What is Hypnosis… Really?
August 8, 2020
What is Hypnosis… Really?
Answering this question is a great place to start. Most people have a fear of hypnosis, they think it’s some sort of mind-control. Or they think it’s just a bunch of B.S. that can’t do anybody any good. So, let’s talk about the mind-control part first.
Hypnosis is a mental state… a state of mind. For example, when you’re alone you have a different mental state than when you’re with a crowd of people. When you’re at work you have a different mental state than when you’re at home. We go through many different states of mind every day, it’s just a part of being alive.
Now when we mention the state of hypnosis, I know that most of you are thinking about those guys who do the stage-show stuff where they seem to be controlling the minds of those people on stage with them. Here’s what’s really going on:
Those people on stage are expecting exactly what the “hypnotist” is going to do with them, and so they go along with whatever he says. Looking at it from that perspective, you’re absolutely right about the mind-control thing. Those people are responding to what they EXPECT to happen to them for 2 reasons:
First, they don’t want to look foolish in front of the crowd by not complying with what the “hypnotist” tells them. And secondly, they don’t want to make the guy look bad by not playing along. So, they do exactly what he tells them. And guess what… this IS mind-control, NOT HYPNOSIS. It’s manipulation at its best. Personally, I wish these so-called “hypnotists” would be banned; they make my job 10 times harder! Besides that, I believe it’s unethical.
WHAT IS HYPNOSIS… REALLY?
The truth regarding mind-control is this: When someone comes to me with a problem (anxiety for example), their mind is already out-of-control when it comes to the issues that are causing their anxiety. My job is to help them regain their control and reduce the anxiety. I merely act as a guide by helping them to become aware of what’s really causing that anxiety, and to change their thoughts, beliefs and perspectives about it. Like Dr. Wayne Dyer said: “When you change the way you look at something, the thing you’re looking at changes”.
The methods I use are not manipulative in any way. They are designed to help people with serious problems to find better solutions to dealing with those problems… and that’s it!
The state of hypnosis is not spooky or something unnatural. We all go through the hypnotic state many times every day. Specifically, in the morning when we’re just beginning to wake up, and at night right before we fall asleep. It has to do with brain frequencies. There are mainly 4 mental/brainwave states: Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta. Beta is wide awake, Alpha is when you’re just really relaxed, Theta is that state mentioned above… almost awake and almost asleep, and Delta is when we’re asleep.
The Theta state can also be experienced via meditation, yoga and even bio-feedback. It is NORMAL. The therapeutic benefit of the Theta state is that the busy, conscious part of the mind is temporarily off-line. This is a good thing because it’s usually the conscious mind that judges, worries, makes excuses and causes problems. It thinks it’s running the show but in reality, it’s the sub-conscious mind that’s running it.
WHAT IS HYPNOSIS… REALLY?
There are many other times when you’re experiencing the Theta state. If you were ever watching a movie and someone said something to you… and you didn’t even hear them… you were in the Theta/Hypnotic state. When we daydream… same thing. When we’re driving on an inter-state highway, not really noticing anything along the road, that’s another example.
So as you can see, the Theta/Hypnotic state is normal, natural and nothing to be afraid of. And NO – you cannot get “stuck” there. It’s impossible. And NO, you will not say or do anything that you wouldn’t normally say or do in the Beta or Alpha state. Many of my clients are amazed at how relaxed the can become and still be mentally aware!
Now for those who think that hypnotherapy is just a bunch of bull and can’t do anybody any good, listen up. I’ve helped people that medical doctors and psychiatrists couldn’t help. I have watched people face to face as they got a profound breakthrough regarding a major physical and/or emotional problem they’d been struggling with… often for many years. I’ve helped people who have been hospitalized for their problem and it didn’t help them one bit. Believe what you want. I know hypnosis works.
In closing, the hypnotic state is 100% natural and safe. My job is to help people by guiding them to the answers and resources that are already inside them. I am a guide, a facilitator of healing. My clients heal themselves. They just need a little help, and I provide it.