Institute of Cosmic Healing and Spiritual Sciences

Hypnosis: Myths, Mysteries & Realities

Movies hype would have us believe that a hypnotist can control and direct our actions, and that we can be made to do all sorts of unimaginable things under hypnosis. Following is a list of some of these common myths, which must be clarified before we proceed further.

The hypnotist can make you do things against your will.

Absolutely False. The hypnotist has no powers over you at all, and cannot make you do things against your will. All Hypnosis is really self-directed and self-controlled. The hypnotist merely guides you into a hypnotic state, and feeds your mind with carefully worded suggestions. If you feel uncomfortable with these suggestions, you may reject them at will. Hypnosis is essentially a matter of cooperation between the hypnotist and his subject, not some form of power the hypnotist possesses which will compel the subject to submit to his or her will.

Once under Hypnosis, one can't come out of the state on his own.

 If you are under hypnosis and the hypnotist suddenly left the room, two things may happen. You will either realize that the hypnotist is no longer talking to you, and will open your eyes, feeling fresh and alert. Or, you may drift into natural sleep, in which case you will wake up after a few minutes (or hours). It means the person comes out of the trance on his own.

Only weak-minded people can be hypnotized.

False. Hypnosis has nothing to do with will power. People often confuse hypnotibility with gullibility. There is no connection between the two. On the contrary, the more intelligent a person is, the easier it is for him to be hypnotized. To be hypnotized, one needs the abilities of concentration, imagination and vivid visualization.

Under hypnosis, one can be made to reveal his secrets.

As mentioned above, under hypnosis, the subject is fully alert, in fact more alert than usual. The hypnotist can only guide the subject to remember forgotten memories. Whether the subject will reveal them to the hypnotist is entirely at his own discretion.

Hypnosis is dangerous.

Untrue. It is quite the opposite. Hypnosis is a safe and natural process. One fact that most people are unaware of is that we undergo Hypnosis several times in our daily lives.

One needs special powers to be hypnotized.

Any average person with the willingness and patience to learn, can master the skills of hypnosis. Like other skills such as playing the piano, or learning a foreign language, some people are "naturals", and become accomplished with little training while others can increase their abilities through regular practice. A good, confident voice is an advantage, but not a must.

The user might become dependent on hypnosis.

You cannot become dependent upon hypnosis because it has no physical effects on the body. However, many people look forward to their daily hypnosis exercises because they become totally relaxed and awaken refreshed.

Definition of Hypnosis:

Hypnosis (or Hypnotism) is the science of how the human mind functions. Hypnosis is an art, too, because, while there are a few widely accepted theories, hypnosis is the study and use of the Hidden Powers of the Mind.

Psychologists and Hypnotherapists from all over the world have different opinion on Hypnosis. Here I have put together some of the different definitions from respectable sources and professional who practice Hypnosis:

 Webster's Dictionary (1876) defines hypnosis as:

1. A state that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject.

2. Any various conditions that resemble sleep

The Skeptic's Dictionary:

Hypnosis is a process involving a hypnotist and a subject who agrees to be hypnotized. Being hypnotized is usually characterized by:

a. Intense concentration

b. Extreme relaxation

c. High suggestibility

Hypnosis is commonly used in behavior modification therapy to assist clients in overcoming phobias or bad habits.

A Dictionary of Psychology and Psychiatry:

Defines hypnosis as follows: "A superficial or deep trance state resembling sleep induced by suggestions of relaxation and concentrated attention to a single object. The subject becomes highly suggestible and responsive to the hypnotist's influence, and can be induced to recall forgotten events, becomes insensitive to pain in the hands of experienced hypnotherapist, gain relief from tensions, anxieties and other psychological symptoms." (Goldenson, 1984, Page 358).

1990 Grolier Encyclopedia: "Hypnosis refers to a state or condition in which the subject becomes highly responsive to suggestions. The hypnotized subject seems to follow instructions in an uncritical, automatic fashion and attends closely only to those aspects of the environment made relevant by the hypnotist. If the subject is profoundly responsive, he or she hears, sees, feels, smells, and tastes in accordance with the suggestions given.

Weitzenhoffer, 1953: "An artificially inducted state, usually (though not always) resembling sleep, but physiologically distinct from it, which is characterized by heightened suggestibility, and as a result of which certain sensory, motor and memory abnormalities may be induced more readily than in normal state.

More briefly, hypnosis has been defined as follows:

"Altered state of mind; [Hilgard, 1965; Orne, 1959]

"A trance"; [Erickson, 1967]

"A controlled dissociated state", [West, 1960]

"Intensified concentration"; [Debetz & Sunnen, 1985]

Frankel, 1976; Spiegel & Spiegel, 1978]

"Concentrated Awareness"; [Morgan, 1983]

"Atavism"; [Meares, 1960]

"A non-state explainable by experimental and relationship characteristics"; [Barber, 1969]

These are some of the widely used definitions for Hypnosis. But the most widely accepted definition is by Dave Elman –

"The bypass of the critical faculties and the establishment of selective acceptable ideas, concepts, and thought"

To sum it up:

Hypnosis is a state of mind that we use as a vehicle to communicate with the subconscious mind. In this state, the subconscious mind is more open and receptive to suggestions.

By combining the power of suggestion with the power of imagination in the hypnotic state, we create a powerful environment for change and growth.

Thought for Today :

Responsibility - Let me take responsibility for myself and not have expectations of others.

Virtues - Sweetness is the taste of all virtues.  Patience is the fortress of all virtues.  Cheerfulness is the evidence of all virtues.

Happiness - It isn't addition of possessions, but subtraction of desires which promotes happiness.

Courage - Do not become discouraged in the face of adversity. Understand that the bigger the heart, the bigger the obstacles it is asked to accomodate.

Change - It is wise to bend rather than to break. Those who change will get spiritual wisdom. Conversely, those who have wisdom will decide to change. Change is the first law of Nature.

A Game - By seeing life as a game, your lightness of spirit will make problems seem easier.

Cheerfulness - Cheerfulness keeps up the spirit of the one who possesses it and brings a smile to the lips of others.

Teaching With Love - Teaching others is best done with love. Once the heart has understood the mind opens.

Great Donors - Those who share peace through their thoughts are truly great donors.

No Regrets - If I always do my best, I will be free from regrets.

True Comfort - Journey into the stillness of your inner being. Here, in the shade of your true self you will find true comfort and true support.

Ferocious Lions - The habits of guessing and making assumptions about others can be like ferocious lions. So do not allow them to run wild.

Inner Calm - The greater the demands on me, the more I need to sustain my inner calm and stability by taking time out for a little daily inner reflection and meditation.

Mirror - A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world. Everyone you meet is your mirror.

Something Right  - Instead of losing sleep over past mistakes, let me get busy doing something right.