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Thoughts on hypnosis?
- Thread starter Jumi
- Start date
Since the writing of that book (free to read follow link in the quoted post) over 130 years ago, the study of hypnotism has progressed. It is in use. Its not theoretical at all. You also see it used though you may not notice.
Buddha Dharma
Dharma Practitioner
Hypnosis is too leading to be accurate or effective in treating the people it works on. I believe Dr. Susan Clancy has written papers expressing her conclusion that hypnosis creates alien abduction memories in hypnotic sessions involving sleep paralysis, for example.
Augustus
…
No personal experience, but I know someone who used hypnotherapy to quit smoking and it worked. Not that they just quit, but really didn't even want a smoke ever again.
Also know someone who used hypnotherapy to stop them being afraid of ghosts which worked in the short term but not the long term.
That's just anecdotal though, can't vouch for it beyond what they said.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Quackery.
Phantasman
Well-Known Member
The core of our mind is the parts we don't see when we are conscious. The minds ability to keep our heart beating, our body breathing, the memories we experience, etc. We draw from it as well as feed it. Consciousness is affected by focus. What we zero in on at any given moment.
The core (sub conscious) is always working, always awake, never really sleeps. Only the conscious part shuts down. Since the conscious feeds the core, hypnotism is the act of reaching a state before sleep (shut down), where our senses are still able to focus and not be completely shut down. A person that shuts their eyes, voiding all senses but hearing, heightens that sense to focus on hearing above all else.
This opens only what the core hears from the conscious part of the mind. I person can talk and help you feed the core with something you already desire, but not something you find that violates your core beliefs, unless repetition is used to the point you accept and believe it through that process. Hear a lie enough and it becomes truth, sort of thing.
Brainwashing uses the same process to a different degree. It progressively uses stimuli (pain, pleasure) so that thoughts are associated to a programmed response. The process is now known as Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) as a self help tool. Tricking the mind to associate pain to sweets, and pleasure to good healthy foods produce founded results. This path and it's usage is what the Robbins Institute (Tony Robbins) uses to help many people to become successful in life and to eliminate phobias. He is a master at it, and what made him a multimillionaire. The power of controlling focus.
Repetition is key. You must be willing in hypnosis to violate your core beliefs. for it to work against you. Not so in brainwashing, which is to forcefully use stimuli to erase your core beliefs (with pain) and instill new ones (with pleasure). Carrot and stick taken to a higher level.
The core (sub conscious) is always working, always awake, never really sleeps. Only the conscious part shuts down. Since the conscious feeds the core, hypnotism is the act of reaching a state before sleep (shut down), where our senses are still able to focus and not be completely shut down. A person that shuts their eyes, voiding all senses but hearing, heightens that sense to focus on hearing above all else.
This opens only what the core hears from the conscious part of the mind. I person can talk and help you feed the core with something you already desire, but not something you find that violates your core beliefs, unless repetition is used to the point you accept and believe it through that process. Hear a lie enough and it becomes truth, sort of thing.
Brainwashing uses the same process to a different degree. It progressively uses stimuli (pain, pleasure) so that thoughts are associated to a programmed response. The process is now known as Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) as a self help tool. Tricking the mind to associate pain to sweets, and pleasure to good healthy foods produce founded results. This path and it's usage is what the Robbins Institute (Tony Robbins) uses to help many people to become successful in life and to eliminate phobias. He is a master at it, and what made him a multimillionaire. The power of controlling focus.
Repetition is key. You must be willing in hypnosis to violate your core beliefs. for it to work against you. Not so in brainwashing, which is to forcefully use stimuli to erase your core beliefs (with pain) and instill new ones (with pleasure). Carrot and stick taken to a higher level.
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I've been hypnotized two or three times, when I was much younger. For entertainment purposes twice, a third time as part of a psychological experiment while an undergraduate (I hired out to psychology department on a regular basis to help pay the bills...some interesting experiences, but I have no idea what they discovered).
Yes it works on some people, me included, but as for may of its applications, I think it would be better to read up on the research than listen to peoples' experiences.
Yes it works on some people, me included, but as for may of its applications, I think it would be better to read up on the research than listen to peoples' experiences.
The fact is, however, that hypnosis is a genuine psychological phenomenon that has valid uses in clinical practice. Simply put, hypnosis is a state of highly focused attention or concentration, often associated with relaxation, and heightened suggestibility. While under hypnosis (i.e., in a hypnotic trance), it seems many people are much more open to helpful suggestions than they usually are.
The Truth About Hypnosis
I suspect folks are often "hypnotized" throughout the day. Like when you are driving a car, listening to the radio. Some ad comes on with a product that you're not fully paying attention to. Maybe something you'd not normally buy, but after hearing the same ad a couple 100 times, one day, it seems like a good idea.
Not that you are unaware but your resistance to subconscious suggestion is lessened.
Some folks are more suggestible than others. I think is happens a lot, just not under the guise of "hypnosis". Political speech, religious sermons, radio and TV ads. You zone out/daydream you're really not so conscious of what your subconscious mind is recording. Suddenly you have a urge for a Big Mac or buying a new car.
Hypnosis just tries to purposely get you into this state where your subconscious mind is more open to suggestion.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I've always viewed that as more in line with the power of suggestion. Certainly not unique or exclusive.
Television evangelists uses it, government uses it, corporations use it.
I suppose that's why some things like hypnotism comes across as being effective for some people.
I see it as power of suggestion in drag. ;0)
Frater Sisyphus
Contradiction, irrationality and disorder
Hypnosis exists but it's not what you think it is, in fact you may be under it every time you leave your house.
(psst. Buy stuff!)
(psst. Buy stuff!)
Jumi
Well-Known Member
I rarely buy stuff, mostly just necessities, does that mean hypnosis has low chance of working for me?
BSM1
What? Me worry?
Not working ............................................. Oh
it just did!Only works on some apparently though - the weak-willed perhaps.
HEY! I resemble that remark...uh...wait...must hit "Post Reply...."Not working ............................................. Oh
Only works on some apparently though - the weak-willed perhaps.
HEY! I resemble that remark...uh...wait...must hit "Post Reply...."
Not sure why it does seem to work on some rather than others though.
BSM1
What? Me worry?
Not working ............................................. Oh
Only works on some apparently though - the weak-willed perhaps.
HEY! I resemble that remark...uh...wait...must hit "Post Reply...."
Now...both of you cluck like a chicken.
I won't!
I will, however, adopt the persona of Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli...
I will, however, adopt the persona of Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli...
I think that if a hypnotist confronted me, s/he would be the one likely to fall into a trance. I often have that effect on people.