Trance...explaination please

[owaters]

Hi,

I have been studying (reading) hypnosis for about 12 months now. I have read a few books and sites explaining the topic in detail as well as reading up on topics such as NLP.

My query is with regard to trance.

When watching stage hypnotists, when they induce hypnosis, the people on stage seem to be in a heavy sleep kind of trance. They tend to droop forwards and look asleep.

I have recently being to see a hypnotherapist, and I never experienced such a trance. I always seemed to be awake, just extremely relaxed with my eyes closed. I always felt like I could have opened my eyes at anytime.

What is the difference between these trances?

I know if my hypnotherapist had told me that I was....for example.... looking for my lost dog when I opened my eyes, I would have not reacted that way. I would have definately remembered him saying it.
I often wondered whether I had actually being hypnotised.

Can someone clear this up for me? Thanks ;)

[Tomo]

I have recently being to see a hypnotherapist, and I never experienced such a trance. I always seemed to be awake, just extremely relaxed with my eyes closed. I always felt like I could have opened my eyes at anytime.

What is the difference between these trances?

I know if my hypnotherapist had told me that I was....for example.... looking for my lost dog when I opened my eyes, I would have not reacted that way. I would have definately remembered him saying it.
I often wondered whether I had actually being hypnotised.

Can someone clear this up for me? Thanks ;) It's the depth of trance. The hypnotheraputic trance was far lighter. In a very deep stage trance, the hypnotist's words can literally "become" reality in the subject's mind. Hence, they are seeing the audience through giant comedy X-Ray specs, etc.

[owaters]

Thanks for your quick response. That has helped clear some things up :)

[Don]

I would respectfully disagree with Tomo. Stage hypnosis is a show--entertainment. Some of the people aren't even hypnotized, they just play along and do what they are encouraged to do. Hypnotherapy is completely different.

Stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy are apples and oranges. They both are round and taste good, but they're completely different things.

[Tomo]

I would respectfully disagree with Tomo. Stage hypnosis is a show--entertainment. Some of the people aren't even hypnotized, they just play along and do what they are encouraged to do. Hypnotherapy is completely different.

Stage hypnosis and hypnotherapy are apples and oranges. They both are round and taste good, but they're completely different things.
Really. That's fine. Just remind me of the difference between trance and trance again?

[Terry]

"What is the difference between the trances"? Probably that one you are watching, and one you are experiencing..... Also, the people onstage are chosen in advance for their ability to enter a trance state, but in therapy we don't have the luxury of choice, we must work with all who come to us.... Terry

[Tomo]

"What is the difference between the trances"? Probably that one you are watching, and one you are experiencing..... Also, the people onstage are chosen in advance for their ability to enter a trance state, but in therapy we don't have the luxury of choice, we must work with all who come to us.... Terry But you DO achieve trance, no?

[Terry]

Of course, why would I bother to use hypnosis, if I were unable to induce the trance state in order to get fast results? If you read what I wrote, you would realise that there is a world of difference in experiencing the trance state as a subject, and experiencing it as an onlooker. Appearances are deceptive. Many of us can hypnotise someone without any difference in appearance being visible, relaxation is not a nescessary part of the hypnotic experience, but is always used by the stage hypnotist as an inducer that those onstage are indeed in a different state, and are under the control of the hypnotist..Terry

[Tomo]

Of course, why would I bother to use hypnosis, if I were unable to induce the trance state in order to get fast results? If you read what I wrote, you would realise that there is a world of difference in experiencing the trance state as a subject, and experiencing it as an onlooker. Appearances are deceptive. Many of us can hypnotise someone without any difference in appearance being visible, relaxation is not a nescessary part of the hypnotic experience, but is always used by the stage hypnotist as an inducer that those onstage are indeed in a different state, and are under the control of the hypnotist..Terry Who's watching the trance happen?

[Merlin]

>What is the difference between these trances?

Maybe nothing, maybe everything.

You may have been hypnotised, maybe not.
There are tests, but most 'hypnotists' don't use them.
Many hypnotists use relaxation therapy, mistaking it for hypnosis.

We can't really say without having been there.