Hypnosis is as old as humanity itself. Cuneiform tablets found in the interfluves of the Tigris and Euphrates, indicate that the oldest known cultural Nations of the world, the Sumerians, hypnosis has been known in the fourth Millennium before Christ, and they used it then just as it is done in our time. The Sumerians In priestly school of the city of Erech with nezapamyatnyh times kept a handwritten document which was constantly rewritten. Fragments of this document have been preserved and contain irrefutable evidence that in those times the most educated doctors Letov treated patients suggestions during sleep.

Sumerian priests were also known three stages of hypnosis: light, medium and deep. Today we likewise should discern these three degrees of hypnosis. India's oldest Sanskrit text, the code of laws of Manu, also mentioned above classification of hypnotic States. Here they are called "sleep in the Wake", "the dream" and "the dream of bliss". And now self-hypnosis is part of a number of the highest levels of yoga. Egypt In ancient Egypt hypnosis was used as a therapeutic tool.

So, in the ebers papyrus, the age of which is three thousand years, described the methods of application of hypnosis healers that time. These methods have much in common with the currently applied. The Egyptian priests were both folk doctors. At the beginning of a hypnotic session they held before the eyes of the patient shiny metal disk that his eyes are tired and the patient fell into a hypnotic sleep. Here we can easily find out the origins of the method of fixation, applied in our time.

The ancient Egyptians also knew the imposition of hands, accompanied by the relevant suggestion. In one ancient Egyptian document says "... impose his hands on him, to soothe the pain in the hands, and say that the pain will go away". At that time there were temples, which were allowed to sleep for patients seeking the gods healing. The most famous of these were the temple of Serapis in Canopus and the temple of ISIS. Greece And ancient Greeks were known hypnosis and temple sleep. Patients who came to the temple, were in the beginning for some time to follow a certain diet. The next stage of preparation for the actual treatment were aromatic baths and a ritual ablutions. Then the priest told them about successful cases of healing in order to adjust them to the upcoming event and increase the tension of waiting. Only after that the patients were admitted to the medical service. During sleep, the priests whispered ill-defined words of suggestion, so that they impressed prevailed in the temple of the atmosphere awakened powers of self-healing. After awakening, the priests interpret dreams patients and strictly punished them to follow the advice of the gods.

At that time, as now, met the sick who could not sleep and, therefore, did not respond to hypnosis. For such cases in the temples were the priests who had mediumistic gift, which fell into a trance, had made contact with the gods. In the famous temple of Apollo in Delphi at the edge of the cleft in the rock from which you were raised pairs, on the Golden tripod sat priestess. Inhaling these pairs, the priestess was in a trance, and answering questions, gave the advice of the gods. In other temples, the priests were put himself into a trance by cremation of known plants. Rome The Romans were the mediums for establishing sick or seeking advice contact with the gods. Even philosophers have used hypnosis and suggestion. The Roman poet

Porphyry, who lived in the third century BC, informs about scientific dispute, which fought philosophers Dams and Olympic. Their disciples were arguing among themselves about who is the teacher has great knowledge. Finally, Dams has caused Olympia on sostyazanie on "magical arts". This sostyazanie was going to happen in the presence of their students. Dams came close to Olympia and a few minutes staring into his eyes, and then loudly, so that heard all around, said: "See, now I will delay the body Olympia as the money bag!". Indeed, Olympic instantly felt a strong pain and was forced to admit that his opponent has plenty of power of the spirit. Hypnosis and Christianity Hypnosis in the form of a temple sleep lasted until the middle of VI century. Then the legacy of the priests began to seize the Christian monks who now was miraculous healings through prayers, Holy water, Holy relics of saints velikomuchenika and the laying on of hands. The latter was the prerogative of the popes and kings. The New Testament says:" On the sick shall lay their hands and it will be easier...".

To the XI century is the first mention about hypnosis monks of the order of heijastuu on mount Athos. They have introduced themselves into a state of hypnosis, his eyes fixed on your own navel. For this they were called apalapsili, or meditators navel. Theophrastus Paracelsus von Hohenheim (1493-1541), better known under the name of Paracelsus, taught that the key driving force of all healing is "inner doctor". Paracelsus wrote that the monks in Carinthia healed the sick, making them look shiny crystal ball. Patients are usually immersed in deep sleep. During this sleep monks did patients appropriate suggestions for recovery, which in most cases was coming. The Inquisition Only the Inquisition was forced to give this therapy oblivion, for everyone who was able to do it, could be declared pozoblanco of the devil.