Ask a hundred hypnotists to give you a definition of hypnosis, you'll probably be given a hundred contrasting answers. Because, although almost all hypnotists and hypno-therapists, stage hypnotists, psychologists who utilise hypnosis,  in addition to passionate amateurs, acknowledge something is occurring, getting an explanation out of them about what precisely  that something may be, is where the difficulties start. "I don't know what it is, but I will know it once I see or experience it" is the usual reply.

What is required to be capable of using this "thing" that we refer to as hypnosis, is a functional definition, a definition that gives us a few boundaries to operate within and gives us an outcome to work towards. That outcome being to lead our subject or ourself  into the hypnotic trance state.

Through establishing a well structured definition, anybody trying to hypnotise themselves or anyone else, is more than likely to be able to recognise the hypnotic trance state as it occurs. The doubt that stalks all hypnotists who are just starting out  "Did  they go under or didn't they?" will be able to be resolved.

A really practical definition of hypnotic trance and hypnosis, and one that a lot of experienced  hypnotists have embraced is that "Hypnosis constitutes a pausing or short-circuit of the "critical factor" (the part of us that valuates and gauges what is happening at any time) with an associated narrowing of consciousness and discriminating focusing".

In other words the part of us that judges things as hot or cold, black or white, good or bad, is effectively shut down so that the suggestions given by the hypnotist are taken on board without question. So does that mean that the hypnotist has complete control over me?  Read on.....

While this definition of hypnosis can be  applied to the  being hypnotized by a hypnotist or someone else, it also applies relative to self-hypnosis.

The definition then  merely signifies that once the hypnotist gives a suggestion, then the subject (individual being hypnotized) complies and acts on it. They don't stop and  assess the suggestion to see if it agrees with their world view, they just accept  the suggestion and follow it.

Straightaway a lot of people panic at this suggestion. This concept plays on some people's concerns about the hypnotist holding dominance over them.

Nothingis further from the truth. In all hypnotic interactions, the individual being hypnotized is the one, and only one, in command, not the hypnotist.

The myth of the hypnotist being able to convert individuals into hypnotized zombies is just that, a myth. It does create a great story though, and one that hypnotists are happy enough to exploit. If the subject believes the hypnotist has got some kind of mysterious ability, that then  becomes a potent proposition that the experienced hypnotist can apply to assist the subject into the hypnotic trance state.

A very valuable analogy that identifies hypnosis and the connection between the subject and the hypnotist,  is viewing a motion picture. As a matter of fact watching a film or any number of other activities that lead to a complete engrossment and narrowing down of focus would fulfil the definition of hypnosis proposed here.

As anyone follows a movie, they decide to place their critical faculties on hold to enjoy the movie experience. They set aside judging what's happening in order to simply  have the movie experience they desire. Their attention gets really selective. They tune out certain things, and tune in others, to receive the movie experience. They are well aware of where they are and what is happening around them, it's just that they couldn't be bothered giving any of their attention to it.

If an extraordinary circumstance or emergency situation occurred that demanded their attention, they would speedily snap out of their motion picture induced trance and react appropriately. But, for as long as they continue to selectively stay focused on the screen and what they are viewing, and don't engage the critical factor, they get to have the full motion picture experience. They recognise the movie isn't true, but that does not stop them feeling anger, sorrow, fright or laughter. When the critical factor is suspended a world of possibilities opens up to us.

This is precisely what occurs in hypnosis. The subject willingly complies with the suggestions given to them by the hypnotist, to have the complete hypnotic experience and receive the benefit of the hypnotic state (stop smoking, weight loss and so on).

If the suggestion is offered to the subject "Your arm is so heavy that you will not be capable of lifting it" and the subject opts to abide by the suggestion and imagine that their arm is so heavy they can't lift it, they produce a state where they will not be capable of lifting their arm. Although this looks like the hypnotist is in command, it is really the subject that decides to abide by the suggestion and use the power of THEIR imagination to have the experience of their arm being too heavy to lift.

While under hypnosis we're more receptive to suggestions. More susceptible to suggestion. In this hyper-suggestible state, the great powers of suggestion and  imagination come together to produce change and allow for personal development to happen, free from the impediment of the judging, evaluating critical factor.

Suggestions made while in hypnosis, go instantly to the unconscious mind, where they're followed up on without judgment, fearfulness or uncertainty. Many of the "exploits" that can be executed while in hypnosis and the personal transformations that many people experience when applying  hypnotherapy or hypnosis generally often times can be quite astounding. But actually, they're merely the outcome of the concentrated use of attention and imagination on the project at hand and the suspending of any and all doubt that the final result will be accomplished.

Elizabeth Collins & Glenn Turner Provide Hypnotherapy Services At in Golden Health. If You Would Like To Know More & Book An Appointment With Elizabeth Or Glenn Please  Call The Clinic  (02) 9804 1414