Hypnosis

To remind us again - A hypnotist or hypnotherapist helps us find what’s going on in our Deeper (Subconscious mind) as in what patterns are playing and replaying in our subconscious mind and help change thought patterns if they are no longer serving us or maybe even hurting us. Well, okay – pretty simple right. But how do they do that?
 
Most hypnosis sessions can be broken into the following steps:

INDUCTION:

1. HEIGHTENED FOCUS (FOCUSSED AWARENESS, HEIGHTENED CONCENTRATION)
2. REDUCED CRITICAL THINKING
3. REDUCED PERIPHERAL AWARENESS

OPENNESS TO SUGGESTION:

1. PARTICIPATION AND ENHANCED OPENNESS TO RESPOND TO SUGGESTIONS

 
A practitioner can help the person concentrate intensely on a specific thought or memory, while blocking out sources of distraction.
 
Before we get into the nuts and bolts of this, we should learn there are mainly two differing thoughts or theories on how hypnosis sessions work.
 
ALTERED STATE THEORY:
Altered state theories see hypnosis as an altered state of mind or trance, marked by a level of awareness different from the ordinary conscious state. Essentially, based on this theory the person is put in a state of trance, where they are focused on only one event or one thing that the practitioner is asking them to do, they have very diminished awareness of their surroundings or whats happening around them.
 
 
NON-ALTERED STATE THEORY:
In contrast, nonstate theories see hypnosis as a form of imaginative role enactment. As per this theory, the person is not in a state of trance but more in a place of guided imagination, a sort of role play and enactment based on what the practitioner is saying to them.
 
Regardless of the two theories, the process is the same:
 
 

Regardless of the two theories, the process is the same:
 
INDUCTION:
 
Induction of Hypnosis, which then results in lessened awareness of ones surrounding, heightened focus on whatever it is the practitioner is asking the person to focus on and reduced peripheral awareness.
 
REDUCED CRITICAL THINKING
 
This is perhaps one of the most important concept of Hypnosis. What is critical thinking? Critical thinking is a filter that we develop based on what we have learnt or been taught or experienced through our life…It is based on what our parents and teachers tell us, what we learn in the society and also what we learn from our personal experiences. Here are some examples that clarify what critical thinking is….

• Do you believe everything you read on the internet or hear someone say? If not, why?
• Do you listen to everyone and anyone and do whatever anybody tells you to do? If not, why?

 
What is the purpose of critical thinking?
It’s a protection mechanism. It’s a way for our subconscious mind to protect us.

So now that we know what it is, why is it important to diminish critical thinking?
Well, the purpose of hypnosis is to change our thought patterns. If our critical thinking is operating at a high or normal level, we will not be open to suggestions from the practitioner and therefore not, accept the changes they are recommending, thereby preventing us from changing our thought pattern.
 
Bottom Line: A successful hypnosis sessions involves, diminished critical thinking…i.e. More openness to suggestion?

 

Most Hypnosis sessions end with what’s referred to as Suggestion or series of suggestions. What does this mean? It means at the end of the hypnosis session, the practitioner (hypnotist or hypnotherapist), makes some suggestions and these suggestions get successfully accepted by a person because they are said to be in a state of diminished critical thinking which allows them to be more open to suggestions.
 
But that’s not where the actual work is…..
 

This is step that happens in between or after Induction and before any suggestion is made…This is perhaps the most important part of a hypnosis session. This is also the part where the practitioner’s experience and training can make all the difference. You may be starting the session thinking you are in to fix a problem, but once the session begins the practitioner may discover something else that is causing that issue……or other issues may surface…..
 
What questions are the practitioner asking? What JOURNEY is the practitioner taking a person on? What type of views/ philosophies does the practitioner hold on whatever issues a person is really dealing with…..All of this can truly make a big impact on your hypnosis session…….
 
Some might even suggest, understanding and getting to know the practitioner and getting to know their views on topics that may impacting your life may be very critical to picking the right practitioner for you. 
 

• NO ONE CAN BE HYPNOTISED AGAINST THEIR WISH or IN A STATE OF HYPNOSIS MADE TO DO THINGS THEY WOULDN’T OTHERWISE DO. NOT ONLY THAT THERE ARE THINGS A PRACTITONER ASKS A PERSON DURING THE SESSION, WHICH WITHOUT THEIR WILLING PARTICIPATION CANNOT OCCUR.
• In most cases however, it is safe to assume, working with a trained practitioner vs trying to hypnotize oneself is much easier and has better results.
• Picking the right practitioner can make all the difference in having a successful hypnosis session and result in the right suggestions to create the necessary positive outcome/change.