Hypnosis: Putting the Imagination to Work: Learning the Basics of Hypnosis and Self-Hypnosis

In "Hypnosis: Putting the Imagination to Work", You'll learn how hypnosis can help you tap the powers of your inner mind. We'll remove common myths and misconceptions about hypnosis and explore some of its many uses. First of all, let's dispel some of the common myths about hypnosis, correct some inaccuracies, and learn the truth. Myths and misconceptions -- Many people get their idea about hypnosis from television, books or motion pictures. While the plot lines of these entertainment vehicles make for good stories, they are often inaccurate. Many misconceptions about hypnosis are due to the fact that the term sleep is often used when discussing hypnosis. Hypnosis is not sleep, but because many times people experiencing hypnosis are very, very relaxed it may overtly appear like sleep. One difference is, in a hypnotic state, you can think clearly. Did you know while in hypnosis your morals and ethics remain intact? In other words, you won't do anything against your will, you can reject or accept suggestions; it's your decision. Scientific experiments have proven that. If someone were to give you a suggestion that you disagree with, you would simply reject them. Some ill-informed people think it's possible to become stuck in trance. In fact, if someone hypnotized you and then decided to take a trip to Tahiti in the middle of the trance, you would simply continue to relax for a few moments and then choose to emerge when you felt like it. In hundreds of years of hypnosis, this has always been the case. Because hypnosis is not a truth serum, people can lie while experiencing hypnosis. In hypnosis, the psychological law of self-preservation is in effect. You can control what you choose to say. While in a hypnotic trance, you won't spill the beans or tell your secrets. Some people believe that in order to be hypnotized you must have a weak mind. Nothing could be further from the truth because hypnosis is not a contest of willpower. A highly intelligent, strong willed, and imaginative person can make a great hypnotic subject. Many people think that in order to experience hypnosis they must become unconscious. This is probably the most common misconception about hypnosis. In hypnosis, you are aware and can hear clearly. In fact, hypnosis is a state of increased awareness. In a trance state your hearing may be sharper, you may feel subtler sensations, and your imagination and memory are enhanced. Naturally occurring hypnosis -- Hypnosis is a natural state. In fact, we are in hypnosis many times each day. We pass through hypnosis on our way to sleep and when we wake up each morning. Recent studies of ultradian rhythms (these are the biorhythms that are less than one day long) conclude that every 90 to 120 minutes we pass into a state physiologically identical to hypnosis. So when people ask, "Can I be hypnotized?" the answer is, "You already are." Here are some other times in which people experience hypnosis naturally:If you've ever woken up feeling very relaxed, but not needing to be anywhere and thought something like, "Maybe I'll get up and brush my teeth," but your body is too relaxed to move, you've been experiencing hypnosis. Becoming absorbed in a good book or a movie is experiencing hypnosis. Driving on long trips on automatic pilot is known as highway hypnosis. Becoming bored or allowing your mind to drift away leads to hypnosis. Becoming extremely engaged in something and allowing your mind to focus means that you are experiencing hypnosis. Because of the rhythmic sounds and swaying, riding on a train is often a highly hypnotic experience. Hypnosis is a state in which you can think clearly and your imagination is active. It's a state where you could move if you wanted to, or respond to an emergency, but you would rather just remain relaxed. It's a state in which beneficial ideas can more quickly and easily gain access to the inner mind. We all experience safe self-hypnosis everyday.

Michael R. "Ron" Eslinger, Captain, USN, Retired

RN, CRNA, MA, APN, BCH, CMI, FNGH

Registered Nurse, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Master of Arts,

Advanced Practice Nurse, Board Certified Hypnotist,

Certified Master Instructor of Hypnosis

Fellow National Council for Hypnotherapy (United Kingdom)

Ron Eslinger is a retired Navy Captain and owner of Healthy Visions in Clinton, Tennessee. He is founder and CEO of the American School for Clinical Hypnosis- International in Clinton, Tennessee as well as the President and Founder of the American Association for Moderate Sedation Nurses and MyCEcredit.com. He is a past President of the Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

Ron has practiced clinical hypnosis professionally since 1978 and specializes in pain management. His hypnotherapy awards include Researcher of the Year 2003, Presenter of the Year 2004, Achievement Award 2005, Lifetime Achievement 2007, Educator of the Year 2008 and the Charles Tebbetts' award in 2012 for shining the light of hypnosis, Ron has presented to thousands of health care providers and hypnotists on the benefits of hypnosis as an adjunct to medicine, surgery and pain control.

He has served as: Senior Nurse Anesthetist, Senior Nurse Executive and as Hospital Executive Director during his career. Ron was nominated by the Navy to represent the Department of Defense to the National Institutes of Health Committee on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Ron lectures and teaches internationally to Nursing, Anesthesia, Medical and Hypnosis Organizations. He writes a monthly article on wellness for the Anderson County Visions Magazine and is published in a number of professional nursing, anesthesia, hypnotherapy journals, books, CDs and DVDs.

Healthy Visions Education

351 Market Street

Clinton, TN 37716

1-866-312-3159

www.healthyvisions.com

ron@eslinger.net