Exploring The Relationship Between Meditation And Hypnosis

What is the difference between hypnosis and meditation?

The main difference is that meditation is self-induced and with total self-awareness. In contrast, hypnosis is usually induced by another person (unless it is self-induced self-hypnosis), and the person is in trance, amnesia, or unconscious.

Hypnosis Meditation

There is some confusion, even for people who meditate and use self-hypnosis, about whether there is any difference between the two disciplines. They both induce extremely beneficial, deeply relaxing, and calming states of mind to help you get through your day positively, calmly and stress-free.

When you hear 'hypnosis,' you think of magic and 'woo-woo.' We've all seen stage hypnotists encouraging their participants to believe they're chickens or otherwise make a fool of themselves, and we've all seen hypnotists in films who seem to be able to cure any ailment and solve any problem with the power of their minds.

Some people believe that hypnotism is a form of brainwashing like this and that it can be used alongside the 'dark arts' for all kinds of villainy. Others don't believe in it… so what's the reality?

The Reality of Hypnotism

To understand hypnotism, one can consider another term: persuasion. Hypnotism is sometimes called 'the art of influence, ' which is an accurate description, and that's all it is.

When you hypnotize someone, you are persuading them that something is true – whether that's the idea that they don't want another cigarette or that they're a chicken.

The problem is that when someone tells you something is true, you generally tend to reject it until you're given proof. No one could persuade you that you were a chicken using conventional means, for instance, where hypnotism comes in.

And generally, you're still not going to convince anyone they're a chicken unless they want to be a chicken or they're already particularly persuadable. Hypnotism is best used as a kind of 'nudge' to get someone to think correctly and is most effective when they're 'playing ball.'