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In Buddhist philosophy, hypnosis is considered a form of meditation.


The practice of mindfulness has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress in people suffering from anxiety disorders. It also helps people learn how to control their minds and bodies.

The History and Relationship to Hypnotherapy a

Most scholars assume that hypnosis, as in its most elementary methods, originated in 1841, in the work of James Braid, as a psychological and physiological system. Very unlike the uncomfortable theories of Franz Mesmer and his followers, who were interested in mind control and dabbled in the occult. Braid researched and discerned the similarities between hypnosis and various “Oriental meditation” practices.

The East India Company was an English company that was founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874, around the time of some early pioneers of what is now called hypnosis.

To begin, Franz Mesmer, a German physician, used hypnosis to treat patients. He believed hypnotism used an occult force (termed “animal magnetism”) that flowed through the hypnotist into the subject. Though he was discredited, his methods continued to work, and he gleaned interest from the medical community for years after.

In the next century, English physician James Braid not only studied hypnosis but coined the term hypnosis after the Greek god of sleep, Hypnos.

Even Sigmund Freud was interested in hypnosis for its therapeutic potential and developed his system of psychoanalysis and used it to help “neurotics” recall disturbing events they had forgotten. This was the earliest form of what we know today as past life regression. Of course, Carl Jung was influenced by Freud and the Eastern world; he used hypnosis as a therapeutic tool and blended his style with more of an Eastern influence, emphasizing dream states, symbols, and patterns.

Hypnotherapy as we know it is a scientifically-backed therapeutic modality using in part, hypnosis, while hypnosis itself is an intentional state of mind; born from ancient practices of mindfulness and meditation, also intentional states of mind.

These two philosophies work together to help people achieve their goals. Both hypnosis and Buddhism:
  • Teach people to focus on the present moment and live open-mindedly.
  • They both encourage people to think positively and to develop self-awareness.
  • In Buddhism, meditation is considered one of the essential practices.
  • The Buddha taught his followers to meditate every day, and he encouraged them to use mindfulness to improve their lives. Meditation helps people become aware of themselves and their surroundings. It teaches them to be compassionate toward others and to accept things as they are.
  • Hypnotherapy is a type of therapy that uses suggestions to change behavior. Hypnotherapists use positive suggestions to help patients relax and focus.
  • During hypnosis, a hypnotist guides a patient into a relaxed mind.
  • Once the patient is in deep relaxation but not sleep, the therapist suggests that the person can adopt or reject ideas; there is no mind control.

Why Do People Seek Out Hypnotherapy?


Many people seek hypnotherapy because they believe it will help them relax and improve their mood. Others use hypnosis as part of a treatment plan for anxiety disorders, phobias, addictions, and other psychological issues.
Hypnotherapy is a therapy that uses hypnosis to treat mental health conditions such as depression, stress, anxiety, and addiction and introduce healthy habits as an organic mindset.

Hypnotherapy aims to change negative thoughts and behaviors into positive ones. In addition to helping people overcome emotional problems, hypnotherapy can help people quit smoking, lose weight, stop abusing drugs and alcohol, and manage pain.


Hypnotherapy has been around since ancient times. Ancient Egyptians used hypnosis to heal wounds and cure illnesses. Hypnotism was also used during World War II to help soldiers cope with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Hypnotherapy is widely accepted as a legitimate and powerful treatment for many psychological disorders.

Some licensed therapists, psychologists, and medical doctors even use hypnotherapy as a facet of their practice, while others focus on hypnotherapy. I focus on Buddhist philosophy and Hypnotherapy as the cornerstone of my private practice.


Hypnotherapy treats mental health issues such as:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • phobias
  • addictions
  • insomnia

(And More)

The process involves using guided imagery to relax patients into deep relaxation. During this state, patients can access subconscious thoughts and memories that might be causing them distress. Once the patient is relaxed enough, he or she can work through his or her problems.

How Does Hypnotherapy Work?

Hypnotherapy works by using suggestions to alter brain activity. During sessions, the subject becomes more suggestible and open to new ideas that would serve them. This allows the therapist to make suggestions that would otherwise be difficult to deliver.


As mentioned above, the word “hypnosis” comes from the Greek words hypnos (sleep). In ancient Greece, people believed that sleep was caused by demons trying to possess humans. To protect themselves against these demons, people used various methods to induce sleep without actually sleeping. One method involved placing a person into a deep trance where he or she could not move or speak. Another method involved having the person lie down and close his or her eyes while listening to soothing music. A third method involved having the person listen to a story told by a trusted friend. These stories often included supernatural elements such as angels, ghosts, and demons.


Hypnotherapy is a process that is also about demons; symbolic demons like ridding oneself of habits that harm the body such as smoking or, anxiety that blocks joy. It involves using suggestions to alter a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. During sessions a therapist uses verbal suggestions to help a subject relax and focus on a particular thought or feeling. For example, a therapist might ask a patient to imagine being in a peaceful place. Or the therapist might suggest that the patient should feel relaxed and comfortable.

How Can You Benefit from Hypnotherapy?


Hypnotherapy is widely used in medicine, psychiatry, dentistry, and other fields.
It is a state of mind characterized by relaxation, concentration, and suggestibility. In some cases, hypnotherapy is used to help people overcome phobias, fears, addictions, and other psychological problems including treating various medical conditions, including pain management, weight loss, smoking cessation, and stress reduction.

How Can You Benefit From Meditation?


There are many benefits associated with meditation.

  • One of the main ones is stress reduction.
  • Stress affects our bodies physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
  • We tend to feel anxious, depressed, angry, frustrated, and even guilty if stressed out.
  • These feelings can lead to physical ailments such as headaches, stomach aches, backaches, insomnia, and more.
  • The practice of meditation has been around since ancient times.
  • Buddha himself taught his followers to meditate. He believed that meditation would help people achieve inner peace and tranquility.
  • Today, there are different types of meditation techniques. Some focus on breathing exercises,, while others involve chanting mantras.
  • Still, other methods include visualization and guided imagery.

Hynotherapy and Meditation used Together

When used together, I find that wisdom of Zen Buddhism philosophy, mindfulness and meditation coupled with the science of hypnotherapy and self-healing strategies offers a more complete, evidence-based outcome for clients who are suffering and seeking inner-peace, happiness and more love in their lives.

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