View Full Version : Best books for Hypnosis ?
moamin1989
09-12-2009, 10:15 PM
I am just looking for some books to learn hypnosis .... or is it better to go to school and actually learn hypnosis ??
Classic answer. (some) Books are very good for learning something about hypnosis. Best is taking a class (some very good, others not so much) to learn to do hypnosis and to learn what is hypnosis. Then you get back to books to learn even more. Then you get to other classes to learn even more. Then, you basically never end learning. Meanwhile, you can use the wonderful tool you learnt to do some amazing things.
Vin
Hi, moamin.
First, based on your subject line, there are NO "best books" about hypnosis. There are books that a popular with an individual or books that are widely sold. But I don't know what difference that makes. I might get a lot out of a book and you might get nothing from it. I'm sure people here will be glad to tell you their favorite books...if you're a bit more clear with your question.
You see, there are many aspects and type of hypnosis.
Are you interested in hypnotizing yourself? There are hundreds of books on this.
Are you interested in hypnotizing others? There is a growing number of books that focus on just inducing hypnosis in others.
What do you intend to do after you, or someone else, is hypnotized.
Do you want them to do skits? There are some books I like on this.
Do you want to use the ability to hypnotized to supposedly seduce someone? There are a few books on this.
Do you want to be able to help someone change his or her (or your) beliefs?
Do you want to be able to help someone (or yourself) get over fears?
Do you have some specific issue you want to deal with?
There are literally thousands of books covering specific aspects of what to do after a person is hypnotized.
Finally, you ask if it is "better to go to school and actually learn hypnosis?" Well, I can't answer that for you. What is your goal? If you want to learn how to hypnotize yourself or others, getting a training (IMO) is far superior than trying to learn to hypnotize from a book. The latter is like trying to learn brain surgery from a book! On the other hand, if you want to know what hypnosis is all about and how it works, without actually hypnotizing others, books are a great way to go.
So what is it that you want?
On the other hand, if you want to know what hypnosis is all about and how it works, without actually hypnotizing others, books are a great way to go.
Don, i really think that actually hypnotizing others (and being hypnotized) is the best way to understand what hypnosis is all about and how it works.
Vin
That's an interesting belief, Vin. Sort of like saying that becoming an alcoholic is the best way to understand what alcoholism is all about and how it works.;)
I think it's quite possible to be a theorist and understand what hypnosis is all about and how it works without ever hypnotizing anyone.
However, I think we might agree that the best way to actually be able to put it into practice and use it is through training and pratice.
Poodle
09-13-2009, 08:52 PM
Doing some mind reading here. You want to know if you can learn hypnosis from a book? Answer: No, not really. Best is to take an in-person training anywhere from 3 days to 100 hours to 3 months....just depending on what YOU want out of the course. After the in-person training you will know how to induce hypnotic trances and you will know personally how wonderful it feels. All the books, DVD's, CD's and all media types will make perfect sense to you at that time.
Our lovely and talented member, Merlin, has written a FAQ about hypnosis and she has numerous books listed that we all agree are good books to read. Please take time to read the FAQ and book list. Since we also cover NLP here, Merlin has added in Skip's book list for NLP.
Don has been writing reviews on certain DVD's, etc. I personally trust his judgment but that will come later on for you.
Start saving your money as of tonight and you will soon find yourself in a nice in-person training with lots of practice on and with fellow students under the instructor's watchful eyes. It's an awesome world we live in and I'm sure you will find it so too.
Master_Debator is looking for people to attend a training he has scheduled in Hawaii. NICE!! The beauty of Hawaii and in person training too. Send him a PM if you are interested. I have no idea who the instructor will be nor what certifications will be given.
Be well~Pood :)
That's an interesting belief, Vin. Sort of like saying that becoming an alcoholic is the best way to understand what alcoholism is all about and how it works.;)
Don, unfortunately, it definitely helps. More than once I heard this theme, when the question was about becoming a great hypnotist and never being hypnotized: having a brain tumor is not necessary for becoming a great neurosurgeon! Well, it does not work that way. Having played football helps you be a football coach (it's not teaching), it's a better comparison. That does not mean that is absolutely necessary.
For example, being a great hypnotherapist or NLPer implies having a better (than average) "internal" life? Because, if you are so wonderful in producing changes in others, why you are not able to produce them in yourself (if you want)? I know it has been discussed a lot of times, but for me it is a great reminder.
I hope it is clear, not really sure :)
Vin
Don,
"I think it's quite possible to be a theorist and understand what hypnosis is all about and how it works without ever hypnotizing anyone."
That is tatamount to saying you can read sex manuals and know what it is like.
I dont believe that is what you meant to convey.
And I dare say no one can truly understand addiction (alcohol or otherwise) without having been there.
However I do agree you can be very knowelegable about hypnosis or NLP or anything else for that matter, without ever having left the realms of academia.
It is just that the knowelege will lack the 'groking' that is inherent with actually having the experience.
Nor do you have to have had the 'disease' in order to help people who do have it.
The level of understanding is a matter of degrees.
A picture is worth a thousand words, the experience is priceless.
skip
Originally Posted by Don
That's an interesting belief, Vin. Sort of like saying that becoming an alcoholic is the best way to understand what alcoholism is all about and how it works. ;)
(Omitted from Vin's quote but in my original post) I think it's quite possible to be a theorist and understand what hypnosis is all about and how it works without ever hypnotizing anyone.
However, I think we might agree that the best way to actually be able to put it into practice and use it is through training and practice.
Don, unfortunately, it definitely helps. More than once I heard this theme, when the question was about becoming a great hypnotist and never being hypnotized: having a brain tumor is not necessary for becoming a great neurosurgeon! Well, it does not work that way. Having played football helps you be a football coach (it's not teaching), it's a better comparison. That does not mean that is absolutely necessary.
For example, being a great hypnotherapist or NLPer implies having a better (than average) "internal" life? Because, if you are so wonderful in producing changes in others, why you are not able to produce them in yourself (if you want)? I know it has been discussed a lot of times, but for me it is a great reminder.
I hope it is clear, not really sure :)
Vin
And Skip wrote: Don,
"I think it's quite possible to be a theorist and understand what hypnosis is all about and how it works without ever hypnotizing anyone."
That is tatamount to saying you can read sex manuals and know what it is like.
I dont believe that is what you meant to convey.
And I dare say no one can truly understand addiction (alcohol or otherwise) without having been there.
However I do agree you can be very knowelegable about hypnosis or NLP or anything else for that matter, without ever having left the realms of academia.
It is just that the knowelege will lack the 'groking' that is inherent with actually having the experience.
Nor do you have to have had the 'disease' in order to help people who do have it.
The level of understanding is a matter of degrees.
A picture is worth a thousand words, the experience is priceless.
Respectfully, you both seem to have done a mind read on what you think I wrote rather than look at what I actually wrote. I chose my words very specifically and I stand by them.
Vin, I was not writing about "becoming a great hypnotherapist and never being hypnotized." I specifically wrote about how "I think it's quite possible to be a theorist and understand what hypnosis is all about and how it works without ever hypnotizing anyone." (emphasis added)
Do you understand the difference between being a theorist and understanding hypnosis rather than actually being a hypnotist?
Skip, it's the same thing with your saying, "That is tantamount to saying you can read sex manuals and know what it is like." Respectfully, no. I'm not suggesting that anyone should be dishonest. Saying you know what sex is "like" without experiencing it would be as much of a lie as saying you know what being hypnotized is like without ever being hypnotized. I'm not suggesting that at all.
Curiously, concerning your example, a person theoretically could study the reproductive system and various sexology texts without having had sex and could even become a government-licensed sexologist without every having experienced sex. That's not a requirement in any of the universities I know of! ;) If it were, I'd apply to teach there. (Well, teach the women students...)
I would also suggest that contrary to your claim, most therapists (including hypnotherapists and NLP practitioners) who have actually helped alcoholics and drug addicts were neither alcoholics nor drug addicts themselves. In fact, isn't one of the basic concepts of NLP that you could model a person's behavior and thoughts in order to achieve what they have achieved? Therefore, if you model an addict, wouldn't you be able to be like the addict without the addiction? :eek:
Basically, I'm in agreement with both of you. If you want to BE a hypnotherapist, take a training. If you just want to find out ABOUT hypnosis, reading several books will do. I was writing about the latter. You seem to be writing about the former.
Poodle
09-14-2009, 12:35 PM
Please forgive us around this place. Usually we are quite agreeable but not on this thread so it seems. Oh my! What a Pandora's box!! Truth is -- everyone is correct as we all have our own "maps of the world" and it may look to you like we are disagreeing, the fact is we are not. We are just coming to the same answer from differing views.
I started reading books ABOUT hypnosis when I was just a kid. In no way did it allow me to BE A HYPNOTIST or to EXPERIENCE just how fabulous the HYPNOTIC TRANCE STATE IS. I've found some of those old books and have re-read them. With the knowledge we have today, they are very bad indeed. We had some very negative and limiting beliefs about hypnosis in the old days.
Again, please read Merlin's FAQ. Thanks!!
Be well~Pood :)
Connie
09-14-2009, 01:04 PM
Hey, guys! Here is kind of a corollary question. I have a niece, age 14. She has had a tough life (divorced parents, her mom near death, and more), and I would LOVE to introduce her to the idea of being "at cause." She is not, currently. Unfortunately, she thinks my hypnosis and NLP is some kind of scam ("I don't believe in it."). I'd like to give her a book for her birthday (in 2 weeks) that opens her up to the idea of change being possible, and within her own mind and grasp. Ideas on books? She's incredibly bright, but not very "into" reading. I want something that will capture her imagination...
Thanks in advance, hive mind!! :) :) :)
PS: I'm thinking of Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
You must not have read my post either.
I even said I didnt believe that is what you meant to convey.
I spoke of degrees of knowing.
I agree you can know about, without the experience. And you can teach and help without having the experience.
But you cant know what it is like, without the experience.
Im not opposed to reading about hypnosis.
In fact I'm all for it.
I do think it is important to understand that even though you might become an acclaimed academic, or even a therapast in some field, until you actually get down in the trenches and sweat a bit, you dont 'know' you only 'know about'.
And c'mon would you really want to go to a sex therapast, who had never experienced sex, for advice?
When I go looking for advice I have always found it helpful to find someone who is better at whatever it is than I am.
skip
Poodle
09-14-2009, 01:39 PM
Marci's?? JLS is a great book IMO for anyone. She has this belief system that needs to be shaken up a little (or a lot) so why not also buy: Monsters and Magical Sticks - THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS HYPNOSIS. The title alone should pull her in. There is a cool "Induction Via Belief System" and it's a nice blend of hypnosis and NLP.
I'm really curious as to how she adopted her current belief system.
Normally I would recommend Training Trances but at 14 she'd see right thru that and into the trash.
Hugs~Pood :)
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Illusions: Mémoires of a Reluctant Messiah
Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Star Wars: Episode 4: A New Hope
How to Survive the Loss of a Love
Connie,
I would recommend two books.
Bandler's "Using Your Brain For a Change"
Robert Anton Wilson's "Prometheus Rising"
Both books give the reasonoing for, then practical exercises that let you 'experience' what they are talking about.
RAW's book would be somewhat more mind blowing IMO.
But neither is likely to be effective, because even if she reads them (highly unlikely) she isnt going to do the exercises. And that isnt just a limiting belief on my part.
Why dont you do a swish or a phobia cure or an anchor collapse with her and BLOW her mind.
Then while you have her attention ...
Or covertly set a curiousity anchor and ...
But that wouldnt be ethical would it. ;)
Of course you could tell her that when she is mature enough to understand it ...
skip
Connie
09-14-2009, 04:49 PM
Thanks, guys! I appreciate the ideas!! :) x o
Yes, Poodle. She's Marci's daughter. She's negative and constantly giving herself limiting suggestions, in general. Whiny. Perhaps that's just "being 14." Michael says: "She'll grow out of it." I want her to grow FASTER!! :)
Poodle
09-14-2009, 05:26 PM
I would definitely trust Skip's advice. He raised his girls all by himself and he has his granddaughters a lot too. He definitely understands young ladies. He's totally "shameless" with his granddaughters using binds and double binds and they LOVE it as they "think" there is a choice. I'm not even really sure he knows how much he uses this "stuff" as it is just part of him now. He is one very fantastic father and grandfather. :love:
You could even add a double bind when you deliver the books -- ethical? YES! I'm sure it has been very difficult for Marci's kids to have had to go through this ordeal.
Don's list sounds like a lot more fun for a 14 year old. ;) She'd probably rather have a CD of whoever the kids that age like now.
Pood
Connie
09-14-2009, 05:49 PM
She's "put in" her birthday request---a gift certificate to her favorite clothing store. But I want to give her a book, too.
She actually came to one of my 1-day NLP for personal change seminars a couple weeks ago, though I'm not sure how much she absorbed. Some! She (and Marci) are living with other family members of mine who basically think I'm a con artist, and that what I do is valueless crap. It's rubbing off on the kid! I had lunch with her yesterday, and she was just...so...cranky, complaining, and 14 and she assured me that she doesn't believe in hypnosis!!! Maybe I should have stuck her arm to the table. :) I could be covertly influential, but I'm not sure how I feel about that.
Docresults
09-14-2009, 08:07 PM
Connie,
If it were me I'd probably get her the "Adventures of Anybody" book or tape/CD (with a coupon to her favorite store (or a coupon to get a coupon to her favorite store after reading the book) and dare her to go all the way through it. Or bet her she can't tell you the ending, even after reading it. Or tell her teenagers are using this against their parents, they feel great after they read it. But I'm twisted like that. (teenagers are usually good for a couple of polarity responder trips and a bribe.)
To Your Best,
Doc Houston
Connie
09-14-2009, 10:31 PM
Thanks! 2 copies of "Adventures of Anybody" on order from Amazon! One for her, and one for me! :) I haven't read that!
Poodle
09-15-2009, 09:13 AM
The Adventures of Anyone is NOT to be "Read". If you read it, it has to be recorded and then listened to. Richard set it up that way. In otherwords, it's an auditory product, not a visual product. Connie, you know where you can buy it already recorded or if you have the time, you can record it yourself. Miserable thing about drove me nutzzzz figuring it out and finally Skip had pity on me.
Another thought. She may listen to The Personal Enhancement Series and it could possibly change her life enough for the better instead of being stuck in quicksand. With the price of that product, I sure would not trust her to listen to it out of my sight.
It was so nice talking to you! Have a fabulous day and give Marci a hug from all of us.
Hugs~Pood
Docresults
09-15-2009, 04:32 PM
The Adventures of Anyone is NOT to be "Read". If you read it, it has to be recorded and then listened to. Richard set it up that way. In otherwords, it's an auditory product, not a visual product.
Poodle,
Please be advised that reading the book can have a tremendous effect, especially if you set the state in which to read it. Notice the challenge and the instructions I gave. Auditory is a good way as well. Also many folks (I suspect a majority) sub-vocalize (auditor-ally) when they read.
I enjoy it either way.
To Your Best,
Doc Houston
Poodle
09-15-2009, 05:21 PM
The "book" elicits the "states". I was stuck in "Confusion" :confused: and stayed there forever even after the "book" had finished. I should have figured it out as it is typical of what Bandler teaches. Could be I was listening with the "wrong mind". I was sooo happy when Skip told me -- sorta a state between Oh Sh*t-you gotta be kidding and satisfaction at long last. :o I'm not saying any more as I don't want to give out the "secrets".
There is always a "method to Bandler's madness" even in children's "tails" supposedly for his grandson.
Connie
09-15-2009, 07:44 PM
Thanks, all! My order has been shipped, and that's fine with me. I'm happy to experience Bandler and his work in any form I can get!! The man's "the goods." He's changed my life!! He installed in me "go for it" in Orlando and it's still going strong.
I'm primarily auditory, and I do "hear" as I read. I'll check out the audio products as well.
When I first got the book, years ago, there was no audio available.
So I read it sans sub vocalization, because that slows me down.
Then I dreamed it, to have the experience and assimilate.
Then I read it using sub vocalization.
Then I read it making my own cassette tape, full vocalization and visual combined.
Then I listened to the tape, first person audio.
Later I had an opportunity to listen to the 'official professional' version, 3rd person audio.
Is it any wonder I am so messed up in such a delightful way?
If I had also listened to it, using Houstons bone conducting headphones, would that qualify as kinesthetic? ;)
skip
Poodle
09-16-2009, 09:49 AM
we ALL could be so messed up in such a delightful way. ;)