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.
