If no one else is going to answer...

• Help with Inservice on Hypnosis by larry meisel, 1/22/99
  
  

I would try to explain that hypnosis is something that is natural and occurs frequently in everyone's life. Clinical hypnosis, in my novice opinion, is a deepening or intensification of that natural experience. I would contrast hypnosis with meditation, in the sense that meditation is an opening up of awareness (not to be confused with the self-hypnosis taught by most as mediation) versus the focusing of attention necessary in hypnosis. I am particularily interested in the use of subtle messages that can be given in the course of "normal" therapy. Messages not preceded with induction of a trance but meant to be heard by the unconscious. Messages given in such a way that they are received by the unconscious without being argued away by the normal, everyday consciousness. These messages are often given in the form of stories, myths and other techniques. I don't think there is a big difference between a parent reading a bedtime story for the 10th time to a child and the hypnotist inducing a trance. Thank you for your indulgence.

• Thanks for the reply by Stephen Lankton, 2/3/99