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Mention the words hypnosis,hypnotism or hypnotherapy to the average person in the street and a fairly predictable reaction can be expected. Through false impressions received through countless films, T.V. programmes and even cartoons and comics, people believe that being hypnotised or being in a state of hypnosis, involves being dominated by the person who has brought about the hypnosis. The image of swinging pocket watches,or the sinister hypnotist with wide,dark,staring eyes is still very prevalent, and hypnosis has become synonymous with being unconscious,or at least being deprived of one's own free will.
A lot of this has come from the way the words associated with the subject have passed into the English Language. It is very common to read news stories, especially reports of criminal proceedings,in which one individual has been said to have had an hypnotic effect on another. It usually means that one person was a strong character who was able to influence and thereby control the behaviour of a weaker one.
People are also often described as being "mesmerised", meaning that their attention is solely concentrated on one particular thing, be it a speaker, singer or piece of music, to the exclusion of everything else. Mesmerism, as a medical technique, was named after its originator, an 18th century Austrian doctor, Franz Anton Mesmer, who claimed to have discovered tides in the human body similar to sea tides, and that by reversing these tides by using magnets,certain medical conditions could be treated. When subjected to this treatment patients often went into a state similar to hypnosis, and although Mesmer was later discredited, he is still viewed today as the founder of modern hypnosis.
The word "trance" is also over-used in many areas. When someone is described as acting "as if in a trance" an image that tends to come to mind is one of being virtually a zombie, completely oblivious to what is going on around him or her.
Yet, if I were to tell you that virtually everyone goes into some form of light trance almost every single day,you would probably laugh. But let me remind you of a very familiar experience. How many times have you undertaken a routine journey,to your place of work, or a friend's or relative's house, a journey in which you know the route so well that you drive there virtually automatically. What do you do on these journeys? Does your mind wander, think about something entirely different from the journey itself? When you arrive at your destination, isn't it a very familiar sensation not to have remembered any details of the journey at all, yet you have obviously taken the proper turnings, stopped at junctions etc.?
What is this then, other than a very light trance, where one part of the mind is concentrating on driving, but another part is thinking other thoughts altogether. This kind of trance is not in any way dangerous. You know, for instance, that if a child or a dog ran into the road in front of you, your foot would immediately slam onto the brake pedal. In other words, you can come out of your trance when you want to,or when you need to. This situation pertains in all states of hypnosis . So what then , is hypnosis? Quite simply it is a state of physical and mental relaxation during which part of the mind is more concentrated than usual.You are not asleep, you cannot be influenced to do anything against your will: nothing can be suggested to you which is against your principles and beliefs, and if need be, you can open your eyes and come out of your trance whenever you choose. This is what a good therapist always emphasises to clients who come to see him or her for treatment. They are told that they will allow themselves to go into a state of hypnosis if they choose to do so, and will be helped to achieve it, but of they don't want it to happen, then in no way can the therapist force it to happen. I am going to expand on this subject in future articles, as I believe relaxed concentration is essential to bringing about inspiration and ideas for internet marketing, developing an online busines and product creation.
About the Author
Phil Yates is a qualified hypnotherapist who ran a private practice for many years. . He strongly believes that personal confidence and well-being is a key element in achieving success in internet marketing and its related businesses. More information can be found on his website atnhttp://www.selfactualmarketing.com