Just what is this thing we call “magic”? Let’s consider the definition that comes to us from Webster’s dictionary:

“The art of persons who claim to be able to do things by the help of supernatural creatures or by their own knowledge of nature’s secrets….

Something that charms; any seemingly hidden or secret power; as, the magic of a voice; the magic of a great name….

Sleight of hand….

Seemingly requiring more than human power; startling in performance; producing effects which seem supernatural….”

Pretty interesting stuff, right?! In this definition we get a whole bunch of different ideas, all of them working together and yet somehow contradicting each other.

On the one hand, we have the idea that there’s something supernatural at work. Something superhuman, or “out of this world.”

But at the same time we are meant to understand that it’s only “seemingly” so. Magicians “claim” to have special powers, but whether they actually do is up for debate.

Nevertheless, Webster’s definition of magic helps to give us a starting point for our journey through this ancient art form.

What Is Magic?

At its most basic, the word “magic” carries with it the idea of special powers, or at least the illusion of possessing such powers.

At one end of the spectrum, the word implies someone who has the ability to do things that few other mortal beings can do. A magician in this sense would be someone who, for example, is able to walk on fire, levitate off the ground, or read other people’s minds.

The other end of the spectrum, however, has a more practical or even cynical understanding of the term. It takes the view that magic is a form of trickery, even deliberate deceit. A magician in this sense of the word is someone skilled at lying and who is cleverer than his audience. He is intent on “pulling the wool over” others’ eyes.

In reality, and for our purposes, let’s come to an understanding of magic that takes the middle ground. Magic isn’t pure supernatural power, but it isn’t garden variety mean-spirited deception, either.

A good magician is one who gives the appearance of possessing special powers, an impression that both he and his audience agree to believe in together. Magic is meant not to outwit, fool or upset anyone-it’s meant to surprise, astonish and delight.

In this view, magic is something wonderful and enjoyable, both for the practitioner and for the audience members who are also involved. It is an entertainment, a diversion, an escape from our mundane, ordinary lives. It is a chance for all of us to brush up against the possibility of something greater than ourselves!

The Magic Superstars

Just as there are movie stars, super athletes, and Nobel Prize-winning authors, there are also some magicians whose talents and skills set them apart from the rest. All of us amateur magicians admire them and can stand to learn a lot from these magic superstars!

This article was extracted from the book ‘Discover The Magic Trick Secrets You’re Not Supposed To Know’. To find out more please visit www.DiscoverMagicTricks.com
About the Author

Chris Lloyd is the author of “Discover The Magic Trick Secrets You’re Not Supposed To Know”. His website can be found at www.DiscoverMagicTricks.com

Technorati Tags: MagicalHypnotist, Magical, Magician, Illusionist, Illusion, Comedy, Comedian, Mark Hamilton, Hamilton, Magical Hypnotist, Comedy Magician

When new clients come in to see me the first thing I want to know from them is if they are ready to quit trying to quit smoking. Most people that come into my office intend to use hypnosis to stop an unwanted habit such as smoking. They also have tried other methods before deciding on hypnosis. They have failed in the past and one of the reasons that I attribute to those failures is that they where trying . The truly successful individuals that leave my office as non-smokers are the ones that are finished trying to quit and have decided to become a non-smoker. After all, they where a non-smoker long before they became a smoker. We can not accomplish anything if all we are doing is trying.

To make this concept understandable you must first understand what the word try means. By definition the word try means the following:

1. Make an effort to do or accomplish (something); attempt: tried to ski.

2. To taste, sample, or otherwise test in order to determine strength, effect, worth, or desirability: Try this casserole. Try the door.

As you can see there is nothing about the word try that equals success. I do not want my clients to try, I want them to succeed. In order for this to occur they must have in their mind the right words for success. They must have in their minds the right commands to achieve their desired outcome. Once you get your mind hearing and understanding the words that truly reflect your desired outcome you can succeed.

Most clients after having a hypnotic session to become a non smoker will often say that if they knew it would be this easy they would have quit years ago. I will normally tell them that if they where truly ready to quit years ago it would have been that easy then also. One thing that is important to know about hypnosis is that it is not mind control. When you are in hypnosis you are in control and in a heightened state of awareness. You can not be made to do anything against your will or that you do not want to do. The effectiveness of a hypnotic session rides squarely on the shoulders of the individual being hypnotised. If the words I m going to try to quit , as apposed to, I m going to quit , are in their mind then the outcome will be a try, an attempt or effort, not a commitment to succeed. This is why I want all my clients to quit trying to quit smoking .and do it!

William Molitor CH, Director, Tri-State Hypnosis Center
http://www.tri-statehypnosis.com

About The Author

William Molitor CH, Director, Tri-State Hypnosis Center NGH certified Master Hypnotis, Transformational speaker

http://www.tri-statehypnosis.com

wlmolitor@hotmail.com

Technorati Tags: Hypnotist, Stage Hypnotist, Stage Hypnosis, Hypnosis, Hypnotism, Magical Hypnotist, Hypnotherapy, NLP, Neuro Linguistic Programming

You are getting relaxed and intensly concentrate on my words…hypnonsis can be very effective. This form of natural healing has a long history of use; with there even being evidence to suggest that ancient societies used forms of hypnosis in religious rituals. There are many professionals that continue to use including psychologists, psychiatrists and by certified hypnosis therapists.

1. Prejudices About Hypnosis

Hypnosis is most often related to entertaining stage shows where an audience participant is hypnotized and then does crazy things, like pretending to be a chicken. Hypnosis is also thought of by some as a tool to use to aid with the cessation of smoking. Hypnosis can be much more than a form of entertainment of a tool of self-help. Hypnosis can also be used to aid in the recovery of illnesses and injuries.

2. Forms Of Hypnosis

As with the medical field, there are many different forms of hypnosis. In one form of hypnosis, guided imagery is used. With this form, hypnotist guides the person into a relaxed state. This relaxed state is usually accomplished by helping the person visualize his stress and release it. Hypnotism can also be done through the use of direct suggestion. Through direct suggestion, the hypnotist puts the patient into a trance and repeatedly tells him to feel a certain way. Since the patient is more receptive to suggestion while in this trancelike state, he is easily convinced by direct suggestion.

3. Pain Relief

Hypnosis has been shown to aid individuals with pain relief. In fact, clinical studies have shown it to help relieve pain in patients suffering from cancer, burns and leukemia. It has also been shown to reduce pain in women undergoing childbirth and in dental patients undergoing dental procedures. Hypnosis has been shown to be an excellent alternative to individuals who do not wish to use highly addictive pain relievers, such as morphine, to relieve chronic pain. In fact, hypnosis has been used by some patients as the only analgesic while undergoing cardiac, abdominal, genitourinary, and breast surgery. Amazingly, those who use hypnosis rather than medicine for pain relief found their relief to be far superior.

4. Childbirth

Examples of those who use hypnotism are woman to reduce pain during childbirth, and cancer patients claim that hypnotism reduces pain while undergoing chemotherapy. In addition, many cancer patients believe hypnotism helped them recover from the disease.

5. Hospital Illness

Hypnotism has had such amazing results that major hospitals are even beginning to use hypnotism to help patients relieve pain and recover from illness more quickly. In fact, the University of North Carolina uses hypnotism to help patients control irritable bowel syndrome.

6. Recovery

Lots of research has been done on the road to recovery on this subject. Much research has been performed in the effects of hypnosis in recovery. One study was published several years ago that found that hypnotism before surgery helped patients require less pain medication. These patients also experienced fewer complications and were able to leave the hospital quicker than patients who did not receive hypnosis. If you look at brain research, hypnotism actually alters brain functioning and activates specific regions of the brain to control ability to focus and pay attention.

About the Author:

For more great hypnosis related articles and resources check out http://counselorcenter.info

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Technorati Tags: Hypnotist, Stage Hypnotist, Stage Hypnosis, Hypnosis, Hypnotism, Magical Hypnotist, Hypnotherapy, NLP, Neuro Linguistic Programming