WHAT IS HYPNOSIS

We will take a look at what hypnosis actually is. While we don't fully understand hypnosis from a medical/scientific standpoint, many studies are in process at the time of this writing that will shed some more light on exactly what this wonderful state is and how we can continue to use it in the future. Here's what we do know about hypnosis…

Hypnosis is a Natural State

Hypnosis is a natural state that each of us has the ability to enter. Some people are more talented than others at entering deep trance (This deep level of hypnosis is commonly called somnambulism). Everyone is able to enter this somnambulistic level of trance, but some enter it more easily than others.

Nearly every school of thought about mental health defines two major parts to the entity we call personality. Some call it Id and Ego; some call it Child and Parent. We will call it your Conscious Mind and Sub-conscious Mind (or Unconscious Mind, as some people prefer to say).

Your conscious mind is the part of you that you "think" with. It consists of all of your conscious thought, while your subconscious handles the many millions of details that you encounter every day of your life. A good analogy that I like to use is that of a sailing ship. The Captain (your conscious mind) does all the logical, rational thinking. He makes conscious, informed decisions on a high level based on the information before him. He does not deal with the lower-level, more mundane tasks... that's the Crew's (your subconscious mind's) job. If he wants the ship to turn right, he might give the command "All Hands! Full to Starboard!!!" The captain obviously doesn't turn the boat himself... this is where the crew comes in. "Behind the scenes", there is a man who rings the chime to indicate a turn, which prompts engineering to fire up a motor, which requires more steam and prompts workers to shovel and burn more coal, which needs still other workers to replenish coal. These men work hard and deserve a good meal, so there are cooks that make food that waiters need to serve. Others have to replenish the food supplies, sweep the floors, check the weather, monitor sonar and radar, plot courses and a million other tasks... All just so the Captain can bark his next order. In order to do so, he must pay attention to the feedback from his crew. Can you guess what happens when the Captain starts ignoring, or even worse, mistreating the crew? That's right... Mutiny. Which is exactly what happens when some of us get out of rapport with our own subconscious.

Basically, hypnosis allows us to open the subconscious mind to suggestion while the conscious mind wanders, or is otherwise distracted. In other words, hypnosis whips your "Crew" back into shape.

Hypnosis is not mind control, brainwashing, black magic or voodoo. The hypnotist has no "special power". Hypnosis is a cooperative activity, which requires the full consent of the client or subject. As a matter of fact, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The subject enters hypnosis of his own accord - the hypnotist merely guides the subject through his experience and offers therapeutic suggestions (or entertaining suggestions, depending on his line of work) along the way.

You Have Already Been Hypnotized

You may not know it, but chances are you've already been hypnotized! Have you ever been daydreaming; so oblivious to the world that you didn't even hear someone speaking to you or calling your name? Ever read a book or watch a movie and get so into it that you lose track of all time and feel as though you are there? Have you ever been driving down the road and suddenly "snap to", wondering how you have traveled the last few miles? These are all altered-states, where your subconscious mind has jumped to the surface and taken over while your conscious mind wanders. In essence, you have been hypnotized!!!

The Signs of Hypnosis

Many people react to hypnosis in many different ways. Because of this, no simple table can accurately describe everyone's reaction to hypnosis. Some people appear to be "out cold", while others will have fluttering eyelids or some other types of twitching. Young children, who are actually in altered states most of the time, will squirm or even giggle while in hypnosis. My point is that hypnosis is almost completely subjective and just because a subject may or may not show one or more of these signs does not necessarily mean that the subject is or isn't hypnotized. These three levels of trance are simplified and not really meant to signify concrete states of hypnosis. More will be said about this in the section titled "The Stages of Hypnosis".

Many people react to hypnosis in many different ways. Because of this, no simple table can accurately describe everyone's reaction to hypnosis. Some people appear to be "out cold", while others will have fluttering eyelids or some other types of twitching. Young children, who are actually in altered states most of the time, will squirm or even giggle while in hypnosis. My point is that hypnosis is almost completely subjective and just because a subject may or may not show one or more of these signs does not necessarily mean that the subject is or isn't hypnotized. These three levels of trance are simplified and not really meant to signify concrete states of hypnosis. More will be said about this in the section titled "The Stages of Hypnosis".

Figure 1.1 - Signs of Hypnosis

The Effects of Hypnosis

Effect is another highly subjective area of hypnosis. While there are some similarities in the experiences of most subjects, none of these effects are a requirement or a direct indication of successful hypnosis.

Figure 1.2 - Effects of Hypnosis

• Deep Relaxation Most subjects will experience an intense feeling of relaxation. Although, relaxation is not necessary for trance, many methods of hypnosis promote trance through dissociation with the body. This is usually done through deep relaxation.
• Floating or Sinking Many subjects report the gentle feeling of floating or sinking into the chair or couch that they are on.
• Increased Senses While hypnosis usually involves dissociation from the body, typically, many people report that they also become aware of certain things through an increase in the sensitivity of their senses.
• Amnesia Many people experience amnesia about the content of the hypnotic experience. This is actually encouraged, and even intentionally suggested, when using hypnosis in a therapeutic setting.
• Time Distortion Trance can do some amazing things to a person’s perception of time. Many sessions that last an hour feel like ten or fifteen minutes to an awakened subject. Sometimes, twenty-minute sessions feel like hours. Time distortion is completely subjective - everyone experiences it differently.

The Stages of Hypnosis

Hypnosis is generally regarded as having three levels or stages of "depth". There is a fairly heated argument between different camps regarding the actual levels (even if there actually are any) of hypnosis and what characteristics belong to each level. The chart I use here has been adapted from Tad James, 2000

Figure 1.3 - Stages of Hypnosis

 

Light Trance

Feelings of lethargy and relaxation

Catalepsy of the eyes

Catalepsy of the arms or other muscle groups

Floating or sinking feelings

Full body catalepsy

 

Medium Trance

Smell and taste can be suggested. For example, making an onion taste and smell like an apple.

The ability to totally erase or block numbers from the mind.

Amnesia of certain events

Glove Anesthesia

Analgesic suggestions

Post-hypnotic suggestion

 

Deep Trance

Automatic movement. For example, if you begin to move the subject’s hands in orbit around each other, they will continue to move that way automatically, without verbal suggestion, until you stop them or suggest that they stop.

Positive hallucinations can be suggested. For instance, in my hand, you will see a tennis ball. What color is it?

Complete anesthesia

Negative hallucinations, while more difficult to suggest than positive hallucinations, can sometimes be suggested at this point. For instance, the chair you are sitting on has just disappeared… you can no longer see the chair anywhere.

Comatose, or what has been commonly called, the Esdaile state.

Bear in mind that these stages are very fluid. Please, do not get the idea that only a person in medium trance can receive post-hypnotic suggestions, or that only a person in deep trance can experience anesthesia. Everyone is different and people respond in different ways to hypnosis. This table is only presented as a loose outline and is not meant to limit your options in any way. Remember... Anything is possible!

Dispelling Myths About Hypnosis: Common Questions

Let's face it... Hypnosis has not fared well under the skeptical eye of most. There are many reasons for this - Media being the biggest. The image of hypnosis most commonly put forth by Hollywood is one of magic, mystery and power. In these movies, some sinister villain usually waves something shiny in the "victim's" face and gains full and complete control.

Well, as we have learned, this is all false, but most people don't even have the small amount of knowledge about hypnosis that you have recently gained. In order to help these people to trust us and relax sufficiently, we must dispel a few myths about hypnosis. Most uncertainties about hypnosis stem from issues where the client/subject believes that they will lose control and be made to bark like a dog or something of the sort. I will provide some specific ways to combat these fears later in this book, but for now, let's look at some of the most common questions people have about hypnosis and the ways that I like to answer them.

• Will I fall asleep? No, you will not fall asleep. While many people look "zonked out" while in trance, this is usually just a product of the extreme relaxation and comfort of the subject. Hypnosis is not sleep. At all times, you will be completely awake and in control.
• Will I Lose control or be a Zombie? Not at all. Hypnosis is a cooperative activity, which means that you must consent to everything that I suggest to you. If I were to suggest something that would make you uncomfortable, cause harm or is out of line with your morals, you would either come out of trance, or simply ignore the suggestion. You are suggestible under hypnosis, but not commandable!
• If that's so, why do people on stage bark like dogs and act like fools? Have you ever known anyone personally that has gone on stage? The stage hypnotist plays with a bit of a stacked deck. Think about it... Who goes up on stage? Volunteers! Those are people who enjoy hamming it up. Heck, I'll bet if you watch most of them volunteering, they were probably standing on their tippie-toes on their chairs saying "Me, me, me, me, me, me!!!!" They enjoy the attention! Chances are they might bark like a dog even if they weren't hypnotized just to get a laugh! This is not meant to take anything away from stage-hypnotists - stage hypnotism is an extraordinary art that is difficult to master. But, in order to put ten to fifty subjects under trance in less than ten minutes, and then have them do entertaining things, it helps to have the right type of subjects.
• What Will Hypnosis Feel Like?

Focus on This!

Hypnosis can feel radically different to different people, so I can't tell you exactly what you'll feel. But I can tell you this... It will be completely comfortable...you will relax completely... And you will have a profoundly incredible and positive experience. The best way to learn about it is to experience it.

What if I Can’t Be Hypnotized?

Everyone can be hypnotized. Let me say that again: Everyone can be hypnotized. This does not necessarily mean that everyone will submit to hypnosis. Remember, hypnosis is cooperative... The subject is always in charge. But rest assured that, anyone with an I.Q. above that of a cucumber, who can relax, comprehend and follow simple instructions, can be hypnotized.

What if I get "stuck" in Hypnosis?

This is the most common fear that people ask me about. It’s also the most silly. In the entire history of hypnosis, no one has ever gotten "stuck" in trance. You've never become permanently "stuck" daydreaming, have you?!? Of course not! While a few people are reluctant to "snap to", just because hypnosis is so cool and feels so good, everyone comes out of hypnosis feeling great, refreshed and full of life.

Time for Your First Trip

As I said before, the best way to learn what hypnosis feels like is to experience it. Now that we've taken all the mystery and hocus-pocus out of hypnosis, and dispelled all the common myths that you may have believed, you get your chance.

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