Hypnosis FAQ Because of many common misconceptions of hypnosis, we have put up a Hypnosis FAQ to dispel many exaggerated and incorrect assumptions about what hypnosis is and isn't.
Following is a Hypnosis FAQ and the answers concerning hypnotism and hypnotherapy:
Hypnosis is actually a natural state of mind. People,
whether they know it go in and out of hypnosis all day long. For
example, if you’ve ever been driving, and catch yourself daydreaming and
wonder who has been driving the car, you have been in a state of
hypnosis. You are not asleep while in hypnosis. Sleep is a state of
rest. Hypnosis is a state that is useful for self-improvement.
Anyone with an open mind, reasonable intelligence, the ability to concentrate, and the willingness to go into hypnosis.
There has never been a documented case of harm coming to anyone from the therapeutic use of hypnotism. The harm is that hypnosis is not used enough by people to bring about their own self-improvement.
The answer to this is extremely important because it may determine
whether or not you can benefit from hypnosis. Some people give up on
hypnosis after a few sessions because they were disappointed in their
reactions, believing they are not suitable subjects.
Many people
believe they will go through something different, new and spectacular in
the hypnotic state. They equate hypnosis with being anesthetized or
being asleep or unconscious. DO NOT EXPECT TO GO TO SLEEP OR LOSE TOUCH
WITH REALITY. You will be able to hear, remember, and experience
everything that is going on around you.
Hypnosis is a very
pleasant feeling of complete physical and mental relaxation. It is
similar to that moment between knowing you are awake and going into the
sleep-state. Often, when people are in hypnosis, you find your mind
active, you hear every sound in the room, that you can resist the
suggestions if you choose to, you realize that you are not asleep, and
you are able to remember everything perfectly.
All of these factors lead people to believe that they were not hypnotized, when indeed they were.
The human mind is extremely suggestible and is being bombarded daily
with suggestive stimuli from external sources, and suggestive thoughts
and ideas from the inside. A good deal of suffering is the consequence
of “negative thoughts and impulses invading one’s mind from subconscious
recesses.
Unfortunately, past experience, guilt feelings, and
repudiated impulses and desires are constantly pushing themselves into
awareness, directly or in disguised forms.
These thoughts become
feelings which sabotage one’s happiness, health, and efficiency. By the
time one has reached adulthood, there has been a build up of “negative”
modes of thinking, feeling and acting which persist as bad habits. Like
any habit they are hard to break or change. However, using hypnosis, we
are able to transform negative attitudes into more positive ones. For
some, change does happen quickly if they believe change can happen
quickly.
Other times, it often takes time to extinguish old
behavior patterns, so do not be discouraged if there is no immediate
effect. Even when no apparent changes happen on the surface, much is
happening on the inside.
An analogy may be useful: imaging if you
were to hold a batch of white ink blotters above the level of your eyes
so that you only see the bottom blotter. Then, if you were to begin to
dribble drops of ink blotters on the top blotter.
As you do this,
you observe nothing happening to the bottom blotter until sufficient
ink has been poured to soak through into the entire thickness.
Eventually the ink will come down. During this period while nothing
seemingly has happened, changes were always occurring.
Hypnotic
suggestions are like ink poured on layers of resistance, namely, one’s
limiting beliefs about oneself. One must keep repeating the suggestions
before the soak in to begin to influence old destructive patterns.
No one is able to be hypnotized against their will. If people were, hypnosis would be the most closely guarded secret on the planet. Entering hypnosis is a consent state. The hypnotist assists the subject, who then hypnotizes him/herself.
A person may choose to stay in hypnosis after an experienced hypnotist
asks them to come out of it. The reason being, it is such a relaxed
feeling of enjoyment, they prefer to stay hypnotized a while longer. If
the hypnotherapist were to leave, the person would merely drift into a
natural sleep to awaken at a more personally convenient time.
In
self-hypnosis, you have complete and utter control of when you come out
of hypnosis and set your own limits. There has never been a documented
case of someone being unable to come out of hypnosis.
Techniques exist by which one can attain a state of self-hypnosis and gain complete relaxation under the most stressful conditions. In this state, the sub-conscious mind is open to therapeutic suggestions.
The conscious mind, the mind that you are conscious of, is your “me.” It is the critical part of your mind. The sub-conscious mind is the one that directs your conduct through the habits and emotional desires acquired from the influences of your environment, before you were old enough to reject harmful ideas and concepts.
In self-hypnosis, YOU choose your own time limits, instead of a
scheduled appointment with a hypnotist. Using a hypnotist at the
beginning of your awareness training is of great benefit. It speeds up
your process of self-improvement.
Hypnosis is such a misunderstood phenomenon. For centuries, it has been affiliated with spiritualism, witchcraft, and various other “unexplainable” events. Based on “B” movies, cheap novels and exaggerated claims made by undisciplined persons.
No. Self-hypnosis strengthens the will. Hypnosis works with the will, not against it. In fact, the more intelligent and strong-willed you are, the more effective hypnosis will be for you.
Most people feel or think this very same way. The fear is giving up control. The opposite is actually true. You are exercising a more powerful form of thought-control than at other times by accepting the suggestions given. The only thought to prevent you from going into hypnosis is the thought, “I can’t be hypnotized.”
ANYTHING YOU WANT IT TO! Instant learning and photographic memory
systems are based on self-hypnosis. Champions in many sports such as
Evander Holyfield, Larry Bird, and Tiger Woods, all use self-hypnosis to
achieve amazing and consistent results in their fields. You can now
learn to overcome unwanted and undesireable habits, such as smoking,
overeating, or drinking.
You can boost your self-confidence, and
realize that success is within easy reach of an active mind, and erasing
harmful emotions leads to a happier and healthier life.
Hypnosis is an alternative to other methods of treatment for change. If you have nervous symptoms such as tension, depression, fears, chronic fatigue, or feel irritable, unhappy, and believe you are not getting the most out of life, then hypnosis is for you.
Nervous systems and unwarranted unhappiness are the product of inner emotional conflicts. By using hypnotherapy, you are assisted in understanding your conflicts. In this way, it is possible for you to do something constructive about solving them.
We hope this Hypnosis FAQ has been helpful. If you have any questions about hypnosis or our services please feel confident that we are happy to answer your questions. Contact us at
Learn about Hypnosis to Quit Smoking in Cleveland
Learn about Hypnosis for Weight Loss in Cleveland
To the Top of The Hypnosis FAQ page
Home Page
* Important Disclaimer : While hypnotherapy is a powerful tool to accomplish change, it is not a "magic wand." It DOES take some conscious commitment and effort on the client's part. While we have an excellent track record and 12+ years of amazing results for our clients, every person's results may vary. Hypnosis is a partnership, and your results will depend in part on YOUR level of participation and effort. We can't "make you" do anything. But if you are ready to make powerful changes in your life, this is a powerful tool to help you in your journey. Contact us today to learn more.