Hypnosis is Misunderstood
Hypnosis is Misunderstood
Overlooked
Like the Middle Child of the family, hypnosis is the often overlooked and forgotten of the healing arts. I can say that. I’m a middle child.
The medical profession admits that it can help many issues both physical and mental and often both. But Medicine hates to go out on a limb and say it out loud, “Hypnosis can aid in medicine in nearly any case.”
In religion, persons seem confused. Some say hypnosis is a no-no. Right up there with voodoo. The Catholic Church had advocated hypnosis since the 1950’s. Others are stuck in the middle and just don’t know what to think.
What Do I Think
Persons who know I am a Christian, ask me about how I confront my values with hypnotherapy. I see no conflict. There are many instances in the Bible that refer to trance and deep sleep, a hypnotic trance, and I uphold my Christian tenants. But what I really find is that once a person experiences hypnosis, they then understand how it helps and benefits them and does not “mess with their mind”.
So, I thought it would be a good time to talk about hypnosis and exactly what it is, so it will no longer be so misunderstood. According to the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, “Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. It is like using a magnifying glass to focus the rays of the sun and make them more powerful. Similarly, when our minds are concentrated and focused, we are able to use our minds more powerfully.” Because hypnosis allows people to use more of their potential, learning self-hypnosis is the ultimate act of self-control.” Hypnosis allows you to reach this state of focused attention which allows for accelerated learning. And that’s why it’s so effective at making changes so fast.
You’re Subconscious Mind is powerful but we only use a small part of it. In hypnosis, your Subconscious Mind is wide open and ready for change. Your hypnotherapist knows how to speak to your Subconscious Mind in the way that is most effective for you.
The Waves of the Mind
The mind has different levels of consciousness available to its use; beta, alpha, theta, delta and gamma. Each level has its purpose.
Beta: Executive Function
Beta brain waves are the ones you are most used to using. Beta is used for logic, reasoning, and alertness, kind of the Spock of brain waves. Beta is also where our Ego lives; that nagging voice inside that criticizes and stresses us out. That stress is tough on our health. Include in that anxiety, that on-edge feeling, and the list maker, in other words, the Big Stressor. In Beta, our Ego can run roughshod over us all day long and keep us swimming in stress hormones on a cellular level.
Alpha: That Dreamy Feeling
This is that day dreaming, meditative, almost sleepy feeling. When we’re in Alpha waves, we feel relaxed and our creativity runs strong. It’s a great thing for planning success, creating imaginative drawings or writings or plans. In this state, we are on the threshold of hypnosis, almost there and it is a state of mind open to finding lofty goals. Visualizing goals in this state of mind, is your best way to gain success in fully engaging your mind. This is where your intuition kicks in; that little voice that can lead you out of danger and trouble, give you the right words to say, and tell you when someone just needs a hug. The deeper you go in, the stronger that intuitive voice becomes.
Theta: Hypnosis and Visualization
Theta is where we dream, that REM dream state that is so important to complete and restorative rest. You can pass through it briefly on the way to deep sleep or you can linger there while creating new beliefs and goals. You can also make big, subconscious changes while in Theta. That’s because your Subconscious Mind is open to you at this point. You can speak to it in its own language which is highly symbolic and access those creative part of you not available in other brain wave states. Here you are conscious of your surroundings but you are deeply relaxed .You may even feel a bit disconnected from your physical self.
Delta: Deep Sleep
Delta is where we find very deep and dreamless sleep. At this level, we are not aware of our surroundings, completely detached from awareness. You are completely in your Subconscious Mind and nearly into the Universal Mind. This is where transcendental meditation chooses to go. Here, also, is healing sleep. It’s harmful to your health when you cannot reach this deep state of sleep.
Gamma: Being in the Zone
This range of brain waves was only discovered when digital EEG’s came into play. Previous equipment could not measure those waves. Persons with high gamma brain waves are happy and peaceful. Think of Meditating monks or nuns who are at peace and feel blessed. This is a state of being in the zone that you hear athletes talk about.
When you are doing what you love and what you think so much about, you can reach the zone with frequency.
We all have this zone and can learn to access it. It just takes some practice with self-hypnosis.
In Conclusion:
You’ve learned that Hypnosis can be overlooked but that it does tie into the mind/body connection. You can work with a trained hypnotherapist and you can also learn self-hypnosis. With self-hypnosis, you can organize your thoughts and put forward questions for your Subconscious Mind to work on.
When you’re ready to try Hypnosis, call me at (574) 658-4686 and we’ll have a session or two.
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About the Author Angie J. Hernandez, C.Ht.
A graduate of the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, Angie J. Hernandez, C.Ht., has her private practice in Milford, Indiana. She is certified in hypnotherapy by the Hypnotherapist's Union Local 472. Angie is the author of "Weight Loss Epiphany: The Workbook", "Charlie's Cuddly Animals for Little Geniuses" and "Weight Loss Hypnosis: Lose Weight with Hypnosis Scripts & Recordings". You can find out more about Angie and how to schedule private sessions by calling (574) 658-4686.
