I believe that almost everybody can benefit from self hypnosis. There is no doubt that some people are more suggestible than others. In other words, some people are more likely to accept hypnotic suggestion and make it part of their inner world. It can be because they are able to relax deeply more easily, or because they truly believe in the messages they are receiving. To what degree a person is able to benefit from self hypnosis depends on many factors, but you must be interested, motivated, and committed to change.
Even the top literature on the subject, both modern and not so modern, says it is not really about the depth of hypnosis or the suggestibility of the person. Most of the books from writers who have worked with hundreds or thousands of people – as I have – will tell you depth of trance is not that important. People do not have to be in some ridiculously deep state of hypnosis, nor do they have to be highly susceptible to suggestion, either.
Hypnosis is a natural state of mind
Many people shy away from the use of hypnotherapy because they do not quite understand how hypnosis works, or they fear that they cannot be hypnotized. But it is important to remember that hypnosis is a natural occurrence that we all experience on a daily basis. When you wake up in the morning, you enter a naturally occurring hypnotic state. This bridge between sleep and waking consciousness is called the hypnopompic state. The opposite, which we experience as we go from being fully awake to being asleep, is called the hypnogogic state.
Sometimes I lay in bed in the morning, after I have woken up, but I keep my eyes closed, and I just think about what I am going to be doing that day. This relaxed state is a natural state of hypnosis and we can all benefit from it. Guided hypnosis, either in person or through the use of self hypnosis downloads or CDs, is just a more productive and systematic way of reaching this state. You can use it to achieve success, whatever success means to you.
You must be open to the idea of change
To truly benefit from self hypnosis and hypnotherapy you must seek it out with an open mind. Being coerced into treatment by friends or family seldom results in a successful outcome. As a bare minimum, you need to have a reasonable interest in the process of hypnosis and its use as a therapy, along with some motivation to at least give it a go. This is often the case with people who listen to a self hypnosis recording for the first time. They may not know what to expect, but they come to it with an open mind.
The ideal attributes for an individual to posses for self hypnosis success are the ability to concentrate, a strong imagination and a reasonable level of intellect. Another aspect of successful self hypnosis is the ability to be able to relax and go with the flow. If you do not posses these attributes, do not worry. You can still benefit from the process of self hypnosis. You simply need to do your reasonable best. If you approach self hypnosis with an open mind, positive changes will occur in time.
The importance of motivation and commitment
You have to be motivated and committed to experience the benefits of hypnosis. If you set out to prove something will not work, well, then guess what? It won’t. There is no room for doubt. Refusal or disbelief does not bring about change, consciously or subconsciously.
Subconscious acceptance comes from repeated use of hypnosis. This is why audio sessions can be so effective. They are a lower cost option as compared to visiting a professional hypnotherapist, and they give you the freedom to choose when you want to listen. The results are greatly improved when you use them daily, so make sure to listen as often as you can. With a little effort, you too can benefit from self hypnosis.
