hypnosis

No one really knows what hypnosis is. There are theories floating around as to the nature of hypnosis as well as tons of descriptions concerning the hypnosis experience, but in the end, no one really knows what it is or how it works. I don't even like the word hypnosis but use it for lack of a better term. The word hypnosis came into popularity during the 1800s by a man who derived it from the Greek word “hypnos” signifying sleep. This man, I think, simply took the word hypnos and created the word hypnosis to help him market what he was doing. One of the interesting aspects of hypnosis is the actual absence of sleep while undergoing the experience, which is a significant reason I don't care for the word.

There have been interesting studies using Magnetic Resonance Imagery showing areas of brain activity while the subject is in the hypnotized state. This activity is different from the normal wakeful state but defining or understanding the nature of this activity and it's relation to hypnosis is conjecture at this point. The bottom line for me, despite the lack of clarity and understanding concerning the mechanism of hypnosis, is hypnosis can be a very powerful tool for change in all aspects of life. Hypnosis does seem to involve a separation within mind which can be construed as a separation between a conscious and subconscious mind. Hereafter I'll refer to the subconscious mind as unconscious mind or unconscious awareness because I don't think there is anything “sub” about that part of the mind.

As hypnotists our intent is to affect specific unconscious beliefs, changing them, thusly bringing about physical and mental changes the conscious mind desires. I call this change “resolution” and, in my practice, I view helping you change your unconscious beliefs about yourself resulting in the conscious change you desire as resolution. Calling this resolution, to my mind, describes using hypnosis to resolve the conflict between conscious desires and unconscious beliefs. There are many ways to access the unconscious mind resulting in affecting unconscious beliefs. Extreme emotional states such as blind anger, fear for your life, and massive physical and emotional pain seem to affect directly the unconscious mind. Repetition also seems to have an effect but is the least effective and when the repetition stops the effect upon the unconscious mind deteriorates. Clinically and therapeutically we use deep physical and mental relaxation, the opposite of the above extreme emotional states, to bring about desired change within the unconscious mind thus affecting and changing conscious experience.