“Meditation is deep relaxation and hypnosis is deep relaxation with added suggestion,” says Orlando, Florida-based hypnotist, Richard Barker.
If you’re confused between the differences and similarities between meditation and hypnosis, then let’s explore in depth their importance and clear up any misconceptions. Millions of people from all over the world practice meditation and hypnosis. But you may ask, “Which one is better for me?” or “Which one should I do?”
The answer to those questions depends on your intentions.
To keep it simple, let’s assume that both modalities require individuals to comfortably sit still with their eyes closed. Now looking from the outside, meditation and hypnosis look the same; however, the inner workings of the mind is most certainly different between the two.
Let’s Start With The Similarities
A wonderful feeling of deep relaxation is EXACTLY the same for both modalities. A deep relaxing feeling in meditation is EXACTLY the same as a deep relaxing feeling in hypnosis.
Accessing the subconscious mind is also a common occurrence for meditation and hypnosis. At such a deep state of relaxation, our emotions, impulses, and ideas may arise from the subconscious mind.
As you can see, the similarities are short and to the point. Not very exciting.
Now Let’s Discuss The Differences — This Is Where It Gets Really Interesting!
Meditation
When people talk or write about meditation, some words may conjure up as ways to define or describe it:
- Focus
- Stillness
- Peace
- Tranquility
- Present Moment
- Living In the Here and Now
- Scanning the Body
- Spirituality
- Mystical
- Wisdom
- Chakras
- Mantra
- Attention to Breathing
- Letting Go
- Emptying the Mind
- Enlightenment
- Awareness
- Mindfulness
With that list, you may define meditation any way you want. Please add more to the list as you see fit. According to Hypnosis Training Academy, Mindfulness is the most researched of all the mental practices.
The great Phil Jackson taught meditation to his basketball players that won 11 NBA Championships (NBA record for a Head Coach).
Meditation allows you to enhance focus and mindfulness through peace and stillness. As mentioned above, it’s very relaxing and may have potential health benefits. Meditation can enhance intuition and connect you to a higher power as well. Meditation is awesome!
Here’s a curve ball question: Can someone actually visualize a goal during meditation? Absolutely! Great athletes do it all the time. The great Olympic swimmer — Michael Phelps — used Visualization Meditation to help him win multiple gold medals.
I have been practicing meditation for 30 years. If you have doubts about meditation, then try meditating on it!
Hypnosis
Hypnosis — on the other hand — is way more technical and usually requires the help of a therapist (Probably way more technical for the purpose of this article). Hypnosis is meditation with a goal for positive change or improvement by accessing the subconscious mind; moreover, the changes in limiting beliefs that affect thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Some goals may be to stop smoking, overcome fear of public speaking, improve sports performance, improve grades or lose weight. The goal can be “anything” when you’re accessing the subconscious mind!
Hypnosis is also a natural and relaxed state of mind, and we actually go in and out of hypnosis everyday. When we’re engaged in a movie, book or even day dreaming, then we’re experiencing a natural hypnotic trance.
A therapist will guide a client into deep relaxation and employ the power of positive suggestions to bring about subconscious change in thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
The media has portrayed hypnosis with some myths and misconceptions as mind control, dangerous, lose consciousness, manipulative, unnatural, etc. All these things have something in common and that is just to provoke false statements regarding hypnosis.
Also keep in mind that ALL hypnosis is SELF-hypnosis. A therapist can’t make you do anything you don’t want during hypnosis. You’re in full control during the entire process — NOT the therapist! The therapist is only a helping guide. If an emergency occurs during hypnosis, then you’ll easily open your eyes and handle the situation.
I was fortunate enough to experience hypnosis with a therapist and loved it. Hypnosis is awesome!
So that begs the question: Which method is better? Only “you” know the answer.
Related Articles: