Hypnosis
A brief description
Even if you have never been hypnotized, you have experienced this state of mind many times in your life. Think of a time when you were driving your car and pulled in to your driveway. You may think, "What have I been doing for the last eight blocks?". During the period you were "daydreaming" your attention was focused so much that you get the impression of lost time. This experience is very similar to hypnosis. When you go to the movies and cry when it is sad or get so into the plot that you are on the edge of your seat, you are emotionally hyper suggestible. How about when you watch another person get hurt--you cringe.
Another example of suggestion in every day life is the reaction seen in mob mentality. You will see that people respond differently than they would on their own when chasing the approval of a group. This, of course, is occurring because of the bypassing of critical thinking in the individual as he or she responds to the people in the environment.
All of these examples are instances when you are unconsciously or consciously more responsive to suggestion than usual.
As legend has it, hypnosis as a concept began with an idea Mezmer thought up while watching a street magician with magnets. The magician was able to make people amazed by the power of the objects moving, attracting and repelling each other. He would then make people swoon (faint or fall over) when touched with the magnets.
Mezmer then came up with the idea of animal magnetism. A Scottish physician named James Braid then noted patients reacting to suggestion after exposure to these concepts and came up with the concept of hypnosis.
Hypnosis is the use of relaxation, repetition and sensory imagery to create the acceptance of suggestion. James Braid came up with the term hypnotism, using the root hypnos (Greek God of Sleep) to describe this state of mind, although he later wanted to call it Monoideism, meaning 'fixated on one idea.' The fact is that hypnosis is not sleep. It is the use of relaxation and focus.
Hypnosis can be used for help in learning new behavior. It has been used to help people quit smoking, lose weight, relieve pain, childbirth, stress reduction and academic improvement.
Modern hypnotists can use a wide range of techniques to enhance suggestion acceptance in their clients. The use of specifically targeted music can be very helpful. Most professional hypnotists now use strategies from hypnotherapy and Neuro-linguistic Programming when working with their clients.
Although some hypnosis applications like quitting smoking or stress reduction can be accepted directly by a hypnotist, others should be referred by your physician. Pain management clients should always be diagnosed by their medical doctor and then referred to the hypnotist if hypnotic pain management is indicated. This allows your doctor to make sure that you will not mask symptoms.
If you have questions about hypnosis as a career or if you would like information on private sessions, please call 239-322-4586.
Sincerely,
Scott McFall
Director, Christian Hypnosis Connection
8695 College Parkway #2400, Fort Myers FL 33919
