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.