0 What Happens In Hypnosis

I saw a hypnosis show on TV. Several volunteers were up on stage and each just dropped their head when the hypnotist said "Sleep" and clicked his fingers. They seemed totally unconscious. They were moving and speaking like zombies. Their eyes were closed and they did the most ridiculous acts on stage. They were clearly unconscious, and that was just amazing. The "unconscious" mind is a relatively new term used in the hypnosis world. It used to be called the "subconscious" mind. When you see something on TV that reaches the unconscious mind, it is only natural to assume that it is accompanied by a state of unconsciousness. This assumption is easily perpetuated by good stage and TV hypnotists choosing volunteers that are more likely to go into a deep trance. And so, this increases the drama of what we see. And volunteers who go on stage in this environment where they see others before them fall under the spell, sometimes also tipsy from alcohol, do go more deeply into hypnnosis and may describe this state to their friends afterwards as having been unconscious. This is thought by seekers of hypnosis to be a physiological state of unconsciousness, hence the confusion. However, the fact is that a state of unconsciousness in hypnosis is pure myth. This is why: * An unconscious person is hard to wake up. However, the hypnotist on the show easily awakens their volunteers. * An unconscious person cannot be made aware of their surroundings. However, if the hypnotist asks the volunteer to sit on a chair for example, the volunteer easily obliges. * A physiological unconsciousness is caused by illness, an injury or a traumatic emotional shock. None of these are present in a hypnosis show. What actually does happen, even in deep hypnosis, is that you are relaxed and in a state where your mind is more likely to accept suggestions. Some people are almost in a deep sleep in hypnosis and some feel relaxed but awake. And there are many variations in-between. The power of hypnosis comes in the way the suggestions are delivered, not in a physiological state of unconsciousness. Being physiologically unconscious is unnecessary and would even be a cause for concern. If you are due to attend hypnosis or hypnotherapy for the first time, go with the expectation to be lightly relaxed during the process. Then if you go deeper, that is fine, and if you feel lightly relaxed, then you have achieved the state of trance just as you were expecting. And a good point to also remember is that the depth of trance has absolutely no relevance to the effectiveness of the treatment. Just go ahead and enjoy your session! (c) Suzanne Zacharia 2010. My name is Suzanne Zacharia and I am committed to spreading the word about health options. A virus caught at university at the end of 1986, plus medical negligence, meant that I got smokers lung at a relatively young age. In desperation for help with my symptoms and quality of life, I turned to complementary therapy and am now a complementary therapist, author and trainer, helping others achieve health and happiness. Want to use this article? You can, as long as you credit me with it and invite your readers to get my FREE book "7 Real Truths of Energy Psychology" at http://www.newagetherapies.com or my free course "5 Days To Change Your Life" at http://www.NewAgeInternationalTraining.com