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The Difference Between Hypnotism and Mesmerism

By: Moloch Rosenberg

The majority of persons would claim that hypnotism and mesmerism are identical, there being no difference between them. They are both due-it is said-to suggestion and the influence of the mind over the body. Very similar phenomena occur in both cases, it is true, but I believe that there is a difference between the two processes and conditions.

Mesmerism is based on the belief that there is a definite physical emanation or vital fluid, which passes from the operator into the subject while the mesmeric passes are being made over the latter's body.

Hypnotism, on the other hand, is due entirely to "suggestion"-the influence of the subconscious mind upon the body. There is no physical influence or effluence in hypnotic practice, and it is claimed that all the phenomena of mesmerism, apparently showing such influence, are in reality entirely due to suggestion.

As before stated, however, we believe that there is a difference between the two processes, and that hypnotism is due solely to psychical causes, but that, in mesmerism, the human fluid before spoken of, plays a part. As proof of this, I may cite (among other proofs) the fact that clairvoyance and many of the so-called higher phenomena are frequently obtained in mesmeric trance, while they are extremely rare in hypnotic trance. Other phenomena could be
mentioned, but this will suffice for the present.

Passes and Suggestion

Mesmerism being due to the passage of a vital fluid from the body
of the operator into the subject; contact and passes are essential.
If, therefore, you wish to mesmerize your subject, you should make
passes over his head, forehead, eyes and down the front of the body. All downward passes are sleep-passes and all upward passes are waking-passes.

Placing the hands on certain nerve-centres of the forehead, and particularly between the eyes and over the temples, will help to induce sleep; also clasping the patient's hands and placing the point of your thumb in contact with the point of his thumb establishes the current and serves to induce the mesmeric trance.

In Hypnotism, on the other hand, passes are not essential, though they often help. In hypnotizing a subject it is common to ask him first of all to gaze at a bright object until the eyes tire when the lids are closed, suggestions of sleep are given, or the subject may open and close the eyes a number of times as you count, and this will serve to induce the initial stages of hypnotic trance; the deeper stages are induced by means of suggestion.

Remarkable Hypnotic Phenomena

Post-hypnotic suggestion is a form of treatment often resorted to and is a good subject for experimentation. It means that the subject performs, after awakening from trance, certain actions suggested to him when entranced. He remembers nothing of the suggestions but carries them out to the letter.

Many hypnotic subjects have extraordinary ability in calculating time, and can guess to a second the length of time which has elapsed between certain intervals or carry out. "post-hypnotically" a suggestion given them in trance days or even weeks before.

Hypnotism is a useful method of opening up and exploring the subconscious mind. We are enabled to "tap" it, as it were, and get in touch with hidden portions of our being which we could otherwise never reach. Dreams may be analysed in this manner; also unpleasant thoughts, impressions, emotions, etc., removed and frequently undesirable influences banished by hypnotic suggestion. Hypnotism seems to reach a deeper stratum of our mind than ordinary waking suggestion, and because of this fact it is at times so useful. For instance the drink-habit has often been cured by hypnotic suggestion.

The Power of Hypnotic Suggestion

Hence we see that there must be more in the hypnotic command than mere advice or persuasion, because thousands of drunkards have been advised not to drink, but they continue to do so, nevertheless! By means of hypnotism we are enabled to reach a portion of the mind so deep that it controls the whole being, and the result is that these deep-rooted habits may at times be removed and eradicated.

This is one of the distinguishing marks of the hypnotic state-that a more fundamental control over the body and mind is obtained, and, by reason of this fact, many cures of diseased conditions and abnormal states of mind have been recorded which have been otherwise treated ineffectually.

There is a difference between the hypnotic and the mediumistic trance, though not so great as that existing between the latter and the mesmeric state. In both the mediumistic and the mesmeric trance a form of "magnetism" is doubtless employed, and this connects them in a subtle bond of union. It is because of this that telepathy, clairvoyance, etc., are so often obtained in the mesmeric trance, which is closely akin to the condition secured by 'mediums, in which they obtain genuine mediumistic messages.

The Fear of Being Hypnotized

Many persons are afraid of being hypnotized this fear being based partly upon valid reasons and partly upon superstition. Properly induced by an expert, the hypnotic trance is not injurious; on the contrary, it is often extremely beneficial, and, as before pointed out, quickens the mental and physical powers, removes bad habits, effects cures, etc.. On the other hand, when hypnotism is applied by an ignorant or bungling operator, who does not know his business, the result may be very detrimental to the health of the person hypnotized. A state may be induced which neither the operator nor anybody else fully understands, for no one at the present time fully comprehends the nature of the condition thereby induced. The conscious mind is removed from its supremacy, and this is often a fatal mistake-particularly when there are evil influences at work, either within or without the subject.

If the operator is a sympathetic, careful, and qualified expert, mesmerism may prove highly beneficial, for evil influences may thereby be removed, by counteracting them and infusing into the subject a supply of beneficial "animal-magnetism" which is opposed to that supplied from opposite sources.

Hypnotic Influence From Other Mediums

Andrew Jackson Davis began his career as a medium by being mesmerized, and others could doubtless develop their mediumistic faculties in the same way; but one must be extremely careful in such a case to select a thoroughly competent operator one in whom he has complete faith, otherwise more harm than good may result.

If you find that any one is trying to influence you against your will, you may overcome this by counter-suggestion given to yourself from within. If the person be absent, this may be purely imaginary on your part, and the operator in question may be entirely ignorant of the effect he is producing in you! There are thousands of persons in insane asylums all over the world who suffer from the belief that they are being "persecuted" by others at a distance, and that these others are endeavouring to influence them by hypnotism, etc. As a matter of fact nothing of the sort is the case, and their condition is purely the result of imaginary belief.

Be most careful, therefore, that you fully ascertain and prove to your satisfaction the existence of this foreign influence before you take any steps to offset it or even seriously believe that such influence is being directed toward you.

How to Overcome Such Influences

When once you have become satisfied that influences of this character are being directed toward you, take immediate steps to protect yourself-such as those outlined in Chapter 23, "Obsession and Insanity." If promptly applied, this will effectually offset such conditions coming from outside minds.

If you are in the presence of a person whom you feel to be influencing you, it would then be best to take the precautions and steps outlined in the next chapter, devoted to "Personal Magnetism." This will prevent your passing under the influence of such a person. You need never fear that hypnotic sleep, even if induced, will last a great length of time and that the subject cannot be awakened therefrom. Sleeps of this character always terminate spontaneously if they are let alone though it is always best to see that a hypnotic subject is thoroughly awakened before he leaves the care and supervision of the operator, otherwise he may go about in a somewhat dazed condition for a time, and may not be altogether responsible for his actions.

Hypnotism and its associated phenomena and abilities is a large subject, and gaining other psychic abilities will enhance your abilities to hypnotise of be hypnotised.

Developing Psychic Powers will show you all you need to know to maximise all these abilities.

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In Peace, Light and Truth,

Adrian,