To effectively practice or use hypnosis, we first have to create an alpha state of mind. Alpha is the brainwave state of mind associated with beginning hypnosis. It is a natural state of mind we are in every day. And it is possible for us to induce the alpha state ourselves or with the guidance of a hypnotist, and it is a fairly easy process to learn.
There are four brainwave states: beta; alpha; theta; and delta. Beta is the normal walking around, awake, conscious state; alpha is a relaxed, drowsy state; while theta is the light sleep state; and delta is the deep sleep or coma state.
One thing you should be aware of is that you can be generating different brainwaves at the same time. So, if you are sitting in a chair somewhat relaxed, it is likely that you are generating both beta and alpha brainwaves. As you are going to sleep at night, you are likely generating alpha waves and some theta waves. Generally, one brainwave state is dominant, though you may be generating other brainwaves. When you are up and about, your dominant brainwave state is beta. When you are practicing hypnosis, the dominant brainwave state will be alpha.
The alpha state is important for a number of reasons. Alpha waves serve as a bridge between the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. This bridge gives us the opportunity to reprogram our subconscious mind. Thus, when we practice hypnosis, we have the ability to program or reprogram our subconscious mind.
Okay, let’s take a general look at how hypnosis works. It all begins with relaxation which is designed to induce (or lead us into) an alpha state. Simply closing the eyes and taking a few deep breaths can take a person into a light alpha state. Other induction techniques (e.g., fractional relaxation or guided journeys) are used to deepen the alpha state (and in some cases to induce theta waves) and further focus the mind. A fractional relaxation induction focuses on suggestions to relax the body one area at a time, often beginning at the top of the head and moving all the way down to the feet and toes. By concentrating on relaxing the different areas of the body, three things are accomplished: First, we become more relaxed and move into a deeper brainwave state. Second, our awareness is heightened and becomes focused on the process of relaxing to the exclusion of all else. And thirdly, the conscious mind begins to take a secondary role to the subconscious which comes to the forefront of the mind.
In most cases, the alpha state is all that is needed to make powerful changes. The theta state is a more difficult brainwave state to access while continuing to remain conscious. Theta is, after all, the light sleep state. These days there is a shortcut to generating theta waves while remaining conscious. Brainwave entrainment through the use of audio files is now used on some hypnosis recordings to access deeper levels of mind while remaining conscious. Different combinations of brainwave states can be generated for a variety of effects. But, as mentioned earlier, generating an alpha state is usually all that is needed to make powerful changes. Once we have relaxed enough to induce the alpha state, the subconscious mind comes to the forefront and the stage has been set for us to make changes.
Now that we’re in an alpha and/or theta state, we’re ready to begin programming or reprogramming our subconscious mind. This is the point in the process where we use suggestions, metaphors, and visualizations to send a message to our subconscious about the change we have chosen to make. Sometimes, as part of the process of hypnosis, we have to let go of old belief systems that have led us to the patterns of behavior we are seeking to change. If we don’t let go of the old belief systems, they may very well prevent us from making the changes we desire to make because the subconscious mind will continue to carry out our behaviors based on the old belief systems. If we try to create new belief systems before letting go of the old belief systems, our mind may be conflicted and our results will reflect that. So the key in this stage of the hypnosis process is to bring our subconscious mind into alignment with the desires of our conscious mind. First, we let go of beliefs that created the unwanted behavior in the first place, and then we go about the task of influencing our subconscious to help us create our new behavior or desire.
The most effective way to influence our subconscious mind to get with the program of our conscious mind is to effectively utilize the emotional motivation that is at the heart of our wanting to make a change in the first place. For instance, let’s say we have a strong desire to lose weight. And let’s say that the emotional catalyst for our wanting to lose weight was our desire to look and feel more attractive. One way to get the message across to our subconscious mind is with a visualization of a slender, more attractive version of ourselves during our hypnosis session. Since our subconscious works best with images and symbols, a good visualization can be a very effective part of a hypnosis strategy to lose weight. Also, telling ourselves (the subconscious part of us) how wonderful it will be to be slender and fit, and how everyone will be complimenting us on how great we look, can go a long ways toward convincing our subconscious that losing weight is what we really desire to do. We also need to remember to let go of any beliefs that may have been behind our becoming overweight in the first place.
Not all behavioral changes require a letting go of old belief systems. For example, smoking often begins as a social experience. Perhaps as teens our friends smoked, so we thought we’d give it a try. Maybe our parents smoked, so we followed in their steps. Or, could be, we’re rebels and smoking fits the image of a rebel. With smoking, all that’s usually required to quit is a strong desire to quit and a good hypnosis script that gets our motivations across to our subconscious mind in a powerful and effective way. With losing weight, there are often beliefs involved that need to be dealt with first before we can be successful with weight loss.
Again, hypnosis is a natural state of mind (alpha) characterized by an extraordinary state of relaxation (physically, mentally, and emotionally) in which there is a heightened awareness and focus and an open responsiveness to suggestion. How does it work? While we have gone into some detail above to explain how hypnosis works, a basic answer to the question can be found in the “Keys to Hypnosis” (while I’d love to give credit to the originator of these keys, I’m unaware of the source.):
1. Breath is the key to relaxation;
2. Relaxation is the key to suggestion;
3. Suggestion is the key to hypnosis.
Simple, yet it captures the essence of hypnosis.
