Welcome to hypnosis for skeptics, usually hypnosis news. Today we’re going to diverge from our usual posts and talk about skepticism. We all know skeptics. Whether its about hypnosis or something else. So today I want to talk to the skeptics specifically because only a few years ago, I was one of you. I didn’t believe in all the hype about hypnosis. I couldn’t believe how useful it might be. So, skeptics, this one is for you.
Naturally Skeptic
It’s fairly natural for people to be skeptical about hypnosis. We live in a world with a lot of charlatanry and deception. People trying to sell you things that may or may not work. It’s easy to understand why someone might believe hypnosis was a scam. Between the fact that there are many different views an explanations and the first impressions many people have of hypnosis, it’s easy to see why there are skeptics still. Shows and movies overdramatize the effects leaving people even more confused if they try hypnosis.
The Morpheus Clinic for hypnosis uses a slightly different definition that may make more sense to the skeptics out there. It’s a three-step explanation. It involves communication, brain waves, and rapport. We don’t even have to talk about the unproven concept of the unconscious mind that many psychologists and hypnotists believe to be the best explanation we have. So here we go.
Part 1: Communication
Unless you are deaf, you are affected by the speech of others. Even if you are deaf, you’re still emotionally affected by the way people communicate with you. This is how we get absorbed into books or conversations. You become transfixed by the words. Some people are better at this than others, but everyone has the capability to transfix others with words. And when you are transfixed you don’t think about what is being said, you just listen. you take it all in. And in that state, you are influenced by those words.
When you become so engaged in something it affects your opinions, perspectives, thoughts, and knowledge. A good speaker can use words so effectively that it changes their thoughts on a topic for the rest of their life. Hypnosis starts with communication as well as our ability to choose to be affected by another person well chosen and spoken words.
Part 2: Your Mind
The second part of hypnosis has to do with that sense of being half-awake and half-asleep. It’s a misconception that you are asleep when in hypnosis. This stems primarily from two factors. First, we often use the word sleep to induce hypnosis. Second is the use of the word unconscious. What is actually happening in hypnosis is that your mind is ultra-focused inward. You are no longer paying attention to the outside world. However, you are still wide awake and able to hear and process words.
Hypnosis is like the feeling you have right before you fall asleep or as you’re waking up in the morning. If you think about that feeling you know that your analytical mind just isn’t fully there. That disconnect allows the client to effectively and quickly accept ideas put forth during the hypnotic trance. In addition, hypnosis is like that moment that you let your brain drift; often your imagination takes on a mind of its own and calls up all manner of inventive ideas. People have some of their most original or bizarre out of the box thinking moments when hypnotized.
While they hypnotist may guide you, you’re still in control. Even the greatest speaker in the world cannot convince you to accept an idea you would refuse to accept. Hypnosis only makes people more suggestible, not completely suggestible. It is up to you to decide to listen and take on new ideas or attitudes.
Part 3: Rapport
The final component that makes hypnosis work is the relationship between the hypnotist and their client. The hypnotist teaches you and shows you with words and mental images how to change your situation. This makes your professional relationship with your hypnotist very important. It’s just like a teacher. Everyone has had that teaches that half the class loves and the other half hates. If you love the teacher, the class goes well. If you don’t…well hold on for a rough time.
Just like the teacher example it’s up to the client to take on the ideas and words of the hypnotist. To listen and learn from the experience. Hypnosis requires two people to play two separate rolls. First, for the client, to suspend analytically thought and disbelief. Second, for the hypnotist to speak clearly and articulately.
Bring It All Together
Hypnosis is a process. It takes all three components to make it work. If the hypnotist can communicate, the client listens, and everyone keeps an open mind…it works. And that is when change really begins.
If you have any questions or would like to talk more with a hypnotist feel free to call us to schedule your free consultation. Or check out our services for more information.
