What Is Hynosis
Quotes
‘Hypnotism or hypnosis is the deliberate inducement or facilitation by one person in another person or a number of people of a trance state. A trance state is (briefly) one in which a person’s usual means of orienting himself in reality have faded, so that the boundaries between the external world and the inner world of thoughts, feelings, memories and imagination begin to dissolve. The ensuing altered state or states involve passivity and lack of initiative, a decrease in normal critical thinking and hence a tolerance for incongruous situations (‘trance logic’).’ Waterfield (2004).
‘All sciences alike have descended from magic and superstition, but none has been so slow as hypnosis in shaking off evil associations of its origin as hypnosis.’ Waterfield (2004).
‘I believe in the existence within myself of a power. From this belief derives my will to exert it. The entire doctrine of Animal Magnetism is contained in the two words: Believe and Want. I believe that I have the power to set into action the vital principle of my fellow-men; I want to make use of it; this is all my science and all my means. Believe and want, Sirs, and you will do as much as I.’ Ellenberger (1970).
Dr James Braid said ‘The various theories at present entertained regarding the phenomena of mesmerism may be arranged thus:- First, those who believe them to be owing entirely to a system of collusion and delusion; and a great majority of society may be ranked under this head. Second, those who believe them to be real phenomena, but produced solely by imagination, sympathy, and imitation. Third, the animal magnetists, or those who believe in some magnetic medium set in motion as the exciting cause of the mesmeric phenomena. Fourth, those who have adopted my views, that the phenomena are solely attributable to a peculiar physiological state of the brain and the spinal cord.‘ Tinterow (1970).
When I was given this essay I thought to myself how does one
‘Hypnotism or hypnosis is the deliberate inducement or facilitation by one person in another person or a number of people of a trance state. A trance state is (briefly) one in which a person’s usual means of orienting himself in reality have faded, so that the boundaries between the external world and the inner world of thoughts, feelings, memories and imagination begin to dissolve. The ensuing altered state or states involve passivity and lack of initiative, a decrease in normal critical thinking and hence a tolerance for incongruous situations (‘trance logic’).’ Waterfield (2004).
‘All sciences alike have descended from magic and superstition, but none has been so slow as hypnosis in shaking off evil associations of its origin as hypnosis.’ Waterfield (2004).
‘I believe in the existence within myself of a power. From this belief derives my will to exert it. The entire doctrine of Animal Magnetism is contained in the two words: Believe and Want. I believe that I have the power to set into action the vital principle of my fellow-men; I want to make use of it; this is all my science and all my means. Believe and want, Sirs, and you will do as much as I.’ Ellenberger (1970).
Dr James Braid said ‘The various theories at present entertained regarding the phenomena of mesmerism may be arranged thus:- First, those who believe them to be owing entirely to a system of collusion and delusion; and a great majority of society may be ranked under this head. Second, those who believe them to be real phenomena, but produced solely by imagination, sympathy, and imitation. Third, the animal magnetists, or those who believe in some magnetic medium set in motion as the exciting cause of the mesmeric phenomena. Fourth, those who have adopted my views, that the phenomena are solely attributable to a peculiar physiological state of the brain and the spinal cord.‘ Tinterow (1970).
When I was given this essay I thought to myself how does one
References: BRAID, Dr J. (2010) Neurypnology or the Rationale of Nervous Sleep Considered in Relation with Animal Magnetism. Kessinger Publishing. ESDAILE, J. (1846) Mesmerism in India, and its Practical Application in Surgery and Medicine. London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans. (1852) Natural and Mesmeric Clairvoyance, With the Practical Application of Mesmerism in Surgery and Medicine. Hippolyte Bailliere, (London). ELLENBERGER, H (1970) Discovery of the Unconscious: The History and Evolution of Dynamic Psychiatry. New York: BasicBooks GAULD, A. (1992) History of Hypnotism. Cambridge University Press, (Cambridge). JACOBSON, E. (1938) Progressive relaxation. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. TINTEROW, M.M. (1970) Foundations of Hypnosis: From Mesmer to Freud. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield. WATERFIELD, R. (2004) The Story of Hypnosis. 2nd Edition. WEITZENHOFFER, A.M. (1953) Hypnotism – An Objective Study in Suggestibility. New York, Wiley.