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 Welcome to new visitors to Andre Pierard’s Site – http://www.therapies-hypnose.ch
Hypnosis is very agreeable natural state of consciousness, relaxation and concentration, similar to the feeling one experiences just before falling asleep. The hypnotised subject becomes very sensitive to suggestions for the sub-conscience is more receptive than when in the waking state. It must be pointed out that hypnosis does not rely on magnetism and vice-versa. They are two things which, while they can be complementary, are totally different.
A subject under hypnosis does not sleep, but retains 100% of his personality and memory. In fact, without recall, the hypnotic session would be useless since the goal is to better the subject’s quality of life by means of post-hypnotic suggestions. The subject can refuse any propositions which he cannot accept for personal philosophical or moral reasons. Everyone builds their own barriers, or limits.
One is in a state of hypnosis during the reading of a fascinating book, watching a film, even, sometimes, when driving a vehicle: time seems to shorten, one feels emotions brought on uniquely by mental force. Here one can quote Paul Valery:”the kind of awakening which follows some fascinating reading…”
Conscious and unconscious ( Carl Gustav Jung).
 “The unconscious possesses possibilities of wisdom that are completely closed to consciousness, for the unconscious has at his disposal not only all the physic contents that are under the threshold because they had been forgotten or overlooked, but also the experience of untold ages deposited in the course of time and lying potential in the human brain”
(The instinctive foundations of mental life)
One cannot be hypnotised against one’s will The Hypnotherapist applies a technique with the express permission of his client with the goal of helping the latter. There is no question of putting to sleep or manipulating the subject or, even less, taking control of his spirit.
It is completely inoffensive and no-one has, so far, been left in a hypnotic state because the Hypnotherapist has left in the middle of a séance. It consists of a profound state of concentration in which one cannot stay for long without the help of the Hypnotherapist.
The hypnotic state helps to discover just what lies behind a malfunction, mental or physical. It can discover souvenirs in the sub-conscience, hidden in the conscious.
The goals, objectives and means of hypnotherapy have nothing to do with stage-hypnosis which one sometimes sees on TV. The therapist establishes a helping relationship whilst the stage-hypnotist is merely putting on a show. Hypnosis in itself is neither esoteric or paranormal: recent experiments controlled by an encephalogram seem to indicate that the subject finds himself in a very superior state of concentration than normal.
Hypnosis, Myths and Reality (FAQ)
 Hypnosis is sometimes the subject of bad press. One must say that Charcot, who introduced it o the medical world, did no service to his cause by associating it with hysteria, a condition which most people misunderstand and , therefore , fear. So, rejected by the medical community, hypnosis was, nevertheless, taken on and changed by faith “healers” who gave it a reputation of miracle cures or even truth serum.
Obviously these sentiments have nothing to do with reality, but false ideas tend to flourish. So they continue to hold sway in many minds and to hide what hypnosis really is: i.e. a natural phenomenon which can help everyone to better themselves both emotionally and mentally
Unfortunately the harm has been done. Charlatans have instilled, often since our childhood, preconceived ideas about hypnosis which are now engraved forever into our minds. Therefore it is now considered as either a magical cure for all illness, a tool of suggestion, or even the control of others through the power of suggestion.
It, therefore , seems important to review false ideas and to re-establish the truth of the matter. In doing so we can target the good application of hypnosis and establish it’s limits.
FALSE IDEAS
1. Hypnosis is a form of sleep.
The Greek word hypnos actually does mean sleep, but a hypnotised person is not sleeping; he or she is in a state of deep relaxed attention, and stays alert and able to talk, hear what’s happening around him, and to move and think. Much research has found that hypnotic “sleep” in no way resembles normal sleep. The use of an .electroencephalogram has proved tat the hypnotised subject’s brain-waves bear no resemblance to those of someone either awake or asleep. It is therefore clear that hypnosis and sleep are entirely different, though they can sometimes produce similar phenomena: for example, during a session a subject may sleep and show al the characteristics of normal slumber.
2. Hypnosis is a state entirely induced and provoked by the hypnotist
On the contrary, hypnosis is always a form of “self-hypnosis” since it comes about from the subjects own interior. The relationship or contact which is established between the hypnotist instils the reaction for the latter to start the techniques which enable the phenomenon to take place.
3. A hypnotist must be dynamic, energetic or have a charismatic even mysterious personality.
Were this true, hypnosis would be a struggle of minds between the hypnotist and the subject. This is where the myth of the bearded hypnotist with a piercing looks comes from. It is, however, obvious that anyone with a training in human resources is capable of learning hypnotic techniques, understanding that the process necessitates certain vital energy. Besides this ,one cannot deny that the hypnotist finally resembles that which others expect of him.; he knows that his capacity for suggestion is increased.
4. Only weak, passive or sick people can be hypnotised.
It is the opposite which is true. The people who react better to hypnosis are often intelligent, have a strong personality and show a considerable power of concentration. Thy are not afraid to “let themselves go” persuaded that they will be able to “recover” at the end of the session.
5. Hypnosis is an unusual, abnormal or artificial state.
Wrong. Hypnosis is a condition just as natural as our conscious state. It can be considered as a» fourth organismic state”(Chertok) similar to being awake, asleep or dreaming. Our understanding of reality and our perceptions are changed, which permits one to function mentally differently and to be more open to ourselves.
6. The subject is under the control of the hypnotist who can oblige him to do things against his will or to reveal secrets.
This is one of the greatest fears people have of hypnotism. It is true that during training one feels that one has a “power” over students thanks to hypnosis. This ,however, only occurs in experimental situations and I could never force anyone to do anything not in his nature or habits. In a therapeutic situation, suggestion only works if accepted by the subject. The goal is to help the patient to acquire self-control and the control of his own life. One example among a hundred of others is symptomatic. A prudish young lady was asked, during a training session, to kiss all the young men present. She reacted very strongly, seemed confused and , in the end, “woke” complaining about he very suggestion.
7. Hypnosis can be harmful to the subject.
The previous case demonstrates that the greatest danger of hypnosis comes from the hypnotist and not from hypnotism. It should only be practised by a doctor (GP, specialist or psychiatrist) or a psychologist. When a session goes well, a feeling of well-being remains and subject feel a sort of “nirvana” in the post-hypnotic state. This indicates that hypnosis is a quick treatment and is quite easy to induce. It should always be practised by a therapist with experience of subjects.
8. A subject may develop physical, mental or extra sensorial capacities, and acquire certain powers under hypnosis.
Yes but only if these “powers” already exists unseen. Hypnosis only permits the realisation of our potentials and resources. Nevertheless, thanks to the phenomenon of ”disassociation” of our consciousness our powers of visualisation are increased, access to our body and soul is augmented, and we arrive at a state of “presentiment” which helps get rid of our problems.
9. Women are better subjects for hypnosis than men.
This assertion was perhaps born due to the mixture proposed at Saltpetrire by Charcot of hysteria and hypnosis. Since hysterical subjects were used in experiments, perhaps one was led to believe they were easier to hypnotise; the most frequent display of hysteria among women only strengthened the link hypnosis-feminine hysteria .
10. Hypnosis is only a superficial psychological phenomenon.
To be under hypnosis implies a complete engagement of one’s personality and cannot be considered as a superficial phenomenon. The change in the state of consciousness of the subject results in fundamental psychological changes which improve the patients health.
11. A hypnotised subject cannot come-round from the trance.
This has never happened. It is more difficult to maintain a trance than to come out of it. If the therapist leaves the room, leaving the subject alone, the latter will ‘wake up’ after a few minutes or sleep naturally and wake up just as normally
12. “I can’t be hypnotised”
Even though certain people are more susceptible to hypnotism than others, 85% are ‘hypnotisable’. An American therapist wished to prove that everyone is susceptible to hypnosis and, taking a particularly obstinate subject, he managed to hypnotise him but only after three hundred and sixty five attempts!
The factors which interfere with the ‘responsiveness’ to hypnosis can be therapeutic (the patient deep-down does not want to be healed), can be due to false conceptions or even be the result of the subject having an over-desire to be hypnotised (this phenomenon is frequently encountered).
DANGERS.
In order to de-bunk any myths about hypnotism, one must also explain any associated dangers. Evidently, hypnotic techniques, like any other form of therapy, can entail undesirable side-effects due, mostly to inadequate practice.
I would, therefore, like to emphasize that hypnosis must never be attempted other than in a therapeutic sense. Alas, control of such practises is difficult as in Switzerland there are no legal qualification requirements to use the title of Hypnotherapist, or to practice hypnotism. Anyone can set themselves up as a “Hypnotherapist” and offer their services in classified ads. Any patients expose themselves to all sorts of problems if the practitioner has not been trained in human sciences.
On the contrary, in certain countries, e.g. Sweden, the practice of so-called ‘faith’ hypnosis is strictly forbidden and punished by law. However, even practised by a recognised hypnotherapist, hypnosis can entail certain clinical problems.
The inexperienced hypnotherapist sometimes underestimates the physiological reaction of a subject to a suggestion demanding physical activity. Cardiac disorders have been observed in obese patients having been advised to run up ten floors in order to lose weight. Dangerous psychic reactions can result in ‘re-living’ traumatic experiences if the therapist is not capable of controlling any sometimes difficult reactions.
It’s for this reason that, for example, The French Society of Hypnotism is against the use of hypnotism other than by qualified therapists (psychologists). It is also advisable to choose the therapy wisely and to evaluate the subject’s personality before commencing any treatment. The greatest danger of hypnotism lies with the woolly-headed, incompetent or badly trained practitioner.
RESISTANCE
“Non-hypnotisability’ should not be considered as a resistance as the effect can be limited according to the subject or be brought on by the therapist. If a subject refuses hypnotism during a number of sessions, one must discover the cause of his ‘resistance’ before continuing. So one encourages him to explain just what upsets him during induction. Sometimes the causes are quite simple, such as the tone of voice of the therapist, or perhaps the technique employed which does not suit his personality.
Other causes of resistance have been reported, such as insufficient psychological preparation during the first consultation, or that one has not dispelled the false ideas and prejudices of the subject. Sometimes it’s the fact that he’s afraid of not being able to ‘go under’. Some are afraid of the loss of self-control that hypnotism may induce. “I’m afraid of losing control of myself” is a remark often heard. Other subjects are so keen to be hypnotised that they just cannot, trying with all their might to bring on something which just doesn’t happen. We all know how difficult it is to go to sleep when we try so hard to do so.
Finally, the absence of true motivation is a cause of ‘resistance’. But in such a case can one really call this resistance ?
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