I am frequently asked about hypnosis. People are afraid of being programmed in hypnosis, being forced to do something that goes against their will, being “messed up” and harmed in some way.
10 years ago, just before my first hypnosis session, I asked the same questions of my hypnotist. This first session was my first ticket in the wonderful world of trance. I had a spontaneous regression to a past life, that was completely puzzling to me. I found myself being a rather ordinarily Russian male during World War Two with questionable (for me today) moral values. I also connected to some of my spirit guides during that session. In the retrospect, I understand that this past life was shown to me in order to convince me that I am not imagining it. Who in their right mind would imagine a life of mediocre men, not very successful in his relationships, harboring lots of resentment, that ended up being paralyzed in a chair with nobody around to help. I am very analytical and critical by nature. After that session, I could not think about any reason whatsoever of why somebody would imagine a life like that. In a way, it convinced me that past lives indeed exist, that hypnosis is capable of providing one with deep insights, and that one can access this deep state of mind easily.
Hypnosis is a natural state of being that is very familiar to all of us. When you read an interesting book or watch a TV show, you get engrossed in it. You are hardly aware of anything that is happening around you. This state is hypnosis, also called trance or altered state of consciousness. When you drive on a highway and forget how you have arrived at your destination, you are in hypnosis. When you daydream, you are in hypnosis. And, of course, just before you fall asleep, you are in hypnosis.
Hypnosis is a heightened state of inner awareness when our conscious relaxes and allows easy access to all other parts of our mind.
Hypnosis is NOT a coma, not a state when you forget yourself. Your conscious mind is always present but more relaxed. You hear everything I say, you have your own thoughts moving through your mind, you make your own choices.
All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. You cannot be hypnotized against your will. You have to choose to go into the state of hypnosis and you can choose to leave this state any time you wish.
As I said, hypnosis is a choice. If you decide that you do not want to be in hypnosis, I cannot hypnotize you. If you are in hypnosis and I ask you to do something you do not like, you will say I do not want to do it and may even choose to finish the session. It is your mind, it is you who are doing it. I am asking you to follow my direction so that you allow yourself to go into hypnosis and allow your mind to heal you.
You may have seen those people on stage, who volunteer for stage hypnosis doing funny things. Know that before going there, they gave their agreement to do that. They did not talk to the hypnotherapist beforehand, but by choosing to go on stage, they agree to do whatever the hypnotist directs them to. However, they will not do anything that goes against their morals or judgment.
Remember, you are always the one in control of your mind. I cannot control you. It is not possible. Your conscious mind is always present, always protecting, always keeping you safe.