by Amal HEWAVISSENTI

Hypnosis simply refers to a state in which an individual becomes highly responsive to suggestions and it is also a state of increased awareness and concentration. A person under hypnosis is able to concentrate more sharply than when he is awake and his brain waves are much similar to those of someone who is awake. Even if the state of hypnosis may resemble the sleep, the two conditions are quite different because the hypnotized individuals are more relaxed than usual and more willing to accept and act on suggestions given to them by the hypnotist. Amazingly, a hypnotized person is not definitely under the power of the hypnotist as earlier believed and it is impossible to hypnotize persons against their wishes. Most experts assert that an individual must volunteer to be hypnotized to make the hypnotism a success. Although the hyphotist can guide and develop the hypnotic state, the ability to be hypnotized is really with the client and he is always in control. For example, in the process of hypnosis, a person could not be made to do anything that he would strongly oppose if he were awake and if he is a vegetarian for example, he cannot be persuaded to eat meaty food products.

A hypnotized individual can be made to do something that is unusual but not something that would be impossible to do when awake. For example if he has no knowledge of Tamil language, he could not be made to speak Tamil under hypnosis, but he can be won over to sing a song although he doesn't usually sing anywhere more public than the bathroom.

Usually a hypnotherapist carefully induces a peculiar trancelike condition in the person to be hypnotized to bring out the subconscious responses. First, the hypnotist speaking in a slow, clear voice suggests that the person is getting more and more relaxed or sometimes he may persuade a person to gaze at an object such as a pencil while listening to these suggestions. As the client's eyes gradually close, the hypnotist tests the depth of hypnosis by making some stimulating remarks to check how the person responds to them. Everyone can be hypnotized to some extent and if a person is lightly hypnotized, he would wake up easily and is clear in mind to describe everything that happened during the hypnotic trance.

How successfully someone can be hypnotized probably depends more on the relevant person's personality than on the hypnotist's techniques. If someone can become so deeply absorbed in a book, or in a world of imagination - oblivious to the outside noises, he is the best person for hypnosis. Children have scientifically been proved to be generally easier to hypnotize than adults who if hypnotized properly can reach a deeper state of hypnosis.

Hypnosis in medical treatment is also a somewhat common practice where the hypnotherapist assert to the person that there is no pain in the right arm when it is pricked with a sterilized needle. Latest findings show a normal bodily reaction to the slight pain but most people do not feel it.

Some persons experience only a slight sensation of something touching the arm and moreover, some others have even ventured to undergo surgery under hypnosis and have felt no discomfort. Hypnosis is proved to be highly effective in reducing the effects of medical conditions such as asthma and is used to diminish the pain associated with physical illnesses as ulcers, arthritis, injuries and strong headaches.

Some persons living with suppressed childhood phobias, and traumas of broken love affairs often reveal the root causes during the deep levels of hypnosis and respond to hypnotist's questions and suggestions. Fears and depressions like these, if not treated and removed in the earliest stages, can be absolutely disastrous and prevent people from living normal lives.

A clever hypnotherapist can suggest a certain course of actions to recover from these depressions and induce positive thinking during the hypnotic trance. These suggestions implanted in the deeper stages of hypnosis, whether positive or negative, may last for an indefinite period of time if they are not removed. Such suggestions have permanently cured the destructive elements implanted in a person's subconscious mind and have made clients awake as completely normal people. Moreover, medium type of hypnosis has successfully helped people overcome childhood phobias such as fear of heights, of closed or open spaces, air plane trips, of the dark and many other things. In other cases, the hypnosis has cured minor habits like finger nail biting and smoking and has helped in the treatment of asthma, allergies and insomnia and reduction of stress.

For many years, mesmerism, the earliest form of hypnotism was considered a mysterious, somewhat dangerous practice and when used to influence people, it was considered to be sinister. Many people are still of the view that hypnosis is something mysterious and is used by magicians to play tricks on people and some scientists regard this practice with suspicion because it cannot be precisely explained. That hypnosis is dangerous is a common misunderstanding because thousands of people all over the world are hypnotized daily without any harm.

But there is a possible danger to the client when hypnosis is carried out by an untrained, under qualified person, so it is highly advisable to ask about a hypnotherapist's qualifications and experience before beginning the process.