What is Hypnosis exactly? Is it our traditional and contemporary viewpoint of total mind control; transforming the minds of ordinary people into mindless zombies under the control of a puppeteer or hypnotist? Is it the simple use of a pendulum to induce a trance-like state in an individual? Is it all just Sci-Fi and just an antiquated practice strictly used on the sets of Hollywood? To our guest speaker and hypnotist Stephen Christopher, Hypnosis is much more.
He emphasized his hate for the word “trance,” and instead calls for a state of limbo or inner focus. He states that individuals under his training are then focused. He uses this practice for entertainment, as well as assisting people with their addictions. He awed the crowd with his simple illusions before transitioning into the main show. He called upon roughly 20 guests in the audience which was composed of all grades and even two teachers. Through his swift command he “animated” their level of focus and channeled that energy into a focused point, his hand. He gave these students certain roles and with his hypnosis, made them feel calmer while changing flight details to their memory which made the audience laugh.
Most notable was when Mr. Hill began Hula dancing and multiple participants fell out of their seats. I spoke with Aidan Gallagher, one of the students who had the opportunity to go on stage, and he explained how his seat actually felt hotter upon Mr. Christopher’s command. He could not explain how he felt this way, but he knew it had to be somewhere along the lines of some sort of manipulation of the mind. He enjoyed the experience and noted how the people around him as well as the audience shared the same consensus.
All in all, for some, it was a time of laughter, a period of sleep for others, but for us all, it was a time to react and relax in unification… away from the stresses of a normal school day.
