Foundation for Research and Exploration of Mind Motivation

Hugh Harmon, Ph.D. Founder      Pamela Chilton, C.Ht. Director

The Treasure Chest

WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?

Hypnosis is a natural state where your conscious attention is focused within your mind. You may be hyper-aware of everything around you, but you choose to focus on your mental thoughts, images, or visions and/or on your bodily sensations and awareness. The phenomena of hypnosis is real. It feels very pleasant, often euphoric. Hypnosis is as old as humans. Everyone can be hypnotized if a) he/she trusts the process, b) trusts the hypnotist, c) trusts the situation, d) trust his or her own self.

WHY USE HYPNOSIS?

Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness where change can be readily produced, "lost" memories found, body changes triggered, healing induced or accelerated, self-awareness elicited, past lives relived, dreams recalled and interpreted, addictions conquered, phobias relieved, memory enhanced, spiritual knowledge found, psychic abilities developed, Higher Consciousness discovered. .

WHAT IS HYPNOTHERAPY?

Positive suggestion is used in hypnosis to convince the subconscious level of mind to act upon the desires of the conscious level of mind. Guided imagery/visualizations are used to great effect in this process. However, the subconscious can and will block any suggestions, even in hypnosis, that its programming or inner personalities within the subconscious levels resist. Hypnotherapy addresses these blocks and resistance so they can be changed.

WHAT HAPPENS TO ME PHYSICALLY WHEN I AM HYPNOTIZED?

In trance states, the body can be active (even running or driving), or inactive. The body can feel unusually heavy, unusually light, even as though it isn't there. (Sometimes a combination of all three.) In general, you hear everything the hypnotist is saying. Exceptions are: You don't want to hear. You fall asleep. You spontaneously or because of suggestion move into amnesia. If you hear the hypnotist suggesting amnesia (or anything else you don't want), and this is not acceptable to you, it is possible to refuse this suggestion either mentally or verbally or by bringing yourself out of hypnosis.

WHAT IF I DON'T COME OUT OF HYPNOSIS?

You will discover you have control over the hypnosis, not the hypnotist. The hypnotist only guides, but whether you will follow is up to you. During hypnosis you can lighten, deepen, or come out of hypnosis at will. The art of stage hypnosis is to make it appear - through the skillful use of the laws of suggestion - as though he or she is in control of the hypnotized subjects. This is all part of the show. In clinical hypnosis, your hypnotist uses no tricks. You KNOW you are in control. You will always come out of hypnosis when you want to or are told to.

WILL I RECALL WHAT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS HYPNOTIZED?

This depends on you. If you don't want to recall what you said, did, or what happened while you are hypnotized, this will not be brought to conscious recall afterwards. If you moved into spontaneous amnesia during part of or all of the hypnosis you will not recall that. If the hypnotist tells you that you will "forget" some of or all of the hypnosis, and you are willing to do this, you will not recall this either. If you are concerned about this, tape the session and play it afterwards to see if there are any parts you forgot. You can always hear a click on a tape if it has been turned off and on.

HOW DEEPLY DO I HAVE TO BE HYPNOTIZED?

All uses of hypnosis - without exception - can be successful in even a light level of hypnosis. In surgical or other medical procedures where one wishes amnesia, the deeper levels are better. However, some people who interfere with subconscious response may need to be guided to deeper levels. This is rarely advisable in clinical hypnosis for therapy as it is the willingness of the conscious levels to accept what is being found in the subconscious levels that is important for healing transformation and change.

WHAT IF I'VE NEVER BEEN HYPNOTIZED BEFORE?

Everyone has been hypnotized thousands of times. It happens automatically whenever the conscious mind is relaxed, bored, in a state of concentration, or is inwardly focused. Daydreaming is a hypnotic state. Prayer can induce a hypnotic trance, as can meditation. Activities such as running, reading, engaging in repetitive tasks, watching TV, listening to a sermon or lecture, can induce hypnotic states. When a person watching TV, for example, is aware of what is on the TV, but is oblivious to whatever else is going on in the room is in a state of hypnosis. Most people have experienced "highway hypnosis"; i.e. driving so lost in thought one is unaware of the passing scenery.

WHAT IF I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING IN HYPNOSIS?

What is important in hypnosis is what you are thinking and feeling. Some people are not visual. Trying to become visual is frustrating and unnecessary. Report on the impressions coming to your mind, the sensations in your body that seem important, and the feelings coming up and you will go where you need to go and get what you need and what to get in hypnosis.

WHAT IF I CAN'T BE HYPNOTIZED?

EVERYONE can be hypnotized if they 1) want to be, 2) trust and understand hypnosis, 3) trust the hypnotist, 4) trust themselves. Many people don't even recognize when they are hypnotized. It seems to them they were "only" relaxed. One of the best definitions we have heard of hypnosis is from a 12 year old who said, "It's really easy. You just feel like you are making things up, only they are true."

HOW DO I FIND A GOOD HYPNOTIST/HYPNOTHERAPIST?

Most reputable professionals are listed in the yellow pages. Ask for a free consultation. Certification and training certificates should be prominently displayed, with at least 100 hours of certified class room hours for a hypnotist and a minimum of 250 class room hours of certified hypnotherapy training. Trust your instincts. You will do best with someone you trust.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MYSELF BE HYPNOTIZED?

Close the eyes. Quiet the body. Settle the mind by focusing on either the hypnotist's voice, a pleasant background sound, or both. Move deeper into the sense something real and extra-ordinary is happening.

Practical Lessons in Hypnotism, by William Wesley Cook, M.D, 1901

"Hypnotism is the most practical science of the age. It enters into our everyday life and confers advantages that cannot be acquired through any other medium. Its practice is no longer a mere past time for amusement and sensation. Professional people of the highest standing now recognize its value and seek profit by its benefits. Scientists regard it as a natural power, for ages kept dormant, but apparently destined to perform an active part in the welfare and development of future generations. To study hypnotism is like un-fathoming the hidden mysteries of magic and human miracles and making them matters of absolute knowledge. Its possibilities are almost boundless and are interwoven with every phase of human life. Its powers are largely responsible for the successful determination of modern business and social undertakings.

        It does not require years of study to become a hypnotist, for this great blessing to Mankind is of natural endowment, possessed by practically everyone and capable of being developed by all who will devote to its study the patience and energy always so necessary for the development of natural talents. The reward is great that follows the persistent study of hypnotism, for it is a science that bestows upon its devotees a power that is almost superhuman. It overawes everyone who witnesses its indisputable acts and its marvelous manifestations. It overthrows the theories of judges and philosophers and theologians and shakes the faith of material scientists in their preconceived opinions. It supports the surgeon and the physician and cures the afflicted and the deformed whom they pronounce beyond the hope of recovery. It breaks the chains of demoralizing and destructive habits. It comforts sorrowing and brings peace of mind to those distracted by the perplexities of life. It abolishes periods of time and extensive distance. It makes the lame to walk and strengthens the weak and causes the raving maniac to become as docile as a little babe. It checks the hand of death and snatches almost from the grave the grim destroyer's victims. It loosens the tongue of the stutterer, overcomes the self-consciousness of the backward, and tempers the impetuousness of the rash enthusiast. To Mankind in every walk of life it is a blessing leading his innermost thoughts to higher and nobler things. Developing his powers to plan and to execute and giving him social, financial, and intellectual eminence among his fellow Man. All this and more is hypnotism.