Comments on: Proposed Definitions for Hypnosis and Suggestibility

By: Cal Banyan, MA, BCH, CI, FNGH

Cal Banyan, MA, BCH, CI, FNGH — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 07:06:05 +0000

Thanks for your comment. I don’t know if the profession will ever find a single definition of hypnosis that makes everyone happy, and as a result is generally accepted. In psychology there are generally “schools of thought” that take specific stands on things, have their own theories, and have their own definitions. This might be the best we can hope for in the profession of hypnotism. In the mean time, the discussion is at least educational.

By: hypnosis school

hypnosis school — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:56:58 +0000

A good start. I think you need to address the fact that there is no accepted single definition. Being honest about the murkiness out there helps.

By: Cal Banyan, MA, BCH, CI, FNGH

Cal Banyan, MA, BCH, CI, FNGH — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:34:45 +0000

Hi Steve – You are right about public perception of the word, “suggestibility”. What I am proposing here is that we need some common definitions in the profession. I would never propose using the word suggestibility with out clients (for exactly the reason that you point out).

For the public, I recommend that we promote hypnosis as a state of mind in which we can better accept suggestions that we like, such as for changing habits, increasing motivation, and so on. It is a state of receptivity to suggestions that we like, whereas in the normal state of consciousness we tend to reject this useful information.

Regarding hypnosis vs. placebo, they both have to do with suggestibility, but placebo works with one’s normal level of suggestibility, where as hypnosis is a heightened state of suggestibility. The unconscious mind (the body’s consciousness is highly suggestible without hypnosis, and more so in the hypnotic state).

Cal Banyan
http://www.ourhypnospace.com/calbanyan

By: Cal Banyan, MA, BCH, CI, FNGH

Cal Banyan, MA, BCH, CI, FNGH — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:41:47 +0000

Hello Troels – Thanks for your comment. However, note that I do not use the word “trance” in the definition of hypnosis. Too many people are using the words “trance” and “hypnosis” interchangeably, which I believe to be an error. “Trance” is a state of focused attention, which may not include a heightened state of suggestibility. Typically hypnosis includes trance, but trance can occur without hypnosis. Thanks again for your comment! Cal Banyan

By: Steve R.

Steve R. — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:35:06 +0000

Nice, but it’s been noted that the term “suggestibility” is often interpreted by the general public to be same as “gullibility”, and people might resist the idea of being hypnotizable if it’s somehow related to being gullible. While the definitions you propose may be useful from a practitioner’s point of view, I wonder if there could be a version for public consumption, that avoids this negative inference?

I’m also curious about the idea that waking suggestion is similar to placebo. From what I’ve understood, placebo and hypnosis are not related. I would be interested to learn more about how waking suggestion hypnosis is similar to placebo. Thanks!

By: Troels

Troels — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 20:32:38 +0000

Very interesting stuff. I like the way you define the trance as beeing a state of high suggestability. I myself have been experimenting with autosuggestion, and it works quite well. So the definition you provide, kinda made me understand why this stuff works. I read a story earlier about some guy that has experienced some cool changes via hypnosis.. Check it out at http://selfhelpwithhypnosis.blogspot.com/