Mind Your Language

What is hypnosis?

If you search around the web today you will come back with a hundred and one definitions. The reason for this is that even now people can not agree!

So what is it?
Here’s MY definition
Hypnosis is the utilization of an altered state to introduce suggestions to the unconscious mind.

Some types of suggestible altered states:

• Shock
• Distress
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Trance
• Meditation

What is hypnosis like?
Well it’s just like trance or daydreaming, because that’s exactly what it is! The ONLY difference is the inclusion of suggestions.

Consider a few natural trance states that you might have been in this week:

• Watching a movie
• Driving on autopilot
• Being “miles away”
• Daydreaming
• Getting a massage
• Reading a book
• Listening to music

The hidden hypnotist

Unfortunately anyone in a state of authority can unwittingly perform negative hypnosis, if you are in an altered state, so it’s important for people to be aware of their language in times of stress and shock. Examples include:

• High school teacher
• County Judge
• Police Officer
• Doctor or surgeon
• Parent

How?
Well, when you are in an altered state like trance or shock anything that is said to you bypasses that part of the mind that analyzes whether those statements maybe be truthful or not.

Let me give you a couple of examples:
Positive Hypnosis –

• You explain to someone in trance that they will feel better
• You tell someone in a state of shock that help is coming and that the worst is over

Negative Hypnosis –

• The medical professional explains to you while you are in a state of anxiety that the procedure has a marginal success rate and recovery will take several months
• The dentist about to give you an injection says, “you might feel some pain”