Hypnosis is generally regarded with fear and awe. People are aware
that major changes can be made through the use of the mind and hypnosis,
and they are afraid of hypnosis because of how it has been portrayed
in movies and by the media. Here are some common questions and answers
about hypnosis.
| Q |
What is hypnosis? |
| A |
Hypnosis has been defined as the bypass of the critical factor
of the conscious mind for the establishment of acceptable selective
thinking. Hypnosis is a natural state of being and normal people
go into and out of different states of hypnosis daily. In a nutshell,
hypnosis is simply getting past the conscious mind and communicating
directly with your powerful subconscious mind. |
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| Q |
What if I can’t be hypnotized? |
| A |
Any normally intelligent person can be hypnotized. This has more to do
with the desire of the individual than the ability to be hypnotized.
Many people think that because they are very strong-willed that
they would make poor hypnosis subjects. This isn’t true, in
fact, these people possess concentration skills that normally give
them great success with hypnosis. |
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| Q |
Do I have to believe in hypnosis for it to work? |
| A |
No. The degree to which you can be hypnotized is not completely related
to how much you believe in it. There have been some amazing results
from hypnotic suggestion on people who have claimed that they were
not hypnotized. |
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| Q |
Do I need a referral from my doctor? |
| A |
Some conditions require a referral, however the most common uses of hypnosis
such as weight loss, smoking cessation, etc. do not. If you aren’t
sure, ask your doctor or hypnotist. |
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| Q |
Is Hypnosis dangerous? |
| A |
No. Hypnosis is a normal state of mind which people experience every day.
If you get engrossed in a book or movie, go into autopilot when
driving, or listen very intensely to music, you are in a state of
hypnosis. At any point in time during a hypnosis session, you have
the ability to open your eyes, get up and walk out the door, even
if you felt that your legs are very heavy or your eyes felt glued
shut. A hypnotist is incapable of making you do anything that is
embarrassing, shocking, unacceptable or irreversible. |
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| Q |
What does it feel like to be in hypnosis? |
| A |
Most people say that it feels very relaxing and comfortable, almost a
dreamy state. Some people report sensations of floating, or of heaviness,
but always very pleasant. |
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| Q |
Will I say things under hypnosis that I don’t want
to? |
| A |
Absolutely not. Hypnosis is not a substitute for truth serum. You choose
what to share and what not to share, just as when you are not in
hypnosis. You are not unconscious or asleep while in hypnosis and
are always aware of your surroundings. |
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| Q |
Can a hypnotist make me do something against my will? |
| A |
No. Contrary to what you see in stage shows and on TV, you won't be clucking like a chicken. The hypnotist has no "power" over the client. |
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| Q |
What if I don’t “wake up?” |
| A |
It’s not possible to “get stuck” in hypnosis. If the
hypnotist left the room you would either fall asleep and wake up
naturally, or your inner mind would realize that there was no voice
guiding you, and you would emerge as if you had been in a deep sleep.
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| Q |
What is the subconscious mind? |
| A |
The subconscious is the inner part of the mind and works mostly behind
the scenes to take care of you. It is responsible for your long-term
memory, storing everything that you have ever experienced. It also
is the seat of your emotions, generating and storing them. The subconscious
is where your beliefs are stored as your internal programming, and
they run your life much like a computer program runs its functions.
Your subconscious is there to protect you, and by working directly
with your subconscious mind, your hypnotist can help you make beneficial
changes. |
