Hypnosis has long been associated with the strange and mysterious,
with side shows and faith healers. But the truth is that hypnosis is
not the least bit mysterious nor is it difficult to learn and master.
I would define hypnosis as a state of guided sleep known as
the 'hypnotic trance' where the subject retains awareness of the
surroundings and responds to suggestions put during the trance state.
Marmer described hypnosis as a psycho-physiological tetrad of altered
consciousness:


Narrowed awareness
Restricted but focused attentiveness
Selective wakefulness, and;
Heightened suggestibility.

Hypnosis, thus, shows 3 specific characteristics:


An increased concentration of the mind
An increased relaxation of the body
An increased susceptibility to suggestion.

1. Increased concentration of mind: Usually in the wakeful state,
our 'units of mind power' are scattered throughout the brain. Any
extraneous suggestions during this stage will go scattered throughout
and will be captured only by a few mind power units. In the hypnotic
state, these units of mind power are concentrated to a point that the
suggestions get absorbed and retained easier....

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mindpowercp