Awakening in hypnosis

The phenomenology and paradigm of a therapeutic method, referred to as ‘hypnotherapy’, are overviewed here. Phenomenological descriptions of the terms ‘waking state’ and ‘trance state’ are offered. Both states together constitute an experience referred to as ‘reality’ and thus the question arises as to whether it is important to induce such a trance state if it already exists in our daily reality. In this opinion piece, the authors suggest that the trance state has been long since buried under a surface of culture and education-driven complaisant behaviour. However, complaisant behaviour fails to be supported by our secret demands and wishes. In contrast, the hypnotic or trance experience delineates the fact that we, as human beings, are far more than a function of alien conceptions and demands provided by our cultural and education system. Second, a description of the paradigm of how hypnosis could act within an individual is offered. Epistemological arguments are provided to designate the hypnotic experience as a process which, in turn, generates authenticity. Copyright © 2007 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.