Considering most meditation is all about clearing the mind, or focusing on the present moment. How do people here generally find this? Do you practice it and have you found it useful?
Hm. Perhaps this should go in the spirtuality and philosophy sub forum.
If we perceive by making distinctions, and the more distinctions, the more we see, then it might be worthwhile making the distinction between meditation and hypnosis.
So both meditation and hypnosis are forms of trance. And a trance can be induced by any repetition.
And the repetition induces a cognitive loop.
So both meditation and hypnosis are loops.
So how can we distinguish between them?
Well, hypnosis is an external loop, while meditation is an internal loop.
In hypnosis, for instance, you form an external loop with a hypnotist or perhaps the TV or perhaps while driving a motor car.
While in meditation you form an internal loop by, say, repeating to yourself the word, "Om". Or you might follow the repetition of your breathing.
I personally prefer meditation 'cause I am not dependent on an external source, as I am in hypnosis.
And before I enter the meditative state, I can choose what suggestions to give myself.
And of course if you enter a hypnotic state with a hypnotist, you are wise to reach an agreement with the hypnotist as to exactly what suggestions they will give you while you are hypnotised.
And a good suggestion to make is that, "I will awake relaxed and refreshed".