Despite
its incredible power, there are few therapeutic tools less understood or more
plagued by misconceptions. Hypnosis has existed since prehistoric times and
modern western medicine has been trying to understand it since the 1700’s. It
has only been within the last two decades that we have truly begun to
understand how hypnosis works and what it can do for us.
Unfortunately,
many misconceptions that have developed over the centuries still persist today.
If you ask the average person on the street what he or she thinks hypnosis is,
they may respond with any number of answers including sleep, unconsciousness,
mind control, or even magic. All of these ideas are wrong, but unfortunately
continue, perpetuated by Hollywood novels and films. Many vampire and spy
movies for instance, portray hypnosis as a way for the villain to gain control
over the victim. These fallacies prevent many people, who could truly benefit
from hypnotherapy, from ever trying it. Those who do try hypnotherapy often
spend their first session unlearning their misunderstandings.
Hypnosis
is not sleep, unconsciousness, mind control, or even magic. In fact, it is a
heightened state of awareness. In most cases, the subject is fully aware and
able to respond to requests, either verbally or by signaling, such as raising a
finger. Ask a hypnotized person to make a specific, reasonable movement and they will comply.
There
is no surrender of control or will-power, no magic. No one can be hypnotized
against their will, and what is more, no hypnotized person can be forced to do
anything against their will, beliefs, or core values.
Scientists
now know hypnosis to be a state of
selective thinking in which the subject, who is in control of his or her
own thoughts, chooses to experience
only what is relevant to the task at hand, thereby blocking out all other
stimuli.
However
you think of it, hypnosis is a simple, relaxing method for communicating
directly with the subconscious mind. Few people realize the immense power that
their own subconscious mind has over their life. The causes of many bad habits
are rooted in memories or mistaken perceptions that have long been forgotten by
the conscious mind but retained in the subconscious. Hypnosis helps to access
the subconscious to change those unwanted habits quickly and easily.
Although
hypnosis is not a panacea, there are many areas in which it has proven to be
tremendously helpful including memory enhancement, improving concentration and
focus, relieving insomnia, overcoming phobias and fears, eliminating harmful
habits such as smoking and nail-biting, relieving pain, and stress management.
Hypnosis
is a self-improvement tool anyone can learn and everyone should use.
© Dr. Shanimah Ra,
Certified Hypnotherapist and Angel Therapy Practitioner® 2012
