What Is Hypnosis?
The mind has basically two states: the conscious and subconscious. Generally, when you are in a conscious state, you are aware of your immediate surroundings and can react to things happening around you. During this time your subconscious mind is pushed into the background, but it is still present to a small amount. When you are daydreaming or absorbed in a task where you are very focused and feel like you have lost track of time, such as when you are exercising, or doing something you that really enjoy like listening to music, and you are “in the zone,” your subconscious mind comes forward pushing the conscious mind into the background, sort of like a seesaw. When this happens you are actually experiencing a state of hypnosis. Other times you may have experienced hypnosis would be when you are driving a car on a route you drive regularly and you are very relaxed, but you suddenly realize that you’ve arrived at home or work and don’t remember exactly all the steps on how you got there, yet you got home or to work safely. Or maybe you are painting a picture or reading a book and you are enjoying yourself so much that you lose track of time—again, what has happened is you have entered into a state of self-hypnosis. So, as you can see hypnosis is a natural state of mind, it’s just your subconscious mind becoming more active.
Now, it’s important to know that when you’re experiencing hypnosis you will not do anything that you would not do while you’re in a conscious state of mind. Therefore, you do not surrender your will. During hypnosis you are able to make decisions at all times and no one can force you to do anything you wouldn’t normally do. When you are experiencing hypnosis you do not become unconscious. And, in fact, you are able to speak while you are in a hypnotic state. You cannot be forced to tell secrets about yourself or about other people. Another myth is that only a weak minded person can be hypnotized, but this isn’t the case. Hypnosis requires being able to focus, so, the more intelligent you are, the more easily you can reach the state of hypnosis. Because of this, being able to become hypnotized doesn’t make you gullible; it shows that you are capable of being focused. If you are concerned that you might become “stuck” in the hypnotic state, don’t be. Since a person is capable of self-hypnosis, they can also bring themselves out of hypnosis.
Once you are in the hypnotic state, and you may have heard this also referred to as being in a trance, your subconscious mind has moved forward and you conscious mind had been moved into the background. You are in a more relaxed state and your subconscious mind is more able to accept positive suggestions. Again, it’s important to remember that you will not do anything that you won’t be willing to do while you are not experiencing hypnosis. Because of this, you will be able to take the suggestions that you feel are right for you and allow yourself to begin to experience the changes that you want to make in your life, such as eliminating negative or unwanted habits, improving your learning process, memory, and concentration. Hypnosis can also help you to develop more self-confidence, eliminate stage fright, and improve your athletic abilities as well as improve in other social and educational areas that are of a nonmedical nature.
Leave a Reply