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Hypnotism as alternative therapy

`Just three minutes of hypnosis can provide the benefit of four hours' sleep'

BHOPAL: Nineteen-year-old bespectacled Neeraj Ahuja might appear a normal college-goer, but that notion gets rapidly dispelled when one sees the youth confidently explaining hypnotic therapy, which has benefited about 650 inmates of the Central Jail here or training doctors at the Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital's de-addiction centre.

"In 2002, hypnotism was recognised as an alternative therapy within India. It is basically counselling at subconscious level and not black magic. Hypnosis can help the common man bring about a positive change in his life," Ahuja -- hailing from a builder's family said in an interview at his clinic Eye-con Hypnosis here.

Neeraj, who is managing the facility for two years now, has trained about 1,000 students from across India.

"Hypnotism helps build self-confidence and aids in treatment of psychosomatic ailments. Just three minutes of hypnosis can provide the benefit of four hours' sleep, the treatment can enhance both memory and concentration," says Ahuja.

Smile meditation, which involves deriving joy by bringing about the `original smile' on a subject's face, is also part of his arsenal. The therapist charges Rs 200 per sitting during which the subconscious is given "programming commands" through a pendulum, eyes and voice.

Neeraj, also dabbles in astral projections which involve developing the imagination to an extent which enables one to learn about "previous" births. "As a child, Neeraj used to be very angry and someone suggested Reiki as a means of controlling him. It proved rather beneficial and Neeraj obtained the first degree in Reiki at nine and the second at 14 years. He began practicing Reiki and that suddenly led to an interest in hypnotism," says his mother Bharti Ahuja.

Ahuja, who is yet to earn a college degree, was trained by private practitioners of hypnotism at Hyderabad and Pune. He keeps in touch -- through e-mail -- with other practitioners based in America and the United Kingdom.

When asked his views on such therapy, sociologist S.N. Chaudhary, who is a professor at the city-based Barkatullah University, said, "There may or may not be any scientific basis in such treatment but it goes without saying that modernisation has definitely created a tension-wracked society. With both religion and relatives playing lesser roles, it's natural for people to seek an alternative without critically assessing the same." Prof Chaudhary feels that such therapy may leave some impact for the time being -- like a dose of opium or alcohol -- but the long-term effects are debatable. -- UNI

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