Self Hypnosis Self Control:
Won't I Lose It?
by Forbes Robbins Blair
Ever wondered if practicing self hypnosis might cause you to "lose it"? Does self hypnosis "control" your mind?
Make you fall asleep? Encourage amnesia? Lead you to be taken over by the supernatural? And what about not
being able to even wake up from the trance state you're enjoying?
These wrong perceptions need to be clarified. And that's what I hope this article will do.
Fear is the reason many people don't even try self hypnosis. Some time ago I was doing a television show about
self hypnosis. And a sceptical show producer simply and pleasantly asked me this: "If hypnosis can really get
people to stop smoking or lose weight, why aren't all of you hypnotists millionaires?"
After I rebounded from that unfair question, I replied: "Part of the reason is because people are afraid of hypnosis."
Here are Six Misperceptions About Self Hypnosis:
- It's mind control. Your subconscious mind is your ally and ultimate protector with any self hypnosis method. If it finds any suggestions to be
against its moral code, it will simply reject it. So you're safe. During the process you remain completely aware and in control. And you accept or
reject any suggestion you wish. For example, hypnotized stage-participants are not "controlled". Though it seems that way to the untrained
observer -- each of them is in control. The participants just go along with the fun, rejecting the most embarrassing or dangerous suggestions
(again: because it violates their moral code). Most stage hypnotists are great at finding the best "up for fun" contestants for their shows.
- It's just sleep. You'll be wide awake instead. It may feel like you're asleep. And a few people drift off some (where they would no longer absorb
the hypnotic suggestions). Some hypnotherapists use the words "sleep" or "sleepy" during their sessions. But they're only suggesting the deep
relaxation comes with the proper hypnotic state. By the way, if you were to drift off or nap some during self hypnosis, the hypnotic suggestions
would stop working. That's why my hypnotize-yourself-as-you-read method works so well for many people who have problems staying awake/alert.
- It creates amnesia. New self-hypnosis users sometimes worry if, after hypnosis, they might not remember what happened. While that's
possible, it's rare. Most people fully remember everything during self hypnosis. Back to our stage hypnosis example, those participants just don't
go deeply enough into hypnosis to account for post-hypnotic amnesia. The stage hypnotist is counting on widespread hypnosis misconceptions
so s/he can amaze the audience, even if entertainment wins and truth suffers. Moreover, state hypnosis participants are often unwitting co-
conspirators in this friendly, harmless act.
- It's a supernatural practice. Self hypnosis is not part of some occult conspiracy. The American Medical Association has recognized hypnosis
as a therapeutic tool that has "efficacy" for a variety of mental health conditions, especially when worked along with direct interactive
psychotherapy. It is true that hypnosis can be of great value to spiritual people, but there isn't anything particularly spiritual about self hypnosis
as a method of self growth.
- It's tough to wake up from hypnosis, right? Let's answer this question with a question: Do you worry about waking up in morning from
sleeping that night? For most of us, no. Returning to the everyday consciousness after self hypnosis is simpler and easier than waking from night
sleep. No sticks in the self hypnosis mode. We are fully in control and awake throughout.
- It's for the weak-willed. Self hypnosis doesn't mean you're risking stupidity or gullibility either. Almost everybody is enjoy and find benefit from
self hypnosis (exceptions: the mentally-challenged or very slow -- or people who have epileptic conditions). The main prerequisites for most
people is a desire and determination to follow easy directions and to be willing.
Fear of self hypnosis shouldn't get in the way of all it's possible benefits. And there is living proof of it all around.
Just ask a client of mine who someone who's spent years with three psychiatrists and felt he was close to suicide
how self hypnosis did not help him. He now lives a much happier, pain-free live five years later. Just ask a woman
who's been helped by weight loss self hypnosis how she reduced from a size 18 to a size 8 and how she's much
more confident and happy now eight years later. Just ask the hundreds of thousands of people all over the world
how hypnosis has eased their pains, helped correct their bad habits, made them feel more relaxed. They're very
positive about self hypnosis. You don't have to let any misperceptions and fears about it keep you from being a
success story either.
+++ You may reprint this article if you include the resource box below...
Visit his website and get a free hypnosis mp3 called "Healthy Choices, Healthy Body" by
subscribing to his ISH Email Updates here: http://www.forbesrobbinsblair.com
Forbes Robbins Blair is the author of three self-hypnosis books: the popular Instant
Self-Hypnosis, The Self-Hypnosis Revolution and More Instant Self Hypnosis. He produces
his own series of hypnosis audios. Mr. Blair works in private practice as a hypnotherapist
and offers distance hypnosis (hypnosis-by-phone).
|
