Hypnosis for Self Improvement

The subject of hypnosis is very often frightening and misunderstood. It invokes visions of an unusual sleep-like state in which the hypnotist has complete control of the subject. It is associated with Swami, Svengali-like trances, mind control and dark and evil happenings.

In 1956, the British Medical Association recognized hypnosis as a valid medical and dental tool; and, in 1958, the American Medical Association formally followed suit. It took years of serious consideration for these two bodies to arrive at this decision, thus laying to rest the doubts about the validity of hypnosis.

Throughout the years, hypnosis in psychotherapy has had its ups and downs. Modern day methods and applications are helping it to become a trusted and valued member of the healing arts, with professional uses that have been of major benefit to many people for many years. Hypnosis can be utilized in medicine, psychology, psychiatry, dentistry, counseling, sports, habit control, and in any area of self-improvement. It is not a cure-all, but merely a tool to help a person achieve the result desired.

Actually, hypnosis is a phenomenon that occurs frequently in everyday life and has been extensively studied scientifically. A more specific definition of hypnosis might be: “An altered state of conscious awareness." This occurs naturally in our daily lives. Any time we go to sleep, wake-up, or daydream, we are altering our state of conscious awareness. Though hypnosis is not sleep, as has been thought by so many for so long, but a “sleep-like state” during which time an individual allows themselves to be receptive to positive suggestions for what they wish to accomplish. It is difficult to be precise because no one really knows what goes on inside a person’s head when they are in hypnosis, but what we do know is that our minds do possess a great amount of power which we can lock in to and use, with the proper training and direction.

Hypnosis is not magic. People cannot be made to do things that they would not normally, morally do during normal conscious times. The person being hypnotized is not “under the control” of anyone. The person still retains complete control of themselves and if any adverse suggestion were given, you would either refuse to comply, or simply bring yourself out of the hypnotic state. (Continued)