CONCERN OVER POSSIBLY REVEALING SECRETS
Sometimes
people have a genuine concern that if they allow themselves to by hypnotized,
they will "tell all", and reveal some secret from their past that they wish
to keep. The misconception that hypnosis is a "power relationship"
between the hypnotist and the client runs very deep in public consciousness.
Many still think that if they are hypnotized that they loose their free will
and must obey the commands given to them.
While in fact, the truth is that the hypnotist - client relationship is
anything but a power relationship. The only "power" lies in the mind of the
client because in hypnosis, they often have an even greater awareness than
when not in hypnosis, and one fully maintains their powers of selectivity. So
their secrets are safe.
POSSIBLE CONCERN ABOUT NOT "WAKING UP"
While there are superficial similarities between hypnosis and sleep, the
fact is that hypnosis is not sleep. The two states are both physiologically
and psychologically different. Even though I use the term "wake up", your
technically not sleeping. A person can't "get stuck" in a hypnotic state,
either. It just wont happen. There has never been a reported case of someone
getting" stuck" in hypnosis.
"I WASN'T HYPNOTIZED. I HEARD EVERY WORD YOU SAID."
Many people have the expectation, and sometimes insist, that the hypnotic
experience is a state of unconsciousness or sleep. Consider this, when you
wake up each morning, do you feel you've been hypnotized?
It's normal for the client to not only hear every word that is said, they
are often acutely aware of everything going on around them. Often the
attention is more focused in hypnosis than is the normal non - hypnotic state.
The only special "feeling" of being hypnotized is the feeling of total and
complete relaxation....something to look forward to, and never to fear!
COMMON MISCONCEPTION
Amazingly, there exists a pervasive belief that only a weak-minded and/or
gullible person can be hypnotized. In fact, quite the opposite is true.
People with above average intelligence who are capable of concentrating and
those who have vivid and active imaginations make the best hypnotic subjects.
POSSIBLE CONCERN OF HUMILIATION
Who wants to be made to look silly? Most people don't. It's very common
to find that a person's entire knowledge of hypnosis is based on what they saw
on a stage show or via the media. I would say to the fearful or skeptical
client: "The people who participate in stage hypnosis volunteered to, didn't
they?" They knew that in doing so, they would act silly, clown around and
generally be funny, didn't they?" The answer is always yes, of course. The
individuals who volunteer for shows do so with complete knowledge of what is
going to happen. They are generally uninhibited extroverts who enjoy being the
center of attention.
POSSIBLE CONCERN OVER LOSS OF CONTROL
The classic fear, " I don't want anyone to control my mind!" This fear,
like others, stems from past negative and false images. Someone who is
hypnotized is in full control of themselves and completely capable of making
decisions. If someone is presented with and idea or suggestion that they find
objectionable in full consciousness, they will also find it equally
objectionable in hypnosis, and it will be rejected outright. Hypnosis, them,
can't *make* a person do anything. It can only help them to achieve the goals
they set for themselves. So again, the client, is always the one in control.