in and out of trance state during the day without realising it - when you daydream, you are in trance state; when you realise that you can't remember driving the last mile or two, you were in trance state; when you get so engrossed in a book that you become oblivious to all around you, you are in a trance state. These are all inward trances, there's also the outward trance state of an athlete about to begin a race, all they are aware of is themselves and the finishing line, they are not aware of the spectators, any other sport in the stadium, they may only have a fleeting awareness of the other runners. There are many more examples, but basically a narrow focus of attention = trance state.
Hypnosis is simply the act of inducing a deep trance state - there are a number of ways of doing this, called inductions.Where the hypnosis is being used for therapy, the therapist can then talk direct to the unconscious/subconscious mind to change faulty patterns, such as getting you to reach for an apple instead of a cigarette, or to help with pain management and so on. Where hypnosis is used for entertainment - well we've all seen that, haven't we!
Just to be clear, hypnotic trance has nothing to do with sleep other than it takes you into REM state, you can be perfectly aware of what is being said to you, and you always have the ability to exercise free will - your own beliefs and values are still active, hypnosis can't make you do anything that you wouldn't, neither can it stop you doing something that you want to do, i.e. smoke!
Publisher, I also hate the word hypnotist but don't know why - maybe because for most of us our first experience of hypnosis is watching a stage show and dreading anyone doing that to us? I practice solution-focused psychotherapy and hypnosis so call myself a hypnotherapist, but I read on another forum that people like me were being pretentious and should be honest and call ourselves hypnotists - I disagree as firstly I'm not JUST doing hypnosis and secondly because it is hypnosis for therapeutic purposes.
And I have to say that after all this time it STILL fascinates me and I'm STILL blown away by the power of the mind, the fantastic results and seeing people's lives being transformed for the better! :)
Amber
Answers:
You're right Amber, the word hypnotist has become a dirty word through stage acts - most of which are very aggressive to the participant. And like you I think that hypnosis is a wonderful tool and very relaxing for the client. You get a genuine feeling of 'wellbeing' after a session.
Yet because of the associations hypnosis is now very much out of favour I feel, with other therapies enjoying their honeymoon period. Perhaps all we need is a new word. Better start looking up the Greek and Latin derivations :eek:
Have a great day
Publisher
Answers:
Well don't forget that most people's first introduction to Hypnosis is from stage shows or tv shows, so this is what their first impression comes from.
I've seen a few stage shows and they have been not just entertaining and fun, but also showed what hypnosis can do for people, so don't knock it.
Having also been hypnosed on stage, I can say that there was no aggression or negativety towards either me nor the other people.
There'll also be some rogue elements doing various therapies and giving them a bad name. But at least everyone knows about hypnosis, how many knows about EFT?
Answers:
Everyone knows about hypnosis, but so many people are still only aware of it for entertainment or to stop smoking.
So many people live with chronic pain every day of their lives but are not aware that hypnosis can help them manage it.
So many people live with the after-effects of trauma, whether it be PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks and so on but are not aware that some forms of hypnosis can remove these problems for good.
So many people live with depression, popping pills, and are not aware that hypnosis can help them.
I could go on and on. So yes, everyone knows about hypnosis, but many are still not aware of how hypnosis can help them change their lives for the better. As much as I dislike Paul McKenna, at least he is raising public awareness of just how useful therapeutic hypnosis, particularly combined with NLP, can be.
Answers:
Hi everyone and thank you for the points raised.
As a hypnotherapist myself and a holder of a degree in Clinical Hypnosis I know what all the different schools think hypnosis is. The meaning differs.
What I am getting at is this:
Is hypnosis a real state of mind of is it really perfectly natural states that we drift into and out of all day long.
I think we are always in altered states and that hypnosis is much more than a "trance like state".
I do most of my hypnosis work before I ge anywhere near a trance like experience for the client by using language patterns, pacing and leading etc. Then, and only if the client needs to perceive actual hypnosis (an induction) do I bother to go through it. Sometimes you have to use the belief system of th client if you get my point here.
I look forward to more replies.
Ian
Answers:
This is a very good description of hypnosis. Anyone thinking of going for reading this can rest assured that they will be hypnotised even though they will be totally conscious.
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