Hypnosis is not a closely held secret mastered by Las Vegas stage shows. Hypnosis is a simple state of mind that you make use of every day. After reading the next few paragraphs, I think you’ll see what I mean.
The state of hypnosis is a normal function of your mind. There is no big secret or special power involved. It is the state of mind your brain uses when accessing the huge amount of storage it contains.
Hypnosis is used on most of us very effectively by politicians, and advertising executives. And used poorly by most “pre-owned” car salesman. And yes, it’s used on you by friends and family. And yes, you use it on them too.
Hypnosis is in use when your critical faculty is bypassed. Analytical reason is set aside, or completely bypassed, in favor of emotional behavior Emotional behaviors are quicker and more consistent from person to person. So, more likely to elicit a predictable response. Like when you’re driving and you hear a horn honk behind you. What is your immediate emotional behavior response? Guilt? Anger? Fear? The honking horn may not even be directed at you. The honking horn was honked with the intention of eliciting a rapid response, and it usually does. Sounds complicated until you start seeing how common it is.
If you’re driving home from work and someone cuts you off in traffic, you might be irritated. The fourth person to cut you off on that same trip home? The fourth guy didn’t do anything different than the first guy. Unless you’re the nicest person in the world, odds are you’re MUCH more irritated. That’s emotional association controlling your reaction.
Things like this are constantly happening around you, and everyone else. Many so minor you don’t even notice. Unnoticed until you try to change them. You might experience that as fighting a craving or urge. You’re likely aware that habits are formed in this way, but may not understand how powerful this can be and what a large influence on your life it can have.
The stronger the emotion is, the stronger the association. The stronger the association is, the more vivid the memory. The more vivid the memory, the more real it is to your mind and more influence it has on your behavior. Your mind does not have a real concept of time passing. What it sees in your imagination, or memory, it believes. At least, most of the time.
So, take this concept and apply it to someone with PTSD, or depression. Apply it to that person you know that can’t quite quit smoking or has a favorite comfort food. Apply it to your driving habits, your eating habits, and your stress level. At the risk of being boring, I’ll stop the examples and assume you get it.
Seeing this process in action and understanding the concept can give you a big step forward in changing your habits. Sometimes you can do it on your own. Sometimes it’s easier to use help. Find a professional hypnotist you can trust and use them. That’s their job.