HYPNOSIS: a whole lot of "missed" information - part 1

There is a plethora of fictional information that has created lot of angst within the general public regarding hypnosis and hypnotists.  Over the next couple of posts I will attempt to navigate the weeds and maybe quell a lot of the myths and educate anyone wishing to be more informed and seek a lower cost relief from unwanted habits, pain or negative thinking.  Much of these myths and fears are based on notions created from Hollywood movies or from not understanding what has been observed in a stage hypnotist's show.  Other fears have been nurtured by individuals that may have some connections to the pharmaceutical and/or healthcare lobby that stand to gain financially by fueling these flames of fear.  I hope these writings shed positive light on many of the myths and fears that individuals harbor.  But before explaining what hypnosis is not, let's share what it is in one sentence.

Hypnosis is a high state of complete relaxation and a focused state of concentration and suggestibility between a person and the hypnotist.  Nothing more, nothing less.

Did you know that people enter in and out of hypnosis every day of their lives?  A couple of instances come to mind: highway hypnosis and daydreaming.  We've all driven somewhere and, after arriving at our destination, don't remember part or most of the trip, a highway hypnosis episode.  Or how about drifting off to another time or place for a few moments while fully awake, a daydream.  Or, how about looking for our wallet or car keys fully convinced we've lost the only to discover that we were holding the keys or the wallet WAS in our pocket and a friend or family member had to actually point this fact out to us, which is an example that we just hypnotized ourselves into believing they were lost.  The aforementioned circumstances are forms of self hypnosis.  All these states are perfectly safe as if performed with a fully trained and certified hypnotist.  

But then there are what I refer to as the top fears and myths  that hinder many from seeking the aid of a good, qualified hypnotist.  Today I will discuss four (4) such myths and I will finish them in my next post.

Myth #1: The hypnotist will control my mind.
           Your subconscious mind does not work like that.  It will always strive to protect you from ant harmful, unwanted, unsafe situation.  Hollywood's mind control portrayal has placed this fear and seed of doubt in the minds of unsuspecting people who are not informed about hypnosis or how the mind works to protect the self.

Myth #2: I might perform an embarrassing act or cluck like a chicken.
        Nope, absolutely 100 percent false.  You will not do anything or say anything you don't want to say or do.   Participants in a stage performance volunteer to be on stage for various reasons like: 15 minutes of fame, alcohol bravado, can say the hypnotist m"made me do it" (even though they relish the thought of being on stage), and the list goes on.  The volunteer person on being hypnotized is fully aware of what the hypnotist is saying and requesting and will only do what the subconscious mind considers within the confines of self-safety and self control.  Therefore, nothing is done by the hypnotized individual that she/he does not want to do.

Myth #3: I might get stuck in hypnosis.
        Even if something were to happen to the hypnotist during a hypnosis session, the client would eventually exit the hypnotic state as if waking from a daydream or a nap.  Remember, clients are only in a heightened state of relaxation not in a comma.  That worst that could happen is that you would drift off to nap for a short period of time then wake up.  So nope, you're not getting stuck in hypnosis.

Myth # 4: I can't be hypnotized!
           Interesting thought, "I cannot be hypnotized".  There is a cross section of the population that cannot be hypnotized.  The top medical and metaphysical reasons are: brain disease and dysfunction, under/over a certain age group, etcetera.  However, a person CAN be hypnotized if she/he wants to be and is of "normal" brain capability.  Meaning that if you can listen, concentrate and focus, you can be hypnotized.

I believe this is enough myths and for one session.  And if you yourself have any fears regarding the hypnosis process, I suggest that you think a little about where that phobia stems from; chances are it was a seed planted by something or someone else and that it had no fact basis to it.

As always, remember to:

Breath - Relax - Heal