As a professional in the field of helping human beings create change, I’m often asked questions about hypnosis. By training and experience as a professional Clinical Hypnotherapist, I’ve learned that when someone asks a question, or makes what appears to be a statement of truth about hypnosis, it’s best to ask them “how did you learn that and from whom”.

Quite often most people that are “against” it know what they know from TV and Hollywood fantasy, or heard about it from “someone that knows.” Those of us that are “for it” understand what it is because we’ve been witness to the often miraculous changes that have occurred for the people that choose use it.

SO JUST WHAT IS HYPNOSIS?

Have you ever “become really absorbed” while watching TV? Or driven to work on “auto pilot?” Then you know what hypnosis is like. Hypnosis is a very normal and natural state of consciousness, one we all experience from time to time in which the mind remains clear, alert and focused. In this state of focused concentration, it’s possible to learn new, desirable habits, and more importantly, unlearn old, undesirable habits. Another way to think about it is that it’s “the ability given to you by your higher power to convince yourself of anything”

Here are some of the lies and misinformation often repeated about hypnosis.

LIE #1 – ONLY WEAK MINDED PEOPLE CAN BE HYPNOTIZED

Actually, anyone with an open mind, reasonable intelligence, that is able to concentrate and that wants to can be hypnotized.

LIE #2 – HYPNOSIS IS DANGEROUS

There has never been a documented case of harm coming to anyone from the therapeutic use of hypnotism.

LIE #3 – PEOPLE GET STUCK IN HYPNOSIS

A person may choose to stay in hypnosis after an experienced hypnotist asks them to come out of it. The reason being, it is such a relaxed feeling of enjoyment, they prefer to stay hypnotized awhile longer. The person then may go  to sleep, and awakes as usual. In self-hypnosis you have complete control, and set your own time limit. There has never been a documented case of someone unable to come out of hypnosis.

LIE #4 – HYPNOSIS WEAKENS THE WILL

No. Self-hypnosis strengthens it. Hypnosis works with the will, not against it.

LIE #5 – A PERSON CAN BE HYPNOTIZED AGAINST THEIR WILL

No one is hypnotized against his or her will. The hypnotist merely assists the subject, who hypnotizes them-self.

LIE #6 – HYPNOSIS IS MIND CONTROL

This is actually true, just not in the way the liars want you to believe. What they want you to believe is that another person, ie the hypnotist, can take over your mind and “make” you do their bidding. The truth is YOU control your mind and your free will allows you to take action or not take action as a result of any suggestion given you either by yourself or someone else.

LIE #7 – HYPNOSIS IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH RELIGION

If  this is a concern for you, understand this: whatever your religious background, if the “Enemy” wanted to keep you away from your religious path or destiny, what better way than to cause fear and doubt, especially regarding things that  assist you to more fully realize your potential. Question the motives of anyone suggesting anything different.

WHAT IS SELF-HYPNOSIS?

Techniques exist by which one can attain a state of self-hypnosis and gain complete relaxation under the most stressful conditions. In this state the subconscious mind is open to therapeutic suggestions.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE HYPNOTIZED?

Hypnosis is a very pleasant feeling of complete physical and mental relaxation. It is similar to that moment between knowing you are awake and going into the sleep state.

Some misconceptions about hypnosis are that it’s a frightening or eerie state, or that it feels very weird, but it’s actually very normal and very pleasant. Some people ask if they’ve really been hypnotized, just because it feels like such a normal state and they were expecting something very strange. The zombie-type states you see depicted in movies and on TV are pure fantasies.

WHAT IS THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND?

The conscious mind, the mind you are conscious of, is your “ME”. It is the critical part of your mind. The subconscious mind is the one that directs your conduct through the habits and emotional desires acquired from the influences of your environment, before you were old enough to reject harmful ideas and concepts.

WHAT IS AUTO SUGGESTION?

Through proper use of autosuggestion you reprogram the subconscious mind to make decisions favorable to your welfare. The new suggestions help in overcoming unwanted habits, a lack of concentration and any other unhealthy attitudes that doom you to failure.

WHAT CAN SELF-HYPNOSIS DO FOR ME?

Anything you want it to! Instant learning and photographic memory systems are based on self-hypnosis. Champions in various sports use it to improve their game concentration. You can now learn to overcome undesirable habits, such as smoking, over-eating or drinking with self-hypnosis. You regain self-confidence. You now know that success is within easy reach, and erasing harmful emotions leads to a happier and healthier life.

HOW DOES SELF-HYPNOSIS DIFFER FROM HYPNOTISM BY A HYPNOTIST?

In self-hypnosis YOU choose your own time limits, realizing that you have a choice and can now choose your area for self-improvement. Using a hypnotist at the beginning of your awareness training is of great benefit. It speeds up the retraining process.

Doug Ottersberg is dedicated to helping people like you worldwide to IDENTIFY what you want from life along with any limiting beliefs you may have blocking your ability to achieve your goals, to MODIFY those limiting beliefs for your benefit, and to AMPLIFY your natural talents to assist you to take action and SATISFY your needs, want and desires and live a life of freedom instead of maintenance: enjoying more money, vibrant health and satisfying relationships. You can find out more information at www.Switch4Success.com

It seems as if the Swine Flu is everywhere on the news and in conversation so I want to remind you that more you listen to and see any communication, the greater the chance the suggestions that communication may be giving you has of lodging in your subconscious mind. Why is this? Remember:

Suggestion => Idea/Belief => Emotion => Action/Behavior => Result

In all cases, it’s best to suggest to yourself the state of having what you want, and to saturate your subconscious mind with those thoughts. So if you “Don’t want to be sick”, focus on already being “healthy”.

DO IT YOURSELF. If you have my course “Automatic Success Attractor”, follow the routine you’ve learned to put yourself into self hypnosis. If not, use these simple instructions: Sit or lay back and make yourself comfortable. Close your eyes and take in three deep breaths through your nose, exhaling slowly through your mouth each time. Imagine all the muscles in your body relaxing, one at a time, starting from your toes all the way up to your head. Then slowly count backwards from 10 to 1.

(The following suggestions are from my colleague and teacher Dick Sutphen)

Now imagine yourself completely surrounded by a bright white God light, and start to give yourself suggestions: “I am surrounded in a white God light and fully protected from all things seen and unseen, all forces and all elements. My immune-system is operating at a peak level, fully protecting me. I now focus the power of my all-powerful mind upon maintaining a healthy body. I have a strong, balanced immune system. The healing light within nourishes my body and mind. I find it easy to adhere to a diet and lifestyle that supports a healthy body and mind. I experience a sense of security and express a positive outlook which helps to maintain a healthy body. I am balanced and harmonious, and everyday in every way I become a little healthier. And these suggestions have been communicated to every level of my body and mind … and so it is.”

Add additional suggestions but make sure they phrased in a positive way as if you already had what you desire. At the end of the session, count yourself up from one to five and say, “Wide awake. Wide awake.”

There you have it. If you need any guidance or have any questions, be sure to post them here on the blog.

Doug

It’s been crazy around here with all the new programs being introduced and working with clients, not to mention finding time for all the things that mean the most, like, oh, the family!!!!

I’ll be speaking next week in The ACRE of Pittsburgh Pot of Gold Convention on Friday March 20 at 3:00 pm. Be sure to come see me and stick around for the networking reception later that night with me and a lot of other awesome speakers and trainers.

Want a Private Session?

If you’ve been meaning to call me about a private session, now’s the time!!!! Give Angela a call in my office at 1-888-321-3684 and she’ll get you set up.

And if you can’t make it to Pittsburgh, call anyway!! Your session is very effective over the phone as well.

All the best

Doug