Misconceptions About Hypnosis

Some people are still sceptical about hypnosis due to the negative light in which it has been portrayed in films, sensational newspaper stories, and such like.

Some people think the hypnotherapist will control them (lies, lies, lies we simply guide and your mind will only accept what you are in agreement with), they think they might be made to do ridiculous things (you will only do what is morally acceptable to you), they think it is evil (I personally do not think that my mind is evil, I hope you don’t). These fears and misconceptions are completely unfounded. The individual is always in control, and in fact, is more aware of what is happening while in the hypnotic state.

In the UK and the USA Hypnotherapy has taken its rightful place along side other medical techniques since the 1950s. Please consult the book authored by Dr George Lewith and published by the British Medical Association, titled "Understanding Complementary Medicine" for an explanation of hypnosis and its usefulness. This book is available at Dischem.

Lets' make a few observations about stage hypnosis.

• Stage hypnotists work with awe and emotion to get rapid inductions. It’s a little like watching a magic show, you just missed the slight of hand.

• You must remember when the members of the audience step forward onto the stage they have mentally agreed on a hypnotic contract to make that show entertaining. They want to do it!!!! If that wasn’t the case wouldn’t every person in the audience be standing on that stage screaming “pick me, pick me”.

• Lastly, even though these people have agreed to be entertaining which is exactly what they are doing, they will not do anything that goes against their morals. To expand on this, the mind is a very creative, imaginative tool and if the stage hypnotist gives the guy a broom and says that it is a beautiful girl that he is dancing with, that guy in his mind will see a very beautiful girl. Now, dancing with a lovely young lady is not all that bad I would think. Giving the person an onion and saying that they are eating an apple is not too threatening, as the saying goes “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Being a chicken when you have agreed to make the show entertaining couldn’t do too much harm (I expect you have got the picture by now.) On the other hand if that hypnotist had to ask anyone of those people to do something that goes against their morals, for example take this knife and stab someone he would not be able to keep them in hypnosis, not even for the sake of entertainment.

• To prove this to yourself: the next time you watch a show like that, put yourself in the shoes of the person that has agreed to be entertaining, imagine you are dancing with the girl. Being entertaining? Yes. Going against your moral values? I doubt it very much!