Hypnosis

Hypnosis is the process of achieving a deep state of relaxation and an altered state of awareness. In this state, known as a trance state, attention is narrowly focussed and so positive suggestions can be made to the subconscious mind to:

• Reframe the way a past event is perceived
• Eliminate limiting beliefs
• Improve self-confidence
• Improve self-esteem
• Help your body heal itself

Suggestibility

Different people respond to this process in different ways. You may do a variety of things without conscious intent. For example, you may unconsciously raise your arm or be unaffected by painful stimuli. However, some people are more suggestible and, therefore, more responsive than others. Suggestibility can be measured with the Stanford Susceptibility Scales. These measure how well you respond to suggestions. You can have a high, medium or low susceptibility. Your rating on the scales also depends on your willingness to participate. If you are not willing you will have a low rating.

Stage Hypnosis

I have watched, on TV, people being made to cluck like chickens. However, I have seen people lose weight and get rid of headaches and phobias as a result of carefully worded suggestions.

During this form of TV entertainment, participants are more than willing to play the game and they expect to do outrageous things so they are highly suggestible.

I do believe that it has one positive effect. It publicises the existence of the discipline and highlights the power of the subconscious mind. If suggestions to the subconscious mind can make you believe that you are a chicken what would happen if healing suggestions were made to it?

Belief Systems

The subconscious mind will not accept suggestions that go against your belief system. It will, for example, reject suggestions that you steal or pick someone’s pocket if your belief system is about honesty and integrity.

Methods

Trance states can be achieved in a number of ways:

• Hypnotherapy
  
• Self-hypnosis
• Audio CD Programmes

The method used depends on the type of problem.

Hypnosis Scripts

I personally believe that scripts are for use by hypnotherapists. Scripts are ready-made but customisable texts used to induce the required change. They sometimes come without the initial text to induce the trance state. Hypnotherapists know:

• When the trance state is not deep enough
• When to tailor the script to suit your representation system
• When to slow down, speed up or pause the pace of induction
• When and how to embed commands

Links