About Hypnosis

Most people think hypnosis is what they see in movies or at stage performances. Such presentations usually give the impression that the hypnotist has some kind of power over your mind and magically implants suggestions with which you may or not agree. On the contrary, hypnosis is the way the mind works all the time. It is how our reality is formed. When a trained hypnotist leads you through a series of mental operations and associations, you gain access to states of mind, ideas and information that are normally out of your awareness. But be assured that they are your states of mind, ideas and information, and you have to be willing to allow yourself to follow the lead of the hypnotist, which is to say, you are the one really in control. If at any time you decide you do not agree with any of the suggestions being offered, or if your values or ethics are being violated, you will automatically return to normal consciousness. 

When you hear a story of someone who was made to do things against their will, it is untrue. Of course if you have no values, ethics or boundaries, you may allow yourself to entertain ideas that you later may wish to disavow, but that is not because someone else has power over you. It is simply that you are not taking responsibility for your own mind and personal power. We must accept that responsibility. We can create what we want in our lives only when we establish our boundaries, clarify our values and take care of our bodies, minds and emotions.

I have found many different definitions of hypnosis, but my favorite one comes from Michael Yapko, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist in San Diego, California and Director of the Milton H. Erickson Institute. In his book,Trancework, Yapko states,"Clinical hypnosis is a skill of using words and gestures in particular ways to achieve specific outcomes.”

In other words, hypnosis is just an effective form of communication. I might add, it also allows the subjects greater access to the storehouse of wisdom and creativity that resides in their own minds. The magic is in you!