The hypnosis One of those enormous chimeras that invades cinemas, shows and television programs. One of those things that still calls into question the concept that a large part of the population has about “rationality.”
How is it possible! It is the immediate response of our mind to the phenomenon. Followed, of course, in most cases, by the typical response pattern of fear; We move away, we begin to doubt ourselves, and the thought of: “don’t come close to me” begins to take over our mind.
It is logical. We have been bombarded for so many years with the magical and mysterious phenomenon of hypnosis, that now You almost think you can fly when you are hypnotized, and not figuratively Well, I’m sorry, but no.
Let’s get serious. Hypnosis is much more than what can be seen. As such, heHypnosis emerged as a therapeutic tool in its beginnings There is evidence that already in prehistoric times, the figure of the shamanwhich used suggestive techniques for healing.
Then he moved on to the witches and the mediums, and obscurantism was growing. However, scientific rigor or at least the consideration of hypnosis as something more than witchcraft began in the school of the Nancy-Salpetriere psychiatric hospital, with the Professor Charcot and the treatment of mass hysteria through hypnosis.
Today, hypnosis could be defined as a method. A procedure composed of various techniques that use the individual’s attention or imagination to produce alterations or changes in their emotions thoughts, behaviors or perceptions.
In other words, it is nothing more than uan extremely efficient way to use mental resources of the person to achieve results, with the limitations inherent to human beings (no one is going to lose their personality, nor become superman thanks to hypnosis).
The trance state
This way of using attention necessarily goes through a state called trance. It is a state very similar to the Flow State of artists. The mind experiences a very high level of abstraction and concentration, dedicating generally dispersed resources to very few objectives.
For a time it was thought that not all of us were susceptible to experiencing this state, therefore, we were not very “hypnotizable.” Today we know that This is not like this The extent to which a person achieves this state is both in the will of the hypnotized person and in the skill of the hypnotist.
On a subjective level, this state is very personal. The stories of people who have gone through this method are very scattered. The most common They agree to experience a sensation similar to that of a dream; as a state of full consciousness but absolutely “in another world”.
The way: hypnotize with a snap of your fingers?
And here comes the really morbid thing; the way in which that technique is carried out. Do you just snap your fingers? Do I have to clap your shoulder and then dance to “La Macarena”? Actually, the way in which it is done is what is of least interest compared to the technique itself, even though it is the most striking. Not to mention the millions that continue to be earned thanks to them.
And the question is obvious; How is it possible that you can put someone to sleep just by snapping your fingers?
I pose another question: Would you be able to fall asleep without anyone snapping their fingers?
It is not a question of cause effect. There is no type of clicking that emits any type of wave that automatically puts us to sleep. There is, however, the conviction that we will fall asleep when we hear a finger snap. Just like we will fall asleep when we are tired. AND our body acts in accordance with these beliefs The mind can be fun, right?
What really matters about hypnosis
Beyond all sensational implications of hypnosis, what ultimately counts is that as a tool, as a method, it is effective for our objective as hypnotists. If our goal is therapeutic, we may opt for methods that give the person more control. If it is the spectacle, we may look for something that is striking.
Nevertheless, Above that effectiveness is respect This is an important point; In hypnosis you always work with people, and therefore a strong sense of respect for the individuality and honor of the hypnotized person is necessary. Let us be aware of the role that the hypnotized person assumes when he agrees to be so. He does not perceive any control, on the contrary in fact; he perceives himself as “sold out.” Let’s be respectful with him or her.
In short, what really matters is that, as so many famous people say (among them, I would like to quote the Uncle Ben from Spiderman), “with great power comes great responsibility.” It is not about power itself, that is, what we can do, but about what to do with power. How to use it and why. Above all, if that power is really within everyone’s reach.
