Hypnosis can give us mental discipline for maximum health, success, and happiness. The right mindset to be hypnotized can vary from person to person, as individuals may have different levels of susceptibility to hypnosis. However, there are some general principles that can help create a conducive mindset for hypnosis so most anyone can enjoy the great benefits of being hypnotized:
- Willingness and Openness: Being willing and open to the process of hypnosis is important. You should be open to the idea of being hypnotized and be willing to follow the hypnotist’s easy instructions. Having a cheerful outlook and being open to the experience can help enhance the effectiveness of hypnosis.
- Motivation or a Reason to be hypnotized: If you have something in mind such as overcoming unhealthy habits or negative thinking, or you wish to maximize your abilities or performance, that will increase your success.
- Not trying hard: If you try hard to fall asleep, you become wider awake. Hypnosis is generally a gradual process of relaxing, focusing more and more on the voice of the hypnotist, and imagining what the hypnotist says is happening and will happen. This is a team effort with the hypnotist as the guide and the subject, client or patient following instructions effortlessly, as an enjoyable and valuable experience.
- Relaxation: Being in a relaxed state can facilitate hypnosis. When you are relaxed, your mind is more receptive to suggestions and can enter a state of heightened suggestibility. It’s important to allow yourself to relax and let go of any tension or stress. The hypnotist will guide you to this deep, health restoring relaxation.
- Focus and Concentration: Being able to focus and concentrate on the hypnotist’s instructions is crucial. You should be able to pay attention and follow the hypnotist’s suggestions without distractions. Avoiding external distractions and maintaining mental focus can help deepen the hypnotic state. Although not necessary, wearing headphones and a sleep mask over the eyes helps to reduce distractions to focus attention.
- Trust: Trust in the hypnotist and the process of hypnosis is essential. Trust that the hypnotist has your best interests in mind to improve your life, and that they will guide you safely through the process. Trusting in yourself and your ability to enter a hypnotic state can also be helpful. If you are like most people, you are a lot smarter than you think you are.
- Imagination and Creativity: A willingness to use your imagination and be creative can enhance the hypnotic experience. Hypnosis often involves visualizations and suggestions that require you to use your imagination to create vivid mental images. Being open to using your imagination can amplify the effects of hypnosis. If the hypnotist guides you to imagine seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, or tasting something, use your lifetime file collection in your memories to recall that experience. Practise being hypnotized develops the skill, and deeper levels of hypnosis are attained in time. However, only light hypnosis is needed for most self-improvement. Deeper hypnosis is required for major surgery without anesthetic.
- Patience and Non-judgment: Hypnosis may not work the same way for everyone, and it’s important to be patient with the process. Avoid judging yourself or the experience during hypnosis. Most beginners are easily hypnotized immediately, but do not know they are hypnotized. Let go of any preconceived notions or expectations, and simply allow yourself to enjoy the experience of the hypnotic state without judgment.
- Do not expect to be knocked out or unconscious. A patient can be in deep hypnosis, undergoing major surgery and just be going through the file cabinets in his office. You will not be asleep. You will be super aware and simply focused on the voice of the hypnotist.
- Think of hypnosis as an everyday experience like becoming lost in a movie or daydreaming. The difference is that the hypnotist guides you where you want to go, who you want to be, or to what you want to achieve. You have a goal, the experienced hypnotist has a plan, and fast or slow, you are far more likely to do or be who you want to be more easily, more effortlessly and more successfully.