HEALING HYPNOSIS
HYPNOSIS IS A SET OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS THAT ARISE AS A RESULT OF VERBAL, DIRECT AND INDIRECT, TACTILE SUGGESTIONS IN THE ACTIVE OR PASSIVE TRANS STATE. THESE REACTIONS TEMPORARILY CREATED BY THE HYPNOTIST CAN VARY IN INTENSITY AND DURATION.
Medicine is based on three fundamental factors: scalpel (surgery), herbs (pharmacology) and words (psychotherapy). We are what we imagine, think and say. Thus words suggest us (placebo effect), to the point of influencing our mental and bodily processes (analgesia). During hypnotic trance, induced by the specialist with specific techniques (e.g. flashing light, pendulum, music, etc.), we can modify unconscious processes. In the hypnotic trance, consciousness is completely preserved and the patient cannot be persuaded to do anything contrary to his or her code of ethics and will.
What is hypnosis?
Perhaps no other psycho-therapeutic method, and there are now hundreds of them, is associated with such a misconception as that attributed to hypnosis. A person who wants to do psychotherapy or undergo bioenergy treatment does not experience the terror that some patients have before undergoing their first hypnosis session.
One only has to stop people in the street and ask for the definition of hypnosis to find out how this term frightens many, makes others laugh, or is traced back to magic and illusionism. In the survey carried out in 2017 by our centre's team (ICEAH), we obtained the following results: to the question 'does hypnosis correspond to sleep, i.e. that one loses consciousness?' 45% of people think yes, 46% think no, while 9% are not sure.
To the question 'is it possible to hypnotise the subject against his or her will?' 65% of respondents say it is possible, 11% cannot answer, while 24% believe it is not possible. Although 93% of people believe they know what hypnosis is, as they state in our survey, their answers are not adequate.
Despite these assumptions, 47% of people would be willing to undergo hypnotic techniques with a doctor they trust. The survey leads to the conclusion of the need for a systematic dissemination of knowledge about hypnotic techniques.
Let us clarify
The term 'hypnosis' was coined in 1843 by Braid and derives from the Greek hypnos, sleep. This erroneous term has remained in common and medical usage, even though we now know that hypnosis has nothing to do with sleep, not even partially. It is equally erroneous to tell the patient at the end of the session 'after opening his eyes, he will be fully awake', since our subject is always awake.
A DEFINITION OF HYPNOSIS:
Hypnosis is the possibility of inducing in a subject a particular psychophysical state that allows one to influence the psychic, somatic and visceral conditions of the subject, by means of the relationship created between him/her and the hypnotist. Trance is a condition in which phenomena of intense suggestive ideoplastic monodeism appear, capable of modifying organic and psychic reactivity. (F. Granone, Trattato di Ipnosi, Utet, Turin 1989, vol. I, pp. 3;88)
Hypnosis is a state of FLUTUATING TRANCE, passive or active, with CONSCIOUSNESS KEEPING, during which we receive verbal or non-verbal SUGGESTIONS that become for us a 'REALITY' perceived by our sensory channels. Under no circumstances can the hypnotherapist act against the ethical code of the subject, who at any time, can independently leave the hypnotic relationship.
Hypnotic phenomena arise thanks to the impulses transmitted by the operator: words, stories told, tactile movements, acoustic vibration, light/darkness, smell, etc. Decisive for a successful hypnotic induction are the patient's expectations and the trust they place in their practitioner. Other important factors are the subject's imagination, mental elasticity and ability to achieve trance. In addition, the quality of the human relationship (therapist-patient) is decisive for successful hypnotic communication.
Let us dispel the myths
To those who attend a hypnotic demonstration session, it may appear that the subject undergoing the experience passively carries out the operator's orders, something deliberately emphasised in television shows. We wonder if they are complicit or if 'the hypnotist' has magical powers. But there is nothing magical; the hypnotist has no special faculties and it is false to think that he manipulates others against their will.
To understand what happens during hypnosis, two very important elements, central to the hypnotic process, must be taken into account: the degree of suggestibility of each person and the relationship of trust that is established between subject and operator.
Prof. Petr Zivny during the hypnotic session.
Ideomotor communication of the unconscious with the index finger of the right hand.
How does it happen?
Suggestions of all kinds enter our unconscious continuously and become part of our self. This happens very easily when we are relaxed, watching television for example, or when we are talking to a person we trust.
What happens in these moments?
We are relaxed and trusting so we lower our defences and our critical sense is greatly reduced.
In these moments every communication that comes to us leaves a 'trace'. In the same way, hypnosis is 'born', a particular state of psycho-activation closely linked to the world of suggestion and imagination.
This creates a state of trance, more or less deep depending on the subject, which can be induced through voice, monotonous noises, body position, fixation with the eyes on an object, deep relaxation, etc.
A deep trance can be achieved more easily if the person has a good imagination, an optimistic character and good concentration; certainly with young or childlike subjects the process is easier.
One can also enter a trance without the presence of the operator (self-hypnosis); we can induce positive attitudes and thoughts ourselves, learning to be both operator and subject. The presence of the hypnotherapist is irreplaceable when undergoing psychotherapy and seeking help.
In order to assess personal suitability for hypnotic techniques, you are advised to fill out the following hypnoquestionnaire designed by Prof. Petr Živný.
We will contact you as soon as possible.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY ONE OF OUR HYPNOTIC MEDITATIONS?
by Prof. Petr Živný
DEFINITION OF MENTAL HEALTH
The term mental health, as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), refers to a state of emotional and psychological well-being in which the individual is able to utilise his or her cognitive or emotional capacities, exercise his or her function in society, respond to the demands of everyday life, establish satisfying and mature relationships with others, participate constructively in changes in the environment, adapt to external conditions and internal conflicts, have a good self-image and be aware of one's emotions, affections and interpersonal patterns. (2001)