Awakening
When teaching self hypnosis to clients, I always emphasise the importance of the awakening. While the term itself might not be the most accurate — after all, you are not actually asleep — it can still be a useful concept for clients and patients to understand.
The word hypnosis comes from the Greek word hypnos, meaning sleep, but hypnosis is not sleep at all. You’re simply in a focused, altered state of awareness. So when we refer to the awakening process, we are really talking about returning the mind and body to fully alert and energised functioning.
In the past, particularly in the 1940s through to the 70s, this part of the process was often referred to as the counter-suggestion. In the US, it is more commonly called disengagement. Regardless of the term used, the purpose remains the same: gently and intentionally to encourage someone out of hypnosis so that they are ready to carry on with their day, feeling clear-headed, focussed and alert.
Even if your hypnosis session is brief, or you’re brought out of it unexpectedly — say by an alarm or an interruption — it is still important to complete the awakening process. Think of it as a mental reset. It ensures you’re fully grounded and functioning at your best, especially if you’re heading straight into work, about to drive, or do any other activity that requires full focus.
The awakening is a simple yet powerful step to help integrate the benefits of your session and transition smoothly back into your day. First learn it more or less verbatim and then do it without the mini script (see below). Some people, in fact, just put it into their own words straight away. I click my fingers to open my eyes but this is not necessary. Here is what you say when coming out of hypnosis. Say it aloud or in your head.
The Awakening
I am going to count from 1 to 10 and with each number I am going to become more and more awake…1,2,3…waking up, waking up, waking up…4,5,6…waking up…waking up…waking up…7, 8 {click your fingers}…open my eyes…9, 10…fully wide awake and alert…every part of me back here in the present…