<h2><SPAN name="chapter10" id="chapter10"></SPAN><i>Chapter 10</i></h2>
<h3>A New Approach to Self-Hypnosis When All Else Fails</h3>
<p>Let us assume that you have tried diligently to learn
self-hypnosis for a month or more but have failed. You
have worked faithfully following the instructions outlined
in this book and other books on self-hypnosis, but somehow
the state of hypnosis eludes you. Should you give up
in despair, or is there still hope for you? Let me assure
you that you can still become an excellent subject. Let us
examine several areas of this problem and a new approach
that will help you achieve your ends.</p>
<p>You must, first of all, ask yourself if you are feeling
better and whether you have made strides in the direction
you desire while giving yourself suggestions in whatever
stage of hypnosis you have achieved. If your evaluation
is affirmative to any degree, you can expect even greater
results. "But," you may say, "how can I expect greater
results when I haven't achieved self-hypnosis?" My answer
is you may be achieving self-hypnosis and not know
it! The change to the self-hypnotic state from the waking
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page92" id="page92"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/92.png">92</SPAN>]</span>
state can be imperceptible. Many times, prior to testing
subjects under hypnosis, I ask them if they think they are
in the hypnotic state. The answer is invariably no. When
asking the subjects for a cogent reason for this answer,
they usually exclaim that they are aware of what is going
on and do not feel any different than they did before I
started working with them. They are amazed to find that
various tests work so perfectly.</p>
<p>Some subjects do not respond to hypnotic tests no
matter how long you work with them. For these persons,
I usually de-emphasize the need for passing the tests and
concentrate on the therapeutic results which are desired.
This approach lessens anxiety and usually results in a
deepening of the hypnotic state. It is my feeling that many
subjects resist any tests as the implication is that once the
tests work, the subject is under complete control of the
hypnotist. The subject may fear this supposed subjection on
one hand and yet want it on the other hand. These forces
can work unconsciously, and thus the attainment of
hypnosis becomes a very intricate, perplexing and trying
procedure. Even though this may be so, I can assure you
that the problem and attainment of hypnosis can be resolved.
It is only a matter of motivation on the part of the
subject. This is the main ingredient necessary for successful
hypnosis.</p>
<p>Let me now explain a technique which has worked
admirably for many who have been frustrated because of
their inability to achieve self-hypnosis. It involves <i>pretending
you are hypnotized</i> and going through the motions
of the various tests <i>as though you were a perfect subject</i>.
You will recall that one theory of hypnosis is that the subject
behaves in a manner that he believes is in keeping
with hypnotic behavior. This role playing is the basis for
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page93" id="page93"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/93.png">93</SPAN>]</span>
our unique approach. As the subject continues this procedure,
he takes on the conditioned response mechanism
necessary for self-hypnosis. Let us look at the following
examples of role playing.</p>
<p>During the war, many soldiers who wanted to leave the
army would pretend something was wrong with them.
They would convince the authorities of the authenticity
of their "illness," and since nothing seemed to make them
better, they eventually were separated from the service because
of the incapacitating disorder. But what happened
to many of these malingerers after they were released from
the service? I'm sure you know the rest of the story. The
constant malingering was transformed by this role playing
into a conditioned response pattern, eventually bringing
about the very undesirable condition responsible for their
leaving the service. I saw some of these individuals and
more than once they told me that they had unwittingly
hypnotized themselves into having the ailment. They
wanted me to dehypnotize them. They actually turned out
to be very easy subjects as they had become highly suggestible.
Unfortunately, their super-ego structure was
weak, they had difficulty in identifying strongly with anyone,
and the relationship in hypnosis was superficial and
without depth.</p>
<p>I am going to relate another example which I hope will
help you understand the role-playing technique for self-hypnosis.
I have had the following experience many times
in giving hypnotic demonstrations before various organizations.
For some reason, even though I carefully ask that
only those who desire to be hypnotized volunteer as subjects
for the hypnotic demonstrations, an individual who
has no intention of cooperating comes up on the stage to
poke fun at the hypnotist. In giving public demonstrations,
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page94" id="page94"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/94.png">94</SPAN>]</span>
I usually work with about ten subjects and simultaneously
give them the same suggestions and posthypnotic
suggestions. Once the subjects are hypnotized, I work with
them with their eyes open. Using this technique, with each
subject carrying out a posthypnotic suggestion, intensifies
the responses of other subjects. There is also competitiveness
to become the best subject.</p>
<p>In the meantime, the individual who is really not under
hypnosis has let the audience know about it by winking
or making a grimace when I was not looking at him. Observing
laughter and other audience reactions which are
not in keeping with what is happening at the precise moment
during my lecture is my cue that I have an egocentric
person on stage. You might ask, "Can't you tell when
someone is faking?" It is extremely difficult many times
to do so. Once you are aware of it, however, you give
certain tests to the group. The exhibitionist doesn't know
how to respond each time and you soon pick him out.</p>
<p>Even when I know specifically who it is, I do not dismiss
him. Interestingly, it is invariably a man. I continue
with the lecture-demonstration; but I let the audience
know that I am aware of the situation. This is the interesting
part of this example. The bumptious subject, by giving
himself autosuggestions to comply with various posthypnotic
suggestions, is actually engaging in our technique of
role playing. The inevitable happens. He finds himself
hypnotized despite his obvious intention not to be affected
in any way. Any hypnotist can recount similar incidents.</p>
<p>What can you learn by the example just presented?
What if you purposely set about doing the same thing in
your attempt to achieve self-hypnosis? The obvious answer
is that the technique has a good chance of working,
and as a result you will achieve self-hypnosis. This method
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page95" id="page95"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/95.png">95</SPAN>]</span>
has worked with many recalcitrant subjects. To follow
this plan, go back to <SPAN href="#chapter6">chapter six</SPAN>, "How To Attain Self-Hypnosis,"
and use the role-playing technique. You'll be
pleasantly surprised at how this approach will act as a
catalyst. Remember, once you obtain the eye closure, give
yourself whatever therapeutic suggestion you desire plus
the posthypnotic suggestion that the next time you will
fall into a deeper and sounder state of hypnosis at the
count of three or any other cue you desire.</p>
<p>I know you may protest using the role-playing technique
with the question, "If I'm not under hypnosis, why
give myself therapeutic posthypnotic suggestions to condition
myself to go under hypnosis at a specific count?"
You may further protest that you are only fooling yourself.
My answer is, "What if you are?" What is lost by doing it?
You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Are you
not really interested in the end result and not the means?
The attainment of the self-hypnotic state is not in itself the
end result; it is a means to help you achieve your goal.</p>
<p>Don't many people carry or wear good-luck charms of
a religious or nonreligious nature? Don't we accept these
items in our society? The four-leaf clover and rabbit's foot
as symbols of good luck have been part of our culture for
a long time. We are all sophisticated enough to know that
they do not have an intrinsic value, but don't they do
something for our mental attitude? This same pattern is
precisely what you are to follow in using the role-playing
technique. If you believe, expect and imagine that you will
be successful in this approach to self-hypnosis, I can assure
you that you will.</p>
<p>May I urge you not to reject this novel and unorthodox
approach. Many have had excellent results when other
methods, even those of a professional hypnotist, have
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page96" id="page96"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/96.png">96</SPAN>]</span>
failed. Some of you may recognize this approach as another
means of applying the visual-imagery technique.
Whatever you choose to call it, I reiterate you can expect
good results. It is only necessary that you follow the instructions
and adopt the right attitude. By the right attitude,
I mean that you should adopt the conviction that
you are going to achieve self-hypnosis even though you
might have experienced difficulty up to now. Hypnosis
is a conviction phenomenon.</p>
<p>It is possible you may say you are not suggestible.
Actually, your lack of response proves your suggestibility.
You have been influenced by negative suggestions. Everyone
is suggestible to some degree. You have become extremely
suggestible to conscious or unconscious stimuli
which are definitely affecting your ability to respond. You
need only use this latent suggestibility and make it work
for you. What would you say about the suggestibility of
a person who doesn't want to talk about hypnosis? This
person has never read a book on hypnosis and absolutely
doesn't want you or anyone else to hypnotize him. Would
you believe this person is a potentially good hypnotic
subject? I can tell you by practical experience that once
this person allows himself to be hypnotized, he turns out
to be a perfect subject. Responding to either end of the
suggestibility scale is indicative of success with hypnosis.
It becomes a matter of manipulating this suggestibility
skillfully in order to achieve results.</p>
<p>Let me give you another example which may help.
Which one of the two lines drawn on this page is longer?
Line AB or line CD?</p>
<div class="centre">
<ANTIMG src="images/lines1.png" alt="Two lines, AB and CD. AB has an outward pointing arrow on each side, while CD has them pointing the opposite way. A <----> B C >----< D" title="Two lines, AB and CD. AB has an outward pointing arrow on each side, while CD has them pointing the opposite way. A <----> B C >----< D" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page97" id="page97"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/97.png">97</SPAN>]</span></p>
<p>What is your answer? Did you think both were the same?
Take a ruler and actually measure them. You'll find line
AB longer than CD. "But," you reply, "every other time
both lines were the same." This is a familiar optical
illusion which is used many times in basic courses in psychology.
It is known as the Muller-Lyer illusion. My contention
is that if you said, "Both are the same size," you
are potentially a good subject. You respond perfectly to
previous conditioning; thus, you are responding as anticipated.
If, on the other hand, you picked line AB, you are
normally suggestible. If you honestly picked line CD, you
are extremely cautious and respond best to "reverse psychology."
Once again you are highly suggestible, but
toward one extreme.</p>
<div class="centre">
<ANTIMG src="images/lines2.png" alt="Radiating straight lines bisecting two parallel horizons, AB and CD." title="Radiating straight lines bisecting two parallel horizons, AB and CD." />
<ANTIMG src="images/lines3.png" alt="Converging straight lines bisecting two parallel horizons, AB and CD." title="Converging straight lines bisecting two parallel horizons, AB and CD." /></div>
<p>Here's another interesting experiment. Would you say
that lines AB and CD were perfectly straight? I'll let you
figure out what your response means to this test by yourself.
You can take a ruler to determine if the lines are
straight.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page98" id="page98"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/98.png">98</SPAN>]</span></p>
<p>We all respond unconsciously to stimuli of some sort.
Word association tests are based on this principle. Aren't
your reactions automatic to the following terms: democratic
party, republican party, communist party, mother,
father, movie star? If I mention the name of a famous person,
city or country, the same immediate unconscious reaction
takes place. Let's try it. Theodore Roosevelt, Harry
Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Albert
Einstein, Albert Schweitzer, Eleanor Roosevelt, Boston,
New York City, Hollywood, Miami Beach, United
States, England, France, Italy, Israel, Africa, Russia, China,
India and South America. The response and image keep
changing, don't they?</p>
<p>I am trying to point out that this reaction is automatic
because of previous conditioning. I could mention almost
anything and the same automatic reaction would take
place. The reaction would always be the same unless something
had happened to change or alter your response. Let
us mention the word hypnosis. Some sort of reaction must
take place. This can either be positive, negative, or neutral
for our purposes. You really don't have to think about
your response as it is automatic. The point to remember is
that a definite response has taken place which will either
help or hinder your attainment of hypnosis. If the response
should be negative, it can be changed by gaining knowledge
and actual experience in hypnosis. It is natural to
have a bit of uneasiness when first experiencing or thinking
about being hypnotized. After all, you haven't been
exposed to hypnosis in a therapeutic setting and couldn't
have formed a favorable reaction. Your response is probably
derived from a fictionization of hypnosis. The initial
task of the hypnotist is to create, by educating the prospective
subject, a favorable attitude so that the subject
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page99" id="page99"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/99.png">99</SPAN>]</span>
allows himself to be hypnotized.</p>
<p>What does this mean specifically to you if you are having
difficulty learning self-hypnosis? It means that through
repeated exposures, you will finally respond. You will
realize there is no need for anxiety in regard to your response.
This inner feeling will, in turn, have a cumulative,
favorable effect upon your unconscious which will result
in your finally responding to hypnosis.</p>
<p>Suppose you still maintain and insist that you are not
suggestible and wonder if you will ever respond to hypnosis.
Furthermore, the assurance I have given you up to this
point doesn't seem to convince you. If you have tried diligently
to achieve self-hypnosis, you cannot be blamed, but
let's try an experiment to test your suggestibility. It is well
to ponder my statement that if you do not respond, it is a
sign of being suggestible, but in a negative sense. Lack of
response is a manifestation of this negative suggestibility.
My contention is that you are definitely suggestible. Let us
see what happens to you in trying the following classical
experiment. It is called the Chevreul's Pendulum test.</p>
<p>Draw a circle with about a six-inch diameter and mark
it as shown in the illustration.</p>
<div class="centre">
<ANTIMG src="images/circle.png" alt="The circle is divided into quarters, and marked with the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4." title="The circle is divided into quarters, and marked with the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4." /></div>
<p>Next, take a ring and attach a string to it. If you have
a locket, it will do as well. The hypnotist uses a crystal
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page100" id="page100"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/100.png">100</SPAN>]</span>
ball and chain for this experiment. Hold the end of the
string or chain and keep the ring or whatever object you
are using about three inches above the center of the circle.</p>
<p>Now, concentrate and fix your gaze on the ring, crystal
ball, or locket. Mentally suggest to yourself that the object
will begin to revolve in a circular manner following
the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4. Picture in your mind's eye
that this circular motion is becoming wider and wider.
Work at this image for several minutes. Did the object
begin turning to the right following the numbers? Did the
circle become larger and larger? If it did, you are absolutely
suggestible, are influenced by your own suggestions
and, therefore, if you follow instructions, can learn self-hypnosis.
You can be trained to acquire this skill.</p>
<p>If the experience did not work, try it again. Concentrate
harder and try to visualize more intently the object revolving
in a circular manner. You are not to rotate the
object consciously or help it in any way. The action must
stem from your subconscious. The thought of the crystal
ball or ring revolving in a clockwise or counterclockwise
direction invariably causes an involuntary muscular reflex
action to take place. This phenomenon is known as an
ideomotor action. Usually, as the subject concentrates
more intensely, the reflex action becomes more profound,
causing greater unconscious movement of the hand which,
in turn, is transmitted to the object in the form of larger
circles and greater momentum. The time required for the
successful accomplishment of this test depends upon the
degree of suggestibility of the subject. An interesting action
is to see the object revolve in an opposite direction
than suggested. It gives a clue to the personality structure
of the individual.</p>
<p>The Ouija board works on the same principle as the
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page101" id="page101"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/101.png">101</SPAN>]</span>
Chevreul's Pendulum test. Many times the aspirant will
remark, "I swear I didn't make it move!" Mentalists find
hidden objects in an audience using basically the same
approach, combined with clever techniques of distraction.
The term given for this is "muscle reading."</p>
<p>This is the point in question. If the crystal ball, ring or
locket moves without conscious direction, you have successfully
influenced your subconscious mind. Self-hypnosis
involves the same procedure. The goal is to consciously
cause a subconscious reaction. If the experiment does not
work with your eyes open, try it with your eyes closed for
about five minutes. You will be pleasantly surprised with
the results. Should you want to prove to yourself that you
are suggestible with your eyes open, practice the technique
every day for a week or two. The idea of the practice
sessions is to reinforce and increase the response of the
unconscious movement until you develop proficiency. It
follows the laws of the conditioned reflex theory expounded
by Dr. Ivan P. Pavlov (1849-1936), the famous
Russian psychologist. If, after several weeks, you should
still not be successful, use the role-playing technique. Consciously
make the object revolve. After a while, it will
move automatically whenever you attempt the experiment.</p>
<p>When this happens you will have proof of your suggestibility.
It is highly improbable that you will not be successful.
It would be a rare occurrence. By the same systematic
efforts, I can assure you that you can achieve self-hypnosis.
If you are still not affected favorably, you might consider
one of the psychological means of inducing hypnosis. The
next chapter will discuss this topic.</p>
<p>I would recommend Pavlov's book called <i>Conditioned
Reflexes</i>. Pavlov's book will further explain and clarify
the concept of the conditioned response mechanism. It
<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page102" id="page102"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/102.png">102</SPAN>]</span>
covers necessary conditions for the development of conditioned
responses, their formation by means of conditioned
and direct stimuli, plus a tremendous amount of
material which will help you in your understanding of the
significance of the role-playing technique in relationship
to learning self-hypnosis.</p>
<hr class="longer" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="page103" id="page103"></SPAN>[<SPAN href="./images/103.png">103</SPAN>]</span></p>
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