Whenever the topic of hypnosis comes up in conversation, I'm always fascinated by the reactions it provokes. Some immediately conjure up images of mind control or swinging watches, others dismiss it, confidently stating, "It doesn’t work on me," and there's always someone who jokes, "I don’t want to cluck like a chicken." Whether your exposure to hypnosis comes from flashy stage shows or Hollywood portrayals, there's a lot more to this intriguing practice than meets the eye. In this article, we'll provide some explanations about hypnosis, separating myth from reality, and helping you understand its genuine potential.
The History and Modern Relevance of Hypnosis
Far from being a new-age phenomenon, hypnosis has historical roots that stretch back to the 18th century. Today, it's recognized as a potent tool that taps into the natural processes of the mind to effect profound, lasting change.
Understanding the Mind's Dual Nature
To better understand hypnosis, it's a useful to grasp the concept of our mind's dual nature. Imagine the mind divided into two primary sections: the conscious and the unconscious, akin to the two segments of an iceberg.
The conscious mind is the part you're actively using right now, reading these words and processing your immediate thoughts. It's the tip of the iceberg visible above water.
Dive beneath the surface, and you'll find the expansive realm of the unconscious mind. It operates in the background, handling processes just beyond our immediate awareness. Ever become suddenly aware of the feel of your chair against your back when someone points it out? That's your conscious mind shifting its awareness to something it wasn't conscious of before. Yet your unconscious takes all of this in. It is similar to being in a dark room with a torch. Your unconscious mind is the whole room and much more, but you conscious mind can only shine the torch and put its attention beam on certain things. This unconscious space is where we store memories, emotions, and auto-pilot behaviors. Think about driving a car for example. If you've been driving for years, you don't consciously process every action; much of it becomes instinctual and your unconscious is doing some of the work for you. The same goes for emotions like stress or anxiety – they often arise without conscious instigation.
The Power of Hypnosis
This is where hypnosis comes in. It offers a direct channel to the unconscious mind, the birthplace of our emotions and behaviors. Instead of merely engaging with the surface-level conscious mind, as many therapies and self-help tactics do, hypnosis delves deeper. It directly addresses the root causes of our emotions and behaviors, offering genuine and lasting solutions.
Consider the annual ritual of setting New Year's resolutions. While we might kick off January with the best of intentions, if these goals don't resonate with our unconscious mind, old habits invariably creep back in. That’s why hypnosis stands out – it doesn’t just address the 'tip of the iceberg', it dives deep beneath.
Got more questions. Feel free to reach out brandon@tkmh.com.au