Consciousness

Most of the more influential modern physical theories of consciousness are based on psychology and neuroscience, including theories proposed by neuroscientists such as Gerald Edelman and Antonio Damasio and by philosophers such as Daniel Dennett. They endeavour to explain consciousness in terms of neural events occurring within the brain. However, since 1973, exciting, though less mainstream and more controversial research into consciousness is also being done at the Institute of Noetic Science (IONS), which includes Chief Scientist Dean Radin, which focuses more on consciousness and its role in our lives and the physical world including the interconnection between personal, inner space and the “outer space” of shared reality. The IONS institute’s guiding hypothesis is “Everything is interconnected. By embodying an awareness of this interconnection, we can tap into information and energy not limited by space and time, and profoundly amplify transformation, innovation, and well-being.”

It is easy to see how the two lenses may not always be congruent, particularly when Radin’s area of study is often dismissed as pseudoscience by his scientific counterparts, who focus on more orthodox scientific studies.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis (hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion) is a trance-like state in which one is more susceptible to suggestion. Producing heightened focus and concentration, hypnosis is usually conducted by a therapist using relaxation techniques, verbal repetition and mental images. People have described the feelings under hypnosis as typically including feeling calm and relaxed.

Hypnosis has been used successfully to assist in gaining control over a number of undesired behaviours, including smoking cessation and weight loss, and to help people better cope with such conditions as anxiety or chronic pain. Other areas for which the effects of hypnosis are being studied include hot flashes associated with menopause, cancer treatment side effects, and various mental health conditions, including phobias, post-traumatic stress, and memory recall. One thing that is important to understand about being under hypnosis is that although one may be more open to suggestions, you certainly do not lose control over your behaviour.

More recently, in 2011, an additional paper in the journal discusses relationships between trance or altered state effects, suggestibility, and how those concepts can be assessed.

Meditation

An article on Mindfulness exercises in The Mayo Clinic’s Healthy Lifestyle and Consumer Health says, “mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you are sensing and feeling in the moment, without interpretation or judgment. Practicing mindfulness involves breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress.” It goes on to explain how the lack of mindfulness and too much time spent on problem-solving, time management and the likes can be draining, affect sleep, and increase stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression and that numerous clinical trials have yielded evidence to support the effectiveness of meditation for such conditions. Further research indicates that meditation may also assist in pain management, asthma and increase focus.

A 2003 article from the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis by J Holroyd comments on the two aspects of Buddhist meditation—concentration and mindfulness—and explains that “Mindfulness training facilitates the investigation of subjective responses to hypnosis. Concentration practice leads to altered states similar to those in hypnosis, both phenomenologically and neurologically. The similarities and differences between hypnosis and meditation are used to shed light on perennial questions: (1) Does hypnosis involve an altered state of consciousness? (2) Does a hypnotic induction increase suggestibility? I conclude that a model for hypnosis should include altered states as well as capacity for imaginative involvement and expectations.” (J Holroyd – American journal of clinical hypnosis, 2003 – Taylor & Francis).