Day 1 – Q1. What is hypnosis?
Reply:
Hypnotic states are a natural part of normal human life. In fact, we all experience hypnotic states–without giving them a second thought–at least twice a day. We go through a state of semi-wakefulness just before drifting off to sleep at night. Then in the morning, we go through another state of semi-wakefulness upon returning to consciousness. These are examples of spontaneous hypnotic states happening naturally, easily and automatically.
Erik Bragg, Tokyo based hypnotist.
So, what is hypnosis? Hypnosis is a state of selective focus: the mind is focused and highly aware of certain things, while other things fade into the background. This is a natural everyday happening; such as when getting drawn into an intriguing story told by a good friend, while the background sounds of the room go unnoticed and seem to fade away. Other common hypnotic states of mind include a “working trance”, an “exercise trance”, or a “driving trance”.
Hypnotic states are often eagerly sought after because they can feel so good. Just as when we are fully absorbed in rapt fascination while reading a good book, or getting caught up in the emotion of a captivating movie, as we are looking forward with expectantly to what will happen next.
Hypnotic states are also characterized by heightened suggestibility and a suspension of critical thinking. These qualities make the state of hypnosis an ideal one for receiving and acting upon suggestions for positive change in beliefs, thoughts, and habits. Hypnotists utilize this natural state of mind to train clients to make changes they have the desire to make.
Please contact Erik Bragg at 04-7166-6698, erikb@gol.com or
www.hypnosis-japan.org for more information.
UPCOMING INTERVIEWS
* Angela Jeffs (Japan Times Journalist) on her witing class based on “Drawing on the Writer Within”, her upcoming book and labyrinths.
* Gretta McIlvaine founder of Bridge Between the Worlds Healing Center and Graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing.
* Sri Eknath Eswaran’s method of meditation (he is the founder of the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation in California and author of many books).
*Educator/therapist David Howland on applying therapeutic techniques to education, the importance of the arts in our daily lives and how we can learn to understand expressing our creativity to balance physical, emotional and intellectual health.