Hypnotised against will

[watl1]

Hi all

Whilst I've had embedded into my head: "Nobody can be hypnotised against their will", my trainer has also confirmed there is once instance when this can happen - when someone "boasts" that they can't be hypnotised because their mind is "too strong".

He put forward the argument that they say this because they feel that there mind needs to be strong in order to resist because they see hypnosis as something irresistable and are, therefore, afraid. They will go into hypnosis easily because of their belief and expectation, even though they don't want to.

Anyway, I've been thinking about this and it seems to be that anyone who doesn't want to ever be hypnotised must think that because they have a concern of some sort, and surely you would only have a concern about something if you believed in it.

Therefore, wouldn't it be possible to hypnotise anyone, including those who don't want to be hypnotised simply because the belief and expectation is there?

Just interested in some other views on this.

Thanks :)

[skip]

What is will and what specifically doea will mean in any given instance?

If I dont want to be hypnotized (as most people understand hypnotism) it certainly can be more difficult for someone to hypnotize me.

If by issuing the challenge, I am interested in the outcome, that doesnt mean I am not interested in being hypnotized, but that I am interested in seeing whether or not I can resist. A very different thing. Most people realize that they could choose to resist, but that they prefer to go on.

In either case, you can be hypnotized, but it would require someone more flexable than a one trick pony.

That said, hypnosis IS a cooperative effort. It isnt one person doing to another. This is where the resistance business gets its start. You can choose to cooperate or not.

skip

[watl1]

Thanks Skip.

I guess my understanding of will is desire with effort - whether or not that's correct, I have no idea.

I'm starting to understand this a bit better, and the difference between not being interested in being hypnotised and being interested in seeing if it's possible to resist.

I'll have to have another think... :)

[Poodle]

We like clients with strong minds. They go the easiest! As Skip said, hypnosis is a joint process. Why would one want to hypnotize someone against their will?

[Poodle]

This is somewhat reminding me of a client I had many, many months ago. She and her husband were in an argument and he wanted her hypnotized to prove HE WAS RIGHT so he talkes her into coming. She wanted nothing to do with the process. I would ask her to close her eyes -- no way; put your arms beside you - in her lap. After 3-4 "normal" inductions I told him to leave her alone. I could have, of course, done an instant induction on her and she would have been hypnotized even if she didn't want to be but it would not have been right or ethical. I was taught that you never hypnotize anyone against their will and that you always ask permission first. This even means after they have come to me, we have done intake and they are in the "magic chair" I still say: Do I have your permission to hypnotize you now? It's also a good leader into starting the induction as the client knows it's coming NOW! It's akin to Erickson asking "would you like to go into trance now or later".

Just compare hypnosis to a dance - one follows the other leads.

[Merlin]

Everyone goes into trance on a regular basis.
All you have to do is watch for it and catch it as it goes by.
Use that trance to induce the desired hypnosis.

[Terry (existing)]

Every time I get such a challenge, I know I have a sucker on the hook, who thinks I am a sucker. I goad them for a while until evenually they push hard enough, and then I suggest they put their money were their mouth is. I have never lost a bet yet, and never will knowing as I do human nature and the true intent behind that challenge....

[Five]

Don't you think that hypnotists are better able to not follow the lead?
They should know what to look for and be able to side-step the process.
The average Joe who declares himself unhypnotizable doesn't know what to look for, and thus is a pushover for almost anyone with minimal knowledge.