What are the Differences between Hypnosis and Guided Meditation?

The true differences depend on what you are referring to as hypnosis or meditation in terms of how they are actually conducted as a practice. Many different styles exist for both methods of inner exploration and mind development, as well as methods taught to professionals as opposed to non-professionals, which in the case of professionals also involves an extensive amount of knowledge in several other areas, including psychology, mind and consciousness studies as well as natural and universal laws that are inherent throughout Nature and all living systems, that also govern the human mind-body system. For example, meditation, while some relate to it as calming the mind and relinquishing all thoughts, this is only one form of meditation, of which there are many varieties as a means of ‘acquiring’ inner knowledge through the universal language of Light, in which knowledge is received by first activating it, then simply witnessing it as it unfolds in a dynamic light dance of evolving forms. Whereas hypnosis tends to be purpose driven with a specific intention as a desired outcome, created by stimulating the imagination through ideas as suggestions that form an inner reality as a conceptualization that the subconscious mind can use in place of an actual experience.

So again, this would depend on your level of experience and method of practice, but the most noticeable difference is that hypnosis is used to achieve a specific outcome by reprogramming the subconscious mind to perform new types of behavior. It’s usually undertaken with a specific goal in mind, which determines the method used and the nature of the suggestions given it while in a relaxed and receptive state that are spontaneously introduced into the mind and developed by the imagination into vivid inner realities as experience that can be used as memory by the subconscious mind to form new patterns of behavior that are automatic and natural. They provide the subconscious aspect of the mind with a form of ‘virtual memory†as a living experience that creates a template as a form of dynamic theme for producing more of the same type of experiences. Because the subconscious operates according to memory as actual sensory enhanced realities and is emotionally driven, an idea is introduced, then developed into a sensory reality that’s imbued with strong emotions that make it very compelling. This is a basic means of ‘reprogramming the mind’ by creating intentional experiences that act as a thematic template for reproducing similar experiences, as well as toning the mind to new vibratory frequencies which form correspondences to the realities inherent within those frequencies. Vibration forms feeling states that have thematic realities as personal experiences inherent within them. Whatever realities we imagine with strong emotions and repetitively, we program ourselves to, as a perceptual lens that only sees what matches and can be used to create more of the same experiences.

The primary difference between the two is that hypnosis is undertaken with a distinct idea in mind in terms of reprogramming or healing the mind of self-created illusions (beliefs) to form new inner realities that become the basis for changing what is often habitual or conditioned behavior. It works to reprogram the mind intentionally to reshape the perceptual lens of the mind by forming new representations associated to different emotions that either make ideas compelling and desirable, or undesirable and repulsive, based on how we form associations in connection with them. Hypnosis, which is always ‘self-hypnosis’, even when conducted by a hypnotherapist who simply walks you through a process that requires you to cooperate with them by how you use your own mind and imagination to form new associations as inner experiences, is the most effective way there is to self-create by rewiring your neurology with new programming that forms the basis for automatically forming desired experiences that are health promoting, empowering, and growth oriented.

But hypnosis, like all things is only as effective as the hypnotherapist is skilled, and the person undergoing it fully cooperates, and is a scientific art-form that’s intuitive in nature. While meditation can also be undertaken in a similar manner, once the conscious mind, which is the directive, goal oriented mind is subdued, and only the subconscious mind is present and in an active state, you lose track of your own process or what your purpose was and begin a kind of free-form imagining. A hypnosis practitioner is required as the directive component that continues working on the imagination in place of the conscious mind with a sense of purpose and a focus on the desired outcome. They substitute as the conscious mind which is required to direct the subconscious mind to new forms of behavior born out of new inner experiences that it turns into a form of memory that provides it with a patterning for creating more of the same type of experiences through its ability to form fundamental and natural perceptions.

As a basic rule of thumb, meditation is primarily used for study by conceptualizing ideas to form realities out of them, inner exploration of various sorts, or to tune into the universal mind, form energetic sympathy with it and form an inner perception as a kind of download of universal knowledge as laws that are experienced as a means of transmission . . . whereas hypnosis is best for intentional practices designed to reprogram the mind at the energetic level to express in new ways by forming new realities that are initiated and developed through our own interactive behavior. It’s a means of self-development that intentionally develops our character as the basis for natural behavior through the realities it generates naturally as a correspondence. If you want to develop yourself in very specific ways with immediate results . . . then hypnosis, provided by a skilled practitioner, or by developing your own skill at using your mind to reshape realty, is your best method.

Dr. Linda Gadbois

Hypnosis and Guided Meditation

Transformational Coaching

Integrative Mind-Body Medicine

Spiritual Sciences

About the author:
Dr. Linda is a Spiritual Scientist and scholar of Hermetic Sciences and Ancient Wisdom traditions. She’s a professional educator and trainer for all areas of personal transformation, self-creation, mind development, and soul/spiritual evolution. She practices Integrative Medicine with a special emphasis on Psychology and Creative therapies. She conducts ongoing classes, Playshops, and Adventure Seminars, and is available for private or group training, mentoring, and speaking engagements.
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