What is Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy?
What is hypnosis?
Hypnosis is simply the process to induce a hypnotic state.
The hypnotic state is a natural altered state of consciousness. It is brought about by mental and physical relaxation. Such relaxation encourages the conscious mind to recede. This gives the subconscious mind space to come forward. We can then access the subconscious mind, and its wisdom.
Even though the conscious mind recedes into the background, it is still there and observing. This enables you to interact and communciate with the therapist, and remember everything.
The hypnotic state is a natural altered state of consciousness. It is brought about by mental and physical relaxation. Such relaxation encourages the conscious mind to recede. This gives the subconscious mind space to come forward. We can then access the subconscious mind, and its wisdom.
Even though the conscious mind recedes into the background, it is still there and observing. This enables you to interact and communciate with the therapist, and remember everything.
What are the subconscious and superconscious mind?
A useful framework would be to relate Consciousness to these 3 states of mind - conscious, subconscious and superconscious - states of mind being something we can experience.
The human consciousness consists of the conscious and subconscious mind.
The superconscious mind transcends human consciousness (of the conscious and subconscious mind).
We can also access our subconscious, and possibly our superconscious mind, when we are in the meditative or hypnotic state.
(Please see Consciousness & Spirituality for a detailed review.)
The human consciousness consists of the conscious and subconscious mind.
- Our conscious mind is in control in our waking state.
- We access our subconscious mind when we dream in our sleep. We may or may not remember the contents of our dreams. We are unable to direct the flow of our dreams.
The superconscious mind transcends human consciousness (of the conscious and subconscious mind).
We can also access our subconscious, and possibly our superconscious mind, when we are in the meditative or hypnotic state.
(Please see Consciousness & Spirituality for a detailed review.)
Why do we wish to access the subconscious and superconscious mind?
We wish to do so because emotional and mental residues from past events are embedded in the subconscious mind. This creates emotional sufferings and limiting beliefs in the present.
The conscious mind is aware of the sufferings and beliefs. It is often unaware of the residues causing them.
Using the interactive hypnotherapy approach (see below), it is possible to access the subconscious mind to retrieve long term memory, unearth causative past events, reveal hidden emotional and mental residues, and use one’s own subconscious wisdom to resolve present pain and issues.
At a deeper level, one may be able to advance onto the superconscious mind. The superconscious mind is aware of spiritual existence beyond the present life body. It can impart wisdom to resolve deeper issues.
The conscious mind is aware of the sufferings and beliefs. It is often unaware of the residues causing them.
Using the interactive hypnotherapy approach (see below), it is possible to access the subconscious mind to retrieve long term memory, unearth causative past events, reveal hidden emotional and mental residues, and use one’s own subconscious wisdom to resolve present pain and issues.
At a deeper level, one may be able to advance onto the superconscious mind. The superconscious mind is aware of spiritual existence beyond the present life body. It can impart wisdom to resolve deeper issues.
What is hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy is the process in which a trained professional utilizes hypnotic techniques to achieve therapeutic outcomes and beneficial changes.
The therapist-client relationship is a partnership in which the therapist facilitates and guides the process for the client to heal himself or herself. The therapist does not heal the client, but facilitates client healing by access the wisdom of the subconscious (and/or superconscious).
This is because, unlike conventional medicine, one’s needed resources to heal inner wounds are not from the outside. With appropriate guidance, it is possible to reach inwards and access these resources to resolve present sufferings and issues.
The therapist-client relationship is a partnership in which the therapist facilitates and guides the process for the client to heal himself or herself. The therapist does not heal the client, but facilitates client healing by access the wisdom of the subconscious (and/or superconscious).
This is because, unlike conventional medicine, one’s needed resources to heal inner wounds are not from the outside. With appropriate guidance, it is possible to reach inwards and access these resources to resolve present sufferings and issues.
What is the interactive hypnotherapy approach?
In general, hypnotherapy approaches can be broadly classified into:
The directive approach focuses on telling your subconscious what to do. For example,
The directive approach attempts to "reprogram the mind”, but without fully addressing and resolving the actual causes of why, for example, someone smokes or has a fear of public speaking in the first place.
The interactive approach focuses on retrieving information and resources from the subconscious mind, and usually involves the following:
Our techniques are interactive. This approach is a powerful doorway to holistic mental and emotional healing, as well as possible profound breakthroughs that can have life-changing effects.
- Directive
- Interactive
The directive approach focuses on telling your subconscious what to do. For example,
- The therapist tells the client: "You are now a non-smoker".
- The therapist guides the client through imagery: “Imagine with each inhalation of cigarette smoke into your lungs you introduce thousands of poisonous chemicals”.
The directive approach attempts to "reprogram the mind”, but without fully addressing and resolving the actual causes of why, for example, someone smokes or has a fear of public speaking in the first place.
The interactive approach focuses on retrieving information and resources from the subconscious mind, and usually involves the following:
- The therapist asks guiding questions to the subject while under hypnosis
- The subject is able to respond accordingly, and interact meaningfully with the therapist
- This process enables both to access and listen to the subconscious to reveal actual causative events, and then use its insight and wisdom to resolve the issues and effect beneficial changes
Our techniques are interactive. This approach is a powerful doorway to holistic mental and emotional healing, as well as possible profound breakthroughs that can have life-changing effects.
Is hypnotherapy safe? Are there any contraindications?
Even though the conscious mind recedes in the hypnotic state, it is always present in the background. This enables you to participate consciously in the process. You will also retain a self-protecting moral critical barrier in the subconscious mind. Hence, you cannot be made to do anything against your will, whilst in the hypnotic state.
Hypnotherapy is therefore a safe and non-invasive healing modality. You access your inner resources to heal yourself.
However, contraindications do exist, please see here.
Hypnotherapy is therefore a safe and non-invasive healing modality. You access your inner resources to heal yourself.
However, contraindications do exist, please see here.
