It can be hard to relax in today's society. We live in a technology age in which we are constantly flooded with information from Twitter and Facebook while we try to multitask and operate on hectic schedules. This is especially true for college students who are trying to balance everything—school, work, friendships, relationships, sleep, etc. Comedic hypnotist Kevin Hurley explained, "It is important to stop and focus on a few things—just as important as going to the gym and doing cardio."

On Saturday night, a crowd of about 80 students came to Levin Ballroom to see Hurley's show. A group of participants went on stage and closed their eyes as Hurley set up a variety of imaginary situations. At one point, Hurley convinced participants that they were so cold they were shivering. At another, he convinced participants that they were holding their favorite animal. Later on, Hurley scattered napkins around the stage and told participants that they won hundreds of dollars. Hurley made audience members laugh as participants crawled, danced and jumped around stage, completely immersed in these bizarre scenarios. I thought it was especially fascinating to watch people get hypnotized. For a little over an hour I observed a group of students, most of whom I had never met in person, being transported into an entirely different world. These students were engrossed in this surreal microcosm—this other state of consciousness—and I did not even know most of their names.

Hypnosis is a kind of meditation. While it can be stressful trying to navigate our way through an infinite flow of choices, hypnosis allows one to think calmly and clearly. "It is a state of relaxation, a state of super consciousness," Hurley explained. "Some people do it for a power nap—they feel rejuvenated afterwards."

"Hypnosis empowers you to take action," he said. In other words, hypnosis is a technique that separates the necessary from the unnecessary; it makes you focus on the essentials and tune out everything that stops you from acting. Most people actually use hypnosis for phobias, chronic pains and addictions. Hurley explained that hypnosis is a "holistic approach." Hypnosis helps patients both psychologically and psychologically. Hurley has actually made several audio CDs that address specific problems and coach people through them.

Hurley went on to remind us that there are no real dangers to hypnosis: "You are always in control. You don't do something that you are not comfortable with. There is no real danger, unless you are afraid of success." Hurley explained that there is even such a thing as "self-hypnosis." Without having a hypnotist or someone to guide them, patients can use the same techniques on themselves. Hurley himself practices relaxation exercises when he is traveling on planes.

Hurley then talked a little bit about how he got involved in hypnosis. Hurley had been interested in comedic hypnosis since he was young and had thought to himself, "Wouldn't it be funny if someone did that?" Hurley said, "I was always an instigator, and I was always into magic and psychology," Hurley said.

He learned his craft from world-renowned hypnotist Ormond McGill. When Hurley found out McGill would be at a clinic in Las Vegas, he jumped at the opportunity to meet him. Since then, Hurley has spent the past 10 years touring all over the United States. He has performed for Justin Timberlake, Tom Petty, Nine Inch Nails, Bill Clinton and several NFL Teams.

Although this was Hurley's first time performing at Brandeis, over half of his shows are for college students. Hurley finds that there is always a great response at colleges. "College students are open to try. Many people are relaxed onstage," Hurley explained. "While everyone has the potential to be hypnotized, some people are more suggestive than others; it's all about their attitude."

What I enjoyed most about Hurley's show was that it allowed me to take a break from my own daily problems. Even though I was not on stage getting hypnotized, I was in a stress-free atmosphere that was extremely conducive to relaxation. I did not worry about my upcoming paper or reflect on past experiences. Rather, for a brief period, I stepped back and separated myself from the chaos of my thoughts. Wouldn't it be nice if the whole world could experience hypnosis?