View Full Version : Is Hypnosis a Dirty Word?
CunningLinguist
01-31-2005, 02:09 PM
I've read a few self-help books over the years, and the overriding trend of modern programmes is to use "relaxation and visualisation" techniques. Some talk about entering into an "Alpha" state of mind, and then visualising. None of these programmes mentions hypnosis anywhere... and yet - the processes and techniques used are clearly virtually identical (some even use induction scripts).
Even Paul McKenna a world-renowned hypnotist does not use the word hypnosis in a book where he explains relaxation and visualisation as part of the programme.
So - is the public's misconceptions and fear with regards hypnosis the cause of this dumping of the word in popular psychology and self-help? Or is it just egotistic authors pretending they've invented a great system of growth, when in fact they are just copying a well-practised and successful form of therapy and personal development?
AnthonyM83
01-31-2005, 02:20 PM
I've used that word when a friend who fears hypnosis greatly was suicideal. We just called it visualization and since she had read about visualization in her psych books, she felt fine with me guiding her through that.
There's many reason to not call it hypnosis, one just being the acceptance it gets.
Charlie
02-01-2005, 03:35 PM
There are definitely those who consider the word "Hypnosis" to have very negative connotations indeed. (I suspect the antics of stage hypnosis acts may contribute to this, regrettably).
But Hypnosis is just a word for human subjective reality and it's multiplicity of altered states, (at least that's how I interpret it).
And as it's 'just a word' it can be convenient and reasonably easy to find a way around it by simply choosing a different word.
( Just as "The meaning of every communication is the response you get", so the nominalisation of the word "communication" can be chunked down such that "The meaning of every single word you speak is the response you get......." )
I am studying the book Training Trances by Overdurf and Silverthorn. In it they state that when Erickson was a younger rabble-rouser, he used the term "hypnosis" all the time. Later in his life, as he became less of a rebel, he changed to using the term "trance." For him they were synonymous. He felt that "trance" was a more acceptable term.
Charlie
02-02-2005, 12:36 AM
I am studying the book Training Trances by Overdurf and Silverthorn.
Great book! http://forum.hypnosis.com/images/icons/icon14.gif
Erickson.......... felt that "trance" was a more acceptable term.
I once had a friend who didn't much like, nor understand, the terms 'hypnosis' OR 'trance'. However, when I explained it as being "a state of mind, similar to meditation but more outcome oriented" it immediately made more sense to her.
Different words for different folks, I guess.
http://forum.hypnosis.com/images/icons/icon7.gif
Simple Guy
02-02-2005, 12:37 AM
Don,
Erickson was a "rabble-rouser"? :) Training Trances is one of my favorite
books, btw. The example you cite parallels that of a psychologist that
introduced Buddhism-based meditation practices to mainstream
hospitals across America, successfully, in part by choosing to omit
the eastern jargon for more acceptable secularly palatable terms.
In Buddhist circles, his doing so could be called "wise means." NLPers
could laud his "rapport" skills.
Hello,
The word 'hypnosis' is a misnomer invented in the days when it was believed that the trance state had something to do with sleep because it looked like sleep.
The terms 'beta, alpha, theta, delta' are just nominalisations to describe brainwave frequencies. Some people believe that they represent trance states or states of heightened suggestibility, and others that they represent relaxation states. There is a discussion about this in another thread.
There is a move away from the word 'hypnosis' because it is inaccurate and misleading. It also has bad connotations with the general public due, in the main, to the irresponsible antics of some stage hypnotists. So far no-one has come up with a genuinely new description of hypnotic phenomena which would satisfy everyone, so 'relaxation and visualisation' are used even though they may be inaccurate.
Jack
Charlie
02-02-2005, 12:50 AM
Simple Guy, I guess I am sometimes a guy occasionally bemused by simple things, and in this instance I am bemused that you and I posted at almost exactly the same time ( me @ 01.36, you @ 01.37 ( according to my 'puter) ) and both our posts referred in some way to Meditation.
I guess it's either accidental synchronicity, or else Merlin is simply controlling both of our minds simultaneously......
http://forum.hypnosis.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
I guess this means I cant use, "Now you are GOING on the ENTRANCE - to the innerstate- and as you go ... from state to state ... " without you guys knowing where I shamelessly stole it, huh?
Hi, S.G.
After a spate of shootings by SWAT teams, a friend of mind determined that she was going to teach them how to meditate to make sure that they did not make any errors. But how do you get a bunch of men--many of whom were testosterone-filled, macho studs--to sit quietly in meditation, watching their breathing?
Her answer--she taught them the "sniper's breath." This is a breathing technique that can help improve the accuracy of snipers.
Charlie
02-02-2005, 01:07 PM
I guess this means I cant use, "Now you are GOING on the ENTRANCE - to the innerstate- and as you go ... from state to state ... " without you guys knowing where I shamelessly stole it, huh?
Indeed, even deeper, all the way down the inner state, until you reach the state, of Arizona, and when you get to that house in Phoenix, Arizona, one would have to be getting very curious, about what it was like stepping inside, the garage of that house, what would it look like inside, all the way in, how would it feel, what would I find inside the garage, what's really inside, loads of books, all kinds of pictures, trinkets, mementoes, and even a purple telephone.......
http://forum.hypnosis.com/images/icons/icon11.gif
Simple Guy
02-02-2005, 06:13 PM
Skip and Charlie,
As good as John and Julie are with this induction, as it appears in print,
they are even better doing it as a duo on audio. :)
Charlie, as to the synchronicity of post content, I noticed it and
regarded it with a bit of bemusement also, but not much surprise. There
have been some remarkable synchronicities associated with this
forum. Some have been of the sort that would strain ordinary
credulity, but probably wouldn't surprise some of the extraordinary
participants here. -- I imagine that some of them may also have
experienced this, both at this forum and elsewhere.
Charlie
02-02-2005, 09:17 PM
As good as John and Julie are with this induction,
as it appears in print,they are even better doing it as a duo on audio. :)
I've never heard any of J&J's audio products, although I'd certainly like to.
There have been some remarkable
synchronicities associated with this forum.
Some have been of the sort that would strain ordinary
credulity, but probably wouldn't surprise some of the extraordinary
participants here. -- I imagine that some of them may also have
experienced this, both at this forum and elsewhere.
I imagine you're right.
http://forum.hypnosis.com/images/icons/icon3.gif
AnthonyM83
02-02-2005, 10:01 PM
Hi, S.G.
After a spate of shootings by SWAT teams, a friend of mind determined that she was going to teach them how to meditate to make sure that they did not make any errors. But how do you get a bunch of men--many of whom were testosterone-filled, macho studs--to sit quietly in meditation, watching their breathing?
Her answer--she taught them the "sniper's breath." This is a breathing technique that can help improve the accuracy of snipers.That's awesome. It reminds me of the training some officers are now getting in creating associations between relaxation the sound of the siren and deep breaths
Just one thing...isn't a SWAT team's job to take suspects down? Or were they shooting people unwarrantedly?
ben4312
02-02-2005, 10:30 PM
I've never met any1 who was scrted of hypnosis, but almost evry1 I meet doesn't believe in it. Just tell them that if it was really that powerful then there would be psychologist ruling the world right now commanding us what to do.
Simple Guy
02-03-2005, 07:46 AM
Don,
Seems your friend employed great utilization and rapport skills
with these police officers. (This reminds me of a friend of mine
who volunteers to teach meditation to residents of a homeless
shelter.)
Hello Ben,
If there were psychologists ruling the world and secretely telling us what to do, how would you know?:)
Jack
I've never met any1 who was scrted of hypnosis, but almost evry1 I meet doesn't believe in it. Just tell them that if it was really that powerful then there would be psychologist ruling the world right now commanding us what to do.
That's awesome. It reminds me of the training some officers are now getting in creating associations between relaxation the sound of the siren and deep breaths
Just one thing...isn't a SWAT team's job to take suspects down? Or were they shooting people unwarrantedly?
Nope. Just wanted to make sure that they make the absolutely correct descision about killing someone [i]before[/] they pull the trigger!
InfoJunkie
02-16-2005, 03:44 PM
So, after reading this thread, I've decided that in today's society, one would use the term that best suits the demographics, and comfort level of the practioner. Can you name all the synonyms for the term hypnosis or hypnotherapist pracitioner? What are some creative, and useful terms to call what you do?
I've heard of:
Guided Imagery
NLP and Hypnosis names blurred together
jodywong@canada.com