The link between hypnosis and mindfulness is not an immediate, natural combination that would come to mind for hypnosis practitioners — or mindfulness practitioners.
However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a link between these two disciplines.
Let’s take a look at the possibility of a connection that enhances both practices into deeper levels.
Hypnosis and mindfulness
Both hypnosis and mindfulness practices are utilized to quiet the mind, to diminish the internal chatter and thoughts.
Under hypnosis the client is taken out of conscious thinking as the brainwaves are lowered they experience a deep state of relaxation that is conducive to the hypnotherapist making suggestions to address the client’s issue(s). Hypnosis is successful in changing habits, patterns and behaviors that are not healthy or that the client wants to change.
Depending on the hypnotherapist and their skill level there are other deeper techniques where clients can actually get to the root cause of their issue(s).
Mindfulness can have a variety of meanings.
It can be used for self-exploration, a path to enlightenment or a “way” of being. Mindfulness does become separated from its original spiritual intention when it is applied into a context of psychotherapy or hypnotherapy. There are advantages to using these two practices complementing one another; it is an amazing experience to work with them in combination.
Mindfulness and hypnotherapy
The key here is working with a hypnotherapist who understands the mindfulness practices and also has experience in working with deeper issues. Ideally the hypnotherapist will be well seasoned or has a mental health background.
For clients who come in with an established meditation practice it is often easier to induce them into deeper states of hypnosis as their minds understand and know the quiet state already. It is always such an individual experience with hypnosis and with meditation. Some people learn to meditate and have a practice that alters their lives in a positive way.
Others struggle for years to “get it right” when they meditate.
Breathing and being in the moment are the keys that bring these two practices together.
Deep, conscious breathing naturally lowers the brainwave frequency and is conductive for both hypnosis and meditation in conjunction with a mindfulness practice. Being in the moment with acceptance has proven to be a practice that enhances health in our bodies, minds and spirits.
Mindfulness helps us gain greater awareness and see things as they actually are and not as we would like them to be without projections and personal interpretations. Hypnosis and mindfulness practices are not the same, but they do share some intrinsic similarities in that they both encourage change and transformation.
Self-deception is a most common affliction, and with both hypnosis and mindfulness increased self-awareness and change are optimal.
As more mindfulness practitioners become more familiar with the world of hypnosis the complimenting aspects will grow more widespread.
It’s a matter of accepting a new way of looking at both hypnotherapy and mindfulness.
As knowledge and experience are expanding in these two fields the many advantages to using these two practices simultaneously will become more recognized.