Tell Me About Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a natural state of mind in which we all find ourselves every day. Everyone experiences it; yet, many believe either it isn't real or that it is some sort of voodoo. The first thing to understand about hypnosis is that it is a sleep-like state, in that your conscious mind is less aware of your surroundings. However, it is not sleep! When you are asleep, your conscious mind gives up complete control to your subconscious mind. Simply put, you are in a state of hypnosis when your conscious mind gives up some control to your subconscious mind, allowing that part of your brain to see to your safty, because it really doesn't care about what is goingon around you. In this state, your conscious mind remains aware enough to filter sensory input and will, any time it feels the need, take back control. In the mean time your subconscious mind is driving the bus.

Your subconscious mind is very child-like. It doesn't try to analyze; it simply accepts what is being put to it as truth. Any scenario it accepts as true, it will enforce in your life. When your conscious mind is off daydreaming, direct communication with your sub-conscious mind becomes possible. In this state you are highly suggestible. Powerful, positive words and imagery will become true scenarios to yoursubconscious mind. To help you understand, here are a couple of examples.

What happens when you fall asleep while driving your car?
Answer: you crash! Have you ever been on a long drive and seen a sign that reads your destination is 30 miles away? Then you blink..., and suddenly, there is your exit! You couldn't remember driving any of the 30 miles. That is a state of hypnosis. Your conscious mind became so bored with driving that it decided to take a break. Your sub-conscious mind took control of driving your car, keeping it in the lane, not running into any other cars, or running off of the road, while your conscious mind got lost in a daydream. As your exit approached, your conscious mind realized its need to take back control, and it did. The reason you didn't remember any of it is because all of the actions and decisions taken over that 30 miles were done by that part of your mind that operates beneath the level of your conscious awareness. Hence, Subconscious

Another example is; have you ever been in a meeting, or classroom, and sort of phased out? Suddenly you hear, "the meeting is over", or a bell rings! You snap out of it only to realize that your notes are in order. Again, your conscious mind becomes so bored that it goes off daydreaming while your subconscious mind continues to hear everything that is being said, and writing it down. That is a very convenient state of hypnosis!

In either of these cases, just hope that no one starts talking about how much they are just dying for a big heaping bowl of ice cream! You will find yourself with a constant, irresistible urge for a big heaping bowl of ice cream! Get it?

So, how does hypnosis help you reframe habits? Hypnotherapy is a process of inducing a hypnotic state in a person and maintaining it long enough to introduce powerful, positive scenarios to the subconscious mind that it will accept as true and enforce. Let's use weight loss as an example. In the case of weight loss, the scenario is "you are the type of person that is attracted to healthy foods. You are an active, healthy person. You feel for the people who are troubled by the problems involved with overeating, or eating unhealthy, fatty foods." YOU ARE A FAT BURNING MACHINE!!!

The process of hypnotic induction is boring. It is supposed to be! The intention is to get you distracted. Hypnosis itself is wonderfully calming and relaxing, and I am certain that having experienced it, you will continue to enjoy it for years to come!