Think You Can't Be Hypnotized?

I was first hypnotized at the age of 18, by a psychology grad student doing a study. He used a tape to induce hypnosis in us. I remember being very relaxed and at the same time fascinated by the whole process.

Sometimes I hear people say they can't be hypnotized. Well, that's true and it's also false. No one can hypnotize you, they can only induce hypnotic states with your permission. The old movies with the swinging watch are just that: movies, stories to enhance the drama and play upon our fears of being controlled by an evil madman.

The fact of the matter is, you are hypnotized every time you focus on a TV show. Ever get irritated when a great movie is ending, and the station seems to interrupt it every 5 minutes, just as it's getting exciting?

They do that on purpose, not only because they know you are a captive audience and must sit through the commercials to see the rest of your program, but because when you are focused on something so intently, it is the perfect time for them to zap you with their message! In the time it takes you to hit the mute button on the remote, they have still gotten an image or phrase into your head just at a time when your mind is wide open and receptive.

But now that you know this, you can up your level of awareness. And you can also be assured that hypnosis is completely safe, because a clinically trained hypnotherapist goes through rigorous training, both in the art of hypnosis and in keeping within strict ethical guidelines.

Those shows you see where a person is made to bark like a dog when he hears a bell? Notice the speaker usually has volunteers from the audience, who are expecting to be made to do something silly. If you sat in the audience and didn't volunteer, chances are he wouldn't be able to hypnotize you. In fact, I've been in group hypnosis sessions before, and felt my mind wander and walked away without receiving any benefit. Other people thought it was great, but I just wasn't receptive at the time. Only you can know when you're ready to make a change in your life.

If you are considering getting help for your issues from a hypnotherapist, check to see if he or she belongs to a professional organization, like the National Guild of Hypnotists. Ask them where they got their education, and if they attend courses on a regular basis to upgrade their skills. As with any professional, whether it's a massage therapist, a counselor, or a doctor, remember, you are the customer. You should feel comfortable with them, and have all of your questions answered to your satisfaction.

Above all, remember, a trained hypnotherapist is there to assist you in reaching brain wave states that allow you to change your life for the better. They are trained in proper ways to give suggestions so that your subconscious will work with you and not against you.

If you have more questions about hypnosis and how it can benefit your life, send Robert a note and ask him. He's always open to answering questions. While you're at it, ask him what he's been doing this past week and how hypnosis and visualization has helped him lately!

I know it's helped me for sure. And now, I need to keep up with my trip to France visualization! Today I'm going to make a French-style mushroom soup and serve it with a fresh baguette!

Au revoir for now!