Some of my clients have asked about the differences between hypnosis vs meditation. Although hypnosis and meditation can both help with stress and anxiety, essentially, they are different on many levels and in terms of their application.
Understanding Hypnosis
Typically, a hypnotherapist or hypnotist will guide you into a relaxed state in which you are more receptive to suggestions and change overall. Hypnotic techniques may be used to overcome stress and anxiety. However, unlike meditation, it goes far beyond that in terms of types of benefits realized. Hypnosis can also help with phobias, weight loss, smoking cessation and performance enhancement. It assists with a broad range of other life obstacles as well that impact quality of life. It has become more commonly recognized and practiced within the medical community.
Hypnosis is an altered state that accesses the subconscious part of your mind where memories can be retrieved. Furthermore, it allows the hypnotherapist to determine the root cause of your challenges. Then hypnosis can modify the way you view the situation in a healthier way. A state of hypnosis is something people actually experience on a regular basis. If you get caught up in a good book and lose track of time that’s a light hypnotic trance.
The Practice of Meditation
The practice of meditation has become more increasingly popular to manage the stresses of daily life. A meditative state takes time to achieve. It is a way to block out the daily stressors, outside noises and distractions around you. Over time meditation can help to manage anxiety and pain and improve sleep. When thinking about meditation vs hypnosis, some may describe meditation simply as a calm state where you are fully present. Your breathing and heart rate begins to slow down. You may engage in exercises where you concentrate on different areas of your body. One is unaware of outside distractions. Some use a recording to guide their meditative state. In fact, it takes practice and effort to reach the desired meditative state.
Differences in Application of Hypnosis vs Meditation
Even though there are physiological changes like the heart rate, breathing and brainwave alterations when comparing hypnosis vs meditation, the process, techniques and benefits are quite different. The hypnotherapist facilitates the session using guided imagery, hypnotic suggestions, and confusion to explore the subconscious. This in turn brings the client to a state where they can address and resolve the various life challenges they wish to work on. Furthermore, scientific data now demonstrates the effectiveness of hypnosis for many conditions ranging from pain management to anxiety to overcoming phobias. Meditation generally improves focus, concentration and awareness. Typically, the goal is to live a fuller, more meaningful life.
The goals and applications of hypnosis vs meditation are not the same. Meditation may help you gain a new and heightened perspective, however, is not a form of treatment. A hypnotherapist will guide you into a state where you are more susceptible to making the positive changes necessary to promote healing. Hypnosis has a broad range of applications for many life challenges. It is a common state that people in some form experience every day. Furthermore, it has become widely used globally with data to support the benefits.