Self hypnosis vs. Meditation.

Many of us have heard of the benefits of meditation: a calmer, more focused mind; feeling less emotional; a reduction in anxiety; feeling happier because of the cascade of beta-endorphins and serotonin (“feel good chemicals”) that is produced. But how do we achieve that? Isn’t a meditation practice time consuming and frustrating? How does it differ from self hypnosis, since both practices take you into trance? Why would you choose one over the other? These are some of the questions we will look at here.

Self hypnosis, or auto hypnosis, is defined as entering the state of hypnosis on one's own, without the assistance and guidance of a hypnotist or hypnotherapist. The benefits of self hypnosis are similar to those of meditation, because the same brain wave states, alpha and theta, can be achieved in self hypnosis. Therefore, if one is choosing a method to reach these brain wave states to experience their beneficial effects, the choice of self hypnosis or meditation is an individual one. Self hypnosis is more commonly associated with providing suggestion to the subconscious mind with the goal of changing behavior than meditation is; however, meditation upon a given phrase or desired goal can also provide a type of suggestion, so in some ways the lines between the two techniques blur here as well.

Meditation is most often a practice entered to calm and focus one’s mind, to release one’s mind of thought. Meditation, like self hypnosis, brings the mind into a trance brainwave state, alpha or theta. These are much calmer and quieter brainwave states than beta, which is our waking, thinking state. Alpha and theta states are associated with creativity and intuition, and with super learning.

The chief differences between self hypnosis and meditation lie in the primary goal and the method of achieving the trance state. The primary goal of self hypnosis most often is to provide positive suggestions for change to the subconscious, while the primary goal for meditation is usually to achieve a relaxed, thought-free state in alpha or theta, with the goal of training the mind.

There are a variety of different techniques to achieve either self hypnosis or meditation, such as following a count-down or a proscribed method of tiring the conscious mind by counting objects, etc. Trance in meditation or self hypnosis can be achieved by closing one's eyes and repeatedly bringing the focus back to the breathing or focusing on a point such as a flame, while gently releasing thought. If analyzed carefully, someone experienced in both meditation and self hypnosis will recognize that all methods of entering the trance state involve the same mechanisms of tiring the conscious mind, through eye fixation or confusion, etc.

A beneficial practice does not need to be time consuming. Many people are reluctant to begin meditation or self hypnosis practices because they think they need to spend an hour every morning in the state. That isn't true. The benefits can be achieved with much briefer periods of time, and I encourage clients to start with 20 to 25 minutes, four or five times a week. With practice and consistency, the time required to get into the state will shorten considerably, and then you can reduce the overall time to 15 or 20 minutes, and still gain benefits. The time of day to practice is individual as well. Fit it into your schedule, and listen to your mind and body to determine the right time of day for you.

Consistency is important. Practicing every day is wonderful, but not absolutely necessary if it isn't realistic for your lifestyle. Four or five days a week is a good goal. The beneficial changes will remain with you as long as you continue your practice. Just like exercising a muscle, if you stop working out it gets flabby. If you stop your trance practice (self hypnosis or meditation) then eventually you will find the old thought patterns and emotional reactions creeping back into your life.

Since the benefits of entering the trance state through either technique are similar, the choice of meditation or self-hypnosis is really an individual one. Often this choice comes down to which method works best for the individual to enter the trance state quickly, easily and reliably, and what their goals are: releasing thought to experience the space between thoughts, or the application of positive suggestions. Try each method, and remember whatever method you are trying, to give it time. It may feel awkward at first, but with time you will enter the trance state more quickly, more deeply and more easily.

Regular practice of meditation or self hypnosis has beneficial effects on many conditions and situations, including ADD/ADHD, anxiety and depression, nervous conditions, psoriasis, headaches and migraines, insomnia and more. Benefits come quickly and grow over time. With a regular, on-going practice, you will feel calmer, become more creative and intuitive, more relaxed and focused.

Source:

http://www.examiner.com/x-18199-Minneapolis-Hypnosis-Examiner~y2009m9d3-Self-hypnosis-vs-meditation

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U. studying meditation as sleep aid for cancer survivors. Medicine » The complementary alternative treatments could let patients avoid the side effec

U. studying meditation as sleep aid for cancer survivors.
Medicine » The complementary alternative treatments could let patients avoid the side effects of sleep drugs.

Cancer patients who have trouble getting sleep at night are being sought for a new pilot study exploring the potential of meditation techniques as sleep aids.

The study will probe the effectiveness of "mindfulness meditation" and "mind-body bridging."

"Awareness training using mind-body interventions is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to pharmacotherapy, which may have many side effects," said University of Utah researcher David Lipschitz, who along with Yoshio Nakamura, another U. researcher, will be conducting the study.

Mindfulness meditation teaches awareness and the skill of paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment. It combines basic meditation and yoga, and is based on a program called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, or MBSR.

The MBSR program was developed to treat persistent and elevated levels of stress, sleep disturbance and other behavioral problems.

"Programs such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction have shown many benefits for improvements in many different conditions, including sleep," Lipschitz said.

Mind-body bridging is a technique developed to bring one back to the present moment, to experience thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. It aims to reduce the impact of negative thoughts that contribute to stress.

Over the last two decades, Lipschitz said, complementary alternative medicine has gained ground -- and the support of The National
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Institutes of Health.

"Giving doctors the option of evidence-based treatments will provide both them and their patients with alternatives that can complement what their patients receive in regular care," he said.

Cancer patients in particular may lend some important insight into how much and how well alternative therapies like these work, Lipschitz said, because they are affected physically and psychologically by the disease and its treatments.

"In many cases, these effects persist well after treatment is over since people have concerns about the cancer returning," he said. "Sleep problems are frequent in many post-treatment cancer patients and many of them are taking medications for better sleep."

A growing number of studies show that following a yoga or meditation program can help people catch more Z's, Lipschitz said, but more research is needed to understand the minimum of training needed to see benefits.

One study at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City showed VA patients with sleep disturbance showed improvements in their sleep after two weeks of mind-body bridging.


Poor sleepers sought

The University of Utah, Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Cancer Wellness House are looking for men and women between the ages of 18 and 65 who have cancer, completed their treatments at least three months ago and have sleep problems, to participate in the meditation study.

Researchers will randomly assign people into three groups: one will practice mindfulness meditation; one will practice mind-body bridging; and another will go through a sleep education program.

People in all three groups will meet once a week, for three weeks; each session will last two hours.

For more information and to be considered for the study, contact Renee Kuhn at 801-585-9224.

Source: http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13254956
By Lisa Rosetta

The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 09/02/2009 05:28:28 PM MDT


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Mindfulness and meditation can help relieve stress.

Technology has enhanced life beyond all wild expectations, but many people have a hard time ‘unplugging’ from the information overload in order to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Missing a call, text or email seems like it would be catastrophic; what did people do before cell phones?

A perfect way to unwind, de-stress and disconnect is through cultivating a mindfulness practice. This can come in many forms; whether it’s through meditation or simply taking a few moments out of the day to do some deep breathing. The whole point is to bring attention to the present moment, to experience life as it really is. Many people find themselves living in either the past or the future, and they forgo the opportunity to create real change and happiness in the present--being mindful can help change that.

A mindfulness practice can also include a multitude of ways to meditate. Meditation is the act of bringing one’s thoughts to the present and it can be done through chanting, focusing on the breath, repeating a mantra or simply being quiet. You don’t meditate to become better at the act of doing it, it’s done so that you are more present in your daily life. It brings attention to what the repetitive thoughts are that come up, and becoming aware of how they are affecting your life. It’s an amazing way to take inventory and hopefully relieve some deeply rooted stress.



Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-18238-Central-Jersey-Natural-Health-Examiner~y2009m8d31-Mindfullness-and-meditation-can-help-relieve-stress
August 31, 12:50 PM Central Jersey Natural Health Examiner Stephanie Martel



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