Re:Meditation versus hypnosis

"As J. Krishnamurti explained for years, meditation is not a process of exclusion or concentration, which is often what is present in techniques taught. Repeating chants, mantras, images, or whatever, can certainly induce an altered state of consciousness which can have negative impact on people. But these kind of practices are, to my thinking, more along the lines of hypnosis, or a narrowing of awareness. I think that mediation, as the opening of awareness, can only be one of beauty. Unfortunately, this cannot be achieved through practice and acts of will, it can only occur through observing what is. "

Actually, I tend to think that in practice, much more commonly, the opposite of Krishnamurti's definition is more the case. Most (but not all) forms of meditation involve conscious concentration or conscious awareness (note the emphasis on *conscious*) on a mantra, symbol, or "mindfulness" (which is a generalized conscious attention) etc. Not that even Krishnamurti stresses observation, which is conscious awareness. In hypnosis, on the other hand, in practice, conscious awareness of any type is not necessary (though sometimes present). Most forms of hypnosis are more concerned with what is taking place unconsciously. As a practicing hypnotherapist, I often inform my clients that "There's no need to pay attention to my voice... etc." The hypnotic subject may go off on a daydream, or follow threads of association, etc. but the content or quantity of such awareness is not necessary to the practice. This is even true in self-hypnosis, where a practitioner may begin with conscious intention upon his/her trance induction, but then drift off into trance as the suggestions work their way around his/her unconscious mind.

Philip H. Farber, C.H.
http://members.aol.com/rbcfpstu/

Replies:

Re:Meditation versus hypnosis, by Russ, 6/1/99

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