Deeper Self Hypnosis

[cmoore1830]

My name is Matthew, I stumbled upon your site tonight as I was browsing about herbs for enhancing mind function.

I have been practicing self hypnosis for about a year and a half(not consistently-sadly). I am still at the stage of being able to put myself under by relaxing and counting down from 10 to 1/ 3 to 1.

I am posting to asked for help on making my sessions more effective. I know practicing more will help, but are there any other exercises I can work with?

I have read where some of you say give the mind a destination and let it do the work. I understand that to an extent. Should I give more details of the desired outcome?( Lets use getting rid of a headache as an example)

Do I give details of getting rid of the headache?

Do I need to repeat that the headache is desired to go away? once? twice? thrice?

I have read a book on hypnosis which contained a chapter on self hypnosis, but there are still parts of the process I have not been able to understand on my own. Please help. Any and all tips, guidance, and encouragement will be gladly accepted.

Thanks so much,
Matthew

[Poodle]

Please go to a real certified hypnotist find find out exactly what trance is and ask that you be given self-hypnosis and ask that they help you form what you want to accomplish. It will probably take about 1/2 hour.

Who knows about pain. It's a signal that something is wrong. It could be as easy as eye strain, neck strain to a major problem We do not diagnose. Even with myself, I get a medical diagnosis before I proceed so I know what I am doing.

Learn the correct words. "Under" is not one of them as it implies someone is UNDER someone else's control. There is a BIG difference between relaxing and trance. Trust me on that.

Keep up that healthy interest and get it from a pro. Enjoy your trace experience. Pood :)

[Don]

Hi, Matthew.

First, I want to compliment you on your interest in hypnosis. It is an amazing, wonderful thing that is a powerful means to obtain change.

I'm going to let you in on a bit of a secret: learning self-hypnosis by yourself is an incredibly difficult thing to do. There are lots of books that tell you to do this, but few of them will share this secret with readers because if they do, their book won't sell. The question is, "Why is self-hypnosis so difficult?"

It's not. Self-hypnosis is easy! It's wonderful and a great thing to use. But it's difficult to learn by yourself for one primary reason: it's impossible for a person who has never been hypnotized to know if he or she is in hypnosis.

Compare it to being a pitcher in baseball. You may think your 60 MPH fastball is incredible until you realize that in the major leagues, they often pitch at 90 MPH or faster. Once you know that, you'll have something to compare your speed with and you'll know you have to work more.

So if you've never been hypnotized, what do you have to compare with? Nobody can tell you if you've hypnotized yourself because all hypnosis is experiential. You have to experience to know it.

So you wrote, "I am still at the stage of being able to put myself under by relaxing and counting down from 10 to 1/ 3 to 1." How do you know you are hypnotized? You may be relaxed, but relaxation does not make hypnosis. Relaxation can be very good, but it's not hypnosis. If you're relaxed, you're more likely to accept suggestions, but nowhere near as likely to accept suggestions as when you're hypnotized.

So I would suggest either taking a class on hypnosis or just going to a hypnotist so you can find out what it's really like. Perhaps you are doing self-hypnosis. I don't know. But you're asking for ways to help your hypnotic abilities improve, and from what you've written, those are the two best ways around.

When I was young I studied piano. I remember practicing a piece every day. When I showed it to my teacher (Mrs. Marshall), she pointed out that I had made an error and was hitting some wrong notes.

My point is that it is not true that practice makes perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect. It was difficult to "unlearn" my error and start playing it correctly. Practicing imperfectly results in habits that are difficult to break, and the longer you practice anything imperfectly the more difficult it may be to break that bad habit.

Concerning getting rid of a headache--STOP! Do NOT pass go. Do NOT collect $200.

If a person has an occasional headache, it may not be a problem. But if someone is having headaches regularly enough that they are looking for a solution, something is not right. Before you do anything else you should see a doctor immediately. A headache could be a simple as stress from work, school, or family, or it could be from twisting your neck or bad posture. Or it might be something that needs a doctor's help. So before doing anything more for that headache, please see a doctor.

You wrote, "Do I need to repeat that the headache is desired to go away? once? twice? thrice?" Uh, no. That's not the way hypnosis is used to treat headaches and other pains. Remember earlier I wrote that doing self-hypnosis is easy? The same is true for learning to hypnotize other people. But then people like me spend YEARS learning what to do after a person is hypnotized. You're not even close with your suggestions, which is why I suggest (:D ) seeing a hypnotist or taking a class. Not only will you learn what hypnosis feels like but you can see the appropriate way to treat a headache AFTER a person has gone to a doctor for examination on headaches.

Finally, you wrote, "I have read a book on hypnosis which contained a chapter on self hypnosis, but there are still parts of the process I have not been able to understand on my own. Please help. Any and all tips, guidance, and encouragement will be gladly accepted." Well, I've give you the two major tips that I can. My friend, reading one book on hypnosis that has one chapter on self-hypnosis is like reading a kindergarten book on mathematics and trying to go straight to algebra. I'm afraid it just won't work. I've attended numerous training sessions and read hundreds of books and I'm still learning more and more every day.

But you've already done more than most people. That's why I encourage you to take the next step. Get some training. Learn what great suggestions for headache removal might be. Be sure to come here often and share what you've learned. Your interest and drive could make you an expert in hypnosis, whether you want to learn for yourself or work professionally with others.

Good luck!

[cmoore1830]

I thank you both for your input. You have been very gracious. So you are not to worry, I do not have any kind of regular headaches. It was just an example of occassional headaches. But your shown concern let's me know I am among those who care.

The book I was refering to was Hypnosis for Beginners by Wiliam W. Hewitt.
Was this an ok place to begin reading? or should I look else where?

The self-hypnosis routine consists of five self recorded routines. My sessions seem to have been successful, but like you said I have never been hypnotized other wise.

There is a slight problem for me when I comes to being hypnotized by a professional. I live in a small town where I would have to travel hours to reach a trained professional. I, by-all-means, would love to do this, but being newly married I do not have the means. But I shall certainly keep that in mind.

-matt-

[Don]

Personally, I happen to like the book. I have many hundreds of books on hypnosis and related topics. However, books teach you about hypnosis. They can add to your practical abilities with their information, but no book can guarantee success.

Congratulations on being newly married! It can be both a blessing and a challenge.

Say, here's a thought: I bet your new wife has something she's not satisfied with. Maybe she's afraid of flying or has trouble sleeping. Maybe she wants to organize her day better or not be nervous in school or when talking to her boss. Perhaps you could both visit a hypnotherapist so you both can learn more about yourselves and improve your lives together!

[Connie]

Great idea, Don. Matt, you and your wife can learn to "sleep" together in a whole new way. :)

[Terry]

Mathew, many people are in the same position as you. They read books and hope to learn that way. It is not likely they will ever learn I'm afraid. However, hope springs eternal, and they persist in asking and hoping for a different answer next time. THERE IS NO DIFFERENT ANSWER.
When you ask for the impossible all you do is waste time, and the answer you have been given is the only reasonable one. Of course nothing stops you trying, but that is a decisssion YOU must make for yourself, we can only tell you what experience tells us....
I love your excuse by the way. Most posters tell us the have no job, no money, can't travel find a good practitioner, etc, but I have never heard anyone say, "I have a new wife, pray hold me excused"...Do you perhaps read the bible I wonder?....:) If so, you will understand my amusement...

[cmoore1830]

But my friend Terry I must attend to my new lands...and I can't let the oxen starve!

[Terry]

But my friend Terry I must attend to my new lands...and I can't let the oxen starve! Glad to see you got it..:)