Frist Post

[azygous420]

Hello, this is my first post. I'm doing what is called an extracurricular learning internship, at my high school on hypnosis. More specifically self-hypnosis, and I have been doing a lot reading on the topic. As I've been reading and researching more and more I am finding more and more questions, not more and more answers. Right now it appears that there is no solid definition of hypnosis, nor a solid scientific explanation as to how its works (correct me PLEASE if I'm wrong).

At this point I'm not trying to find out what it is (although I would love to know that), but if anyone would like to suggest their own opinion on what you believe is the most effective method of induction for you that would help me out. thanks.

[Don]

Hi, Azyg.

The reason that there is no solid definition of hypnosis is because people look at different aspects of the phenomenon and try to generalize that aspect to represent the entire nature of hypnosis. So some people call it a state of increased suggestibility--but that is only one aspect of hypnosis. People can easily accept suggestions without inducing a hypnotic trance.

Among professional hypnotists, an increasingly popular definition is the bypassing of the critical factor. That makes little sense to a non-professional.

Your request for the "most effective method of induction" shows that you haven't understood some of the basic concepts of hypnosis. This is not unusual as virtually all philosophy since the time of Aristotle, and especially Descartes, focus on the idea that the body is a machine. If one part breaks you can just replace it. And following this machine analogy, all people are pretty much the same.

This model works for the most popular form of medicine pushed by the AMA. For example, a drug to fight an ailment should work on all people. (In reality, the only requirement is that it needs to work better than a placebo in double blind testing, meaning that it may only help for as few as 1/3 of the subjects or less--but that's another issue.)

In hypnosis, however, we treat each person as a unique individual. Although certain techniques will work with many people (that's why they teach the "progressive relaxation" technique in most hypnosis classes--it's far from the best for any person, but it works for many people), the "most effective" induction method is different from person to person. A trained hypnotist talks to prospective subjects, and as a result of study, training, and experience, determines which induction method will be the best for that person. During the induction, the hypnotist observes the subject and may determine that the preselected induction method may not be the best for this person and changes it to another induction method "on the fly."

So IMO the "most effective method of induction" is actually knowing numerous induction methods, having the ability to create new induction methods as needed, and having the skill to determine which method may be the best for a client and be able to change it, as necessary, during the induction phase of hypnosis.

I hope this helps.

[azygous420]

Yeah I'm reading a book called Hypnosis: Fact and Fiction, and the author speaks to a lot of what you have said, and that using a method that is precisely outlined my be counter productive. But believe it or not I am actually doing what you suggested in asking for "the most effective." I was not directing it as a one size fits all question, I am merely curious to what works best for different people on this forum. This is so I can test the methods people say work best for them and try and integrate it into my own personal methods, and gain new insights to my own self-hypnosis to develop what in fact is "most effective" for myself.

I like that you have touched on the placebo aspect of hypnosis, because in the book I am currently reading, the author also talks about placebos and double and even triple blind tests. I find it quite fascinating that suggestion alone holds so much power over the human psyche. Thanks for the reply Don.

[skip]

People are always in trance. They go from one to another to another effortlessly.

I notice the trance shifts and just 'grab on' to one and then lead them to others that are useful for the work we want to do.

It just doesnt get any easier than that.

skip

[Don]

Hi, Azyg...

Well, I don't have one or two or one or two dozen induction methods that work best.

I was trained in Ericksonian by different instructors, and one of the things I learned was how to develop a unique induction for each client. Further, as a result of training, study, experience, and intuition, I may change that induction while in the middle if I observe signs that it is not being as effective as I would like or intuit that there might be something better.

In other words, there is no "best" induction, there is only a "best" induction for a particular client at a particular time, and that may be different for every client.

[John B.]

At this point I'm not trying to find out what it is (although I would love to know that), but if anyone would like to suggest their own opinion on what you believe is the most effective method of induction for you that would help me out. thanks.

Welcome.

The definition of hypnosis that I find useful is "Hypnosis is the bypass of the Critical Factor and the establishment of acceptable selective thinking."

You'll find an expanded version of this definition on Cal Banyon's blog. I suspect though, many of those who post here frequently, and are also Ericksonians and NLPers, would disagree with Banyon's definition.

One induction that I believe that anyone who practices hypnosis should at least know is the Elman induction. The Elman induction actually consists of multiple inductions, deepeners, and suggestibility tests. Once you really know it, you can pull out and use the individual pieces for your custom crafted approach.

[Poodle]

Hi, I've done some lovely high school work for students that have decided to write about hypnosis. I give them the facts, they can dig out the history and then I go to the school after their presentation and we have group hypnosis. They know in advance I'll be there and have to have a signed "permission slip" from Mom or Dad.

I wonder what would happen if you invited someone like one of us to your class to "finalize" your paper.

Good idea to have it filmed by a mom or dad too.

A few ideas on self hypnosis -- can't find your keys, books, pens or whatever when right in front of your nose -- TRANCE and NEGATIVE HALLUCINATION -- the good news is you also have POSITIVE HALLUCINATIONS.

Self-hypnosis is not something you are going to find in a book. It is, however, something that you will learn in a good training. Please read Merlin's FAQ's. That is why they exist.

Enjoy learning about our world! Pood :)

[Merlin]

When you read a book, you may be reading information which is sometimes 100 yeas old.
Really.
Sometimes myths are passed on, book after book.

Have you read my FAQ?

[azygous420]

I have actually started a new book after finishing that last one. This one is titled Hypnotherapeutic Techniques 2E, and is written by two psychologist in my area (Idaho) who I plan to interview for my school work. I agree that the information may seem to be 100 years old, because it is, hypnosis has been around for centuries in different forms, and I think that everyone comes back to the same notions in the end. At this point I'm more concerned with getting a wide variety of inductions to find the most efficient and effective method for myself. As well as being able to help others understand this phenomenon and experience it in a positive manner.

[Poodle]

Are you the lad that decided Don should be working at J C Penneys based on his amazing education? Just curious here. Pood ;)