Would you like to learn and master the hypnotic power of suggestion? Keep reading to find out how.
Hypnosis is a state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility, where the conscious mind becomes less active and the unconscious mind becomes more open and receptive to suggestions.
Suggestions are statements or commands that influence another person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They can help people change their habits, beliefs, and attitudes, as well as achieve their goals and improve their lives.
But how does suggestion work in hypnosis? And what are the best ways to use it effectively? In this blog post, we will explore:
- How suggestions work in hypnosis.
- How to use hypnotic suggestions effectively
- How to learn and master the power of suggestion in hypnosis.
What is Suggestion?
Suggestion is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a person’s mind accepts an idea or a message as true or valid without critically examining it.
Suggestion can happen in everyday situations, such as when we watch a movie, listen to a song, or read a book. We can also be influenced by the suggestions of other people, such as our friends, family, teachers, and especially authority figures.
Suggestion can have positive or negative effects on our behavior and well-being. For example, if someone tells us that we are smart, confident, and capable, we may feel more motivated and perform better. On the other hand, if someone tells us that we are stupid or incompetent, we may feel more discouraged and perform worse.
Suggestion can also be used intentionally to help people change their behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes. This is where hypnosis comes in. Hypnosis is a powerful tool that enhances the effect of suggestion by creating a state of heightened suggestibility in the person being hypnotized.
How Does Suggestion Work in Hypnosis?
When a person is hypnotized, they usually enter a state of deep relaxation and focus, where they become more aware of their inner experiences and less aware of their external environment. In this state, the conscious mind becomes less active and the unconscious mind becomes more open and receptive to suggestions.
The unconscious mind is the part of our mind that operates below our conscious awareness. It stores our memories, emotions, instincts, habits, and beliefs. It also controls our bodily functions, such as breathing, heartbeat, digestion, and healing.
The unconscious mind is very powerful and creative, but it is also very literal and obedient. It does not question or analyze the suggestions it receives; it simply accepts them as true and acts on them accordingly.
This means that when we give suggestions to someone who is hypnotized, we are communicating directly with their unconscious mind. We are bypassing their conscious mind’s critical faculty that may resist or reject our suggestions. We are also tapping into their inner resources and abilities that may be hidden or dormant in their conscious mind.
By using suggestion in hypnosis, we can help people change their behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes in ways that are aligned with their goals and values. We can help them overcome fears, phobias, addictions, pain, stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues. We can also help them enhance their performance and achieve their goals.
How to Use Suggestion in Hypnosis
There are many ways to use suggestion in hypnosis, depending on the goal and the preference of the hypnotist and the client. Some of the most common and effective ways are:
Direct Suggestion
This is when the hypnotist gives clear, concise, and positive statements or commands to the client’s unconscious mind. For example, “You are now feeling very relaxed and calm” or “You will stop smoking from today”. Direct suggestion is powerful, punchy, and easy to use, but it may not work for everyone, especially if they have a strong conscious resistance or a different belief system.
Read: How To Craft Direct Suggestions in Hypnosis
Indirect Suggestion
This is when the hypnotist uses more subtle and conversational ways to influence the client’s unconscious mind without them being aware of it. For example, “Some people find it easy to quit smoking” or “You may notice how good you feel when you are relaxed”. Indirect suggestion is more flexible, creative, and persuasive, but it may require more skill and practice to master.
Read: Conversational Hypnosis Techniques and Principles Made Easy
Embedded Commands
This is when the hypnotist embeds a command or a suggestion within a longer sentence or a story. For example, “As you listen to my voice, you can relax deeper and deeper” or “I wonder if you can imagine yourself being free from smoking”. Because the conscious mind can’t detect them, the commands embedded within these sentences bypass the critical faculty and go straight to the unconscious mind.
Read: How To Use Embedded Commands in Hypnosis and Conversation
Presuppositions
This is when the hypnotist uses statements that imply or assume something is or will be true. For example, “When you quit smoking, you will feel healthier and happier” or “As you become more confident, you will attract more opportunities”. Presuppositions are powerful because they create a positive expectation in the client’s mind and make them act as if the statement is already true.
Read: Master Ericksonian Hypnotic Language Patterns the Easy Way
Metaphors and Stories
This is when the hypnotist uses stories, anecdotes, analogies, or symbols to convey a message or a lesson to the client’s unconscious mind. For example, “Imagine that your mind is like a garden, and you can plant any seeds you want in it”. Metaphors and stories are engaging, memorable, and emotional, and they can help the client relate to their own situation and find their own solutions.
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