Myth No. 2: That a hypnotist is blessed with a set of other-worldly powers, making him superhuman
Where It Comes From: What cannot be explained logically must be mystical or magical.
Why It’s Bunkum:
Fact 1: Trust me, hypnotherapists don’t possess other-worldly powers, and have never claimed to. That’s for the psychics and magicians, to claim. What hypnotists do is rooted in science and the very much non-mystical art of effective communication with the subconscious.
Fact 2: The most obvious sign that someone has been hypnotised is that they are in a trance, but this is actually something that everyone can do themselves. Ever let your mind wander and lose all track of time and space? It’s like that, but a bit more intense. All a hypnotherapist does is help a patient into that state more directly.
Fact 3: Mystics are not certified; accredited hypnotherapists are. That means they undergo proper instruction through recognized approved instructional methods. So, it’s not a mystical gift from the gods. A hypnotist can teach anyone how to hypnotize themselves whenever they want, and others.
Myth No. 3: Hypnosis is about being put to sleep and losing all self control.
Where It Comes From: Hypnotised people have their eyes closed, and reacts only to whatever the hypnotist suggests to them.
Why It’s Bunkum:
Fact 1: When people are hypnotized, they are not ‘out’ with no control over themselves. In fact, they have a heightened sense of inner awareness and can communicate clearly with the hypnotherapist at all times – answering questions, describing feelings, even making decisions. Basically, patients converse with their subconscious. While this is happening, the physical body is unneeded leaving it completely relaxed, which does make it seem like the patient is asleep and powerless.
Fact 2: It’s not unusual for a person under hypnosis to sleep into sleep, but is down to the physical state of the body. The patient probably needed to sleep anyway. In a couple of hours, they will awaken and probably say they’ve just enjoyed the best sleep they’ve had in years.
Fact 3: Actually, listening to hypnosis audio recordings is one of the most effective ways of getting a good night’s sleep, with many people adopting the technique in order to achieve good quality sleep as well as to reinforce the primary purpose.
Read more about other myths and misconceptions surrounding hypnosis in the remainder of this series.
If you would like to have a real experience of the power of your mind and how you can be in control, go ahead and click on the link below. You can go into deep relaxation with my free audio download.