Hypnosis is an art that has been in use for therapy, enlightenment and entertainment almost as long as man has been about this world. In most cases the purposes are positive in nature: to improve or enhance the condition of people or groups for better and more comfortable existence. It works because the suggestions of hypnosis are registered in the subconscious mind and eventually motivate our conscious thinking.
Negative hypnosis is the process of instilling biased suggestions by any words or actions that cause the person to momentarily suspend their conscious thinking and eventually, comply to an altered, sometimes destructive, belief system: a product; an idea; or a philosophy that produces a bias or prejudice or even a willingness to consider “falling in love” against our better judgment.
If a negative or biased thought is delivered often enough, by experience or by words, action or lack of action of a trusted “teacher”, there will be the greater possibility that the subconscious registration of that event will set up a negative hypnotic suggestion deep in the person’s subconscious mind. In some cases that is the intent of the “teacher’s” action. The problem is that the recipient of that suggestion will not experience the suggestion as negative. It will be registered as “the truth”. That may be one of the reasons why television commercials seem to be placed to interrupt, just as you are getting engrossed with the story line of the program. You are locked on the story but suddenly, here is this little message about soap or clothing or something that you don’t even think you need… and then one day you are in a store and find yourself studying that same product and the thought occurs: “Maybe I should have one of these.” The same can hold true for political, religious and philosophical points of view…. “Gee! Maybe I should think more about what he/she said….. This situation looks or sounds just like that thing “they” were talking about…” Each time one of those considerations is made, the thinker is altering their subconscious state of skepticism and perspective, moving closer and closer to the will of the author…and all of this is happening subconsciously, while you continue to consciously, pay attention to your business. How is this done?
Emotions at the subconscious level are guided by the Pleasure Principal. If it feels good, the experience may get logged in the subconscious mind as worth repeating. Sex is a good example. More powerful yet is the negative or painful experience that can produce a powerful negative response to the initial situation and then to anything that seems connected to it in any form. Senders of negative hypnotic suggestions will choose words, sounds or images that promote strong emotional responses. Messages will be sent that tend to exaggerate reality by segmenting the scene or messages so that only part of the message is available. In election campaigns one often hears candidates complain that their words were taken out of context. Thus the words being quoted may be accurate but the true message is misrepresented to appear negative and arouse the fear response. Products are sold in the same manner. Snob appeal is produced by minimizing the status of other products or; on a more subtle scale, of other people. Look at the impact of the election campaign arguments about the 99% and the 1% of the population of the nation. That message has more volume than the message that “ …we are all Americans.” Pollsters note that while Americans do not like negative political ads, they tend to respond faster than to more balanced or accurate messages from the parties. But is it just in politics and public relations that we need to watch out for negative hypnosis?
Human beings are group animals. For the most part we do not function well as solo operators. Like wolves, horses and birds, we have learned over time that being in the midst of a group is more comfortable and safer than trying to survive on our own. In addition to food, water, shelter and air, man has a need for the comfort of belonging to a group. We create villages, towns, tribes, religions and political parties because of the need to belong among like others. So what happens when fear and suspicion set in to the group’s sense of survival? What happens when the other groups or events are perceived by the group’s leadership as dangerous or toxic to the values of the group? The results can be dangerous. Wars have been fought because of negative hypnosis. The Spanish Inquisition, The Crusades and many wars and “police actions” have been carried out because of fear of something that could not be easily understood about the people that became the enemy. On a more benign basis, the jobs of public relations experts are to change public opinion by use of strategic, emotionally charged language or symbols that aim to arouse our fear or other base instincts and steer belief toward seeing the negative as positive.
Hypnotism is an art that was created to improve or entertain people. Information is the antidote to the negative hypnosis that can sabotage our lives and happiness. Watch for more examples of negative hypnosis at this blog site.
*Andy Leon is a practicing hypnotist in Charlottesville, VA. Go to www.andyleon.com for more information and how to contact him.
Still to Come…
Negative Hypnosis – Self Concept
Negative Hypnosis – Weight Control
Negative Hypnosis – Smoking Cessation
Negative Hypnosis – Personal Success
Negative Hypnosis – Personal Relationships
Negative Hypnosis – Personal Performance
Negative Hypnosis – Deserving vs. Unworthiness
Negative Hypnosis – Fear and Panic
Negative Hypnosis – Response to Illness
Negative Hypnosis – Response to Loss