Power In Your Hands

Hypnotherapy is a cooperative process between the Therapist and Subject. It is a form of deep relaxation where the subject is guided by focusing their mind. It is used for reprogramming the mind, memory recall and changing thought processes so you are “back in control”.

Curative Hypnotherapy aims to uncover subconscious beliefs, re-interpret the mistaken life event and correct the root cause. Commonly treated problems include habits and addictions, anxiety and panic attacks, stress, weight problems, fears and phobias, lack of confidence, sleep problems and negative thought processes.

A Brief History of Hypnosis
Dr Franz Anton Mesmer (from which the term “mersmerised” was coined) was a brilliant therapist who pioneered the field and influenced the development of hypnotic therapy as a curative remedy.

James Braid first coined the term “Hypnosis” for achieving a trance like state. He named the phenomena after Hypnos – the Greek God of Sleep and Master of Dreams.

Hypnosis, hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis have attracted blatant controversy, misunderstanding of the concept and in turn attached many myths which create a fear to unknowing people regarding the power of receptiveness. Common statements included: -

• If you hear the hypnotist – you are not hypnotised.
• Only weak minded people can be hypnotised.
• You can be hypnotised against your will.
• It is a scary form of mind control that is magical, mystical often dangerous.
• You can remain permanently stuck in hypnosis.
• Hypnosis is like sleep.
• The hypnotist has complete power over you when you are hypnotised.
• People who are in a hypnotic trance will reveal secrets or things they will regret.
• The subject can be directed to do something he does not want to do.

The Facts
“If you hear the hypnotist – you are not hypnotised” This misconception is probably derived from the related myth that hypnosis is like sleep. It is not a sleep but an altered consciousness of heightened awareness. The hypnotist guides the subject to focus on his voice and direction to screen out other sensory stimuli and increase concentration. This “altered reality” takes place as the subject immerses themselves into subjective reality. Hypnosis can then be used as a therapeutic tool (hypnotherapy) and utilised for self-change.

Hypnosis is a natural state of mind incorporating physical, mental and emotional relaxation. This is why sometimes subjects come out of hypnotic trance unsure whether they were actually hypnotised or not. They may equate then the argumentative myth “if you can hear the hypnotist – then you are not hypnotised”. If the subject lost all connection with the hypnotist – how could instructions be followed? The subject would then surely be unconscious. Instead the subject is in a period of extreme awareness where the individual is hyper acute.

A good metaphor regarding deep relaxation, awareness and hyper acute is just like before you fall asleep or as you start to awake on a morning. Dr Herbert Spiegel stated “suggestibility to hypnosis is an indication of intelligence”. Not all individuals are equally hypnotisable. Some individuals who are of sound mind and body may resist hypnosis or are only affected superficially. It is not possible to successfully hypnotise people with learning difficulties or low intelligence levels. Yet, neuropaths and hysterical persons are very susceptible and make ideal subjects.

“Only weak minded people can be hypnotised” The ultimate reason is the desire or consent of the subject to follow the instruction and guidance of the hypnotist. Therefore, individuals who are above average intelligence and who are capable of concentrating, using their creative, active and vivid imaginations – make the best subjects. They will make a strong association with the hypnotist’s suggestions using visual or auditory representations inside their minds.

Nothing to be frightened of
In reality, (hypnotic) trance states are nothing special. We go in and out of these states several times during everyday life - like daydreaming, watching a movie, practicing meditation or other relaxation techniques. These are well-known trance states and a form of self-hypnosis. Driving on a familiar journey in auto pilot is another form of hypnotic trance like state. Afterwards you remember little of the journey, but if you suddenly had to react fast to avoid an accident, you would.

Hypnosis is not sleep but an altered state of heightened awareness. If the mind is not registering what is being said – the process would be pointless. The experience can be very different for between individuals. The person in a hypnotic trance is always in control, just as someone who is daydreaming can decide to go on or stop at any time. While the practitioner serves as a teacher or guide, the only person who can hypnotize you is you, since trance is a latent potential of your own mind. Therefore, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.

Around 90 – 90% of adults can be hypnotized. The best subjects for hypnosis are people who are highly intelligent and who have a strong will as hypnosis depends more upon imagination than on will and most intelligent people have active imaginations! There are some who cannot be hypnotized: children or mentally challenged adults who don’t understand the words of the hypnotist, those who are intoxicated or high from drug use and those who are afraid.

Some people are afraid of the process and some are afraid of what might be revealed or learned. Therefore, a person unwilling to be hypnotised will not be a good subject. It is the therapist duty to explain and reassure the subject that they will not loose consciousness or control. It is not possible to get “stuck” in trance or trapped in an emotional state experienced during hypnosis.

Deep Relaxation
The depth of trance for most is light to moderate, which is enough to allow a change in negative behaviour. The different levels of trance are again dependant on a subject’s ability to focus, relax and become hyper acute – therefore allowing access to the subconscious mind.

How the Brain Works
The brain operates in Beta Rhythm when in normal awake conscious activity. This is a high and rapid functioning. As it relaxes into hypnosis – the Alpha Rhythm operates a high frequency – low amplitude brain waves. This is the beginning of relaxation. Sensations include: - relaxed but alert mind, passive awareness, composure, physical and mental relaxation, sense of well being, pleasure and tranquillity. The Delta Rhythm is associated with deep sleep.

The subconscious mind can do many things at once but the conscious mind can use only one side of the brain at a time. The switch over can be very fast, but the two sides are not used at once. Since the left side of the brain is strong, it is important to learn to meditate and relax it so the right brain can function.

The left side of the brain (for most people) is stronger in its functioning and is in general more verbal. It is responsible for sequences, memory of detail and our access to those details. It is also responsible for conformity for example, the many forms of communication such as speaking a language, writing and listening.
The right side of the brain is responsible of perceiving and creating wholes and patterns. In our thought processes it deals with “making sense” of our experiences. It is also responsible for creativity and originality – an expression of our unique approach to the world.
The right side of the brain focuses on the visual, processing information in an intuitive and simultaneous way – looking first at the whole picture then the details.
The left side of the brain main focus is verbal, processing information in an analytical and sequential way – looking first at the pieces then putting them together to get the whole.

PAST LIFE REGRESSION
Past Life Regression is a technique used to take a person back through time using hypnosis, so far back in time that the memories of previous lifetimes are rediscovered and explored. This technique is recommended for repressed traumas carried from a previous life time, healing, historical obsession, interpretation of recurring dreams, spiritual connection, karmic debt and association with familiar people – often regarded as “soul mates”.

Throughout the world, millions of people (of different cultures and religions) believe and accept in pre-existence and reincarnation. They accept that the lives we have lived before have an impact on the life’s we are living now.

Regression Therapy involves going back into a subjects past in order to find healing or find reasons for current behaviour or thinking patterns.

Finding and Solving the Problem
Psychotherapy and Counsellors are always interested in a client’s background. They deal with them on a cognitive level however if those memories are submerged deep in the psyche and no longer remembered by the client – progression or healing may take a considerable time (or be impossible). The subconscious mind may be protecting the client from the same hurt again. This is when Past Life Regression Therapy under hypnosis, can be a powerful process for transformation.

The Experience
The recall of a traumatic event can be positively progressing for some subjects. By re-experiencing the original fear and inducing stimuli into past life can bring relief from a present life phobia.

Not all recall is traumatic. Subjects often recall pleasant past life events, skills and abilities plus vivid information about different existences, cultures – often demonstrating the ability to speak in a different language with fluency.

Past life Regression Therapy can often re-enhance a subject’s physical and mental well-being and make a fresh start in life as memories are uncovered from other times and places to resolve or heal emotional issues and physical problems carried over to this lifetime.

The regressed is always encouraged to treat the experiences that arise as if they were real. This brings in the argument that the subject’s unconscious mind may be making up a story - being a product of their imagination. Could they find themselves being deeply immersed into a so called “recall” experience that is no more than a creative adventure as being authentic and real?

Jung argued that a person’s unconscious may be dipping into a universal memory bank and called it a “Collective Unconsciousness”.

Fact or fantasy – Past Life Regression raises the important question of whether our spiritual evolution on earth is attained through successive incarnations. In its higher purpose, it can be used to get in touch with your own spirit or inner core, where there is a font of higher wisdom.

Recommended Reading
Michael Newton PhD has produced over 30 years of groundbreaking research into Past Life Regression Therapy. He is the leading author of the best selling books Journey of Souls and Destiny and Souls.

As a lifetime and practising Spiritualist, I personally found Newton’s investigation of Life-Between-Lives Regression as the most interesting. It allows access to soul memories and connection with the soul self. The idea is to bridge your physical incarnation and connect with immortal life in the spirit world. Subjects are able to find answers to age old questions such as “who am I?” “What is my purpose?” and “why am I here?” The most profound spiritual component to subjects that undergo Life-Between-Lives spiritual regression is the possibility of direct contact with personal teachers, angels and spirit guides.

My personal favourite book is the illuminating autobiography called Initiation by Elisabeth Haigh. She explores and presents the initiation process in her current life (from childhood to adulthood) and how it was directly influenced by her past life. Her lucid memories of the hidden mystical teachings of the priesthood in ancient Egypt, the esoteric secrets, the guidance via her High Priest with her development as a young woman preparing for initiation into the universal truths of life – her awakening. She demonstrates the power of turning the searchlight of one’s consciousness inward and using every life event towards expanding consciousness.

It reveals deep insights into the subtle works of karma, reincarnation, the interconnectedness of the individual daily life choices and spiritual development - encompassing breathing techniques, meditation, yoga and the importance of hypnotic trance. I found her journey of initiation had a profound personal impact upon me, my understanding and beliefs and being objective enough as to never again put anything down to coincidence!