Difference Between Hypnosis and Meditation

催眠与冥想

There exists a difference between hypnosis and meditation as they are viewed as two very different techniques that can benefit the individual to reduce tension and improve the quality of life. Hypnosis is a therapeutic method used bypsychologists。Meditation is also a practice that comes from religious backgrounds such as that of印度教和佛教, which allows the person to find inner peace. First, let us define the two techniques in the following manner. Hypnosis can be defined as the practice of causing a person to enter a state in which they respond very readily to suggestions or commands. On the other hand, meditation can be defined as the act of focusing one’s mind on spiritual purposes or relaxation. This article attempts to highlight the differences that exist between hypnosis and meditation.

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis can be defined asthe practice of causing a person to enter a state in which they respond very readily to suggestions or commands。在心理学中，这是为了减轻疼痛和紧张的目的。从这个意义上讲，催眠是一种治疗方法。但是，要牢记一个人不能反对自己的愿望催眠是至关重要的。在催眠他或她之前，始终有必要获得客户的同意。

Hypnosis can have different effects on different individuals. The degree of effect that hypnosis creates changes too. For example, while one individual feels extremely relaxed another might not. When an individual is hypnotized, he feels extremely focused. Hypnosis is used to remove defeated thoughts from the individual. It recreates the mindset of the individual so that he can face life situations better.

What is Meditation?

Meditation can be defined asthe act of focusing one’s mind on spiritual purposes or relaxation。Meditation creates an in-depth sense of peace within the individual. Most of us confuse meditation as concentration on some specific activity. This is not meditation. Meditation is an act of getting rid of all thoughts from out mind until it becomes a blank slate. It is when an individual can stop all his activities and enter into a state of inner peace. This is often referred to as a state of awareness that an individual achieves.

Meditation was developed in the East. The origin of meditation dates back to prehistoric period Hindu philosophy in India.佛像was a strong proponent of meditation and taught his followers the true values of meditation and the wonders that could be achieved through meditation. Today even in the West, meditation is considered as one of the most effective ways of gaining inner peace. Researchers believe that in day to day life, people can reduce theirstresslevel through meditation. Other than reducing the stress level, it also allows people to improve their quality of life and lead healthy lives.

What is the difference between Hypnosis and Meditation?

• Definitions of Hypnosis and Meditation:

• Hypnosis can be defined as the practice of causing a person to enter a state in which they respond very readily to suggestions or commands.

• Meditation can be defined as the act of focusing one’s mind on spiritual purposes or relaxation.

• Effect on Stress Level:

•催眠和冥想均可用于降低人类的应力水平。

• Effect on Mind:

•在催眠中，思想变得非常专注于某事。

• Through meditation, the mind becomes a blank slate.

• Recreation of Thoughts:

• Hypnosis recreates the mind of the individual. It assists to remove negative, despondent thoughts from the individual.

• Meditation does not recreate the mind of the individual.

Images Courtesy:

1. Charcot demonstrating hypnosis on a “hysterical” Salpêtrière patient, “Blanche”通过Wikicommons（公共领域）
2. MeditationbyRelaxingMusic(CC BY-SA 2.0)