The Transparent Hypnotist

After reading the Celestine Prophecy, I find myself spending more and more time noticing simple little synchronicity - things that are randomly coincidental, but maybe come about for a reason. While doing my lunch time errands yesterday and making a deposit at my bank, the teller I normally use must have felt a bit chatty. She hit me with the big question - what religion are you? Now I suppose she could lose her job for asking questions such as this, but I decided to see where she was going.

“Why?” I asked and suddenly found myself in the midst of a theological conversation.

“I was thinking that in order to have hypnosis work, you would need to have a strong belief in a higher power,” she said. Wow. Now this is a conversation I rarely have, if ever. It was also a nice change from the close-minded religious comments one gets living in the bible belt or the from the tired attacks such as one mentioned yesterday (hence the synchronicity).

What an interesting take - using the belief of the divine, God, or whatever name you give the higher being, in helping you make changes. Rather than assuming hypnosis can be threatening to a fragile sense of religion, this is the exact opposite.

“You say that hypnosis is a great way to hear your inner self,” she continued, “and I have wondered about this inner self - if this is the part of me that is ‘good,’ that can help me be a better person, then this is the religious side of me, the part that does so because of my belief in God. God is the source of giving me the faith to change for the better, so hypnosis is like prayer, but a much more intimate connection.” (Notice I am leaving out spirituality - yes, I do make a distinction).

Then she asked me again about my religion and by this time, all the other customers were listening to this odd discussion. Had we been alone, I might have given her the answer she wanted, using it for rapport purposes, but instead I found myself becoming a little more vague.

“It does not matter what religion I am. In hypnosis, it is all about you - your beliefs. As a hypnotist, I believe we all have the power to create positive change within. What belief systems we engage to do so is a completely personal and individual thing. In your case, it is your belief in the divine that will motivate you and inspire you. Changing for the better may be motivated this way. A rose is a rose by any other name…”

Then she disengaged. Perhaps by not telling her my religious affiliation, she passed some judgement upon me. The moment ended, my despite slip was handed to me and I was dismissed.

On the positive side though, as I was about to leave, another customer asked for my card.

Maybe it is just when one door closes, another opens. Maybe the conversation happened because someone else needed to hear my answers. And maybe there is no synchronicity, but it is not every day I talk theology and hypnosis.

Another steamy night and a stomach ache to boot. Even the coffee is disagreeable this morning. I am sitting here, sweating, drinking the remains of a flat soda. Children, don’t try this at home.

I am seriously thinking of making Monday the day for recapitulating what is going on out there in the hypnosis world. Seems like a nice way to start the week out. I know I just ran this idea back in the middle of last week, but the timing feels better for a Monday. Any thoughts?

The Good
Bill Taylor wrote a wonderful little piece about his hypnosis experience in the Toronto Star. It is completely charming and a quick read.

The Niagara Gazette recently profiled hypnotist Behnam Saghafi.

Marti Thompson had the grand opening of Bellevue Hypnosis Center in Nebraska. She uses pulsing sound and light technology to induce a deeper state of hypnosis.

The UK’s Timesonline.com published an article about hypnosis for helping children with bedwetting cessation. It is a very positive article about a boy whose life was in shambles because of his problem. Unfortunately it ends on a bit of a weak note - positive success for the child mentioned, but is summed by the words that are lukewarm about the effectiveness of hypnosis as opposed to other methods.

The Bad (as in cool)
Again, I don’t spend much time watching the tele, but apparently Bones (Fox Network) is rerunning the episode that included hypnosis. Sounds potentially interesting as the main female character “finds it difficult to fall under the hypnotist’s trance.” Anyone care to report back?

The Ugly
Ah Nan would not like me mentioning this, but alas, it made its way into my email and now onto my blog. Sorry Christian Science believers, I hate to put you in my ugly category, but the article in the Christian Science Monitor on hypnosis only fits here. It is the usual religious dogma that gets to the point about believing in the divine (mind) as the basis for all change. Here is where the yuck enters. No, not with words about the divine, but by excluding hypnosis as something that is not in balance with certain religious beliefs. Eve, of course, is cited as being “mesmerized” by the serpent. We all know how that worked out, therefore hypnosis is religated to trickery and manipulaiton. What I suspect is that the author is just babbling without really knowing or trying hypnosis. Much easier to have a short focus than a depth of knowledge from which to speak.

Australian psychologist are still railing about the proposed The Psychological Practice Bill 2006, which will allow non-psychologist to practice hypnosis.

And that’s were hypnosis stands in the media world as of this moment. Also, any hypno people out there, if you are doing something - workshops, lectures, or things of that nature, send me a press release (ellie.blunt@gmail.com) and I just might include it.

It is hot.  It is very hot.  The air conditioner is not working and I am aware of how reliant we humans have become on our creature comforts.  I spent yesterday at the movies (Iron Man), but today I have life to live here in the heat.

A little while back, Michael mentioned creating a comfy space for he and his girlfriend to visit when they are challenged physically by the distance between there living environments. As I awoke this morning, sweating without exertion, it occurred to me to take a hint from Michael. If he can create a comfy space, I can create a cool one. Self-hypnosis might just be the thing. I have yet to invoke the igloo of comfort, but am about to depart for a cooler mind climate. For many, a temperature drop is normal when enjoying the process of hypnosis, but I tend to get hot flashes, so it’s time to bring on the coolness of suggestion.

Now here is the question - when you use hypnosis (or meditation or relaxation work), do you experience any physical phenomenon (like a temperature drop or heat flashes) and if so, what?

I feel like a little poetry today. It is hot this morning and the mind is in a lazy mode, where tripping on words is pleasing. At first, it seemed some various poem with the word hypnosis would do just fine, but my fingers and search engines are not giving me the response I seek. Just modern poets that speak not to me, but to someone else.

In my search, I found Robert Graves Counting the Beats. Someone put a side note next to it that it is “hypnotic.”  Giving it ago, I have just spent the last several moments contemplating it. If one reads it in a hypnotic roll, it is rather pleasing for self-hypnosis.  However, I find some down sides - the poem itself, though I suspect many of us relate, has a few negative words (death) and thoughts, so I am not sure it would make for a fabulous induction in general.

See what you think.

Counting the Beats

You, love, and I,
(He whispers) you and I,
And if no more than only you and I
What care you or I ?

Counting the beats,
Counting the slow heart beats,
The bleeding to death of time in slow heart beats,
Wakeful they lie.

Cloudless day,
Night, and a cloudless day,
Yet the huge storm will burst upon their heads one day
From a bitter sky.

Where shall we be,
(She whispers) where shall we be,
When death strikes home, O where then shall we be
Who were you and I ?

Not there but here,
(He whispers) only here,
As we are, here, together, now and here,
Always you and I.

Counting the beats,
Counting the slow heart beats,
The bleeding to death of time in slow heart beats,
Wakeful they lie.

Source: Western Michigan University

Cyber Location: www.anthonyjacquin.com

(This is Kevin’s web site of choice)

1. Are you a full time hypnotist, part-time or hobbyist?

I would probably say I’m somewhere between hobbyist and part-time. I do make some money from hypnosis (stage hypnosis), but it’s not my primary source of income. I also tend to perform hypnotherapy for free for friends but lack the time to turn it into a business at the moment.

2. Do you specialize in any type of hypnosis?

Hypnosis is hypnosis. I use NLP patterns inside a trance for hypnotherapy but am moving more and more into the Human Givens approach. I write and produce for a stage hypnosis act (Anthony Jacquin) and I’m a driving force behind HypnoAttack which is filmed and youtubed street hypnosis.

3. Is there any type of hypnosis you do not do? Why?

Past-life regression because it’s nonsense. Hypno-analysis because I think it’s damaging and unnecessary. I’m also very anti energy healing which I believe to be hypnosis in disguise. Why bother with the ritual when you can use logic and reason to hypnotize?

4. Do you use self-hypnosis regularly in your life? If so, how?

Not regularly, but when I feel I need to. I’ve used NLP patterns such as the fast phobia cure / rewind technique, the Swish and the 6-step Reframe on myself for habits and less-than-ideal memories. On a training course I was given a post-hypnotic suggestion that I could re-enter trance by thinking the word “Relax” four times. It works and provides a useful trance to undertake self-hypnotic work. I can also generate catalepsy in myself very quickly, from a stuck hand to full-body.

5. Describe your hypnosis office or work setting.

Anywhere and everywhere. If someone comes for hypnotherapy then I’ll usually let them sit on the sofa in my lounge and I’ll sit on a separate chair, facing them. If it’s in the pub or on the street, then it could be sat down or stood up, whatever is most appropriate.

6. Describe a typical day in your life.

Get to work about 10am where I work as an information security consultant (I own half the business). A couple of hours of business administration, as must reading and research as I can find time for, a bit of hacking for a customer, a bit of work on some consultancy assignments, lunch is a sandwich from our local shop, several games of table football with the others in the office, maybe a pint or two in the pub opposite after work. Back home around 6.15pm where I catch up on personal emails, the derren-brown forum on yahoo UK and uncommonforum.com’s hypnosis board.

7. Where did you get your training in hypnosis and are you certified?

Jon Chase’s Stage Hypnosis Masterclass and the UK Hypnotherapy Training College’s 5-day hypnotherapy course (both certified). I’ve also been on numerous weekend workshops run by Anthony Jacquin and his father, where I help out and practice skills.

8. Most fabulous hypnosis technique you use?

Testing. It’s far too easy to go through the motions, believe someone is hypnotized, give them suggestions and then ‘wake them up’ and send them on their way. Lots of hypnotherapists do it. I believe that the only way to know that someone is hypnotized is to test your work. Give them a suggestion, such as arm levitation, and then challenge them to stop it from happening. If they can’t, then they’re zapped. If you don’t test, then how can you possibly know if they’re not just bored and relaxed?

9. Worse moment ever in a hypnosis setting that ended up being a valuable learning experience.

Ant once said, “Moonwalk back to your seats” and most of the subjects at the show returned into the audience instead of sitting in the row of hypno-chairs. At the time, we both thought we’d lost the subjects and so he continued with the ones that remained. On the way home, we realized that in their minds, “your seats” meant “your seats in the audience”! They were still zapped, but the suggestion was ambiguous. We work to make the suggestions very precise now.

10. Any words of advice to potential clients or other hypnotist.

Potential clients: ask how the hypnotist will prove to you that you’re hypnotized. If they don’t know, don’t care or simply can’t, then you may wish to see a real hypnotist instead of a Charlatan.

Hypnotists: get training, get zapping and test your work every time. There are so many bad books written about hypnosis that if you simply read and read instead of practicing and testing then, statistically, you’ll be worse off. That said, “Reality is Plastic” is a short book about getting out there and doing it.

Maybe it was at an NGH conference or maybe it was at a small business women meeting, but the words have haunted me since. “When you open your own business, you no longer are doing what you embarked upon (being a hypnotist in my case) originally. Instead your profession is ‘business owner.’ If you want to pursue a career doing what you are passionate about, you should work for someone else.” Wow. Needless to say, my passionate side has railed against this. Not that many people “hire” hypnotist to work in their companies. So, that means we begin the process of becoming business owners. However, I still insist I am a hypnotist first

But a business owner I am as well. Not only am I a hypnotist, but I am an office manger; I delve into public relations; put on a book keeping hat; and am a marketer. Oh, and I also am a janitor at times. Sigh (not about being a janitor, though - sometimes mopping the floor is a great way to meditate).

Today as I look down my to do list, it is time for me to reorder my “branded” tools - cards, stationary and that sort of fun stuff (okay, I do enjoy good stationary). I already know from where I am going to order these things - Vista Print. Like so many others, a few years ago I was lured in by their inexpensive (but good quality) business cards. At first, I did not expect much, but since I have been using them, they have responded immediately to any questions or technical problems I encountered. Their products even arrive in a timely manner.

True story. A few years ago during a hypno conference, I ran low on business cards. I knew my stash at the office was also minimal. I still have several days to go because I was taking a few courses after the convention officially ended. I got on the phone and called Vista Print. I placed an order for more of my cards, expedited delivery and they were there in two days. Amazing.

Anyway, I need to order some “personalized note cards.” I send these to clients after I meet with them (and such). Currently mine have my logo on them, but now, after Tuesday’s post, I am wondering if it would not be better to have my picture on it. Ah, the simple joys of being the one to make all the decisions.

Slowly things are falling back in line. My overwhelming piles have whittled down into something tolerable and I see that much has been going on in our world recently. Perhaps you have heard all of this or maybe not. But here’s the scoop in the hypnosis world

Big News
Ah, that ever-so-intimidating-dentist chair. Leslie Mason found a great way to deal with it. You guessed it. He had hypnotist John Ridlington (Dunmow, Essex) guide him through a tooth (two teeth in reality)-pulling surgery, using no anesthesia. All he felt was a little sting. A technique Mr. Ridlington apparently used was the idea of dialing back the pain a notch to one (on a dial of one to 10, where one is no pain and 10 is a howler).

The Good
Susan Wallace, from Ireland, had a brilliant article written about her by a smoking cessation client. The article touched on the subject of quitting the cig habit through hypnosis in a very honest way.

Students in Mumbai, India have found a way to deal with their test anxiety and stress - self-hypnosis. This is becoming more and more accepted as a way to be productive and deal with life.

John Weir of West Mifflin, PA, is a day and night hypnotist - clinical hypnosis by day and stage hypnosis by night. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review featured him in a complimentary article.

MindSpa Wellness Center in Florida is celebrating a grand opening. It is owned by hypnotist Mahara Tucker.

John Mondello has opened a practice in Rhinebeck, NY.

A group of RNs who are into the hypno arts got together and opened MindClick Partners Inc in Vancouver, Canada.

Caere Dunn in Prescott, AZ gave a great interview about hypnosis to The Daily Courier.

The Bad (Bad as in cool)
Cold Play (a total weak spot for Ellie), the band, created a song under the influence of hypnosis.

The Ugly
Peter Powers made a guest appearance on the show Big Brother and did a version of his stage act for those in the house. However, this little stunt has caused a bit of brew-ha-ha for poor Peter. According to the Daily Telegraph several psychologists were outraged…Though it sounds like Peter did well in the ways he handled it, I suspect the ugliness comes from people just not thinking the show is a good idea in general. Just something for the tired lions to roar about (it sounds like). I admit I have not seen the episode so my comments are only based on the article I have cited.

And there you have it, form my files to your eyes.

When a friend of mine got into real estate, he asked me what photographer I used for the photograph that is on my business card. He liked the quality and the message I was sending by using a professional photographer as opposed to having my partner snap a quick picture against a white wall. He wanted the professional look for his card and ads as well.

That made me step back and really think for a few moments. Why on earth I had I originally put my photograph on my card? Had I been peddling my hypnosis practice like selling Austin real estate? Well?

So, as I sipped my free-trade cup of Joe and looked over the rim at my would-be-real-estate-mogul friend, I asked him why people in real estate put their likenesses on everything from cards to signage.

He sipped his expresso or rather tossed it back like a shot of libation.

“I want people to know who I am. My face is my brand recognition. Just because my company was rated the number one residential real estate team in Austin by the Austin Business Journal, I want them to know me, the human element of the company. If they like the way I look, they will come to me. If they don’t…”

Hmmm. I see that. Had I become snarky in my high-brow healing modality? Had I begun to think I was better than everyone else and was now questioning my own purposes in having a picture on my card? Were my reasons any different from the millions of real estate agents who do just that?

No. Subconsciously I guess I have always known that my picture might influence someone to try my services. The picture shows people “me” (or my outer representation). Maybe the set of my jaw or the closeness of my eyes will make some people feel more comfortable and for those who do not like red heads, well…there are other hypnotists in the world. I had never really thought of myself as the “brand,” though, thinking more conservatively that branding was the logo, the consistency of materials I use, and such. But maybe there is something to the idea that I am part of the brand, just like soda is part of the Pepsi branding. It may be the product as well, but the taste is part of the package. Who am I to deny that people do judge books by their covers and so on. I am guilty of purchasing items because I like their label design. I image I am not alone.

Do any of you use photographs of yourself to self your services? Do you think it helps of hinders?

What a week! Huge thanks to Michael, Gary, Mark, Terry and Frank, who wrote some provocative posts and kept this blog interesting during my travels.

Many good questions were brought up.

Michael’s Sunday Question asked about hypnotizing family members. I have and they have been easier than my close friends. We know Debbie’s answer. How about you?

Michael also asked a bit of a rhetorical question about are we using our tools as best we can in our relationships and with clients. I think that is something, especially with clients, we need to constantly ask ourselves. In personal relationships, I often find I have to rein myself in at times. I have to wait for someone to want my help (just like in client hypnosis). Sometimes that is the hardest part.

Then Mark asked:

Could anyone suggest techniques for trainers teaching adults for developing mentally captivating and memorable lesson content? How can we talk directly to the subconscious to improve assimilation and accommodation of useful content?

Great question! That will take more time than this cursory walked down the week I was out of town. Anyone?

Frank’s Sunday Question asked if one can have too much hypnosis or can it be dangerous? I agree with Michael’s comment completely. I also think there might be a saturation point as well. I have had a client who used my audios for insomnia. He listened to them religiously (though I have told him it was unnecessary and potentially unhelpful). After several months, he said he believed they “wore out and he would like something new.

And now I need a coffee refill and back to business.

by Frank Murphy

I have been teaching my brother to drive.  Every day we go through the same procedure - we go out to the car, I hand out the keys and say “do you want to drive?”

He always says “no,” so I drive to a quiet estate, swap places, he drives round for a bit, we swap places and go home. Same routine everyday.

One day not long ago he booked a ‘proper’ instructor as I told him he is not far away from being ‘test ready.’  I asked him does he want me to spend 5 minutes to hypnotize him and get rid of the hot flushes, panic attacks, hot sweats and to ‘make’ him pay more attention to things I picked up on that could use more attention -mirrors, handbrake, etc.

I spent literally 5 minutes with him before we went out for a lesson.

We went out and I asked the usual “do you want to drive?”

He said “yes,” took the keys, got straight in the driving seat and took off at the speed of light STRAIGHT AT A PARKED VEHICLE, which to make matters worse was my hypnobile!!

On another occasion, I visited a client going through a divorce, whose husband was bullying her and still controlled her life.

The day after I worked with her, the police brought her back home after she had gone round to his house, and, for the first time in her life she stood up for herself.

I re-thought my approaches after that and put emphasis on due control and caution!!!

So, with these occasions in mind, my question is this:

Can a person have too much hypnosis/hypnotherapy?  Even though it is used for a right reason and used properly, can it still be dangerous?