Hypnosis works through the hypnotic and post
hypnotic suggestions provided to the subconscious mind by the
hypnotherapist, or by the individual himself. The suggestions
given during hypnotic trance are generally positive, with
directions that the subject will continue to experience,
say, more relaxation and increased self esteem, even after he
comes out of the hypnosis.
How Hypnosis Works
Bryan defines hypnosis as a normal
physiological, altered state of consciousness, similar to, but
not the same as being awake; similar to but not the same as
being asleep, and is produced by the presence of two conditions:
1. A central focus of attention, and
2. Surrounding areas of inhibition.
The
Hypnotic Trance
The state of hypnosis
produces three responses:
-
An increased concentration of
the mind: Usually in the wakeful state, our 'units of mind
power' are scattered throughout the brain (SJ Van Pelt). Any
extraneous suggestions during this stage will go scattered
throughout and will be captured only by a few mind power
units. In the hypnotic trance, these units of mind power are
concentrated to a point that the suggestions get absorbed and
retained easier.
-
Increased relaxation of the
body: Popular hypnotic induction involves the progressive
muscular relaxation techniques, whereby muscle groups are
tensed and relaxed gradually to achieve a fully relaxed body
and mind.
-
Increased susceptibility to
suggestion: This is the outcome of the preceding 2
responses, the concentration of mind and the relaxed body. The
mind, which is in a twilight zone between the wakefulness and
sleep, is highly receptive to suggestions during the hypnotic
state.
Stages of Hypnotic Trance
To further understand how
hypnosis works requires knowledge about the various
physiological levels of our mind: the conscious, the
subconscious and the unconscious.
In simple terms, these levels
represent the state of wakefulness and can be re-classified
thus:
-
Alert: Normal state
where your mind and body are fully awake and functioning.
E.g. you are on the dance floor with your lover.
-
Daydreaming: Light
trance state. Eyes open or closed consciously. Body
relaxed a bit. Breathing is relaxed and slowed, heart beat
regular. A soothing feeling in mind. Withdraws into self
with mild awareness of surroundings. The direction of
attention is towards an imagines activity. E.g. you are
idly thinking about dancing with your lover.
-
Moderate Trance: Eyes
closed, decreasing awareness of surroundings, increased
awareness of heart beat and breathing, increased
suggestibility and imagery. E.g. you imagine yourself on
the dance floor with your lover.
-
Deep Trance: Limbs
limp. Body fully relaxed. Attention narrowed. High
suggestibility. Sensory illusions possible. Auditory
receptiveness and environmental awareness minimum.
Creative function heightened. E.g. you physically feel
yourself gyrating around with your lover!
-
Normal Sleep:
Voluntary activities suspended, reduced/absent
consciousness. E.g. You dream about dancing with your
lover, who may have the face of Angelina Jolly or
Aishwarya Rai :-)
The levels 2-4 are the stages
of hypnotic trance, where your mind gradually shifts gear
from the conscious through subconscious to unconscious level
sleep. It is during these stages that one is highly
susceptible to suggestions. The suggestibility varies from
individual to individual.
One person may be highly receptive in light trance whereas
another may have to go into deep trance before achieving
such a state of suggestibility.
The
suggestions given during hypnotic trance are generally
positive, with directions that the subject will continue to
experience, say, more relaxation and increased self esteem,
even after he comes out of the hypnosis. This is called
posthypnotic suggestion. The post hypnotic suggestions are
implanted in the subconscious and with repeated sessions, are
bolstered enough to be accepted by the conscious.
Thus
hypnosis and hypnotherapy is useful in behavioral
modifications to get rid of undesirable character traits.
During the hypnotic trance, it is even possible to induce
deeper bodily responses like complete numbness of a body part
or healing responses in psychosomatic diseases.
