Is Hypnosis Energy Work or is Energy Work Hypnosis...

Comment

Comment by Brian David Phillips on January 2, 2009 at 7:24pm

Energy work CAN be hypnosis and hypnosis CAN use an energy construct. This is not to say that they must inherently be the same at all times. I suspect there is an element of hypnosis in most, if not all, energy work - either the self-hypnosis or trance state that occurs when the "healer" is opening the channels or the visceral response to the energy that the client experiences and the acceptance of healing. While I am skeptical of most energy claims as constructs beyond the psychological, I would be vary wary of dismissing all of it . . . albeit, exploring constructs and seeing what underlying principles are at work and how we can employ them as hypnotists is not a bad thing. Some hypnosis does indeed come disguised as energy work. I got a LOT of comments about my "energy hypnosis" video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EQN6zKYTxM from folks who take it at face value without noting the expectancy principles at work (which is intended, in the DVDs I explain the underlying principle components but in the demo I just show the face of it). As I work more and more with folks who use alternative methods, I find that the energy model becomes very useful - regardless of whether it is describing actual energetic systems or if it is metaphor for psychological processes. I suspect what we see here is in some ways similar to what the old alchemists were describing in their tomes which from the outside look like chemical compositions but often were more likely to be metaphoric descriptions of psychological processes which is what made their materials so attractive to folks like Jung. Certainly, when one reads an author like Crowley, one misses so much or the meaning if one misses the point that he is speaking in code. There are folks who take his descriptions as literal who have a very different sort of personal practice than those who rightly see the coded meanings. Some energy systems seem more usefully approached as coded systems while others might be literal. As I am primarily a hypnotist, I tend to lean towards the codebreaker approach but suspect there are folks who are getting much stronger results within those systems without looking for hidden explanations and for those folks the energy is very very real.

All the best,
Brian
http://www.briandavidphillips.com

Comment by David Snyder on November 25, 2008 at 1:05pm

Hi Linda, Mariana and Fable,

Thanks for your great input. I too have discovered its virtually impossible to do energy work without access some form of altered state. As a multi-contexual energy practitioner and hypnotist I find that the deliberate combination of the two creates a very powerful synergy regardless of the application.

I understand that vast majority of folks on this group are focused on healing as the application of choice, and as a healer its only natural to want to have as many tools in your kit as possible.

The targeted use of hypnotic technique while using energy techniques can have a profound effect on the outcome of your healing session.

In fact I have seen huge patient outcomes where only non-specific energy work in the past hasnt done the job. conversely I have also seen energy techniques work where straight hypnosis didn't deliver as expected.

I'm curious as to what are the energy disciplines of choice among this group.

I suspect its reiki and healiing touch with a little eft thrown in for good measure.

What else are you folks using?

Trance on.

David

Comment by Linda Gentry RN, BS, CHt. on November 25, 2008 at 10:26am

Hi, David. I believe all energy workers move into trance/self hypnosis when they open up to the universal flow of energy. I feel being able to move into trance state is a foundation point for any energy worker to enhance the energy flowing through.
Linda Gentry

Comment by Mariana Howe on November 25, 2008 at 6:04am

Hi Fable,
People come to me with the intention of healing and are fully aware of the techniques I use to help them. I don't use covert persuasion and influence, I use massage, energy and hypnosis all up front and clear, with the best of intention.
Mariana

Comment by Fable Goodman on November 25, 2008 at 5:39am

My experience is that healing is dependant on intention.

If that intention is clear and congruent, then healling will occur regardless of the medium used.

Of course this includes the intention of the person being healed, they have to fully intend to be open to recieve the healling.

I personaly am not interersted in using either hypnosis or energy techniques for covert persuasion and influence. I don't find that consistant with healling. I prefer to be open and clear about my intentions whenever possible.

Love and healing hugs,

Fable

Comment by Mariana Howe on November 25, 2008 at 5:21am

Hi David,
I run energy in my massage sessions, from the physical aspect it comes fluidly and naturally. Just recently, I have added hypnosis in the mix, with amazing results. So I would qualify that as healing energy through a verbal channel. Of course, we all use words wether we are hypnotists or not to help people feel better, that in itself can be healing and everything we do involves energy, so in that regard, if it is your intention to run healing energy through a verbal channel by using hypnosis why not?
I too am interested to read more on this subject :-)
Have a happy day,
Mariana