I used to find this completely confusing. Try Googling this question! You’ll find a lot of contradictory ideas. People use these terms interchangeably and some ideas are trending, so they get used more.
I’m not saying that I have the definite answer, but there are certain key differences.
What’s your aim?
All of them have fantastic benefits when used with care. Those differences between them can help you choose what is right for you and what you’re trying to achieve at this time. They also complement each other beautifully.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is directed towards achieving an outcome
In hypnosis, your awareness and attention are heightened and focused towards your desired outcome.
Outcomes can be general such as feeling more confident, calmer, more in control. They can also be specific e.g. performing better at work, playing an instrument, giving a speech, having more constructive conversations with your family.
Even though your mind is hard at work, it’s a very pleasant experience. You are always in control of yourself in hypnosis even when you feel like you’re floating comfortably somewhere else.
Hypnosis is a trance state
Trance is actually quite ordinary; you go into trance many times a day naturally.
You’re in trance when you do something and find yourself losing track of time, being very focused and not noticing so much of what goes on around you.
When was the last time you drove a familiar route, maybe to the shop you normally go to, and afterwards couldn’t remember passing some landmarks on the way?
Or more annoyingly, started a journey only to find that you’ve taken the wrong turning and gone towards that shop I mentioned above, instead of where you intended to?!
That’s your subconscious deciding to free up your conscious mind and it’s a kind of trance.
When it just happens naturally, it can sometimes help us and sometimes lead us to unintended places…
To be very clear: your subconscious awareness is heightened and your normal conscious awareness is less active. This is totally different from unconsciousness where the level of brain activity in general is slowing down eg in a coma. During hypnosis, your brain is very active and aware, just in a slightly different way that can help you.
In hypnotherapy, I induce and deepen this focused state of mind. I guide my clients to use the trance, so it benefits them.
Solution Focused (SF) Hypnotherapy is most often dissociative & non-directive
I mainly use dissociative, non-directive hypnosis for stress and anxiety. I first ground my clients in the present (mindfulness), take them into trance, and then guide them away, for example walking on a wide beach with your bare feet on the warm, damp sand…. hearing the waves rolling in….
The suggestions and metaphors I use are invitations, suggestions, ideas that are chosen carefully according to my client’s preferred future.
Dissociative, non-directive hypnosis is not in the here and now, and it’s not commanding.
This type of hypnosis helps clients to access the Default Mode Network, DMN.
This can feel like daydreaming, but EEG (ElectroEncephaloGram) shows that during this type of hypnosis, your brain is incredibly active. More so than when you consciously try to solve logical problems!
The calm Alpha and Theta waves increase. In deep hypnosis, you may also have Delta waves.
This altered state allows clients to see things in a different light so they can come up with new solutions that are useful to them; not just do more of what they’ve done before.
In hypnosis your “critical faculties” are slightly lowered. This means that your conscious mind is less likely to interfere to tell you that “you’re not good enough / smart enough / don’t have the resources…” to change into who you want to be.
Because you’re not arguing against yourself in hypnosis, you can make those changes faster and easier than by consciously trying to change your thinking.
The trance state in itself helps to empty your mental Stress Bucket so you can feel more yourself again (but not if you’re in trance by playing war games…!).
Being less stressed gives you more space to do those things you want to do instead of worrying. It also helps you feel more alive. Which nicely leads into Mindfulness.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is being present in the moment. Just being aware of what is going on here and now.
By staying present and not worrying about the future or regretting the past, it can relieve stressful thoughts and calm your nervous system.
My view is that mindfulness is a way of living and being present in your own life. It’s also fantastic to combine with other therapies.
Meditation
Meditation is directed at calming your mind and not getting attached to any thoughts that pass. Therefore meditation is not directed towards an outcome while you’re doing it, even if your aim with your meditation practice is eg to feel calmer.
Broadly speaking meditation can be either a) concentrating on something such as a mantra or your breath, or b) opening up eg staying aware of the present moment without judgment.
Your brain can shift into Alfa, Theta, Delta waves in meditation.
My speciality is Hypnotherapy, so I’ve left most of the explanation of Mindfulness and Meditation to Alison Bale. She teaches Mindfulness to users and also trains others to teach Mindfulness. Her contact details are in the comment section below if you’d like to see and hear more of her lovely content.
What is the difference between mindfulness and meditation? By Alison Bale
Mindfulness and meditation often appear used interchangeably. But are they really the same thing?
They are interrelated – but not identical.
Mindfulness is a quality, an experience
It is a way of being, of relating to yourself and your environment. John Kabat-Zinn, the founder of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, defined it this way:
‘An awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally.’
Meditation is a practice
There are many different techniques, and different approaches will suit different people. Some approaches involve sitting in a particular way, or focusing on an object eg the breath, a candle, or using a mantra. Other meditation practices involve movement, such as walking, and yoga can be practiced as a moving meditation.
You could say that meditation is a way to practice being mindful, a tool to develop mindfulness. However, it is not the only way.
Some therapies, for example, use exercises to help you be more mindful, without ever introducing formal meditation.
There are many informal ways to practice mindfulness. You can engage in just about any day-to-day activity, slowing down, paying attention only to what you are doing. And in this way cultivate mindfulness. You can mindfully brush your teeth, for example, or make breakfast, or climb a flight of stairs.
Meditation is an exercise in ‘non doing’ – in becoming an observer of your inner world. Formal practice can provide a welcome, some would say necessary, retreat from the busyness of the world. A chance to rest and rest your mind. It can help you train your focus and attention, and so be more mindful in other aspects of your life.
There is no right or wrong. Some people prefer to work alone, others in groups. Some prefer mindful activities; others find the formal practices the most supportive.
All the exercises and practices, formal and informal, can help you develop greater moment-to-moment presence in your own life.
- Alison Bale
Quick recap:
Hypnosis is a highly focused trance. It has a purpose. This purpose can seem like a non-goal like feeling more calm or confident, or it may be more directly goal orientated.
SF Hypnotherapy is most often dissociative and non-directive to allow for more creative new outcomes. It helps you create change effectively and feel calmer.
Mindfulness is being aware in the present. It’s an experience. It helps your nervous system to calm down and you can enjoy life as it is more easily.
Meditation is a practice. It’s an exercise in non-doing, being an observer of your inner world. This calming of your mind has many benefits both mentally and physically.
Which one(s) would suit you and your aims best? Try them all, have fun and feel better!
If you liked this, here are some free resources:
If you want to learn more about and experience mindfulness, here’s Alison Bale’s LinkedIn contact details:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-bale-mindfulness/
She also has some lovely free mindfulness recordings that you can access here: https://www.mindinsight.online/gifts/
If you want to read more about hypnosis, please see my blog: “What is hypnosis? Become more resilient.”
To feel more relaxed quickly, download my free relaxation “Take a Break” below. It’s 12 mins to fit into your life easily. Enjoy :) But do not use while driving or doing anything that requires your attention.
Lena X