MANY people ask me what it is like being in that altered state of consciousness we call hypnosis.
Many think they will somehow get taken over, or be made to do stupid things or it is like stage hypnosis.
Fortunately it is nothing like this. It is a gentle and safe state of relaxation, but in reality it is more than merely relaxation. It is reaching the state of relaxation and then going a little further, where suggestions, consideration, and options of choice can be made by the hypnotherapist to the client who decides which and what to accept, and also decide anything that does not fit. The client also remains in complete control and is aware of their surroundings, and
their safety. Imagine after a long hard day at work, when you climb into bed, and you just begin to let go of all the tensions and the tightness, all the stressors and demands of the day are gently released, and if during that process the phone rings or the door is knocked, you hear both but you can’t be bothered to do anything about them. That calmness is similar to hypnosis, however that calmness can be developed and deepened if the client so desires.
This altered state of consciousness, allows beneficial and positive suggestions to be embraced, bringing new understanding, new outlooks on life and so much more.
Think of it this way. Imagine that you could place your life journey on a CD or DVD, and you could move
through time and review that journey.
Most of us would be able to identify some times, occasions and situations that we would like to change. Imagine what it would be like if you could re-write some of that CD, take out a problem, or add in a new viewpoint or release a guilt or blame or hesitation, perhaps even learn or relearn to be confident again, to be less anxious or stressed, as for many people, those are learned thought patterns and behaviours. And then imagine what it would be like if you could place all these positive changes into that CD of your life, and then imagine how your life journey would then feel, without the burdens or regrets, but with new feelings of confidence and selfesteem, new thinking abilities and so much more. That is just the tip of the ice-berg of change, the more that’sneeded, the more there is to learn.
Hypnosis is also used therapeutically within hypnotherapy, which amongst other things it is becoming more recognised as a valuable effective tool for easing psychological distress. Also it is well known to help Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and many other conditions of mind and body.
The great thing too is that we all have the ability to do it, we can all benefit from using it, if we allow ourselves to do so. Concentration is an altered state of consciousness, as mentioned earlier, as is daydreaming, relaxation techniques are too, and driving a familiar route from work and not remembering how we got home is also an altered state of consciousness. In fact everything you need to be successful in a hypnotherapy session you are using successfully every day of your life!
