Ask me about: Hypnosis!

Hey guys! I've mentioned once or twice on here that I've been a practitioner of hypnosis an other "mind" related things for quite some time!

Let me first start by saying yes. Hypnosis and trance are indeed a real, and commonly occurring phenomenon.

And no. Typically what you see in the movies where the vampire waves his Han and instantly trances someone is not how it works.

Yes, there are literally tons of things possible through hypnosis. (Just think real virtual reality, but in waking life)

And also, I am not sphengali

Ask away!


Questions

First question, how long have you been practicing it?

6 years, just about!

Next question?

How can you check if you're in a trance?

Trance is one of those funny things. It's only a state of mind. When the body relaxes, the mind slows down, and you focus on something Wholy. Or at least mostly.

It's like driving a car, and you take a wrong turn somewhere as if to go somewhere else. Some people call it autopilot, but it is actually a form of trance. Or when you get to the sappy part of a story or movie and get watery eyed. That's hypnosis in its simplest form. Basic suggestion.

I recently read a statistic that college students on average enter a trance state over 100 times a day!


Long story short, you'd basically just feel calm, relaxed and focused on something. Even if its just staring off into space.

Why doesn't someone remember what they did under hypnosis once they wake up?

There can be a couple of reasons for that.
One, and probably most common, is that usually while under by means of a hypnotist, the trance is brought to a point where the subject becomes so relaxed an focused on what the hypnotist is saying that the part of the brain that processes critical thinking is bypassed ad the hypnotist is directly in contact with the subconscious.

In other words, it slipps by the forefront of your mind and into the subconscious directly.
You're more focused on the hypnotists voice, rather that what they are actually saying. That's why when you see a stage show, the subject may remember bits and pieces, but the rest is like trying to remember a dream. The more you try to remember the farther it gets. That kind of thing.

Another way for that to happen is for the hypnotist to install an amnesia suggestion. I've seen this be usefull in hypnotherapy sessions where the hypnotist would dig up stuff from the subject that could be upsetting to them, so they'll sometimes use amnesia to cover up rediscovered traumatic events as to not perpetuate them.

I hope that answered your question Taffy!

Next question?

What kind of hypnotism do you perform? Are you more of a stage hypnotist or a therapeutic hypnotist? Have you had any success in your venture, business wise? What are your clients most interested in? (quitting smoking, past life regression, etc) Do you believe hypnotism can be used for past life regression or do you try to distance yourself from that side of things and focus on the practical side?

I do self-hypnosis frequently for personal reasons, and even though it's been maybe been 2-3 months of practicing it, if I want to fall asleep faster, or if I just want to relax and see how my thoughts come out, the self-hypnosis works for me all the time now. I always remember what I did during the self-hypnosis.

I think something about hypnotism, whether it's receiving it through a hypnotist or doing it yourself, the most important thing to know is that the one being hypnotized can be aware of what's happening to them. Most aren't able to acknowledge or have proper awareness of the light trances during hypnosis, but the hypnotist can set a saying for posthypnotic suggestions to be directed towards that person's subconscious (or unconscious if you don't like New age terminology).

As for the past life regression, hypnotizing yourself or being hypnotized by someone else, you are essentially breaking down into the simplistic of suggestive behavior. If I tried to visualize something very detailed without going through the states of hypnotic suggestion progressively, I have a hard time. But as I go down from light to more heavier states, the visuals and the body reactions (ex: stating I can't feel my right hand until I count to a certain number) definitely works.

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As for Amikething, I have a few questions. This question stems from a book made by Melvin Powers on "A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis"...Have you ever had clients where you asked them (when they're in a hypnotic state (light, medium, heavy, etc.):

"Who's boy are you?" or

"Who's girl are you?"

What were their first responses? Was it in a response as in "Mama's boy" or "Daddy's girl"? Because at least in Powers experience with hypnosis, that's the general response (for familial attachments, etc.).

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And have you had clients where they felt pessimistic during the sessions or even utilized having a close relative next to them during it to have a mental block?

Because from Powers, he stated how some people usually have a mental block if they have someone close to them so they wouldn't have any kind of Freudian slips, and some actually use that on purpose to make sure they don't reveal too much about what they really think.

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Do you tell your patients to "clear their minds," or do you go through it in a progressive state?

Because the analogy I use from Powers for hypnosis (self-hypnosis or having a hypnotist do it for you) is instead of embracing a full body of water in a pool, you'll usually want to use your feet to test the temperature, and then progressively adjust to getting your whole body in the water.

And it's to relate how hypnosis is a progressive thing (usually when you do it a first time), because you're starting light and then getting into heavier states.

Do you believe this is more practical for hypnosis sessions? Or do you have other methods?

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And one more question (sorry for the load of questions here), but do you use "present" tense for your clients?

Ex: (what I use for self-hypnosis or what you would want your clients to repeat):

"As I count to ten, my eyelids shall become relaxed, and when I reach to ten, I shall be in a deeper hypnotic state."

Do you emphasize on visualizations or utilize any kinds of mediums (crystal ball and chains, clocks, spinning objects etc. to entice your clients to fixate on an object while you direct hypnotic suggestions to them?)

Lets see...
@Poster: I believe I'd be more of a "recreational" hypnotist. Though I've helped a few people in need for getting rid of habits, anxieties etc. I'll be honest though, most of the people I've met are either looking to better themselves or on the flip side, for something that's called a "hypno fantasy". In general, the subject becomes part of a story that vein told by the hypnotist. They are the main character, and believe it in full detail. Think a virtual reality movie. I've also helped people in something called "transformation" hypnosis, where post hypnotic suggestions are used to trigger a change in the subject. That's very popular in the furry fandom, and a few others, or people who like to see themselves as what they identify with.


@Link
I've never asked that first one.

I have had pessimistic clients, and sometimes even with a third party. But I tend to find that it helps relax them, I they know someone else is looking out for their best interest

I usually use a progressive induction, but depending on the rapport with the hypnotist, instant inductions are also very possible. Everything depends on the perception of the client. The handshake induction is along those lines.

I'm not exactly what you mean by present tense,

And I'll use a variety of teqniques depending on the person and there potential level of suggestibility. Everyone is different, therefore, everyone really gets hypnotized differently. I myself am not a very visual thinker, I'm more tactile. So instead of a guided imagery induction, I would probably use some sort of progressive relaxation teqniques.

I hope I got them all!

Next question?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amikething

And I'll use a variety of teqniques depending on the person and there potential level of suggestibility. Everyone is different, therefore, everyone really gets hypnotized differently. I myself am not a very visual thinker, I'm more tactile. So instead of a guided imagery induction, I would probably use some sort of progressive relaxation teqniques.

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Ahhh okay, thank you very much for your response!

Quote:

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I'm not exactly what you mean by present tense,

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Oh, for that one, I just mean using words like "am" "shall" to imply that person already is a certain way or in a certain condition instead of saying "I will become a non-smoker," you would suggest to them to simply say "I am a non-smoker," to imply present tense instead of future tense words like "will" etc.. Hope this helps with the previous question; like being more practical with the subconscious that's more suggestive to the current state of being or being in the moment.

Anyway, thanks in advance! :)

Well I think it depends on what's being done. In the case of a mere induction, it might be more the case of "allowing" them to enter the trance. The hypnotist might say something like, "you may find, that as you lay there, your body may begin to relax more and more. " as if to suggest that , this is what's supposed to happen, and it might happen to you(the client). And in that regard it usually does. Surprisingly enough, people seldom respond positively to commands; which is why it's better to make suggestions. People already know how to go into hypnosis. The hypnotists job is to show them the way back, and then guiding them around when they get there.

What would you suggest to read to learn Self Hypnosis for lucid dreaming?

Actually, I might suggest any type of lit on self hypnosis. The only thing that would realy differ from person to person is the suggestions while in trance.
I would even look for self hypnosis journals, and see how different people have mastered it. Like I said befor, everyone is different. So it may take some searching to find what works and what does not

Does NLP hypnosis actually exist/work effectively?

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Originally Posted by Linkzelda

As for Amikething, I have a few questions. This question stems from a book made by Melvin Powers on "A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis"

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Old thread, but if anyone is interested in this book, it's free on Kindle. Not sure for how long: A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis: Melvin Powers: Amazon.com: Kindle Store

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Originally Posted by Tiresias

Old thread, but if anyone is interested in this book, it's free on Kindle. Not sure for how long: A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis: Melvin Powers: Amazon.com: Kindle Store

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I've read that one before, it was a decent start on knowing the history behind hypnosis, and the tests that were given are good, it just takes practice and hard work.

And there's also a book called "Strategic Self-Hypnosis" and another called "Instant Self-Hypnosis: How to Hypnotize Yourself with Your Eyes Open" but those two you have to pay for. However, if you dig through Google a bit, you can find the PDFs for free.

Personally, the first one I mentioned is good for getting concepts on what self-hypnosis really is and the same for the latter. The latter has example scripts, and even has a template on how those scripts work out. I think the latter is also a decent start to get a general idea of going through a script for self-hypnosis, since they just have to read rather than memorize it.

I even made a few personal scripts for other things for meditation, etc., and it's been working efficiently for me. Like OP stated, it's about the type of suggestions a person uses, and their willingness to conform to it, enjoy it, be motivated, and looking forward to success with them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GenericLDer

Does NLP hypnosis actually exist/work effectively?

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Sorry for the late reply, but yes, NLP does indeed exist. Its effectiveness however depends on how flexible the person is at thinking up words. Its basically saying words in such a way as to give a certain impression to your subconscious. This could be emphasis on a certain word or phrase, or even purposely mispronouncing certain words that you normally wouldn't catch, but your subconscious picks up on. A good example of that is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL7hihcww1M

Also, I apologize if this is considered necro-posting.