The Mentalist

the mentalist by Jason D Varga

HYPNOSIS: Mind, Myths and Magic

So, what is hypnosis?

Let’s start by clearing up some myths. Hypnosis is not some magical power that comes from my eyes. It’s not a magical power at all, although, you can have some magical outcomes via the use of hypnosis.

Hypnosis is simply a psychological process to obtain a very natural state of mind. One of the first questions I ask a new client is “Have you ever been hypnotised before?” The answer usually is no, but here is the thing, we have all experienced naturally a hypnotic state, at some point.

Do you ever daydream? Just letting your conscious mind drift. Have you ever had an emotional reaction to a movie, crying at a sad moment? Have you ever driven home, arrived at your destination and not really recalled the trip itself? Most people will answer yes to the above, and these are but a few examples of how we drift into a hypnotic state easily, many times a day.

Advertising people use this state of being to their advantage. Imagine you are sitting watching TV, drifting into a relaxed state and an ad comes on for some product. Suddenly you want to go out and buy the product. Alternatively, you may end up with the jingle or catchphrase stuck in your memory for eternity. This is a classic example of being in a hypnotic state.

“You see, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis, the hypnotist is just there to facilitate the process.”

Contrary to popular belief, hypnosis is not sleep; in fact, it’s a more heightened aware state. Hypnotists have been using the command ‘sleep’ for so long that most clients expect it. We could use any other phrase, ‘rest now’, ‘relax’ and so on, but because most people are familiar with the ‘SLEEP’ command, it’s accepted readily. I have had some people on stage where all they needed to know was that I was a hypnotist - and just that one word alone would put them into a hypnotic trance state.

You see, all hypnosis is selfhypnosis; the hypnotist is just there to facilitate the process. They then give suggestions or imagery to the client’s subconscious to create beneficial changes. That is why all competent hypnotherapists should have a firm grounding in psychology and be masterful storytellers, to create metaphors or imagery for change. Anyone can learn a hypnotic induction; however, it’s the work done while the client is in the hypnotic state that is the important part.

Real hypnosis is definitely not like in the movies. The hypnotised subject does not become some sort of robotic slave under the total control of the hypnotist! And a person will never do anything that is against

more and more reports of hypnosis used in the established medical industry. This gives me hope that one day this amazing tool will become more widely accepted and used.

their morals or ethics under hypnosis. If I told a person to go out and rob a bank for me, they would snap out of it instantly - rejecting the suggestion. However that said, if the person was already that way inclined, they may follow that command.

Hypnosis has been in the shadow of mysticism and parlour tricks for so long, there have been some crazy myths built around it. Only now is hypnosis being recognised for the wonderful healing tool it is. I am seeing We know that we can change our habits, heal our bodies, let go of trauma, build new positive belief systems with the incredible power of our minds. Most people strongly believe this - though generally sabotage their own healing with fear, doubt or negative thinking. This is why hypnosis can help; the hypnotist, using the correct suggestions, can bypass those blocks so that the client can heal themselves.

“...and a person will never do anything that is against their morals or ethics under hypnosis.”

I have seen many amazing outcomes from behavioural changes to physiological changes via hypnosis. Still, I do not take the credit. I was

only there to guide the client to heal themselves with the power of their mind.

A client who had suffered a particular condition for four years, walked into their specialist a few weeks after one session with me and was amazed that the symptoms and the disease had vanished. That is a true reflection of just how powerful the human mind is.

Hypnosis is not unlike an excellent guided meditation. Medicine people, shaman, whatever you wish to call them, have been using the power of altered states and positive suggestions since the dawn of humanity. No matter how they dress it up, or what ritual they perform around it, at its core, it’s simply allowing the client to heal themselves. They can rid themselves of anxiety, fears and negative belief systems, get in touch with their higher selves, and open up their psychic abilities all via their subconscious minds!

ESPecially best wishes,

The Mentalist