Thank you for returning and continuing to increase your general knowledge concerning hypnosis, as well as, Lakes Region Hypnosis Center and Peaceful Light Healing.  I would like to take this opportunity to offer my apologies for the numerous spelling and syntax errors in my last post.  That will teach me to not consult my editor before going live. 

So now let's get started and pick up where we left off yesterday.  Okay?

Myth #5:  Hypnosis is a truth serum.
           This statement could be farther from the truth.  Because a person is fully aware of what is being said or asked, that person is not compelled to say anything she/he does not want to say.  If you are not telling the truth about something prior to entering a hypnotic state, you will continue the fabrication while in a hypnotic relaxation.  In fact, the hypnotized individual could even confabulate (look it up) even more.  Remember, you cannot be coerced into saying or doing anything you don't want to say or do.

Myth # 6:  I will lose sense of my surroundings.
         Oh no-no-no.  While a hypnotic state is a deeply relaxed state, it is also a heightened state of awareness.  All clients are fully aware of what is being said by the hypnotist and know exactly where they are at all times.  Nothing happens without your full knowledge or permission from the protective subconscious.  You cannot even be touched without feeling it.  We have taken clients into full anesthesia mode on certain areas of their body for pain management hypnosis, and (although they do not feel the pain in that area) they can feel a touching sensation if we touch the area.  The hypnotist should ask permission if touching will be involved, with full disclosure prior to hypnosis relaxation session.  There should be full knowledge and written, signed permission between the client and hypnotist.  If not, then no touching should happen.  

Myth #7:  It's a miracle cure!
       As much as I would love to be able to say this is true, it is not.  Like with most anything that people want to "fix" or "change" in their life, there has to be some sort of commitment from the client, a "buy" in so to speak.  Otherwise, there will be no change, and failure is a probability, although not always imminent.  The hypnotist is always 100 percent successful; however, the client may not be, if said client is not fully committed.  Example: If a cigarette smoker enters the hypnotist's office still hoarding some packs of cigarettes or with the thought of "I'll prove this doesn't work", then guess what?  The smoker would be better off keeping the hypnosis session fee and not show up for the cessation appointments.  The failure seed has already been planted in the brain.  In other words, the client has to really want the positive result in order to be successful.

Myth #8:  I will lose memory of what happened.
      It's an incredibly, beautiful thing about our subconscious, unconscious mind;  EVERYTHING is catalogued and retained.  People always remember what happened under hypnosis, detail by detail.  Sometimes it may be a few days after a session, but all is retained and remembered.  It's not like being in a dream state then waking up forgetting completely about the dream details.  The mind will register in its own way the hypnosis session and process the information accordingly.  But, the client always remembers the sessions.

Myth # 9: Self hypnosis is as effective as a hypnotist.
        I guess you could try, read a couple of how-to books and try...  But what if the message during self-hypnosis is the wrong message or has a negative skew to the wording?  Chances for failure are higher, are they not?  The hypnotist is usually a trained, certified expert in the field of hypnosis (check credentials people); and stays abreast of everything industry related through continuing education.  A person is much better off with a trained expert in my opinion.  After all, I know a lot about surgical procedures having come from the healthcare industry, but that does not mean I would set my own broken bone or perform surgery on a family member.  A hypnotist can teach proper self hypnosis techniques and language to clients.  The professional hypnotists usually do educate their clients in this technique.

Myth #10:  Only weak minded individuals can be hypnotized.
          "A common misconception is that only weak-willed or feeble minded persons can be hypnotized.  Contrary to popular belief, there is a correlation between intelligence and hypnotizability.  It is difficult and often impossible to hypnotize lower IQ individuals, psychotics and severely detached individuals.  The greater the intelligence, the better the hypnotic client.  Motivation is increased when this myth is clarified".

I have shared what I consider the "TOP TEN" myths and fears of hypnosis.  There are some lesser fears and myths relating to habit forming, etcetera, but I wanted to share my top of the list items that clients have shared with me.  I hope that you found my explanation enlightening and maybe a little entertaining.  If you have a fear or question about hypnosis, please feel free to share it with me on this blog and I will answer it to the best of my ability. 

I feel everybody should experience the opportunity of hypnosis:

* to eliminate any fears, habits, or beliefs,
* to reduce or suppress chronic pain,
* to relax and be stress-free,
* to have a blissful night's sleep,
* to feel motivated in their lives and/or career,
* to help understand and heal during grief,
* to finally release an event from the past that creates chaos for you today,
* to be able to take that exam or job interview without worry, or
* (depending on your belief) take a past life journey.

The above is just a sampling of what we can assist people with in order to heal and have a happier, less stressful, more fruitful existence.  Hypnosis is the most noninvasive, cost effective healing technique we know of on this planet today that can address just about any problem that we ourselves created or society has created within us.   Feel free to contact us for a session.