It should be understood well that nobody can
hypnotize a subject against his or her will and all hypnosis are
basically "Self-hypnosis". Unless the person agrees and is ready
to experience hypnotic condition it is not worthwhile attempting
any hypnosis method on the subject.
It is believed that around 80-85% of people can be hypnotized
and the remaining 15-20% of the population cannot be hypnotized
because of various reasons like:
· Fear of hypnosis due to the myths
· Inability to relax
· No trust in the hypnotist
· Posture related problems
· Doubting attitude
All the myths and misconceptions about hypnosis should be clarified
to the subjects so as to make them feel at ease about being hypnotized.
Some people just cannot relax and they keep on moving their arms
or legs due to anxiety or hormonal disturbance. Such people can
be taught simple relaxation techniques like deep breathing, Savasana
(a powerful asana in yoga), and simple meditations prior to attempting
hypnosis. Self-help cassettes consisting guided progressive relaxation
techniques could also be very helpful.
Faith in the hypnotist is absolutely essential because the subject
will try to come out of the hypnotic trance causing hindrance
to the treatment. Faith in the hypnotist could be gained by carefully
observing the certificates displayed by the hypnotist at his clinic
or any other testimonials of value may be made available for the
information of the visitors. Hypnotist could also learn the technique
of forming instant rapport with the client perhaps by mirroring
the client's actions, voice tone and breathing rhythm. He should
be sincere in his approach, as any kind of manipulation would
put the client's subconscious mind on a red alert. Rapport is
the precondition to any hetero-hypnosis.
Posture related problems are when people are seated on the chair
and they start to fall on their sides under hypnotic condition,
which will bring them out of hypnosis immediately. The best posture
would be to make the subject lie down on the bed. It is difficult
to hypnotize too logical and argumentative people.
Laws or principles of hypnosis:
1. Law of concentrated attention
2. Law of reverse effect
3. Law of repetition
We often tend to gape with our mouth open whenever we see anything
interesting on the TV or cinema. This is a form of HYPNOSIS. We
are not aware of anything around us. The classical dance describes
this RASA as "ADHABUDHA RASA" which means wonder. Hence to bring
about any hypnotic condition the subject is required to have the
concentrated attention.
Law of reversed effect says that the harder we try the more difficult
it becomes and this is true even when it comes to earning money.
Whenever there is a conflict between imagination and will power,
the imagination wins. In hypnosis, we use this technique to give
affirmation like, "Try to raise your hands, the harder you try
the more difficult it will become". In our daily conversation
also we should not use words like " I WILL TRY TO DO IT" as this
gives a suggestion to the subconscious of a pre-failure.
Repetition is the mother of all habits as all repetitions, verbal
or action and thought process are responsible for what happens
on the physical plane. This phenomena is used by advertising companies
very effectively by bombarding our subconscious with repeated,
monotonous copies viz. "Eat Kit Kat or drink Limca" and we subconsciously
tend to eat and drink those brands to which we get subconsciously
conditioned.
Few tests to check the suitability or receptivity of the subject
are important before deeper trance is attempted. Anyone of these
tests when carried out successfully would mean that the subject
is a good hypnotic subject and can be hypnotized.
· Arm Raising and Falling Test:
Subjects are made to bring the palms of both hands parallel to
the ground with the right palm facing upwards and left palm facing
the floor. Ask them to close their eyes and imagine a heavy book
on the right palm and a gas balloon tied to the left palm. Affirmations
repeated 3-4 times would be, "Your right arm is becoming heavier
and heavier and your left palm is becoming lighter and lighter.
The left palm is going up and up and right palm is coming down,
down, down' in a very soothing voice. The subject's imagination
will run wild and their palms would be at different levels when
they come out of the alpha state. The distance between the left
and right palm will be considerable provided they do it gradually.
A good hypnotic subject can be easily hypnotized whereas those
whose imagination is poor or who are consciously keeping their
arms tight would indicate a difficult hypnotic subject or may
be these are the people who are just not interested.
· Forward and Backward Falling Test:
The subject is made to stand up and the therapist stands behind
the subject by resting his hands on the subject's back. The hypnotist
tells the subject to close his eyes and imagine a haystack behind
him. Affirmations are given, "You are absolutely comfortable and
relaxed. You are now falling back on the haystack as soon as I
remove my hand. Do not be afraid of falling as I am there to support
you." A good subject falls immediately and care should be taken
to hold quickly lost they injure themselves.
· Glue Hand Clasp Test:
The subject is made to imagine that he or she has put strong glue
on their palms and their clasped palms are locked. Affirmations
given are, "Now you are squeezing your hands tighter and tighter
and as you tighten your hands the glue is becoming dry and hard.
At the count of three you will try to open your hands and you
will not be able to do so. The harder you try the more difficult
it will become." Now unless you command that "Now you can open
your palms", they will not be able to open their clasped palms.
However this exercise works only for 70 - 75% of the people not
everyone.
· Eyeball Test:
The subject is made to sit down and constantly stare at the swaying
pendulum or at the stationary palm of the therapist to fix his
attention. Affirmations given are, "As you observe your eyelids
are becoming heavier and heavier and you are getting deeply relaxed.
At the count of three you will close your eyes and go into deep
state of relaxation." After he closes his eyes say, " Now your
eyelids are stuck and you will be unable to open them till I tell
you, the harder you try the more difficult it will become." If
they are unable to do so they are good subjects.
The trick in this sequence is rapport, trust, affirmations and
taking the affirmations literally. Care should be taken to give
affirmations such as, "Now you can open your eyelids and they
are perfectly normal as before" to undo the affirmations, you
cannot open your eyelids Do not forget." Otherwise the subject
continues to stay as per the instructions given during the hypnosis
