Free Self Hypnosis Information – An introduction into the world of self hypnosis
Hypnosis – An Overview
Modern science has devoted much time and energies debating about hypnosis. The scientists, over the years, have floated various definitions to describe the process of hypnosis. More commonly, hypnosis is considered as a process under which trance-like altered state of consciousness is achieved to discover truths hidden from ordinary consciousness of mind by tapping into the unconscious mind where these truths are believed to reside.
“Hypnosis” is an abbreviated term derived from “neuro-hypnotism” (meaning, “sleep of the nervous system”), a procedure devised by Scottish neurosurgeon, James Braid. This term was first used by Braid in 1843 in his only book, Neurypnology: or the Rationale of Nervous Sleep. And he derived this term from the Greek word ‘ypnos’, meaning ‘sleep’, because of the trance-like state of mind.
Hypnosis should not be considered as something unnatural. We experience hypnosis almost everyday. The best example from everyday life is daydreaming when driving long distances. Unconsciously, we are driving the car but as soon as we come out of daydreaming, we start wondering who was actually driving the car for this long? This is, precisely, the natural state of hypnosis, and not sleep. However, in common parlance, we use the term ‘hypnosis’ to describe a state of induced trance-like consciousness that can be used for self-improvement.
Hypnosis is a voluntary exercise and cannot be forced on the subject. It is a consent state whereby, the hypnotist assists the subject to hypnotize himself/herself. The only qualification of the subject is that he/she must have reasonable intelligence levels with perceived ability to concentrate and allow himself/herself to slip in a trance state.
Hypnosis – A Historical Perspective
Hypnosis is known to exist in plants and animals in one form or the other since the times life appeared on the Green Planet. In hibernating, animals are known to turn inwards and are able to survive for longer periods of time without sustenance.
In humans, hypnosis can be traced back to ancient Indian beliefs when people often took their sick to sleep temples to get cured by hypnotic suggestion. The Manu Smriti (an ancient Indian text) categorized hypnosis into the Sleep-Waking state, the Dream-Sleep state, and the Ecstasy-Sleep state. Similarly, the ancient Egyptians used a form of hypnosis in their Dream Temples.
An 18th century Austrian physician, Franz Anton Mesmer, undertook the first recognizable use of hypnosis for medical reasons. He used the power of suggestion to cure ailments and termed his technique as ‘animal magnetism’ or ‘mesmerism’. The term ‘mesmerize’ is a gift of Mesmer to the world for his ingenious techniques of curing people. At that time, his genius was misunderstood and he was eventually discredited. However, his followers continued to mesmerize people with his techniques. Eventually, in 1843, ‘hypnosis’ was given its true calling by James Braid, who pioneered the use of hypnosis as a surgical anesthetic. Sigmund Freud eternalized hypnosis as a technique of psychotherapy.
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