Hypnosis is an altered state of mind. You are not asleep or unconscious--if you were, you would no longer hear suggestions from me! On the contrary, and despite appearances, an hypnotic trance is a state of intense concentration on a single thought or idea. While in this state, your conscious, analytical mind is temporarily distracted, thus opening up a direct channel to your subconscious mind. Because your subconscious mind tends to accept suggestions without judgement, your beliefs, habits, and even reality can be altered. This is why it is so valuable as a tool in therapy and medicine.

You can achieve this state alone, or more typically under the guidance of a hypnotist. The hypnotist asks you to follow along with the suggestions and use your own imagination to see, feel, and hear the things described. What you are doing, basically, is suspending your disbelief. The better you are at focusing and imagining these things happening, the deeper your trance will be. There is no magic or battle of will-power involved.

If you'd like more information, check out Hypnosis.com.