Hypnosis as well as meditation are very trendy. More and more people want to be more in harmony with themselves. But more and more often the question arises: What is the difference between hypnosis and meditation?
Again and again in my hypnosis practice I am asked this question.
In order to be able to compare the two practices properly we should distinguish between what one does alone, namely self-hypnosis and meditation, and what one is guided from the outside, such as guided meditation and hypnosis.
In addition, there are of course also different forms of meditation, some of which are different. While some focus on something, others simply let themselves "happen" and practice mindfulness.
So there are different forms of both meditation and hypnosis. But it connects them more than it distinguishes.
Why are you interested in meditation or Hypnosis? Most people who have chosen are interested in the search for change, in the search for an access to the inside. Perhaps even in search of enlightenment.
Mostly they have noticed that there is more to you than just your conscious mind. And meditation as well as hypnosis can be a way to get in touch with your inner self.
The connoisseurs of trance know that a life in harmony with oneself brings balance, health and understanding. To become a team with the unconscious is therefore worthwhile in any case.
Hypnosis very often has a certain shady aftertaste. One thinks of manipulation and sleazy hypnotists. Meditation, on the contrary, has the appearance of pure enlightenment. You just sit and close your eyes. This difference is probably mainly due to the respective marketing.
However, what most forms of meditation have in common is that most beginners do not know exactly when it "worked". Very often practitioners then sit there with their eyes closed and wait for it to feel different. It is then usually not quite clear if and what should change in their feelings. If the goal is not clear, it can sometimes be hard to find the right way.
As someone who has had a lot of experience with meditation and (self-)hypnosis, I can say that both have the same effect. Both hypnosis and meditation create a trance. The trance is so relevant in spiritual events that it has many names in different teachings. As many names as it has, the same thing is usually described. It is a state of lightness and carelessness that combines both focus and creativity. Many also describe it as "all thoughts as well as none at the same time" as "being in flow" and "in harmony with oneself".
The trance can be understood above all as the bridge between the conscious and the unconscious mind. As a state between awake and sleeping, the trance connects the two inner parts. This can also be measured in the brain.
If we measured brain waves with an EEG, at Mastering meditation and mastering self-hypnosis would probably result in something quite similar. Namely one more in alpha and theta waves. These also occur naturally, namely during concentration and as a preliminary stage to dreaming. That's why even experienced meditators and practiced self-hypnotists report of colored images in front of the inner eye.
Grundsätzlich haben also die Zustände verschiedene Namen, sehen aber am Schluss ziemlich ähnlich aus.
Now that we know that hypnosis and meditation reach the same state, it may be clear that mainly the application is different.
Because hypnosis is used to use the state of trance for change. Meditation usually has the achievement of the state as its only goal. Being in the flow alone has many positive effects, such as relaxation, stress reduction and better blood circulation.
The direct communication with the unconscious is self-hypnosis in a certain direction. Certain parts of the self are directly addressed. The unconscious parts are given suggestions for a change.
So meditation is a kind of empty hypnosis; a self-hypnosis that has the trance state as its goal. In doing so, one pays attention to what happens in the body without having any direct influence.
"Meditation seeks the trance, hypnosis uses Trance "
For absolute beginners in the field of trance I recommend the foreign induced hypnosis. That means the most effective start is when you let someone hypnotize you. Because a trained hypnotist gives us an individual access to the trance. Something that has a connection with the personal experience. And once you have experienced the trance, then you know how to feel it. With a known destination, the search is much easier.
For example, I had a client who had been going to a temple for 20 years to meditate. She said that she could solve all her issues that way. About twenty seconds after I induced the trance on her, she started to cry. Apparently there was not as much solved as she thought. After the session she told me that for the first time she felt a change inside. When she had known how her state should be, she could then also reach it herself while meditating.
So after years of hearing and reading about this inner state, she had experienced it for the first time herself. Through this, she finally knew the goal and was able to orientate her path accordingly. Also the mental images I had used in her hypnosis, she took up her meditation/self-hypnosis.
That means for the beginning I would let a professional show me the access to my inner self. This way I know afterwards during the self-hypnosis/meditation how it should feel and what I should look for.
Also for those who are practiced in meditation it is worthwhile to try out hypnosis.
