Hypnosis and Past-Life Regression --by Dr. Gordon Greenwood

In simple terms, hypnosis in an altered state of consciousness that results when a person focuses his/her attention on one thing; such as the flame of a candle, a sound&emdash;such as the hypnotist's voice or a mantra, or an image--such as your favorite place of relaxation. The point is that the person concentrates on one thing suggested by the hypnotist and shuts out all other things. the subject's mind becomes one-pointed.

Q: Is hypnosis the same thing as meditation?

A: Sometimes they are practically the same thing but meditation is a very broad term that includes a wide variety of practices. Most meditative practices that involve concentrating on one thing, such as your breathing or on the repeating of a mantra, are very similar to hypnosis, especially self-hypnosis. Guided meditations are often nothing more than group hypnosis sessions employing spiritual images as the points of focus. However, so-called "opening up" meditation techniques, such as the Soto Zen procedure of detached awareness in which the person remains attentive to all internal and external phenomena but attempts to remain detached from them, are quite different from normal hypnosis.

Q: Can everyone be hypnotized?

A: Only about 5% of the population appear to be unhypnotizable. A few people are so "scattered" they cannot sufficiently concentrate. Others do not wish to be hypnotized for whatever conscious or unconscious reason. It is now generally accepted that all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis: that is, the subject allows the hypnotist to lead him/her to the necessary state of concentration. You cannot be hypnotized against your will in spite of the old Count Dracula movies.

Q: What if I get into a hypnotic trance and can't wake up?

A: Such a question usually involves a misunderstanding of what a hypnotic state is like. In the first place, only about 10% of the population achieve such a deep trance state that they dissociate or black out like they do when they go to sleep or receive anesthetic. Such people, called "somnambulists," do not remember what happens during hypnosis unless the hypnotist suggests that they will. Most people, however, achieve a medium trance state in which they are aware of what is happening although they are completely relaxed and focused on one thing. If the hypnotist suggests that they are sitting under their favorite tree in the woods, they will see that image in their minds and experience it with their five senses. Some people can only attain a light trance state and may have some difficulty transporting themselves in their mind to their favorite woods. It is difficult for them to decide whether they are really receiving an image (like watching a movie) or are just daydreaming or fantasizing about being in the woods. The implications of this for past-life regression are obvious. Generally speaking, the deeper the trance state and better the person is at receiving mental images, the more realistic the past-life experience will seem.

Q: When people are hypnotically regressed back to past lives, are the experiences real? That is, are they really proof of reincarnation?

A: The famous Bridey Murphy case stirred up a considerable amount of public debate on this subject. I think that it is fair to say that the scientific evidence on the matter is simply inconclusive. It is hoped that such organizations as the Association for Past-Life Research and Therapy based in Riverside, California, can stimulate more conclusive research. A number of therapists are now using past-life regression without making any assumptions about the reality of reincarnation. If the past-life information received helps resolve current problems (for example, a difficult relationship), then it becomes as useful a tool as role playing, psychodrama, and other therapy techniques.

Q: How can I choose a good hypnotist?

A: The same problems exist in choosing a hypnotist as are involved in choosing a therapist. The licensing and certification procedures are not professionally demanding and are not standardized in most states. In choosing a hypnotist, I would first examine the person's professional credentials other than those relating to hypnosis as a specialty. Hypnosis is a technique and it is important that the practitioner have a professional background suitable to a wise and careful use of that technique. The second thing I would examine is the hypnotist's training in hypnosis. Where was it received and what professional organizations does he/she belong to? For example, the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, which consists of doctors, dentists, and psychologists conducts specialized training in hypnosis and carefully screens its membership.