When you begin to realize that everyone is always under some form of hypnosis, you are immediately much closer to understanding exactly what hypnosis is all about.
Definition hypnosis
First, let's take a look at how hypnosis is defined by a resource we all consult first when we want to know about a topic of interest.
Right! Wikipedia. I translate briefly from the English Wikipedia page, as the Dutch page puts a rather separate emphasis (more on that later).
"Hypnosis is a state of human consciousness that involves focused attention, decreased awareness of your surroundings and increased susceptibility to suggestion."
In fact, this definition is also held by the American Psychological Association. At first glance, this seems like a very broad definition, but it is actually quite fine. Hypnosis is a much broader concept than people often think, and in this sense it is easier to understand that everyone is constantly in a very light form of hypnosis.
In fact, hypnosis does not have to involve deep trance at all, and certainly does not have to be induced by a hypnotist all the time. When you are very concentrated at work or completely absorbed in a book you are reading, isn't that also a state of focused attention?
The state of hypnosis
And does this include reduced awareness of your surroundings? Often you don't even have an awareness of time, and in some cases (when you are completely absorbed in what you are doing) a bomb could explode next to you, without you even noticing. This is pure self-hypnosis, although hardly anyone gives it that name.
In other words, you are constantly imposing a light form of self-hypnosis on yourself, because that's just how we think, how to focus on one thought, how to solve problems in our heads and how to show creativity.
Not only that...
In addition, you also respond all the time to all kinds of suggestions instilled at a young age. Everything your father, mother or teacher said to you has become your hypnosis, so to speak. A lot of those things you still believe, and you may wonder if that is so helpful.
So as a parent , you are essentially a hypnotist who does not know exactly what he is doing. That's why we believe everyone should learn hypnosis to understand how suggestions work.
Children ages zero to five are even continuously in deep hypnosis. At least, they have the same brain activity as that of someone under deep hypnosis. So in children between zero and five, suggestions come in even harder. Hence, as hypnotherapists, we also see that many problems arise in the first five years of life....
If you want to learn more about hypnosis, check out worldhypnosisinstitute.com or get in touch!
Also, sign up for the free online master class on hypnosis.
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