Hypnotic Like Practices of Dzogchen Meditation
Presented by Ian E. Wickramasekera II, Psy.D.
This program was recorded on Friday, January 12th, 2024
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
The tradition of Dzogchen meditation has been practiced by both the Bonpo and the Buddhist communities of Tibet for at least the last 1,500 years. The term Dzogchen refers to hypnotic-like methods of meditation (such as mindfulness meditation) and other experiential yogic exercises that are said to aid the development of insight and compassion. The philosophical viewpoints and experiential practices of Dzogchen are very similar to many traditions of hypnosis. In particular, there are many aspects of the Ego State Therapy, Social Cognitive, and Transpersonal traditions of hypnosis that easily demonstrate the hypnotic-like (Krippner, 2004) nature of the tradition of Dzogchen meditation. In particular, the Dzogchen model of mind is polypsychic like some traditions of hypnosis (Frederick, 2005; Hilgard, 1977) which posit that the human mind has at least two psychic structures which refers to the conscious and unconscious nature of mind. The Dzogchen model posits that the polypsychic nature of human beings is caused by a psychic structure referred to as the Kunzi-Namshe which divides the seamless nature of experience into deluded conceptual categories that become the “parts” of people. This idea has a number of interesting parallels in the Neo-Dissociative, Ego States, and Social Cognitive positions on the nature of the self. Dzogchen techniques also utilize many hypnotic-like practices of selective attention, visualization, and post-hypnotic suggestion to help their practitioners develop an experiential understanding of the illusion of self that is also frequently spoken of in Transpersonal Psychology (Wickramasekera, 2013).
We will discuss the experience and the philosophy of Dzogchen meditation theory in light of hypnosis research in this workshop. Ian Wickramasekera II has written about and practiced these techniques from the perspective of hypnosis for over fifteen years and was authorized to teach these practices by the Bon lineage of Dzogchen by Khenpo Yungdrung Rinpoche, the Abbott of a Bon monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 1.5 CEs for Psychologists, 1.5 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, or 1.5 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs
The tradition of Dzogchen meditation has been practiced by both the Bonpo and the Buddhist communities of Tibet for at least the last 1,500 years. The term Dzogchen refers to hypnotic-like methods of meditation (such as mindfulness meditation) and other experiential yogic exercises that are said to aid the development of insight and compassion. The philosophical viewpoints and experiential practices of Dzogchen are very similar to many traditions of hypnosis. In particular, there are many aspects of the Ego State Therapy, Social Cognitive, and Transpersonal traditions of hypnosis that easily demonstrate the hypnotic-like (Krippner, 2004) nature of the tradition of Dzogchen meditation. In particular, the Dzogchen model of mind is polypsychic like some traditions of hypnosis (Frederick, 2005; Hilgard, 1977) which posit that the human mind has at least two psychic structures which refers to the conscious and unconscious nature of mind. The Dzogchen model posits that the polypsychic nature of human beings is caused by a psychic structure referred to as the Kunzi-Namshe which divides the seamless nature of experience into deluded conceptual categories that become the “parts” of people. This idea has a number of interesting parallels in the Neo-Dissociative, Ego States, and Social Cognitive positions on the nature of the self. Dzogchen techniques also utilize many hypnotic-like practices of selective attention, visualization, and post-hypnotic suggestion to help their practitioners develop an experiential understanding of the illusion of self that is also frequently spoken of in Transpersonal Psychology (Wickramasekera, 2013).
We will discuss the experience and the philosophy of Dzogchen meditation theory in light of hypnosis research in this workshop. Ian Wickramasekera II has written about and practiced these techniques from the perspective of hypnosis for over fifteen years and was authorized to teach these practices by the Bon lineage of Dzogchen by Khenpo Yungdrung Rinpoche, the Abbott of a Bon monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.
After attending this introductory-level program, participants will be able to:
- Describe what Dzogchen Meditation is from a psychological perspective.
- Explain how hypnosis is similar to Dzogchen.
- Explain how research into the hypnotic-like nature of Dzogchen may be able to help advance hypnosis research, practice, and theory.
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.
This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 1: Program is relevant to psychological practice, education, and/or science.
General Admission: $65.00
SCEH Members: $55.00
Students: $15.00*
(*Please email [email protected] for coupon code)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
Wickramasekera, I. E. (II) (2020). Hypnotic-like aspects of the Tibetan tradition of Dzogchen meditation. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 68(2), 200-213.
Wickramasekera II, I. E. (2016). Oracle of the ultimate: Contemplative practice and mind/body assessment in transpersonal counseling. In F. Kaklauskas, C. Clements, D. Hocoy, & L Hoffman (EDS.) Shadows and light: Theory, research, and practice in transpersonal psychology: Principles and practices (pp. 123-149). University Professors Press.
Wickramasekera, I.E., II (2015). The elephant, the blind men, and hypnosis. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 57(4), 452-455.
Wickramasekera, I.E., II (2015). Mysteries of hypnosis and the self are revealed by the psychology and neuroscience of empathy. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 57(3), 330-348.
Wickramasekera II, I. E. (2014). Early psychological knowledge. In T. Leahey, S. Greer, G., Lefrançois, T. Reiner, J. Spencer, I. Wickramasekera, II, & E. Willmarth (Eds.), History of psychology (pp. 15–42). Constellation.
Wickramasekera, I. E. (II) (2013). Hypnosis and transpersonal psychology: Answering the call within. In H. Friedman & G. Hartelius (Eds.), The Wiley-Blackwell handbook of transpersonal psychology (pp. 492-511). Wiley-Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118591277.ch27
Ian E. Wickramasekera II, Psy.D., Associate Professor, Naropa University.
Dr. Ian Wickramasekera has a lifelong fascination with topics such as Affective Neuroscience, Biofeedback, Bon-Buddhism, Empathy, Hypnosis, Lucid Dreaming, Mind/Body Medicine, and Transpersonal Psychology. His research into these areas has won him a number of awards such as the Clark L. Hull Award for Scientific Excellence in Hypnosis and the Milton H. Erickson Award for Scientific Excellence in Clinical Hypnosis from the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Ian also won the Distinguished Early Career Contributions to Hypnosis award from the American Psychological Association as well as from the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. He was confirmed to be a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in 2018 by the Fellows Committee of APA in acknowledging his outstanding and unusual contributions to the science and practice of psychology. Dr. Ian enjoys biking, dancing, hiking, making music, meditating, and running when he isn’t at work and/or reading an obscure tome of ancient lore.
Target Audience: Hypnosis practitioners, mental health and healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, students.
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159
Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036
MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hour of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.
Participation Certificate. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is able to provide students and other participants who simply wish to have documentation of their attendance at the program a participation certificate.
Non Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.