Articles
Taking the Mystery out of Hypnosis
Much of society’s resistance to hypnosis is based on false beliefs
perpetuated by a fear of the unknown. I’ve compiled and addressed some
of my favorite myths to help clarify exactly what hypnosis is, and more
to point, what it is not.
Myth #1 - Hypnotists have some kind of special power: Entertainment
media plays a significant role in sensationalizing the word hypnosis.
At the risk of demystifying the term, I submit that there is no
trickery involved whatsoever. Skilled hypnotists operate from a basic
understanding of humans and human experiences. The hypnotic state can
be achieved alone, which refutes the point that hypnotists are somehow
magical. It also suggests that anyone can induce hypnosis, either on
themselves or on someone else. The real skill lies in how we use
hypnosis to influence people.
Myth #2 – Only weak minded people can be hypnotized: Interestingly,
concentration is the basis for achieving hypnosis, and the ability to
concentrate requires a strong intellect. The greater your ability to
concentrate, the better a hypnotic subject you will be. Suggestibility
is unrelated to intelligence, and our susceptibility to suggestion is
not indicative of weakness or gullibility. The decision to accept a
treatment or service that you feel will benefit you is a conscious,
calculated decision, not an act of weak mindedness.
Myth #3 - Hypnosis can only work on certain people: To this, I say,
sure… if you really don’t want to be hypnotized, you can certainly
impeach the process. Certain people will benefit more from hypnosis
than others, because they are motivated to get more out of it. Your
level of suggestibility cannot be altered, but your commitment and the
degree of concentration that you invest can and will influence how much
you get out of hypnotherapy. Hypnosis works for everyone. It’s the
degree that varies, and this variable is entirely up to you.
Myth #4 – You will be able to recall everything that has ever happened
to you: If there is any benefit to you whatsoever in recalling certain
specific times or events in your life, then a good hypnotist can help
you do that. But typically, there is no real need to go back and
remember the past. Hypnosis is a natural state of total relaxation.
Regression is a different thing.
Myth #5 - You can be made to say or do something against your will:
Hypnosis is a natural state of complete relaxation, not a state of
sleep. In this relaxed state, you become highly susceptible to
suggestion, but you don’t become a different person. Achieving a state
of heightened suggestion does not compromise your faculties, morals,
ethics, or beliefs. Being hypnotized won’t lead you to say or do things
against your will. If you’re asked to do something you don’t want to
do, you will simply refuse.
Myth #6 – People who are hypnotized become dependent on the hypnotist:
Hypnosis when used as a form of therapy and carries no greater risk of
dependency than any other form of therapy. While in hypnosis, you’re in
full control of what happens to you. Hypnotherapy is a means of
empowerment, achieved with the assistance of an outside entity. It’s
not submissiveness, and it’s not a surrender of control. You have the
ability to pull yourself out spontaneously, at any moment.
Myth #7 – Hypnosis is bad for your health: The irony here is that the
very essence of hypnosis is regularly recommended by physicians and
psychotherapists. These trusted health professionals invariably advise
us that we need to relax more, yet they seldom state how. When you are
hypnotized, you are quite simply in a deep, natural state of relaxation.
Myth #8 – When in hypnosis you could get stuck and be unable to wake
up: Hypnosis is a natural state which we all reach from time to time on
our own, without prompting of any kind. There is absolutely no danger
of getting stuck in this state. It’s about as likely as getting stuck
completely asleep, really. The worst that can possibly happen is that
you drift off into deep sleep for a few minutes, because you are in
that bridged state between awake and asleep.
Myth #9 - You’re asleep or unconscious when in hypnosis:If people were
asleep or unconscious when in hypnosis, they would not be able to
report on what they were feeling. In fact, you are fully aware of
what’s happening, and you are able to recall your state of hypnosis.
Some describe it as feeling heavy, some light, others just very
relaxed. Typically, the body will feel as though it’s gone to sleep,
but the mind remains alert and receptive to the suggestion.
Myth #10 - Hypnosis is the devils work and is dangerous: In the past
I’ve heard some religious people refer to hypnosis as the ‘devils
work’. Like anything else, hypnosis can be used for good or for bad,
but it is left to us to find a trusted hypnotist. Hypnosis is a natural
occurring state, widely used by respected health care professionals.
There are lots of doctors who practice hypnotherapy. I doubt very much
that they are in league with the devil.
As with other unknowns, we quite readily make assumptions or
suppositions about things that we aren’t sure of, and usually when we
explore more closely, we find the reality is in fact quite different
than the impression we had formed.
I hope I’ve managed to dispel some of the untruths about hypnosis, as
it would be shame to deny oneself the benefits of hypnotherapy because
of unfounded doubt or false impressions.
Hypnosis Recordings vs. the Real Thing
I’m often asked the question “Are self hypnosis recordings really as
effective as hypnotherapy with a real live person?” My answer is yes,
absolutely.
Certainly, there are significant differences to be found when comparing
self hypnosis CDs or downloads to one on one therapy, but they are just
that, differences. What one individual considers a benefit may be seen
as a drawback to the next person. It really comes down to each person’s
natural makeup, which determines what works for them.
For instance, in the case of live one to one hypnotherapy, a session
can be concentrated on a particular problem, which may be a priority to
you at a given moment, especially if you’re easily hypnotized. With
recorded self hypnosis sessions, you do not have the benefit of
focalized subject matter. There is no doubt that for specific problems,
particular deep rooted problems, live one to one hypnotherapy is the
best option.
On the other hand, to someone else, successful hypnotherapy may be
dependant on the need to hear the message repeatedly. The law of
concentrated attention and the power of suggestion in hypnosis are
proven and very real. In this case, a recorded self hypnosis session is
really the best option. You have complete control over when and how
often to hear the recording. With live hypnotherapy, you do not have
the benefit of repeated play, or the convenience of selective timing.
There is nothing preventing you from trying combined therapy, wherein
you see a hypnotherapist in person, and also benefit from self hypnosis
recordings in your own time. There is no system to conform to; it’s
really whatever works for each individual person. Each of us has to
answer this for ourselves.
After several face to face hypnotherapy sessions, you may want to try a
CD or a download, and see how it works for you. On the other hand, you
may start with self hypnosis recordings, and after experiencing some
degree of success, you may wish to have one or more face to face
sessions.
From a cost standpoint, it’s certainly worth trying self hypnosis
recordings first. It’s far more economical than face to face, and if
successful, you can save a lot of time and money by directing your own
therapy. I always give my clients one of my own self hypnosis CDs to
use in between therapy sessions, so that they get the best of both
worlds.
There is also the added advantage that by repeated listening of a
recording you’ll have experienced the hypnotic state many times, which
means you’ll no what to expect from hypnosis in general. Some people
find it hard to enter a state of creative relaxation on the first few
attempts. Since you’ll have experienced this many times from listening
to a self hypnosis recording, it could save you both time and money
should you wish to visit a hypnotherapist for live one to one sessions.
I’ve heard of a few hypnotherapists who question the effectiveness of
self hypnosis recordings and I often get asked the question “do
recorded hypnosis sessions actually work?” I say yes they do, without
question. It’s like anything else; it may not work for everyone, but
for those who are willing to listen regularly, it can be extremely
successful. Hypnosis is about suggestion, the more you hear something,
the more it penetrates. This is precisely why recorded self hypnosis
sessions are so effective. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.
Success with Self Hypnosis
There are many benefits to using self hypnosis. It can be used to
overcome fears, fight addictions such as smoking, improve confidence
and self esteem, and improve sports performance, to name just a few. In
fact self hypnosis can be used to improve just about anything you want
to in your life.
For some people self hypnosis is extremely easy and requires very
little effort. Some take to it like a duck to water, while other people
may need to experiment a bit more to reap the wonderful benefits it can
bring. This article intends to help you get the most out of self
hypnosis.
Self hypnosis can involve a little bit of trial and error at the
beginning until you start to identify the conditions that best suit you
as an individual. Variables such as the ideal body position, or the
most opportune time of day are truly yours to determine based on your
particular situation, schedule, and individuality. It’s important to
remember that there are no fixed rules that apply to everyone. Everyone
is unique and it is left to you to identify what works and how you can
most effectively reach that desired state.
There are, however, a few elements which will help increase your degree
of success with self hypnosis, regardless of individual needs. Some of
the points I will address or based on listening to a recorded self
hypnosis CD or download. However, I’ll start with the issues which
should be addressed regardless of whether you’re listening to a
recording or not.
A fairly obvious requirement is total relaxation, which usually
requires reduced distractions. So it is very important to try and find
a quiet place that limits or completely obliterates outside sources and
choose a time when you are certain you won’t be interrupted. Ensure
that if you have people at home, tell them to not disturb you for
however long you want, unless of course there is an emergency.
Knowing that hypnosis is in fact an altered state on consciousness, it
bears noting that the early morning may not be the best time. You may
find you’re extremely alert and hyper-sensitive to distractions at that
time. Instead, pick a time of day when you’re slowing down, or
typically starting to feel fatigued. For most people, self hypnosis is
best in the evening time, preferably more bedtime.
The most useful bit of advice I can give to a beginner is try not to
try too hard. Self hypnosis requires concentration, but being overly
focuses on being hypnotized will impair the process. Part of the self
hypnosis process is being able to just let go and let it happen to you.
Rather than focusing on achieving hypnosis, focus on nothing, and let
the message make its way clearly and seamlessly, effortlessly, whether
it’s a recording or your own words.
Using a recording is a great for self hypnosis. One key factor in
getting the most out of a recorded self hypnosis session is regular
listening. Repetition is the key to successful suggestion and the more
you subject your mind to the message, the more it will penetrate and
impact.
Another important factor in getting the most out of a recorded self
hypnosis session is to wear headphones. Not only are headphones great
if you’re easily distracted, but they also promotes an intimacy between
you and the voice on the recording, closing off outside noises, and
facilitating a more direct route to your mind.
Like anything else, you will only get out of self hypnosis what you’re
willing to put into it. If you’re determined to find ways to fight
hypnosis and disprove its effectiveness, you’re unlikely succeed. This
is essentially true of anything we do in life. But if you go into it
with a clear open mind and you’re willing to invest the time to find
your ideal hypnosis conditions, you can literally reap of benefits of
self hypnosis on a fairly regular basis, even daily.
Self Hypnosis Recordings – Does the Length
Matter?
There are literally thousands of different self-hypnosis CDs and
downloads for sale all across the internet – from a wide range of
sources. The quality of these recordings differs substantially. Many
are home made recordings by good and not so good hypnotherapists. There
are also some very good and not so good professionally produced
self-hypnosis recordings. Apart from the actual quality of the
recording or the voice, or the words said, they all differ somewhat in
the length of the actual recording.
From my extensive experience as a one on one hypnotherapist, I can
attest to the fact that a comfortable period of time in hypnosis for
most people is around twenty to twenty five minutes, thirty minutes at
the very most. I’ve seen people start to lose their focus, and get
shifty and unsettled after that amount of time. The quality of the
hypnotherapy can then be compromised by the faltering concentration.
The same guideline certainly applies in self-hypnosis. If a
self-hypnosis CD or download is longer that half an hour, you won’t
necessarily get more out of it, because after a certain period of time,
your focus and your concentration starts to falter. This is definitely
a case of quality over quantity. More content on a self-hypnosis
session does not equate to better self-hypnosis.
People are also far less likely to be able to devote forty five minutes
to an hour every day to listen to a self-hypnosis CD or download
session without distraction. A shorter, more focused recording will be
easier to schedule into the day’s routine on a regular basis. Also, we
know that regular listening contributes greatly to successful
self-hypnosis.
A shorter self-hypnosis session, say twenty to twenty five minutes,
also allows for maximized use of suggestibility. The same message heard
over and over again will penetrate and gain access, and have impact. An
hour long self-hypnosis CD or download will take twice as long to
achieve the same repetition level, and therefore requires far more work
on the part of the listener.
Anyone just starting to experiment with self-hypnosis will likely lose
courage after the first session with a longer CD. In frustration, they
might decide never to try it again. Then they’ve been really been done
a disservice, haven’t they?
I should point out that I’ve conducted many sessions with clients that
have lasted an hour or longer, but the entire block of time was not
spent in hypnosis. I just know from experience that after a certain
amount of time, people get become unsettled, and the effectiveness
starts to wane.
I have authored a wide range of self-hypnosis CDs and downloads, and if
I really believed that a longer self-hypnosis recording would be
beneficial to the listener, then that is what I would produce. But as
an ethical, sincere expert, I honestly feel that I would just be
wasting people’s money by charging them more for unnecessary surplus
material. And more detrimental, I’d be wasting their time making them
listen to extensive recordings that won’t reach desired impact, when
they should be spending their time focused on repeated listening of a
quality self-hypnosis CD or download.
Can You Be Hypnotized?
A person’s susceptibility to hypnosis is dependent on several factors.
Whether these factors work together or oppose each other is entirely in
the hands of the individual.
There are factors that are outside of anyone’s control. They come down
to the individual makeup of each person. For instance, if someone is
naturally susceptible to suggestion in their everyday life, they likely
will carry along that susceptibility in the hypnosis process as well.
Everyone is susceptible to some degree, but this is one of the variable
that will contribute to a person’s likelihood of achieving hypnosis
easily.
But there are varying degrees of depth of hypnosis, and hypnotherapy
doesn’t require a deep state of hypnosis. It can be beneficial at
varying levels of depth. The self hypnosis CDs and downloads that I
have produced are designed to take someone from a completely awake
state into some degree of hypnosis.
Susceptibility to suggestion is also impacted by repetition. The more
you hear a message, the more likely you will be to able accept is as
fact, to buy into it, whether consciously or not. This is also true in
everyday life.
Some people take to hypnosis quite effortlessly, while others need a
bit more practice. Their degree of susceptibility might be influenced
by other conditions around them, and they may find they need just
exactly the right circumstances to achieve hypnosis.
But the most important contributor to someone’s susceptibility to
hypnosis is really their attitude. If someone tries it and has
immediate success, that’s terrific. But if the first time you listen to
a hypnosis CD and you do not achieve hypnosis, some people will stop at
that and conclude that it doesn’t work. That’s unfortunate, because if
people are willing to commit to listening to the recordings regularly,
and to finding the ideal conditions for themselves, they will achieve
some degree of hypnosis, which will benefit them.
Hypnosis is about suggestion, and there is a degree of suggestion to
all forms of therapy. If there are any prerequisites to qualify someone
as a candidate for hypnosis, it’s attitude first and foremost. Sure
other intellectual variances may factor in, like concentration and
imagination, but they would likely affect the level of hypnosis, rather
than the ability to achieve it in the first place.
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