July 30, 2009
- Guide to What Hypnosis Really Is
Many people are curious about hypnosis and wonder will “hypnosis” work for them? There are too many references to hypnosis in dictionaries, encyclopedias, articles, books or on the internet to do them justice in one short article. That said, my aim here is to cut through hyperbole and get straight to the point. I want, in just a few short paragraphs, to remove the all too popular myths and misconceptions regarding the natural and normal state of hypnosis and instead to show you not only what hypnosis really is, but how it is in fact ESSENTIAL in our lives.I can hear you mind fighting against my assertion that hypnosis is normal and natural. What, you ask, is normal and natural about somebody else clicking their fingers, “knocking you out” and making you cluck like a chicken or, worse still, run around naked and make a fool of yourself?……My response?….steady on there, what made you think that’s what happens? Where did you get these assumptions from? What makes you so sure this is what hypnosis is all about? You see, most people are a little nervous about hypnosis, they are afraid they might lose control, BUT, at the same time, they would like IT to work for them! If you want hypnosis to be of benefit to you, if you want it to work for you, I ask simply that you keep an open mind here and let us look at hypnosis with fresh eyes (and reference to proven scientific research).You go to sleep every night and gradually pass through different levels of relaxation/alertness as you do so. As you sleep, you access different states in a cycle throughout the night. Much has been written about these cycles and I do not need to go into them in any depth for the purpose of this brief guide. All that you need to accept is that scientific research has proven, beyond doubt, that your brain waves alter as you drift off to sleep and continue to alter during the period of sleep. The brain waves associated with normal waking consciousness are beta waves, whilst alpha waves are produced when you are in a state of waking relaxation but with your eyes closed. The alpha state is the dream like state between wake and sleep. As you dream each night (during REM sleep) your brain shows a theta wave pattern. Theta waves also occur during active motor behaviors, such as running. (…)
