Hypnosis FAQ

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a natural state of consciousness that we drift in and out of quite regularly. For example, while driving along a highway and then suddenly discovering that you ‘lost’ several miles without being aware of it. This can also happen during reading when you may notice that you have ‘read’ a chapter or two without being mindful of the content.

Hypnosis is basically a technique for focussing consciousness by entering a deep state of absorption. It allows you to shift from your outer to inner awareness and tap deeper levels of consciousness, so that we can re-educate and reprogram the subconscious with empowering suggestions or beliefs.

Will I remain aware during Hypnosis?

Yes! This is the most common misconception about hypnosis. As one goes deeper into hypnosis, a part of you will enter a deeper level of consciousness and part of you will remain aware. This process is called dissociation and is becoming more accepted as a definition of hypnosis. Another quality of hypnosis is the ability to become absorbed which takes you to a deeper level of awareness.

On occasion, particularly if you are quite tired, there may be a brief masking of consciousness as you drift in and out of a light sleep but your inner mind continues to hear the message.

Can Anyone Be Hypnotized?

Hypnosis is a skill that everyone can learn with increased practice. Like other skills such as playing the piano, learning tennis or mastering a foreign language, some persons are ‘naturals’ and can become accomplished with little training while others can increase their abilities with regular practice. Fortunately, most goals in hypnosis can be accomplished in a light or medium state.

How Does Hypnosis Work?

All Hypnosis is essentially self-hypnosis. You can either agree to accept suggestions or you can choose to mentally override them or change them to better suit your needs. As one becomes more relaxed and less critical or analytical, suggestions are more easily received by the subconscious mind.

Why Should I bother to Learn Hypnosis?

Since approximately 80% of most physical and psychological problems are stress related, one of the greatest benefits of the programs will be to teach you how to reduce tension and stress levels in your mind and body. In addition, as suggestions are made directly to the subconscious, you can learn to control most autonomic functions such as a heart beat, blood pressure, healing, the relaxation response and many other processes.

Will I Lose Control During Hypnosis?

On the contrary! As you go deeper into hypnosis, you will have easier access to the subconscious. Since the subconscious controls such functions as pain management, bleeding, blood pressure, healing and the immune system, and much more – you will actually have more control rather than less.

What Is The Difference Between Hypnosis And Trance?

The terms hypnosis, trance and deeper levels of consciousness or awareness are frequently used interchangeably.

How Does Hypnosis Compare to Meditation?

Both hypnosis and meditation involve physical relaxation and a narrowing of consciousness. With hypnosis, it is task or goal-oriented as you are mentally ‘working’ on something such as weight loss. In meditation, consciousness is ‘free-floating’ and it may lead to a greater sense of expanded awareness. Many meditators use hypnosis and one can slip from one state to the other quite easily.

Self –Talk

Change the inner aspects of your mind and you influence the outer aspects of your life.

Become one of life’s winners with the power of positive Self-Talk.

“Think Positive”, is accepted as good advise, but it’s often easier said than done. Our daily life is filled with silent chatter or Self-Talk within ourselves when we are not engaged in a conversation with others or, when we are not concentrating on some activity. What we imagine, desire, expect, either positive or negative is reinforced by our continual Self-Talk. By re-directing our Self-Talk in a positive way, we can overcome our self-doubt that prevents us from reaching our goals. Just as you can have renewed confidence with inspiring words from a friend or motivational speaker, with Self-Talk you can be your own best friend.

Another way to think of daily Self-Talk is that it is a form of waking hypnosis that is constantly programming your subconscious.

Why is Self-Talk so important?

Self-Talk can be a positive force and helpful in achieving goals, or it can be a negative and powerful from of Self-Sabotage. For instance, if recurring themes in one’s Self-Talk are…”I can’t lose weight” …”I always forget names”… “Things never work out for me”, your subconscious mind will find ways to fulfilling the negative suggestions. These Self-talk programs are intended to train you to substitute positive Self-Talk to help you improve yourself and achieve your goals more quickly and easily.

How Does Self-Talk Work?

Self-Talk acts to reinforce what you imagine desire or expect both positive and negative and prepares the different levels of your mind to act accordingly. As you use words, mental picture and feelings to program information into your mind, you develop new attitudes. These attitudes are strengthened through repetition, which leads to new behavior.

Why is imagery so important?

By combining positive Self-Talk with positive mental pictures you utilize much more of the brains total capacity in achieving your goals. For example, imagine watching T.V. with just the sound with no picture. Conversely, what if you had just the picture on and no sound? In both instances, you would be utilizing only a portion of the potential for communication and understanding. The same principle applies in combining Self-Talk with mental movies or imagery.

What kind of images should I create?

There are three techniques you can use.

1. Picture your end goal in detail. Use all of your senses, sight, sound, touch, smell and taste, plus the feeling of joy and satisfaction in achievement of that goal. See yourself in this picture as you would visualize it through your own eyes or as if you where watching a movie of yourself. 

2. Choose an image or symbol that represents the end goal. Such as a new home or financial success and focus on that symbol for the full 30 seconds.

3. Combine both of the techniques above and alternate between the “mental movie” and the fixed symbol. Create new images for each Self-Talk for greater effectiveness.