h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi there !

I just read an entry you wrote a few years ago (!) about hypnosis. It looks very much honest and sounds like first-hand experience.

I just applied to a self-hypnosis course, and the first session left me with more questions than answers... I was wondering if you had some insight to share on these :

- although the teacher warned us beforehand that people under hypnosis do not feel any different from their awaken state, I have doubts... I have been in states of much deeper relaxation and peace (during meditation, yoga sessions) than during this first lesson.

- Sometimes during the session, I am not sure whether I actually acted on suggestion, or more to "comply" socially... Does that sound weird to you ? On orders likes "You are now unable to count '4'. You will now count 1 2 3 5.", or "you can not remember your name, you will give the name of an animal instead"...

- the course is in Chinese, and although I am quite comfortable with the language, I am not a native speaker... Not sure if that can be a problem.

Sorry for throwing so many questions at you. I am just looking for the start of a conversation on that subject that is quite new to me, looking for fellow human beings with a first-hand experience on the matter.
Please throw back if they are not appropriate.

Hope you have a nice day,

Vincent

Hi Vincent

Sorry for the slow reply - this is a busy time of year for me.

(Mind wise) Meditation - Yoga - Hypnosis - The Alpha/Beta state are really, all one and the same thing with different handles. If you believe one works and another doesn't - then it is your conception which is wrong.

You are, most likely looking for the magical effects 'you believe' it should have. Instead of the natural thing, it is.

Imagination is a key factor and I can honestly say that, by using it, I have 100% success.

Of course your not sent to the planet Zod and you can be influenced in this state, not remember certain things or to do strange things, but not against your will. If you have the will, not to accept a certain suggestion - THEN YOU WONT! but why anyone should want to do something like this to someone else, beats me. To me that is like using a sledge hammer to crack a nut or using a very powerful tool as a toy.

Hypnosis
Hypnosis increases concentration and concentration increases it!

It is the state of mind between being awake and being asleep which we all pass through at least twice a day.

It is what you do with it that counts.

Hypnosis is a state of heightened awareness - if someone who has been hypnotised says something like, "I smell smoke", and you don't, they are more than likely to be correct because all their senses have been raised to a higher level.

The state is just a tool like a surgeon's scapel - it is knowing what to do with it, which is all important.

Why are you training? - What do you intend to do with it once you have the knowledge of holding it in your grasp?

all the best
vegiman

Thanks for your kind answer, advice and comments.

I *know* I was somehow expecting some kind of "magic" to happen, even though another part of myself knew that there was no magic to expect. Any such expectation dooms anyone to disappointement.

It is just I have never thought that the state I enjoy to find myself after some time of meditation/relaxation (I am really not sure how to call this) was exactly the same as the state of hypnosis.
And probably due to several external and internal factors, my first lessons did not go as "deep" as I usually find myself while meditating, therefore adding to my "disappointment".

The main reason for me to follow this short training (4 sessions of 3 hours) is curiosity,
- about the phenomenon itself (to gain first-hand understanding of it, as opposed to the legend that often covers it),
- and mostly about myself. I strongly believe that the only possible object of study is oneself : one can not pretend to understand anybody, to feel compassion, etc., without knowing oneself first.

Thanks again for your time. Hope to cross your path again sometimes on this site.

Vincent

Hi Vincent

The journey of self discovery cannot always help you with the understanding of others. Your own individual outlook on life is formed by your experiences from birth to the present day. Therefore understanding others involves understanding their experiences which can only be achieved by talking to them with an almost impossible open mind.

By externalising our thoughts and views in any given situation to apply to others can only be achieved if you went through exactly the same experience and had exactly the same thoughts and reaction as that person. Otherwise you will only be guessing at their situation and how they are feeling, using your memories as the basis of the guess.

We are after all individuals and our experience in life is one of the many factors which make it so.

One can only go so far in the discovery of oneself as our subconscious mind holds many secrets from us in hidden memories - it is not wise to go too deeply into this area without a guide as the result can be very frightening and not always for our betterment. After all it is where we hold our monsters and possibly increase our chances of neurosis/psychosis appearing in our psyche.

So Meditate and enjoy the relaxing feeling it gives you but dont probe to deeply without external help.

All the best
veggie