A Question of State
States of consciousness. So, what state are you in presently? A Maryland state? A Florida state (and if so, what does that mean:)). A relaxed state? A normal state? An I-need-more-coffee state? (Guess which one I picked. LOL).
I was/am thinking about something I read, and I may have even blogged about it before (so if I did, please forgive me) awhile back. I cannot find the source, but for some reason the message has stuck with me. It was the idea that there are two camps in the hypnosis world. There is one that believes that hypnosis itself is a state of mind, as in you go to a state of hypnosis (like a state of relaxation, a state of stress, etc.). There is another camp that believes there is no state of hypnosis. Hypnosis, on this side of the coin, is a figment of the mind; it is no different than just being very relaxed, etc.
Now I personally am not so sure that a distinction has to be made. To me, hypnosis is an art and science, something akin to a technique or tool that helps one get to a place where inner change and discovery happens naturally. Maybe it is a state, maybe not.
What are your thoughts? Is hypnosis a state of mind, consciousness, or relaxation? Is it just imagination? Or does it even matter?
April 27th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Given that studies since 2004 have shown specific alterations in brain activity during the hypnotic state (Google “hypnosis” and “anterior cingulate gyrus” to find links), we can dismiss the imagination idea out of hand now. Doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of people who still think that, but now we know they’re wrong. ;^)
So I lean toward “state of consciousness” because I see that as more specific than state of mind. Your mileage may vary.
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