The Transparent Hypnotist

Photograph by jfravel

The whip sound is a quiet whack only heard by my mind as I sit in the darkness, dwelling, trying to let go. The reverberation of a stupid mistake only hits the surface luckily, so the scars if any will heal. And heal they have, turning from immediate burn into a golden lesson that I can hope I have learned and will not repeat.

I am talking about a mistake I made with a client awhile ago. Recently it surfaced in my thoughts, so despite the fact that sometimes sharing a mistake is the hardest post of all to write, it seems to want to be told.

It begins with the story of a client who came to me to be a better golfer. It seems that she would shake or freeze before making the final putt. We did one session involving traditional hypnosis. For a week or two it did the trick, but then there she was back on my doorstep. Only this time, she came with a sob story. She had been laid off, had no money, her husband had been in a car accident…and the list went on. Being empathetic, I felt terrible for her. And then the pitch came. She wanted to keep working with the hypnosis but could not afford to keep wasting money on something that did not work.

Warning bells should have gone off, but alas, there was nothing but the quiet ache of her pain. So, I did something my mentors had warned me never to do. I made a deal with her. She could pay me after the session when the hypnosis worked. I would love to tell you that she became a world class golfer, but alas, it was not so. I really wanted to do client centered hypnosis with her dealing with her husband’s accident, but she absolutely refused to go in that direction (one of the sessions indicated guilt feelings in that area - he was home suffering, so why should she be out on the golf course having a great time?). After three more sessions with no results, I had to end our time together.

I believe the sessions did not work because of the reasons mentioned above, but also because they held no value to her. There was no commitment to change on her part, no ramifications if it did not work. The lesson I learned is that clients have to be really committed to making their changes - they have to be willing to work on the issues themselves. If they hold back or think that it is all the hypnotist, it certainly is not.

Now that I have shared my own whipping post with you, the Sunday Question is are there times when you do not monetarily charge clients for your services and if so, how has that worked out?

Photograph by cursedthing

 

Groggily sitting here, blank screen before me, I have the urge to just turn the computer off and go back to bed. I am in the last throes of this nasty Christmas present of a cold. But, before I do so, I checked through my collection of hypnotic esoterica. My heart began to beat a little faster, the fingers flexed in anticipation of sharing a wonderful new discovery. I clicked the links. I read and searched. My insatiable love for horror genre bubbled to the surface of used tissues and empty, dirty tea cups. Exorcismus. The word almost tripped pleasingly from the inner mind tongue, only for me to stumble slightly with the notion that it probably will be a foreign speaking film. No problem. How those wonderful the words read:

What goes on in Father Ellis’ hypnosis sessions? In order to find out, Suzy sets up a hidden camera in the room.

Oh the power of words. The enticement. But alas, I could find very little about the upcoming movie project beyond the Shock Till You Drop glimpse that originally caught my attention.

And now, I am tired again. I am going back to bed.

Location: Thornhill, Ontario

Cyber Locations:
http://www.comedywood.com
http://www.IncredibleBORIS.com
http://www.comedywood.com/b-video.php

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

I live, breathe and sleep being what I do. It is the most exciting career I could find. I am a full time stage hypnotist, comedian and TV guest expert.

2. Do you specialize in any type of hypnosis?

I am a stage hypnotist who presents a show that is motivational and inspiring. Among the theatrics and laughter, you will find messages of positive thinking, What better way to learn than through laughter.

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

I would consider all types of hypnosis, but stay with the one I am strongest in – the stage. I do not get involved in the medical side and refer them to local practitioners within their area of expertise. I am a showman, a comedian who happens to present it through hypnosis. I stick to my strengths - I love the theatrics, comedy and most of all, being able to implant positive suggestions and open people’s eyes to the extensive capabilities of the mind.

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

I find that it is a state of mind, rather than a regular routine of self-hypnosis. Your attitude is a trance that you slip in and out of. It is up to you to create the person that you want to be and others to react to.

5. Describe your hypnosis office or work setting.

My office is a room with a desk with a computer, printer and a telephone. My work setting is a stage and an airplane ride to get there. My last week has been performing in Dubai, Los Angeles and Toronto. The amount of time I spend on stage is rather tiny in comparison to what the travel, booking, paperwork and preparations entail, but are worth every second to get on stage to entertain the masses.

6. Describe a typical day in your life.

A typical day would be spent on the telephone, dealing with agents, prospective bookers and associates. Dealing with travel arrangements, contracts and show preparations involve learning to maximize time available and delegating responsibilities to an assistant or a travel agent. Flying off to perform involves time management and a really reliable alarm clock.

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

My background in hypnosis is quite varied. I have attended University of Toronto, Seneca College and York University for Computer programming and psychology. Programming of computers and minds are quite closely related as they are logical outcomes due to a sequence of instructions.

My training in hypnotherapy is with Harvard Institute of Hypnotherapy in Client Centered Hypnosis, whom I highly recommend. I am certified and am a member of several hypnosis associations and guilds.

8. Most fabulous hypnosis technique you use?

I use a combination of many techniques that ensure a successful outcome. I am a student of Erickson, Jung and many others. I combine rapport techniques that are usually underlined and easy to accept – from effective body language, to mirroring and cross-mirroring. I am a minimalist in language, and tend to be a wordsmith that delivers an exact meaning in as few words as possible.

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

My worst moments end up being a valuable learning experience, though not necessarily bad moments, but unexpected at the time.

1. I asked a participant in one of my shows to “grab that chair”, meaning “sit down” in that chair. Instead of sitting down in a chair he picked it up awaiting further instructions. Lesson learnt: People under hypnosis may take everything literally.
2. While performing in the Caribbean, one of the participants on stage was not responding the way I would normally expect. When I gave this participant an individual suggestion, he did not carry it out. When attempting to find out why, I realized that this person did not speak a word of English and were hypnotized by understanding only the intention of the show. I continued the show with a translator, making them an outstanding subject.

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

Never stop learning. Seek and give advice, contribute and improve the lives of others simply by coming in contact with you. For the stage hypnotists – the main rule I have on stage is to treat the participants with respect and empathy. Comedy is never the means to ridicule, thus my job is to bring out the best improvisational skills and comedic timing, while providing unprecedented understanding of the potentials of the mind.

At first, my voice cracked the surface of the icy winter air, an intricacy of sound lines forming designs into the crispness of the night. If it was not for the resolute darkness, I would have seen my breath, puffing and white before me, but all I could see was darkness and a few darker forms that represented my hiking companions. Soon the icy-tin sound of my voice warmed into a richer sound, like the sound of a Hot Toddy soothing the throat.

There we were, three of us, cold and merged into the darkness of a moonless night. One of my companions had chosen not to continue the hike. The terrain was about to get touchy and she was worried about her footing (rightfully so). So one other and I decided to wait with her for the group to track back and head to our campsite. The three of us decided to see what experiencing the cold night would be like without the facade of flashlight beams.

Enviably our murmured conversation led to hypnosis and suggestion work. Would hypnosis work to create a sense of warmth on this cold night? Why not, I thought to myself. Why not use my skills to make things a little more comfortable? Holding up one of our Surefire Flashlights in the solitary darkness, I had them focus on the the beam for an eye fixation induction.

What I had not thought about was the notion of how I could pace them and see their reactions, taking cues from body language. It was one of those interesting moments, when one becomes aware just how much they rely on one tool. I had slipped into the comfort of this induction and the practice of noticing visual cues. I felt my voice wanting to waver in its steady cadence as I made this discovery. Yet, it remained smooth, as I compensated for my lack of visualization. I continued to count down, giving the suggestion for eyes to close when they were too heavy to remain open and deepened my own trance. I also suggested that we open the door to our own connectedness by imagining a campfire we had all enjoyed a few weeks previously.

As the night sounds around us shifted and footsteps, strands of vocal noise began to breakthrough the crackle of a past campfire, I slowly brought my compatriots back to normal consciousness (feeling warmer). Rejoining our group headed back for a new campfire, the three of us lagged behind, still aglow with our time together.

“I think I like hypnosis better than hiking,” said my friend who had been the catalyst of the experience.

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As I continue to remain in bed, fighting the battle of the sneeze, I have had some time to reflect upon recent events. The one I just shared with you is from the hike I took a few weekends ago and froze during the night. I write this now as both a reminder for myself and for others to check how we do things. I had a wake-up call that I was maybe relying too much on one tool. Comfort zones can sometimes make us dull and staid and who wants that?

Photograph by vlidi

My head is still a cotton ball and today the words are not flowing. Usually even on the worse, most tired days the words tumble from my typing fingers onto the blog post. Not so at the particular time. All I want to do is just crawl back in bed and wake up to a nose that allows for breathing and a head that is not pounding. 

This means that I need to write about something positive, something slightly in the future, something to look forward to - something hypnotic and refreshing…I have got it - the Global Hypnosis eSummit. It is happening from March 13 -15, 2009. And it is happening in your own home, on your own computer. No need to make travel reservations, lug suitcases around, and be enticed by hotel bars (bars that might have really good Clam Chowder…). The eSummit is the brainchild of the Hypnothoughts.com community and will feature 99 hours of hypnosis education with seminars geared for the general public and experienced hypnotist. 

We even know a few of the presenters:

• Lee Darrow
• Paul Durbin
• Roy Hunter

 

It all sounds pretty wonderful. The only downside is that the NGH says they will not accept this eSummit for continuing education credits. 

Photograph by modomatic

Vegetables and fruit - now there is an expletive for you. Dirty words. Bad words, especially when you do not have a diet full of them. You end up like me, on the rug with yet another cold. And gosh, darn it, it is all my fault. I have been “too busy” to eat well these last few days and my diet has lacked the essentials to keep my immune system in shining-knight mode; the mode where that knight fights against contamination of the evil yucks.

Please do not mistake this for a complaint. I am totally to blame and I do know better. But I share it with you because I am human. Living in ones head is not always helpful. And today I am blogging from the comfort of pillows, blankets and bed, which means a low key work day for me.

With that in mind, I am working on my upcoming weight loss group support system that will be in full-swing in January. We will meet monthly, but I have been considering sources of support that would be more consistent for those who spend a great deal of their lives online. Sure I could creates forums and such, but why recreate the wheel?

Therefore I will share some of the resources I am suggesting. One is a site called LIVESTRONG.COM. It is much like a standard social networking site, but it is all about having and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and runs like a support group. Basically it uses the “dare” principle - daring each other to maintain healthy habits. You accept or create a dare and report on it as you go. The site also includes things like a Body Mass Index calculator, calorie counter, and food journals. It basically allows you to track your progress. The site is through Demand Media and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Maybe…just maybe I will put the dare out there for more intake of vegetables and fruits (when I am up to getting out of bed and traveling to a store).

Visit LIVESTRONG.COM.

Photograph by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid

The morning sun has not blazed the sky with any interesting colors as yet. It is damp and dark like the time right after twilight. Perhaps another cup of tea is in order. Maybe another teaspoon of honey with that cup of tea would be reasonable as well.

There is good news this morning, the Transparent Hypnotist is now under the 100,000 mark on Alexia (even though the big blue G slapped me down to a 0). So huge thank you to all who visit this site.

Well, let’s start the weekly wake up with hypno news.

The Good

I do not know how many times I am asked the question, “Does it really work? Will hypnosis make me a non-smoker?” Inevitably I answer with an affirmative smile and depending on my mood, “No, you will make you a non-smoker. Hypnosis will help you with the process.” Then the conversation gravitates to questions about what hypnosis is like or even what it is like to be a non-smoker. There is a lovely article on www.beliefnet.com about one non-smoker’s experience with smoking cessation hypnosis that really speaks to such questions.

Finally something positive in the world of law and hypnosis. Newswest9.com in Texas recently ran a story about their local law enforcement who use forensic hypnosis to help people remember details about crimes. It is advocated by Sheriff Gary Painter.

Wanting to change a habit? Kanta Bosniak, life coach and hypnotist, in an interview with WFMZ-TV gives a few pointers about the 21 days it takes to create or break a habit.

The Bad (Kind of Far Out Cool)

Sometimes I feel fairly conservative in my own experiences, especially when one gets into the some of the psychic or paranormal events. For instance, I have never had an out of body experience (OBE). I am not against such things and now, based on an article in Natural News, I may rethink the idea of inducing such an occurrence. Apparently some researchers have found that OBEs induced hypnotically can have therapeutic value.

And then there are the alien abductions. Regressive hypnosis (no leading questions please) can often help people deal with ideas that they were abducted by aliens. One such story is that of Joyce Updike, who through hypnosis recalled her abductions. The hypnotist was Dr. Leo Sprinkle. This is all chronicled in the book Aliens Among Us by Ruth Montgomery (The North Platte Bulletin).

Photograph by Malene Thyssen

Sluggish and snail paced, the internet is moving like a tortoise in a race against a rabbit. It is made all the slower from my own head, which is filled with yuck. A Christmas cold perhaps. A glass of Airborne sits fizzing next to me (lemon-lime flavor), but I shall buck up a bit, go in search of the prefect Christmas tree and retire to a cup of cocoa.

And because the thought process is not any quicker than the internet, I will keep the Sunday Question a simple matter. It is honor of my own need to keep happy thoughts going during the chaos of commercialism that abounds at this time of year - hence the do or die attitude of finding the right tree (or in my case, large potted plant).

What do you do to keep optimistic during the holiday season?

Terry O’Brien and I have been conversing about a television episode of NCIS and their portrayal of hypnosis. Sadly, I am very unqualified to discuss NCIS, but I guess that will not stop me from blogging about it I did spend a little time trying to find the episode in question and for those of you who watch the show, it was episode #17 during season five, called About Face.

The show deals with the idea that evidence, a passport,  was stolen directly under the nose of one of the investigators. He needs to remember more details about the passport, and as Terry said to me, “You know where this is going.”

Unlike another earlier episode where the show brought in a professional hypnotist character, this time, apparently, one of the main-stay characters, goth-chick and forensic investigator Abby did the regression. And also unlike the first episode where they had a professional hypnotist get results, Abby did not.

In thinking about this and feeling the little pangs of sharp misrepresentation beginning to insinuate themselves into my brain, a moment of clarity happened. No metal taste of misgiving, but a gift of tasty insight. There really was not a misrepresentation (at least in my hearing of the synopsis - tell me if I am wrong) of hypnosis. If one compares the two episodes, it provides a valuable contrast. In the first, a professional handled the hypnosis and it worked out. In the second, a hobbyist handled it. Now, I have no issue with hobbyist. Some of are incredibly gifted and have helped numerous people. But the truth is, there are so many people who go out, read a few books and think they are a full-fledged hypnotist. It takes practice and regression is a little tricky because you have to be sure not to create false memories. Also, I do not know the dynamics on the show, but I assume the person being regressed and Abby worked together. Who knows what sort of rapport that created. It would have been great if at the end of the show, they called back the original hypnotist to do a proper regression…ah well.

Any thoughts from people who have seen the show? Anything you want to add, Terry?

Cyber Locations:
www.LeoGopal.com
incrediblemind.ning.com

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

Full-time hypnotist, part-time programmer. The reason I say I am a full time hypnotist is because once you learn and start using hypnosis it really can not be anything other than full-time. I am either learning more, teaching, hypnotizing or being hypnotized.

2. Do you specialize in any type of hypnosis?

Yes, I enjoy stage and street hypnosis though most of my work is therapy and mostly phobias and addictions. Also I enjoy conversational hypnosis.

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

No, I do believe not doing or being able to do any aspect of hypnosis would be a huge limitation on myself.

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

Yes, for self improvement and personal growth - self-hypnosis helps with these aspects. My favorite techniques include symbolism, which is pretty simple as I gain a symbol for what I want to change, a symbol for what I want to change it to, and slowly change the initial symbol, for example replacing my nervousness with confidence before a show.

5. Describe your hypnosis office or work setting.

I do not have a fixed location office at the moment. I am working on that, but I do give seminars at the local library and do house calls, also as would be the general case my stage shows are usually in club gigs.

6. Describe a typical day in your life.

Usually starts around 8 am, I work on my hypnosis resource site and network, as well as doing some networking with friends; street hypnosis when I am in the mood, as well as searching out gigs for a stage comedy hypnosis show, basically working on getting clients and hypnosis work. Then from 4 pm to 9 pm, I go to work as a web developer for a local computer company!

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

ICBCH, and yes.

8. Most fabulous hypnosis technique you use?

Waking Hypnosis is fabulous to me as I have yet to fail using it - and it can very easily lead into other aspects such as deep trance hypnosis.

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

This was when I first started hypnosis, someone had heard I was studying hypnosis and surprisingly enough he was also learning hypnosis. It was in a noisy setting with which I had not yet worked in . As I went I learned how to hypnotize even with distractions which became a vital part to my stage performances, also watching the other hypnotist I learned exactly what NOT to do in terms of hypnosis safety and ethics - always be ethical and the safety of the subject is our prime priority

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

The subject is not just the person we hypnotize or who pays us, they are the purpose of our lives as a hypnotist and should be treated with complete respect ensuring that they leave feeling better than they arrived, feeling comfortable and completely at ease with us. We should always endeavor for excellence and for the well being of our clients, being completely ethical in every regard and making sure we taking all safety measures. Be Good, Do Good.
Eternal Smiles.