2008-05-17T13:22:00Z http://blog.tstokes.com/atom.aspx Quick Blog tag:blog.tstokes.com,2007-12-02:f7e59ff6-d9ca-4b8c-85b9-f3b9bae14124 The Terry Stokes Show 2007-12-03T08:02:00Z 2007-12-02T22:25:00Z Please note cruise mentioned is in April not March go to www.stepstogreatnesscruises.com for more information]]> tag:blog.tstokes.com,2007-10-04:31773e55-8fdc-42eb-960c-9f2ff7ae2052 The Terry Stokes Show 2007-10-04T20:59:18Z 2007-10-04T20:26:00Z    Although not called hypnosis, priests, witchdoctors and healers have used the principles of scientific suggestion throughout history. The oldest reference to hypnosis is found in the "Eners Patyras" of ancient Egypt. The Greeks had sleep temples where people came to be healed and were put into a trance like state.

   The science of hypnotism dates back centuries, but was not expanded nor its principles used until Friedrich Anton Mesmer, generally known as the father of hypnosis, developed his theory of animal magnetism. Mesmer believed that a disturbance of equilibrium in a "universal fluid", caused the diseases in human beings, and that all cures could be bought about by re-adjustment of these "invisible fluids".

   Alhough Mesmer produced the hypnotic state many times, he was quite unaware of what he was producing. His theories were wrong, but his relaxation techniques and suggestions of well being did in fact produce what seemed to be remarkable results. It was Mesmer's pupil, Marquis Armond de Puysequr, who actually discovered the hypnotic trance, which he called "artificial somnambulism".

   The followers of these two men steadfastly adhered to the erroneous principles of animal magnetism. In 1841, Dr. James Braid, a Scottish surgeon, coined the word "hypnosis" which is from the Greek "hypnosis" meaning sleep. Later Dr. Braid realized his mistake when he found his patients were not really asleep. He actually tried to change the word to "momoideism", meaning that the mind had narrowed to one idea. Although this word more accurately described the condition, the term, "hypnosis" had already obtained a good start and unfortunately, the idea still persists that a hypnotized person is asleep.

   Over the years many theories about hypnosis have come and gone, and there has never really been a completely acceptable one, nor has there been a truly scientific explanation of what happens in this state.

   Today, the use of medical hypnosis is widespread around the world. Treatments include: control of pain, i.e., painless childbirth, painless dentistry, induced anesthesia, moral problems, physical therapy, memory loss, weight loss, stopping smoking, and behavior modification. The list could go on and on.

   In law enforcement hypnosis has frequently and successfully been used to cause victims to recall in detail the events of an accident or attack on their person, including events they had forced from their memories or had never correctly observed.

   As a closing thought, I would like to state that after years of work in the field of hypnosis, I find that the only thing I know for certain is, that it works when other forms of mind experience fall short.]]>