Hypnosis

A detailed Summary of Hypnosis

First, lets define hypnosis: an artificially induced altered state of consciousness, characterized by heightened suggestibility and receptivity to direction (Webster's, 2000). The best way to describe hypnosis is as a state of intense relaxation and concentration, in which the mind becomes remote and detached from everyday cares and concerns. In this relaxed state the subconscious part of the mind is best able to respond creatively to suggestion and imagery. It can focus on the things you wish to change and on the ways you can best do so, free from analytical or anxious thoughts (Lee, 4).

You are, however, not asleep or unconscious. You are in an altered state of consciousness in which you let things happen through your subconscious mind rather than trying to make them happen with your conscious mind. Because you are deeply relaxed, the suggestions given to you by the hypnotist will be acted upon more easily by the subconscious (Lee, 9). Posthypnotic suggestions are those that will be carried out by you when you come out of the hypnotic state. First, it is important to understand how your mind works. We have three separate and distinct parts of our mind. These three parts are: the conscious mind, the subcon

One of the real reasons people are smokers or overweight is because of a need of security or belonging. Security being a basic need for all human beings. As an example: generally, a smoker starts smoking when he is young and because he wants to belong to another group of friends. If he feels that he doesn't belong to this particular group, his subconscious mind (which must protect him against danger- real or imagined) recognizes the lack of security as a definite danger. In order to feel secure and accepted by the group, he accepts a cigarette- immediately rewarded by feeling accepted with his level of security going up. Having nothing to do with feelings of relaxation (Latmier, 66-72)

The last part of the subconscious mind is a negative part of us. Even though the subconscious is the most powerful part of our mind, it is extremely lazy. It doesn't like to do the work that is required to accept positive suggestions. To give us change in areas where we would like to have change. It likes to keep things the way that they are. It takes too much work to make change in a positive way. Positive suggestions are one of the most difficult things to get into our subconscious minds. On the other hand, negative suggestions go into this inner part of us like a hot knife through butter, because it doesn't take any work to accept a negative suggestion (Harrington, 372)

It is important to understand if a thought or a concept is allowed to go into the subconscious mind, it must happen. You could revise or eliminate the old programming and the inner, subconscious mind would then have to respond to the new programming. But it is not that easy. However there is one more part of your conscious mind. It is the critical factor of the conscious mind and it communicates with the subconscious. Its only job is to stop and put on hold any suggestion of positive change that we give ourselves or receive from an outside source. As an example: a man wants to stop smoking. His critical factor communicates with his subconscious, "He wants to stop smoking, can I let this suggestion in?" Now, remember, if this suggestion enters his subconscious mind, it must happen. But his subconscious mind says, "Wait a minute. He's been smoking for twenty years, he needs cigarettes for security." "Besides I would have to do years of re-programming and I just don't feel up to it. I don't want to do it, reject the suggestion!" Thus the suggestion is rejected and cannot go into the subconscious, inner mind. The only other place to take that suggestion is will power in the conscious mind. And we all know how long will power lasts. How many times have you tried to stop smoking? How many times have you tried to eat healthier?

If we are unaware of these negative suggestions we may cause ourselves all manner of disabilities or ailments (Latmier, 46). Luckily this works both ways. People who can master this can cure numerous things that trouble them. Our unconscious mind is basically responsible for two things. It controls the strength or weakness of our immune system and it controls our automatic body functions. Automatic body functions such as the beating of our heart and the blinking of our eyes. Our unconscious mind is basically unaffected by hypnosis (Latmier, 48)

Pleasure Principle and the Reality Principle (II)

We are also continually subjected to 'unconscious hypnotism' in our daily life by parents, teachers, peer pressure, etc. Newspaper and television advertising, for example, try to persuade us to do things like buying Nike Shoes, we are supposed to "Just Do It"(Nike). Repetition reinforces the suggestion. If you have ever found yourself at the checkout counter not knowing why you put something in the basket, this may be the reason (Latmier, 45).

The next thing in our subconscious mind is our protective mind. This is probably the most important part. It must protect us against danger, real or imagined. Understanding that something imagined by our subconscious m

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Category: Science