Hypnosis is a state of mental relaxation and active imagination where the critical mind is blocked, putting one in a focused state of hyper suggestibility and access to the subconscious mind. The document discusses common myths about hypnosis, types of hypnosis including stage, heterodox, self and highway hypnosis. It also outlines the basic principles of hypnosis including setting, agreement, counseling approach and using imagination and images. Suggestibility and different types including physical, emotional, somnambulist and intellectual are defined. The finger spreading test is provided as an example for testing suggestibility.