Look into my eyes… So goes the classic saying of generations of hypnotists. Modern day hypnosis has come along way since then, but there are still many time warn techniques used by the likes of David Blaine and Derren Brown today.
During the long and sometimes illustrious history of hypnosis both the genius and the charlatan have been attracted to its almost limitless possibilities.
The trance
Getting ourselves into a higher state of being is nothing new. Many ancient cultures around the world have meditative practices and altered consciousness. Whether it be peyote using priests of Aztec civilisations in Mexico, Yoga practitioners in ancient India or Persian spiritualists all were working towards the same end.
Out of the shadows
More modern forms of hypnosis were pioneered in Europe in the 19th century. Although not European in origin it was under the guidance of academia that a code of practice and license was put on hypnosis which worked demystify this ancient practice.
Today hypnosis can be used in a very respectable way to help people recover from trauma, to conquer feelings of fear or guilt, and can even be used to bring up old buried memories from deep in our subconscious memory.
Techniques
There is more to hypnosis than simply dangling a watch side to side in front of a patient. Hypnosis incorporates a very real skill and requires enormous amounts of study into the complexities of the human mind.
A classic example of hypnotherapy being used to conquer a phobia can be seen in the use of overcoming a fear of heights. Through hypnosis one can get to the original cause of this fear. Through establishing the cause a solution can be identified and worked towards by the therapist and patient.
Remains of the shadow
Despite the modern sanitised version of hypnosis the more shadowy and older form of meditative spirituality remained in the shadows where it has always lingered.
There remains much to be learnt about the human mind and the intricacies of our brains. We are still in the early stages of brain exploration.
Hypnosis is very real and has been happening in various forms since the emergence of human curiosity and critical thought.
It can be used for much good in helping ordinary people cope better with everyday problems.
There is certainly still much to be explained and a deep area of our powerful brains still to be discovered. Who knows what we will be able to achieve if the full gamut of our brain power can be fully understood and utilised.
