Hypnosis
Questions FAQ Hypnosis frequently
asked questions (FAQ) answered here. Ask your question or find the answer
in others queries about Hypnosis, Hypnotism, Hypnotherapy, self-hypnosis
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HYPNOSIS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Simple Hypnosis
Definitions
Self-Hypnosis
- A self-induced state of trance.
Hypnotist
- A person skilled in the art of inducing trance in another.
Hypnotic
- Of Hypnosis. Having the ability to Hypnotize. Usually refers to
an object or occurance rather than a person.
Hypnotize
(Alternative
spelling Hypnotise) - induce a hypnotic trance state.
Hypnotized
(Alternative
spelling Hypnotised) - In a trance
Stage Hypnotist
- A performer who uses Hypnosis to influence others in a usually humorous
or spectacular display of mind power and influence. Often referred to as
Stage Hypnotism.
Hypnotherapist
- A person trained to present therapeutic suggestions to another willing
person in whom a state of trance has been induced.
Trance
- An alterered state of awareness (between waking & sleeping).
A person in an induced trance is said to be "hypnotized".
Somnambulism
- A deep state of hypnotic trance often charaterised by amnesia
Somnambulist
- A person capable of a somnambulistic trance.
States of Awareness
- Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta. The "Beta" state being the most aware and
the Delta being the least. ie. Beta = wide awake. Alpha = light trance.
Theta = deep trance/light sleep. Delta = deep sleep.
Post-Hypnotic
Suggestion - A suggestion given during a state of trance that it is
intended to be carried out upon awakening from that trance.
If you
have any further definitions you'd like added here, please and I'll be happy to add them.
Do you have a hypnosis-related
question that you'd like an answer to?
If you agree to abide by the "disclaimer"
statement below, then please your question.
Disclaimer:
While every effort
will be made to provide accurate answers to your questions, Grant Boddington
is in no way responsible or liable for the accuracy of those answers or
for the way any person chooses to interpret or use them.
All serious,
signed
email questions are answered by return email at my earliest
convenience.
Question from
S****
Can a person
be hypnotized in their sleep to help them overcome some personal problems?
If my wife suggested some things while I was sleeping, would I subconsciously
overcome personal insecurities or shortcomings?
Answer from
Grant
Hi S****. A hypnotic
trance is not sleep, but an awareness state somewhere between being awake
and asleep. If appropriate suggestions are given during such a trance then
the subconscious mind is generally more accepting of them. However, if
you are indeed fast asleep then it is more likely that you'll not hear
any suggestions your wife makes at all. The wording of the suggestions
presented during trance is very important and usually requires special
training, so I'd strongly suggest to you that you consult a reputable Hypnotherapist.
Question from A****
Hi...
I want to learn how to hypnotise one of my friends to help him get over
a fear of flying. I know who to talk to him to him while he's
in a trance and what to say...but not how to get him into the trance.
Will you tell me how to get him into a trance so I can help him... thanx.
Answer
from Grant The induction
of a trance and then giving the appropriate suggestions while someone is
in that trance for the purposes you've mentioned should only be carried
out by an experienced Hypnotherapist. But it's easy enough to learn basic
Hypnotherapy. Take a look at this great short course. Modern
Suggestive Hypnotherapy.
In the meantime,
if you look on the
HypnoLinks
International page of my website you may be able to locate a Hypnotherapist
near you who may be able to help your friend.
Question from S****
I
went to your site but I still didn't find what I'm looking for. All
I want to know is how to hypnotize another person. Please just tell me
how to do it.
Answer from
Grant
You haven't mentioned
exactly why you want to "hypnotize another person". I get lots
of requests from people wanting to know "how to hypnotise someone"
and in many of these cases I suspect that there may be some desire to "control"
others.
Hypnosis is
a natural state, but requires some basic knowledge to induce easily. Then
you need to learn how to utilise that trance state - for either therapy
or entertainment. Anyone that you attempt to hypnotize must be willing
for you to do so. And, once they have succeeded in attaining a trance
state, you cannot control them or force them to do anything against their
will.
I strongly
suggest that if you are keen to learn the art of Hypnosis - for either
entertainment or therapy purposes; that you seek professional tuition via
one of my Hypnosis
ebooks or courses.
Question from E****
I have a ton
of questions!!! But, I do realize you are busy...so take your pick.
I have
seen stage hypnotists a few times. What intrigues me the most are
post-hypnotic suggestions. I have seen people wide awake, back in
the audience, chatting away....then the cue word is given-and they're up
and about clucking like chickens, dancing, running around doing anything
and everything silly. I guess my question is-why? What goes
through their mind once the p.h. suggestion is given? Do they realize
what they are doing? I feel no matter how deeply hypnotized I was,
there would be no possible way a simple cue word could trigger such ridiculous
behavior. I'm not refering to suggestions to take off a shoe or stand
up...those are everyday activities. But to hear a cue word and then
suddenly act out ridiculuos, silly suggestions without having a care in
the world baffles me. How is this possible? Also, when people are
hynotized, do they know they are hypnotized? Do they know they are
up on stage acting out silly suggestions? I've a
million more, but I've babbled enough. I'm sorry if there are too
many. I guess answer whatever one is the easiest. Hope your
eyes haven't fallen out by all my questions I just threw upon you. Thanks.
Answer from
Grant
Hi E***. Thanks
for your questions. I'll do my best to answer them - I'm pretty good at
babbling myself! :) When on stage in a hypnotic trance - that has
been deeply induced by the Hypnotist; the subjects' "critical faculty"
(the desire and ability to judge and reason consciously) has been reduced
to such an extent that they are more likely to do the tasks asked of them
by the hypnotist. In this deeply relaxed state, they are closer to
being asleep than awake, but are really in a state that is quite "dreamy"
and their subconscious mind is very accepting of suggestions that are presented
by the Hypnotist. Often, they will not remember exactly what has
happened until
reminded after
the show. Sometimes they know what they are doing on-stage but lack
the desire to stop themselves - providing the task is non-threatening.
No-one can
be forced to enter a trance against their will, or to perform tasks they
don't want to while in that trance state. A trigger word or action
is simply a signal to perform the requested task. I've often had
people refuse to do things on stage because it was contrary to their morals
or beliefs. I guess the only way for you to know for sure how it
feels is to try it!
I once was
doing a show where I'd picked a deeply hypnotised subject to perform as
Elvis! I gave him all the usual suggestions (I'd done it many times
before during other shows), introduced Elvis to the audience, counted to
3 and started "Jailhouse Rock". The guy simply opened his eyes, glared
at me and said: "I HATE ELVIS!" Ooops! I could not bypass
his critical faculty enough to "make" him do something he hated!
As I am also
a Registered Hypnotherapist, I must add that for therapy purposes, a much
lighter trance is usually adequate - as the client and the Hypnotist are
very much working together to help the client achieve a DESIRED result.
There E***
- I hope that answers most of what you've asked.
Question from L**** Hi, I have
recently accessed you website and was wondering if you could provide me
with some advise. I was actually wondering what instituitions offer
professional hypnotherapy training in New Zealand and whether there is
a proffesionally governing body for hypnotherapy. I realise you are
not the right contact person, but I would appreciate if you could point
me in the right direction. Answer
from Grant Hi L**** Thanks
for your email.
Yes I sure
do offer training! I have a homestudy course and a 5 day practical
course. See more at www.hypnotherapy.ac.nz
If you look
at the bottom of my page "Directory
of NZ Hypnotherapists" you'll see a listing for the NZ Association
of Professional Hypnotherapists - of which I am a member. There are
other institutions covering Hypnotherapists in NZ but the NZAPH is definitely
the biggest.
Question
from B****
I have studied
hypnosis myself and have induced a deep trance in at least one person that
I am sure about. However, I don't have anyone that can help me find
a missing part of my life. Though I can recall events from about
age 4, I am missing events that I know occured when I was about 16 -17
yrs. old. I tried asking former friends, but they would not talk
about it. After 25 yrs. hypnosis is my only hope. How do I
find a local professional that I can trust? What should I look for
in a local professional.
Thank you
for your assistance in advance.
Answer from
Grant
There are several
ways of finding a professional Hypnotherapist that may be able to assist
you. I'm not sure exactly where in the world you are so here's a
selection of URLs from the "HypnoLinks
International" page of my website. There are many others there,
but these may be a good place to start your search: Hypnodirect,
The Directory
of NZ Hypnotherapists , The UK Directory of Professional Hypnotherapists
or Dr. Bryan Knight's Hypnosis Headquarters - or else you could check out
your local telephone directory.
I suggest
you check the credentials of your chosen Hypnotherapist and and that he/she
is registered with a major Hypnotherapy organisation. Perhaps you
could ask a few friends who may have had positive experiences with Hypnotherapists
to recommend one for you. The final choice is of course yours - you
must be comfortable with the Hypnotherapist you choose.
Question from J****
Always want
to improve my golf, play really well when practising as the old story goes,
havn't played that well in tounaments, just started a year ago and on a
6 so have the natural ability but still lots to learn, want to see
how far
I can get, really motivated to do so. How can you help? Answer
from Grant Yes I probably
can help you with your golf - sports motivation (esp golf) is one of my
fortes. As you're aware, golf is a game played more mentally
than physically. With Hypnotherapy (especially my style of Motivational
Hypnotherapy) you can learn how to more easily focus your mind towards
what you're trying to achieve.
I have recently
mentally trained a young golfer up to turning "professional", and he also
used my Play
Better Golf recording to assist him - as hundreds of others have.
Question
from B**** Grant I've
been practicing hypnosis for about 8 years and have been involved in small
partys etc non smoking, weight loss with hypnosis and qualified as a hypnotherapist
4 years ago I've read so much about the rapid induction but are these people
few and far between or am I missing something ? I have
various book on hypnosis (26 in all ) and none really go into detail about
the subject ,only mentioning it in brief. Any thing you can e mail?
Look forward to your reply with interest. Answer
from Grant Instant (or
rapid) inductions are generally the domain of the stage show. As
both a Hypnotherapist and a Stage Hypnotist I see many chances for instant
inductions on stage and in the clinic. Rapid inductions should only
be attempted when you're confident of the outcome, or your credibility
will suffer.
On stage, I
find the best time for an initial rapid induction is at the outset of the
show following a sucessful testing procedure such as a hand clasp when
the subjects entire concentration is focused on me.
After the initial
induction on stage (whether rapid or normal) it's usual practice for all
re-inductions during the show to be rapid as a response to a trigger
- such as the instruction "Sleep", with an accomanying finger click for
effect.
In the clinical
situation, the only times I use rapid induction techniques are when a client
has returned for followup therapy and is forming a history of easy entry
into a trance state. Of course in this situation (as with subsequent
reinductions on stage) the client has had previously been "primed" during
an earlier session with the use of some "ease of reinduction" suggestions.
Your own confidence,
coupled with experience at picking the appropriate client and timing will
all have a huge effect on the success of any induction.
Question from N**** Hi, I was
wondering if hypnosis can be used to make you forget a certain incident
in your life?? Please help Answer
from Grant Hi N**** -
thanks for your question regarding specific amnesia. A VERY controversial
query and actually a common request I receive - especially after a failed
relationship where one party wishes to forget the other.
It's a question
that would have dozens of answers and most of them as variable as the Hypnotherapists
you ask. The most consistant answer would be probably be that specific
amnesia is inconsistant but very obtainable in many cases.
Generally,
a deep somnambulistic state of trance would need to be achieved before
specific amnesia that was to last for any length of time would be obtained.
The Subconscious will itself sometimes block extremely unpleasant or traumatic
memories, so it therefore figures that with some assistance (Hypnotherapy)
we can also help "block" specific events or times that we may choose to.
However the
best way to prevent old memories from being so clear, is to overlay them
with new ones! A good regime of positive visualization and affirmation
will usually do that for you. You can even learn it by yourself by using
my "Be
The Person You Want To Be" recording - which outlines a couple of rules
for effective visualization and affirmation construction.
For a Canadian
Hypnosis FAQ go to Dr Bryan Knight's Hypnosis
Depot website.
Top
quality products, friendly service & reliable support, for over 10
years!
