2008/12/14 jezzwhizz <jezzwhizz@...>:
> So what is the difference between hypnotism and mesmerism?
An easy answer is:-

> Is being mesmerised and hypnotised the same thing?
yes!

Anything to do with altered mental or psycho-physical states deals
with internal experiences which are open to subjective interpretation.
What lies behind these experiences is the complex workings of our
systems most of which is not undestood by current science. A
scientific approach is to accept what is not explained and not 'make
up' non-scientific explanations.
Worklds and terms in these areas can have rather shifting meanings to.
Donald Robertson knows this stuff better than me but he is probably
busy over xmas so I shall atempt this:-
The mesmerists had an explanation that a special fluid was transmitted
by the mesmerist and this was responsible for what went on. Dr Braid
'proved' there was no such fluid or at least if there was it didn't
work like the mesmerists claimed. The mesmerist view has I think faded
away now.

Hypnosis can mean 1 of 2 things
1 - A state of deep relaxation.
2 - States of hyper-suggestibility - the deeply relaxed state is just
one such state.

Then we have hypnotherapy which is the utilisation of these states to
make therapeutic interventions. Stage hypnosis is the utilisation of
them for entertainment.

These subjects are huge you could probably find writings on mesmerism
which are totally in line with writings on hypnotherapy. But in
general writings on hypnotherapy should be much closer to being
'scientific' and of interest to a modern westerner.
A pet subject of mine is buddhism - which is maybe very close to
hypnotherapy for people who can't afford a hypnotherapist. Mindfulness
Based Stress Reduction and other similar things are where eastern
meets western. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy + Hypnotherapy sems to be
the optimal thing.
You can use the deeply relaxed state without making suggestions to. In
zen you just make yourself relaxed and let your body/minds healing and
repair functions operate without the usual noise and stress of modern
life. People call this self-hypnosis or power napping in the west but
don't do it for the 'punishing/liberating' prolonged periods the zen
people do.
I have come to the conclusion that this whole area is made very
complex by the many different ways of describing the same things -
affected by culture, prejudice and mode of training.
I see Donald has just posted a reply which will be much more informed
than mine - but I shall post it anyway - cant bear just to delete it!
Have a nice xmas period and a prosperous recession proof new year.
Keith