Clarity

[tim567]

I have been studying hypnosis for a few months now (studying, not doing) and I was wondering if you guys could clear up a few questions for me. I do realize you are not a teaching forum so I have tried to make sure this isn't a can you teach me x? post.

First of all let me say that I am in highschool and quite low on funds and unfortunately lack a credit card. So most of my research into hypnosis involves what books I can buy and anything I can find free online. I have a few books on hypnosis but I really don't really trust any of them, since most go on to talk about a psychic realm (one even goes into telekinesis), which I think is pure BS.

Ok, could someone please define a induction for me? I have seen the word used online and in books many times and mostly with differant definitions. I have heard it called a script that can be read from beginning to end to put someone in a trace, and take them out again, and heard people say to use it once someone is already in hypnosis to keep them their. A clarification on this term would be greatly appreciated.

Also I was wondering about the state of trance versus a state of hypnosis. These are other words I see mixed around a lot with no one really giving any regard to meaning. What is a standard way to put someone in a trance/hypnosis does the Elman induction do it? The Hand drop? and does a 3 page script have the same effect?

How can you tell if someone is in a trance? I see a lot of videos in which someone says that they are performing hypnosis and yet right when the video starts their subject has his head bows and doesn't do any talking Ex: here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tLKw8zGkIg). In this video he has the subject count down from 100 to 96 a standard induction(if I'm using the word right), but his subject seems to be in a trance way before he even begins giving instructions.

As a high schooler my list of subjects is basically limited to fellow classmates which while limiting also gives me a lot of adventerous people to practice on if I wanted to. But this also constrains me since in order to practice I'm going to have a group around me, maybe only 2-3 but a group none the less. So what I'm asking is what is the best method to put someone in a light to medium trance, make sure they are in a trance, and "perform" something like the arms stuck or glued to the chair test. I need something to raise my confidence and a little routine like that would probably be best, IMO. (I just realized that sounds like a teaching question, is there a link or anything you could give me).

Thank You so much for your time, if you decide to reply. I've read all the stuff or a lot of it, but I need these few things cleared up. Thank You.

[tim567]

Also I've seen Merlin referance his FAQ, I can't seem to find it. Is there a main webpage im missing or is it all forums. Sorry if he answers my questions :(

[Connie]

Hi, Tim! Merlin is a she, and the link to her FAQ is at the bottom of all her posts, in her signature lines. Also, you can use the search function for these forums. Here's a recent discussion that addresses your question as to the signs of trance: http://forum.hypnosis.com/showthread.php?t=5866

[tim567]

Thank You, I can't find an edit button though, so I think it staying "he" for the time being. Sorry Merlin.

[tim567]

I feel like an idiot posting 4 times in my own topic, but I found the FAQ using my computer skills to figure out that homepage meant Merlin's website. From there it was simple. The FAQ definatley answers my questions about trance vs. hypnosis, so please scratch my 4th paragraph. The only question it really raises for me is: Do you need to go through trance to get to hypnosis or can hypnosis be achieved without trance?

[Don]

Hi, Tim. And Welcome. I admire your interest and drive and hope you'll keep it up! Please note that tomorrow afternoon our address is going to change to
www.hypnosisforum.com so be sure to look for us there.

Unfortunately, you analysis of trance and hypnosis isn't quite accurate, so I'll try to answer all of your questions:

1) An induction is simply the way a person is directed to go from their current state of consciousness into a hypnotic trance. There are many ways to do this and well-trained hypnotists can invent them specifically for a client.

2) There are many types of trance. When you watch TV you are in a trance. When you read a good book and are "lost" in it you are in a trance. When you listen to good music you are in a trance. When you're with someone you really like and the time seems to fly by you're in a trance. Hypnosis is simply a type of trance. So if you're familiar with mathematical sets, hypnosis is a subset of trance.

However, it has special qualities that allow a hypnotist to directly communicate with your unconscious mind so that you are more likely to accept suggestions if they are within your ethical standards.

3) There are many inductions. There is no "standard" induction. One of the forms of induction that is most often taught is called the "progressive relaxation" induction. Do a web search on all of the inductions you have listed. It would take far too much space to describe them all here.

4) You are very astute in seeing that a person can be in a hypnotic trance even before the induction begins. There are many signs that a person is hypnotized and if you look at Connie's post, you be directed to a discussion of them. Unfortunately, some of them are very subtle and even if you read about them you might not be able to detect them. That's where an in-person training comes in. You will learn how to detect the signs, not just what the signs are.

5) There is no single "best way" to put a person in a trance. Each person has their own past and personal beliefs. As a result, to get a good trance a professional hypnotherapist may design an induction just for that person.

You may have seen a stage hypnotist call a dozen strangers on stage and quickly hypnotize them all. What you may not know is that as many as 90% or more of the volunteers may be sent back to their chairs in the audience. It is a numbers game to find people who will go along with your suggestions.

6) Concerning the techniques. We could tell you about it, but unless you receive training you are unlikely to actually achieve it. Part of this is because your potential subjects, friends from school, don't know you as a hypnotist--you're their friend. They are unlikely to respond to you. That's why in-person training is so valuable. You'll get to practice on people who are also training with you. You'll also be hypnotized so you'll know what it's like.

Good luck, and keep up the great work!

[Merlin]

We can share information, it's just not practical to teach the skill.

Induction is a term which wrongly describes 'inducing' hypnosis in a subject.
It's more like leading than inducing.

Reading *anything* will induce *trance*; The Bible, Shakespear, Betty Crocker cookbook, the Wall Street Journal, etc.
Those *trances* are not *hypnosis*.
That's why we separate the terms.

The term used for someone already in *hypnosis* is deepener.
Again, not a good term, but left over from yesteryear.

Have you read my FAQ?
It might help.

[Docresults]

Have you read my FAQ?
It might help.

From yesterday at 11:31 PM

I feel like an idiot posting 4 times in my own topic, but I found the FAQ using my computer skills to figure out that homepage meant Merlin's website. From there it was simple. The FAQ definatley answers my questions about trance vs. hypnosis, so please scratch my 4th paragraph. The only question it really raises for me is: Do you need to go through trance to get to hypnosis or can hypnosis be achieved without trance?

[Merlin]

Um,
her FAQ
But don't worry.
I won't turn you into a toad for the mistake ;)

and the link to my FAQ is right under my name in the sig-line

[Connie]

Women make the best wizards. :D

Tim, let us know if you have more questions! I think it's great that you're so interested.

[Merlin]

Thanks Connie :)

[Merlin]

Doc,

I respond in the order posted.
Sometimes the answer has been found, but I don't know that :)

[Docresults]

Doc,

I respond in the order posted.
Sometimes the answer has been found, but I don't know that :)

Merlin,

You are correct, my bad.:eek:

[Jack]

Just to give you another perspective: trance is hypnosis and hypnosis is trance.

There is no evidence to say that it is not, but neither is there conclusive evidence that it is, so you have to make your own mind up.

What I would say - since I believe that the first statement I made is true based upon 30 years experience - is that in any kind of trance the subconscious is suggestible. It is why TV advertisers spend billions on commercials between programmes; they expect you be distanced from normal levels of awareness and therefore vulnerable to the message.
And if they have structured their suggestions properly then you will be.

Exactly the same is true of an hypnotherapy session.

As for 'induction', well as it has has been pointed out it is a misnomer. It suggests some kind of coercion and that is untrue. 'Leading' as Merlin suggests is a better word - you can go there or not, depending on whether you want to or not.

Best of luck in your studies, and if you decide to do it professionally, please get adequate hands on training before letting yourself loose on the public. You will save yourself and others grief by doing so.

Jack

[Terry]

"INDUCTION", "to guide into", as for example being inducted into a group. The applicant is guided so as to perform any requirements needed to become a member of that group... To induce or persuade.
When considered in that context, it is a perfectly good choice of wording, since it can be a guiding into trance that is observable, as in hypnosis, or into a trance that is not observable, but exists non the less, when done by a highly skilled practitioner of mind therapies....
On the other hand, if we accept that trance exists at all times when any one of the senses is occupied, then saying we induce someone to enter trance does appear to be superfluous.
If you feel unhappy with "induction", why not suggest the client allows themselves to enter into "an altered state for change purposes". That after all is observable, and provable to the client, and suggests that it is obtained via cooperation not coersion. The later caused me to lean in that direction, as it is my prefered method of obtaining change for a client.

[Docresults]

That after all is observable, and provable to the client, and suggests that it is obtained via cooperation not coersion. The later caused me to lean in that direction, as it is my prefered method of obtaining change for a client.

So I gather that if you were going to coerce you would lean out this direction. Or not... even though it isn't your preferred method...

To Your Best,
Doc

[Terry]

Well, I am "malleable", "adaptable", "flexible" and very quick on my feet if that is what you are asking. I lean towards my preferences, but not "away from", since all have a place based on the client, and in some cases on the problem to be dealt with...
On a recalcitrant client, I will even use waking hypnosis. Don't like it, but I do it if it seems necessary....

The oak is destroyed in a gale, but the palm which bends survives...

[Jack]

The weather is really fine in England at the moment. So fine
I was prompted to pick up my Nikon and wander out into
a local bluebell wood.

The bluebells are English bluebells, not the Dutch invader variety.
Physically, the English bluebell, bends over at the end - a little like
our Iranian hostages - and the Dutch is straight, but the English
variety is prettier and surprisingly tough when trampled upon by
a large dog who has no appreciation of flowers whatsoever.

The bluebells bend any way they wish, and not all in the same
direction, and it seems not to matter since they all continue to
grow.

The bluebells have their own agenda.

Jack

[Terry]

Ah yes, that takes me back a while. Times were that I would jump on my bike and ride ten miles to the country just to sit by a lake amid those bluebells, and day dream. I met my first serious girl friend on one of those trips. Now I just look out of my window when I want to enjoy the lake, and when I feel so inclined, I take a walk around it since I no longer ride a bike:) So little changes except there are no bluebells here, but we do have blueberries, and they taste just fine.:D