What is Hypnosis?
Definition 1: Hypnosis is altered state of consciousness i.e between waking state and sleeping state. Where the conscious mind is subdued and the subconscious mind is open. Data can be put in or it can be retrieved.
Definition 2 : it is that state of trance where the peripheral awareness is reduced and focal awareness is enhanced.it is also called a state of highly focused attention
Hypnotic state is a natural state. We pass through this state naturally at least twice in a day.one when you are lying down to sleep and drifting towards sleep, but not completely asleep. It is called Hypnogogic state. That is where your subconscious mind is naturally open. The other time is when you just ware waking up in the morning, you eyes are still closed , but you are able to hear sounds of bird, and smells around you. That too is a hypnogogic state. In previous times our elders used to recite shloks and mantras during this small window . Today it has been replaced by Affirmations, which directly penetrate the sub conscious mind.
Other examples are wen you are engrossed reading a book.i f someone calls your name, you are may a times not able to hear that words. The other best example is when you go to movie. you know before entering the theatre, that it is a show of sound and light, but once the movie sisters and it is very engrossing, your rational ie conscious mind takes a back seat, (in most people) and the emotions resurface. In a comedy scene you laugh. In a tragic scene, you feel like crying.
So for understanding, Hypnosis is divided in two categories,
1) Stage Hypnosis: it is 15 % of Hypnosis which has entertainment value. This is what you see on stage shows or movies.that is mostly performed by Hypnotists.
2) Clinical Hypnosis or Self-Hypnosis: this comprise of 85% of Hypnosis. Which has clinical and therapeutic value.
Thanking you,
Dr Tarak Vachharajani
