Archives for February 2010

See Yourself Going into the Hypnotic State and Give Yourself a Posthypnotic Suggestion

February 6, 2010 by editor Leave a Comment

It is commonly felt that the deeper the state of hypnosis, the better the results. In actual practice, I have not found this to be so. I have had excellent results in a relatively short period of time with subjects who only achieved a light state, and it has been necessary to work with others who achieved a deep state of hypnosis for a longer period before lasting results were in evidence.

Naturally, each individual presents a different set of needs and even though the symptoms may be basically the same, each will respond favorably when his requirements are met. This happens on a conscious as well as unconscious level. For example, the mere assurance by a physician that the patient is all right and has nothing to worry about is often sufficient to bring about desirable results. Another example is the mother who stops the sobbing of her hurt child by a loving kiss. A logical approach, pointing out to the child that he really didn’t hurt himself, would never have worked. We have all heard stories of primitive tribesmen who have died because they knew they were the objects of “death wishes” by another member of the tribe.

The key to achieving a greater depth of self-hypnosis lies in the use of the visual-imagery technique. You “see” yourself going into the hypnotic state deeper and deeper. You even picture yourself, using this technique, passing various progressive hypnotic tests. The second part of the key lies in giving yourself a posthypnotic suggestion that each succeeding attempt will put you into a deeper state as a result of a given stimulus–such as the count of three.

The Importance of Visualization in Self Hypnosis

February 2, 2010 by editor Leave a Comment

In the chapter, “How Does Self-Hypnosis Work,” stress was laid on the importance of the visual-imagery technique. During every attempt to achieve self-hypnosis, you attempt to visualize yourself going into the hypnotic state. Once you have deepened the state, you begin the process of visualizing yourself exactly the way you want to be. You may experience difficulty at first, but as you keep at it, you will be able to picture yourself the way you want. _You use the visual-imagery technique whether you think you are under hypnosis or not._ These images become clear as you constantly hammer home these suggestions. This is the exact procedure necessary, and you needn’t complicate it.

Let us suppose that you are getting your eyelids to close at the count of three and have achieved a good state of relaxation. With these prerequisites, you can anticipate going deeper into the hypnotic state.

Actually, being able to get the eyes to close at a specific count is the first test in determining if the subject has gone under hypnosis. If you have conditioned yourself this far, then you can go to the next step.

The next test is called the “swallowing” test. You mentally give yourself suggestions that as you slowly, to yourself, count to 10, you will get an irresistible urge to swallow one time. You further suggest that this will happen even before you reach the count of 10. You then begin the count. “One … My throat is parched, and I feel an irresistible urge to swallow one time. Two … My lips are becoming very dry, and I feel an irresistible urge to swallow. Three … My throat feels very dry, and I feel an irresistible urge to swallow one time.

Four … Before I reach the count of 10, the urge to swallow one time will become irresistible because my lips and throat are so dry. Five … Once I swallow, I shall no longer have the urge to swallow again, and as I swallow one time, I shall fall into a deeper and sounder state of hypnosis.” Continue with similar suggestions, repeating and affirming the suggestions about swallowing. Once you actually swallow, youdiscontinue the suggestions and, instead, give yourself suggestions that you are falling deeper and deeper into a sound hypnotic state and that the constructive suggestions you now give yourself will work for you.

Once again you practice visual-imagery, seeing yourself the way you want to be, while fortifying this image with forceful, positive suggestions.

You close by giving yourself suggestions that you will enter the hypnotic state whenever you relax for five minutes and count to three.

The suggestions are just as effective whether given aloud or mentally. Many subjects report that they are reluctant when it comes to giving suggestions to themselves. I can only say that as you continue to work with yourself, you will develop confidence in giving yourself suggestions. In order for the suggestions to be effective, they cannot be given in a reticent or hesitant manner. They must be given with enthusiasm and anticipation. If you assiduously follow these instructions, you will derive the benefits you seek in the shortest possible time and witness the positive, tangible results of your suggestions and efforts. In the next chapter, you’ll learn how to deepen the self-hypnotic state.

Ideomotor Action: the Stimulus Can Bring on the Response

February 1, 2010 by editor Leave a Comment

In your initial attempts, you will be trying to establish a conditioned response to the count of three which will subsequently cause your eyes to close and put you under hypnosis. Eventually, you should react instantly to the count of three or any other cue you may use to trigger the response. The key words or stimulus become associated with the action that you seek.

Through repetition, just thinking about the stimulus can bring on the response. This is known as ideomotor action and is present in the waking as well as the hypnotic state. Pavlov’s famous experiments which induced dogs to salivate when a bell was rung after previously having had food fed to them at the same time are examples of this type of conditioning. Don’t we generally become hungry if someone tells us it’s noon and time for lunch when, in fact, it’s only 11 o’clock?

I had a common experience recently that I am sure many readers have shared. One of my neighbors, seeing my car was parked in front of my house and knowing I was home, called to say he was dropping in to see me. While working on the manuscript of this book, I thought I heard the doorbell as I was typing. I went to the front door and no one was there.

I even walked around the house looking for him because I was so certain I heard the bell. This is another example of an ideomotor action. I told my friend about it when he arrived approximately 30 minutes later. He looked at me rather whimsically, and we both shared a laugh. Haven’t you thought you heard the phone ring when you were waiting for a call?