| A lot of people confuse one of these terms for the | | | | solutions. |
| other, and authors tend to compound this problem by | | | | There are also guided or group meditation sessions in |
| using these terms interchangeably in their writing. Let | | | | which an expert or a recording voices instructions |
| us take a closer look at these two related, but | | | | which the user is supposed to follow to reach a |
| different methods of relaxation techniques. | | | | trance-like state. This tends to blur the lines between |
| Meditation is supposed to help you focus your mind, | | | | meditation and hypnosis, even though such sessions |
| center it onto nothing. Yes I say nothing, because that | | | | might not actively employ any affirmative statements. I |
| is the most difficult thing for our conscious minds to do. | | | | personally do not think that such instances qualify as |
| Apart from periods of sleep or unconsciousness, our | | | | true meditation. Let me explain why. |
| waking moments are filled with thoughts which we are | | | | What many people consider as mantra, the repetitive |
| not even aware of most of the time. Only when you | | | | sub-vocalization of a word (often nonsensical or |
| sit down and try to make an effort in emptying your | | | | devoid of any meaning) such as "Om", to be |
| mind do you realize how hard it could be. You need | | | | somehow similar to key phrases employed in hypnosis |
| specific techniques to accomplish this state of mind | | | | sessions are missing one important point. Affirmative |
| where you are consciously not thinking about anything | | | | statements are meant to be understood and accepted |
| in particular. | | | | by the rational mind, so that it may trickle down to the |
| Hypnosis, be it self-hypnosis or administered by | | | | creative subconscious mind. Meditative mantras on the |
| someone else, seeks to actively reach an area of | | | | other hand are most often purposefully meaningless |
| your mind for some specific purpose. For example, if it | | | | so that they do not distract the attention of the person, |
| is a part of some therapy session, hypnosis can be | | | | and by their very nature provide an anchor for drifting |
| used to explore the hidden or repressed memories of | | | | minds. |
| the subconscious mind and bring them to the | | | | To conclude, proper meditation involves the complete |
| conscious attention of the user. This allows the person | | | | cessation of conscious thought to bring about a higher |
| to get over the issues emanating from the suppressed | | | | understanding, and may employ mantras for the |
| memories. Hypnosis can also be used to create a | | | | beginner, may not be required for the advanced |
| positive frame of mind through the repetitive mention | | | | practitioner. Hypnosis on the other hand requires active |
| of key phrases known as "affirmative statements." | | | | participation of thoughts and images or symbols to be |
| One example of such a statement is "I am the master | | | | visualized by the user, to affect a particular state of |
| of my fear" that could be used in the context of | | | | mind with a specific targeted goal such as getting free |
| recovering from panic or stress attack symptoms by | | | | of debt, losing weight, giving up smoking etc. The |
| placing the thought constantly in your conscious mind | | | | repetitive action phrases are in no way similar to |
| and waiting for it to filter down to the subconscious, | | | | mantras. |
| which is the root of the problems and the key to | | | | |