Self hypnosis and meditation - What's the difference?

[JonRhodesUK]

I have recently been asked what the difference between self hypnosis and meditation is. The best answer I could come up with is that meditation aims to empty the mind whereas self hypnosis aims to add suggestions.

I know the definition is not really that important, and I am aware that they are very similar, but it has got me thinking! Anyone have any comments on this?

[Billy]

Both rely on theta brain wave states to open the subconcious mind although delta which would be ideal is the lowest{about 4 to 6 cycles per second}and is usually only obtainable during sleep or by artificial means, like entrainment cd's etc. I guess the difference is that while meditation is aimed at obtaining inner quiet, hypnosis uses entrainment to drop the subconciousnes's firewall and get around the ego boundary to work on any problems that resist rational thought processes. And if that doesn't work just read this over and over again, my writing sounds so dry that you'll either become hypnotised or fall asleep. lol

[Groundless]

*snores*

wha!?

[Anagogy]

Originally Posted by JonRhodesUK

I have recently been asked what the difference between self hypnosis and meditation is. The best answer I could come up with is that meditation aims to empty the mind whereas self hypnosis aims to add suggestions.

I know the definition is not really that important, and I am aware that they are very similar, but it has got me thinking! Anyone have any comments on this?

Both states involve trance. A trance is a state of disassociation brought on by a repeating cognitive loop, which is a fancy way of saying any repeating thought. You go into trance because it is not necessary for your mind to put all its cognitive resources into maintaining a repetitive activity. This is why you can chew gum and walk at the same time! If you had no ability to disassociate, this feat would be nigh impossible...

Any time you go into trance, your mind is divided into a two parts: observing you, and automatic you. When you walk down the street, you automatically disassociate because you've done this activity thousands of times. The observing you is free to think, dream, whatever, whilst the automatic you is operating your leg machinery. Now the "conscious" you seems perfectly conscious, but it is actually shorted of a slight amount of processing power because some of it is being diverted to walking. Depending on what sort of activities automatic you is doing, observing you may function to varying degrees. The goal of hypnosis is sap observing you of just enough processing power to be unable to critically sensor suggestions. With critical thinking off-line, you can shoot suggestions past the firewall of the conscious mind, and directly to the subconscious mind.

Now, the difference between a meditation trance and a hypnotic trance is where the Trance Generating Loop is. If the TGL is connected to a stimulus outside your mind, like the voice of a hypnotist, a watch, or what have you, I would call that a hypnotic trance. If the TGL is completely inside your mind, like some mantra you are repeating to yourself, I would call that a meditation trance.

Self hypnosis, in my opinion, is a meditation trance because the loop is normally completely inside your own mind. That is, unless you are listening to a hypnosis tape or something like that.

Anyway, my 2 cents, hope it was enlightening.

[zeldacheri]

Are there forum members here who practice both meditation and self-hypnosis, and how do you focus your energies differently for the two processes?

[Acting Like Godot]

It's very similar, really.

I do meditation & hypnosis, and also something called the Silva Method, and also magick and creative visualisation.

I've given up drawing the distinctions, I just call it "the mind stuff" nowadays.

[ginkgo]

The former is about you trying to make yourself more like you imagine yourself to be like saying "I am a great Muslim Terrorist." The latter is about finding out what you really are or discovering your true self. The purpose of life is Enlightenment, where you are beyond all suffering due to super intense happiness or euphoria.

[spacedout]

Originally Posted by JonRhodesUK

I have recently been asked what the difference between self hypnosis and meditation is. The best answer I could come up with is that meditation aims to empty the mind whereas self hypnosis aims to add suggestions.

I know the definition is not really that important, and I am aware that they are very similar, but it has got me thinking! Anyone have any comments on this?

You must know what hypnosis is Jon since that is what your website is about. Self hypnosis is the same, except you are the one giving the suggestion rahter than someone else. Meditation has nothing to do with suggesting anything, it is a about quieting the mind. So, your answer is right on.

[tintin]

above posts just about covered it.
though hypnosis is more structured.as in theres a specific purpose to a session.almost could call it 'deliberate meditation' in order to focus on a chosen issue.
where the mind is specifically led in order to heal it or whatever.but in meditation no such 'agenda' is there.
infact the purpose is defeated if theres a purpose.


and pardon me for going off topic but ive been wanting to say this earlier-
but listening to tapes etc would not be called self hypnosis.its a misnomer.because one is still following somebody elses voice.
the only way to actually self hypnotize is to be first programmed with triggers, anchors and keywords 'during' a deep state. so a hypnotherapist ,while you are in deep, will give you triggers to quickly reach a deep state with the help of those. on your own
the suggestions will have to be worked on and decided 'before' you trigger a deep state.also in actual self hypnosis a lot of repetition is required because its not really possible to 'guide' yourself in too deep for obvious reasons.

though with meditation its possible to reach theta,and so it is with guided hypnosis (tapes.therapist voice etc)