We might have seen a person being controlled by a Hypnotist with a pendulum. Performing a bunch of tasks commanded to him with just some simple clicks. Be it live or on television, the idea of Hypnosis has always been intriguing for almost all of us. However, the capability of taking over one’s mind seems practically unrealistic. Due to the impracticality of this idea, a lot of people are more or less sceptical towards Hypnosis.
But does the concept exist? Yes, it does. Fortunately, rationality of a concept does not depend upon the ratio of believers to non-believers. Some of the most accomplished researchers have tried and tested the process of Hypnosis and Hypnotism over the years. The growth of knowledge about the concept has been so incredible that the hypnotism has outgrown beyond the stage shows. Well, the process of hypnotism is not exactly how it is portrayed in the movies or shows. We may have seen a person impersonating a monkey, dancing, laughing or even quacking like a duck. Hypnosis and Hypnotism are used in numerous ways in the world but the real hypnosis is much more than a stage act. It has endless operational possibilities.
Theory of Hypnosis
What exactly is hypnosis? The technique of hypnosis and hypnotism is significantly more complex than ‘just a mind trick’. We may have experienced people in the hypnotic state in or out of the television. They often seem to be sleepy, drowsy or zoned out. But in reality, they are in the predicament of hyper activity, they have an increased attention and sustainability. A hypnotized individual is highly attentive towards the situation and experiences focused imagination and fantasies. This procedure helps a person in more ways than one can imagine.
In other words, Hypnosis is the capability of a person to perceive and influence one’s mind. However, the process totally depends upon the decision of a person to be hypnotized or not to be. Being a procedure to takeover on one’s mind and influence the thoughts, the permission to do so matters the most. According to a survey, 10-15% people in the world are easily hypnotizable whereas, 20-25% are completely prone to hypnosis and hypnotism. Other 60-70% are the people like us, who can be moderately hypnotized.
The Process of Hypnotism
Hypnosis has become a highly accomplished scientific process over the years. Various classifications for a hypnosis process had come into play by many proficient scientists. Although, Hypnotists like Dave Hill, Dr. James Braid, Dr. Milton Erickson, Dr. Sigmund Freud have developed different approaches to the hypnotic process. Nonetheless, the stages that one goes through remain the same
1. Induction into the Hypnosis
The first step is to be ready for the consequences. As being hypnotised, completely depends upon one’s mind, you have to be confident and up for it. Lying back comfortably on your couch, sofa, bed or any other place where you’re ready to give your conscious mind away. However, Listening to a soothing voice is giving it the approval to affect your mind. The process lets you to slide into hypnotic state slowly and steadily.
2. State of Hypnosis
After you’ve been hypnotized, you enter a state of focused abilities in your mind. Your mind is more open to listening to the voice guiding it and being influenced by it. The hypnotic state is when the mind is completely tamed to be controlled and altered by the hypnotist. Your body is more calm and relaxed along with the hyperactivity and increased attention.
3. Influencing the Mind through Hypnosis and Hypnotism
Whenever you decide to undergo the process of hypnosis, you’ve set your sight on accomplishing something by guiding your mind. Be it quitting some habits, reducing anxiety, increasing focus, etc. Once you have entered the hypnosis state, it opens the door to the possibilities. You can emphasize your mind as per your directions to follow a particular task or to redo a lifestyle characteristic. The mind is more open to suggestions and you can guide yourself towards the path you wanted to follow. Nonetheless, Your mind can be counselled with a soothing voice that leads it on the right path.
Some Methods of Hypnosis and Hypnotism
Hypnotism is mainly focused on one goal which is to mentally train a mind for the betterment of an individual. The aim might be similar for most of the cases, but did you know? There are diverse methods to hypnotise a mind. Newer approaches have come into play over the years because of the research on the subject. To discipline one’s mind, they have to affect themselves and let the process take over the virtue.
1. Guided Hypnosis (or) Traditional Hypnosis
A tradition hypnosis is the most popular kind of hypnotic ability that you must’ve come across. Focusing on a pendulum swinging to and fro or maybe on a spinning spiral. To concentrate on a single point that allows the hypnotist to mesmerize you and take over your mind. You start to follow the instructions commanded once you set your mind on the focus point. This is the most popular kind of hypnosis which you might have seen in the stage shows or movies. The traditional hypnosis was started by Franz Mesmer in 1700s and later proved by James Braid after around 150 years.
2. Conversational Hypnosis (or) Ericksonian Hypnosis
Researched and Founded by Dr. Milton Erikson, the conversational hypnosis does not use external tools. Well, let’s just say it solely depends upon the speaker and the receiver involved in the process. The process of conversational hypnotics requires the patient to lie down comfortably. Hypnotism undergoes through the process of conversation by the hypnotist. The words are perceived by the mind causing it to calm down and relax. This method became very popular among the therapists to treat the patients mentally.
3. Hypnotherapy (or) Clinical Hypnosis
Having the ability to alter an individual’s thought process, hypnosis plays a major role for treating mental illness. As a result, Hypnosis for therapeutic benefit can be used to mesmerize a sufferer and reduce their anxiety. Hypnotherapy is an ability to influence one’s mind to get rid of the negative thoughts and imaginations. It can help relieve the stress and anxiety. One of the most quintessential factors is that you can access the hypnotherapy in various forms, be it from live therapist, a recorded session or a video.
4. Self-Hypnosis
Self-hypnosis is a trick to hypnotise oneself without any other external media. You can guide yourself through a video or audio podcast that lets you calm your mind. It requires you to lie in a comfortable spot as usual and listen to a voice that influences your mind. The hypnotism continues when you fall asleep but your thoughts keep altering for a better tomorrow. Self-hypnosis is a beautiful experience to achieve a lot of things with a right mind. However, it requires complete dedication and concentration for better results.
Ultimate Benefits of a perfect hypnotic process
Hypnosis is an astonishing experience to go through. Although, it takes moulding one’s thoughts by gaining their focused imaginations, at the end of the process, you can always find your better self. Hypnosis is similar to meditation where you wake up feeling relaxed and positive. One who undergoes the process can feel better in more ways that imagined.
What to achieve through the process of hypnosis?
- Minimize or Eliminate the Fears and Phobias.
- Change the habits you’ve always wanted to.
- Get rid of the negative thoughts.
- Help yourself relieve Anxiety and Depression though guidance of mind.
- Boost up self-confidence and gain motivation.
- Improve attitude and lean towards positivity.
- Hypnosis also helps in reduction of pain and coping up with it in various situations like dementia, dental operations, nausea, pain during child birth, etc.