Basic FAQ about Hypnosis and Meditation

What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a natural state of consciousness like the waking and sleeping states. It is a state of deep relaxation in which the conscious mind is distracted, producing heightened suggestibility and increased awareness. Allowing access to the subconscious mind through the imagination. It produces the ability to experience internal thoughts and images, as real. It is important to note that under hypnosis, suggestibility is increased only so long as the suggestions are harmonious with the subject’s conscious mind.

The state of hypnosis is therefore characterized by an increased ability to produce desirable changes in habit patterns, motivation, self-image, performance, lifestyle, and personal health due to greater receptivity to one's innate healing abilities, imagery, suggestions, questioning, and other hypnotic techniques.

Does the hypnotist control the subject?
No. Hypnosis is a supportive effort between the hypnotist and the subject. The subject willingly enters a state of suggestibility. However, if a suggestion contrary to the subject’s conscious morality is given, the subject promptly leaves the hypnotic state and returns to full wakefulness. This has been demonstrated numerous times under research conditions.

Can I be hypnotized against my will?
Since the hypnotic or trance state is a naturally occurring state of consciousness, we enter the trance state many times a day. Typically when we read an interesting book, or watch an absorbing movie we enter the trance state. There are many other times when we automatically enter a trance state. When we drive a car and suddenly time passes without our knowledge we have passed the time in a hypnotic trance. The real issue is whether we can be controlled against our will and there the answer is clearly negative.

I have very strong will power. Can I be hypnotized?
Yes. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis and is about learning to be hypnotized. In fact having a strong will power is a slight advantage in learning to be hypnotized and entering the trance state. The most important thing, which helps in learning to enter the trance state, is having a strong imagination and desire to be hypnotized.

Can everyone be hypnotized?
Most people can learn to enter the trance state quickly. Some people take longer time to learn the skill. Essentially, everyone who willingly wants to, can, over a period of practicing.

What problems can be handled effectively using hypnosis?
Hypnosis is excellent in helping people: {just to name a few}

Become more in tune with your body's health signals. 
Controlling weight. 
Increase learning capacity -- leading to higher psyche awareness. 
Reduce anxieties and stress. 
Boost self-esteem and confidence levels 
Controlling habits such as anger reactions

What is self-hypnosis?
All hypnosis is in fact self-hypnosis. When we use the term self-hypnosis or autohypnosis we mean hypnosis without the intervention of a hypnotist or a guide.

What are the dangers of hypnosis?
Hypnosis is counter indicated for schizophrenics and other extremely unstable personality but is safe for people with reasonably stable minds.

What Is Hypnosis Like?

Hypnosis can be viewed from different vantage points. From a biofeedback perspective, hypnosis occurs as the brain waves fall back from normal Beta consciousness (a wide-awake state) into Alpha and Theta levels (light, dreamy sleep-like). We pass through this state each night when we fall asleep. And we reverse the process in the morning when we awaken. Daydreaming and similar activities are signs of naturally reentering this state at other times during the day.

From an awareness viewpoint, hypnosis occurs as the attention span focuses down to essentially one thing, while the analytical mind is being distracted from critically monitoring what is going on. If we have ever "become lost" in a TV program, movie or book, we have been hypnotized. The person experiencing hypnosis may lose his sense of time, feeling that hours have passed in seconds or that seconds have passed in hours. At one time or another we have all had these hypnotic experiences while driving. Some of us may experience this condition while working, particularly if we are deeply involved in our work (or if it is extremely repetitive and boring).

Other characteristics of hypnosis may include losing awareness of one's body or one's location. Anyone can be hypnotized, but some people do seem to make better subjects than others. A large amount of the population is capable of quickly achieving a light level of hypnosis as a minimum. Writers, artist, and others involved in creative activities seem to be unusually skilled at achieving a deep trance state quickly. Likewise, individuals who fear losing control may tend to block the process at first. In the final analysis, the only ones who cannot be hypnotized are those incapable of cooperating or those who choose not to cooperate. From a therapeutic point of view, hypnosis can be used to encourage change in a person's life, if this is what they are striving for.