Frequently asked questions about self-hypnosis and their answers

Self-hypnosis, does it really teach you more about yourself?
Yes. Because you will be dealing with the subconscious, you may discover some facts about yourself that you may not know before. This is not some mystical fact or some unconscious secret. For the most part, you will become enlightened on the things that yo sometimes hide from yourself. You will even realize hidden motivations and repressed feelings that in some ways can help you become a better person.

Is self-hypnosis safe?

When in the hands of professional hypnotists, it is. The problem is with most reports is the fact that they blame the procedure when it is the individual's fault. News of hypnosis sessions going awry is not the fault of hypnosis as a science but amateur and fake hypnotists. That is why it is important to research the background of hypnotists first before a person even makes an appointment. Remember that this person will have control of your mind for while. If that is not reason enough to really make sure they're legitimate, I don't know what is.

Can self-hypnosis make a person highly suggestible and easily influenced in real life?
Yes to the first question and no to the next. Regular practice of self-hypnosis can improve a person's response to hypnosis. Sessions will be easier and faster and they will be able to make the most out of their self-hypnosis procedures. You will however be only highly suggestible during your own self-hypnosis sessions. This is because your brain has gotten used to it but if you hypnotize yourself for a completely different thing, it will be back to square one. This is also not something that will spill over your daily grind. People will not become easily influenced just because they practice self-hypnosis. Besides the better that you understand how "suggestions" work, the more you will be know how to resist other people's subtle attempts at manipulating you.

What are things that you can use self-hypnosis with?

Some of the most common things that people use self-hypnosis for is changing an existing mindset and personality. A person for instance who easily angers can learn to be patient through self-hypnosis. The same goes with a person who cannot stop talking or gossiping. Students have also used self-hypnosis to improve their grades and enhance learning. Hypnosis is after all can improve one's memory and level of concentration. There are some who have claimed that it also works wonders with relieving pain in the body. Hypnosis can make a person forget about the pain or not feel the pain at all. Although only a few cases of addiction have been associated with self-hypnosis, it has been linked to smoking cessation. Reports however on its effectiveness are still mixed and there is still a need for new data.

Can it improve sports performance? If yes, can it strengthen a person?
Some people have also claimed to using self-hypnosis to improve their performance in sports. This however does not make a person stronger. It cannot affect or change a person's physical make-up. However the change in the performance may be brought on by an improved level of concentration as well as a more fearless attitude. Fear can sometimes make us hesitate even when we are already doing what comes naturally to us.


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    Conversational Hypnosis Breaks Through Mental Barriers

    conversational hypnosis

    Conversational hypnosis breaks through mental barriers by overcoming a persons "BS detector" or by grabbing their attention so completely that their focus remains on the source of their attention. Kevin Hogan, expert hypnotist demonstrates this effective technique in the article below with his story about the cover of Cosmo in the airport.

    Is This Conversational Hypnosis?

    "Seduction can be defined in one of three ways. Seduction can be used to lead someone astray from their principles, much like Darth Vader attempted to do to young Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. I'm not too big on revealing secrets on how to win converts to the dark side…."

    "Seduction can also refer to inducing or tempting someone to have sex, much like Delilah did to Samson in The Bible. This area of seduction is certainly more interesting and playful than leading someone astray from their core values…but still not really where my core interest lies."

    "No, the seduction I refer to in The Art of Hypnotic Seduction is the inducement and enticement to win over someone to your side…or to your point of view. But what about the "hypnotic" part?"

    "Hypnosis can be defined as a "narrowing focus of attention" or "resonating with the anti-suggestive barrier of the mind." In the first case, a narrowing focus of attention, I think of walking through the airport today and seeing Carmen (Electra) on the cover of Stuff magazine."

    "I walked into Simply Books to find the August issue of Cosmo (they interviewed me for this months issue) but my mind totally spaced the world out as my mind was captured by Carmen on the cover of Stuff. (Carmen stars on a TV show called Living Large…something I've never seen or heard of but I will check it out…) I was literally hypnotized by the cover of Stuff magazine. Who was on Time? Newsweek? Good Housekeeping? Sports Illustrated? Business Week? Yahoo? Money? …I have no clue."

    "No one who walked into Simply Books did. It was just you and Carmen right there at the check out counter. I walked over to Carmen and picked her up. There was a little "tag" above her shoulder on the right side of the magazine that said, "Unfold for More". So, I did, opening the magazine to see a Carmen with even fewer square inches of garment on than the cover boasted. In the upper right hand corner it said, "Stop staring and buy the magazine." 

    "It was absolutely brilliant. I almost took it to the checkout counter when I remembered that I subscribed and I thought it would be nice to have it in the mailbox today. That's the hypnotic power of magazine cover…not a real, living, breathing…person… That's hypnosis."

    "Hypnosis is all about narrowing another person or group of people's attention to where what you are saying is the only thing they are paying attention to and then when you give the suggestion to "stop staring and buy the magazine," they do so."

    Breaking Through the Barrier

    "Hypnosis is also about resonating with the antisuggestive barrier of the mind. Each person has a metaphorical "mechanism in the mind" that "protects" the mind from all that might be bad for them. My antisuggestive barrier instantly filters out telemarketers, stock brokers, television preachers, anyone who knocks on my front door, and hundreds of other stimuli."

    "In other words, there is a "wall" in my mind that is very tall…a "BS detector" that goes off like a fog horn when I see, feel or hear anything that my BS detector has coded as EVIL. (The BS detector of course is often wrong…it's just a detector like the ones at the airport. It's a warning device that there MIGHT be something wrong here…but certainly not always."

    "If you can make it past my BS detector without setting it off, you will have my full attention and it will not likely be diverted anywhere else.) That's hypnosis, too. When the BS detector says, "I like this guy," I might just filter out the rest of the world and you will have my complete and undivided attention."

    Conversational Hypnosis Breaks Through Mental Barriers!

    There is no doubt that conversational hypnosis works by breaking through mental barriers. We all use our brain to automatically filter out what we don't care about or are not interested in. When conversational hypnosis is used correctly it bypasses that filter and gets the person to focus on whatever you want them to.

    Share this article on conversational hypnosis with your friends on Facebook and Twitter

    Leave us a comment and let us know what you think about this article


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      Conversational Hypnosis – Use This Power Responsibly

      Conversational hypnosis should be used responsibly because of the tremendous impact on the person being hypnotized. The article featured here is from Conversational Hypnosis Unveiled.com and from it I gather conversational hypnosis can be used for either positive or negative purposes;. In a reversal kind of way it is wise to understand the techniques to avoid having them used on you. No matter what the situation, you can bring about desired results while remembering that conversational hypnosis should be used responsibly. 

      conversational hypnosis

      Conversational Hypnosis Article

      "Conversational hypnosis is considered to be the same as covert hypnosis or, less frequently, as underground hypnosis. But why does a technique, which is based upon proven therapeutic results, find itself so frequently referred to as some sort of dark art or mystical practice? The fact is that conversational hypnosis does, possibly, have an element of secrecy about it and even the potential for devious misuse."

      "….most effective when the subject is not aware of the process. Therefore, to a certain extent, it is true to say that it does present those who would like to hypnotize others for their own amusement or personal gratification the tools they need to achieve their questionable aims."

      "However, conversational hypnosis is merely a methodology, it is up to the individuals that learn the associated skills to make the moral choices about how they use it. Clearly when you consider what someone might do with the ability to make people behave in any way they chose one can immediately imagine some rather unsavoury possibilities. Initially you might conclude that covert hypnosis presents too great a risk and should be tightly controlled."

      "Indeed, as our awareness and understanding of the hypnotic process increases many feel argue that licensing should be considered. Conversational hypnotists however will also point out that many trained psychotherapists and psychologists favour conversational hypnosis for the treatment of long term problematic behaviours and that their work benefits a great many people."

      So Are There Many People Using Street Hypnosis To Get What They Want From Me?

      "Nobody likes to think that they are being taken advantage of and the thought of somebody else controlling us through hypnosis is an uncomfortable idea for most. It means that we do not have complete free will and goes to the very heart of out individuality. However street hypnosis is a reality and more and more people are learning the techniques for a variety of reasons. Some of those reasons are perfectly reasonable whilst others, unfortunately, verge upon the criminal."

      "For example have you ever enthusiastically purchased a used car from a talkative salesperson, only later realizing what you bought is not at all what you wanted? Do you recall a situation where you met somebody on the street or at work, and they seemed totally in control of the conversation, with you seemingly unable to grasp any control at all? The chances are they were using some sort of street hypnosis on you."

      Practice Conversational Hypnosis Safely

      Every situation is different so when it comes to street hypnosis use common sense and caution. Remember that conversational hypnosis should be used responsibly at all times


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        Learning Hypnosis: 4 Reasons Why Some Hypnotists Fail

        I recently received an interesting hypnosis question from one of my readers Who we will call “Fred” to protect his privacy.

        Now Fred, obviously loves hypnosis and you can tell that by just the few words he gives when he’s explaining his predicament.

        So here is “Fred’s Post To Me, my answer follows.

        Dear David,

        I have bought several programs on hypnosis with no success. Is hypnosis something anybody can learn?

        Regards,

        Fred.

        Dear Fred,

        Obviously if you have purchased several courses on hypnosis than you are quite passionate about the subject.

        The short answer to your question is yes, anybody can learn hypnosis.and if you are NOT getting the results you want there may be several reasons why.

        I will go into some of the most obvious ones and then as time permits I will elaborate on some of them. In any event I will give you as much information as I can and then point you in the direction of where to get more information when you decide you are ready for it.

        The Biggest Reason For Failure When Using Hypnosis: Piss Poor Training.

        Don’t you just love my colorful verbage?

        Lets be honest hypnosis is a huge market on the internet. Lots of people love hypnosis and want to use hypnosis in all parts of their lives. Most marketers know this too. Which brings us to two basic problems

        #1 Most Hypnotists and Hypnosis Trainers Suck.

        Yes I know that is NOT going to make me popular with the orthodox hypnosis community, but I can tell you from first hand experience that many people out there doing trainings, and creating hypnosis products…HAVE NEVER USED Their training professionally,

        I know of probably hundreds of people each year who go through practitioner, masters and trainers training all in the space of several weeks and come out trying to bill themselves a an expert in hypnosis and NLP.

        ( a lot of these people actually wind up coming through my personal mentoring program because they realize very quickly that they don’t actually “know” anything and can “do” even less.

        That realization really bothers them because their so-called trainer made them think they would be the next “Milton Erickson” or “Richard Bandler.” )

        #2 Bad State Control:

         

        State Control is the #1 area where I see the biggest difference in a persons ability to put someone in trance. Simply put, in order to put someone in trance, you need to be able to go into trance yourself and the person you are hypnotizing has to be willing to follow you into trance either by assent or by acquiescence.

        Remember the working definition of trance has two components

        A. Absorption into the experience combined with                             B. A Continually Narrowing focus of attention.

        In an orthodox hypnosis sense you also need assent, we call that the overt hypnotic contract.

        In a Covert Hypnosis context you need acquiescence which is an implied form of the hypnotic contract.

        If  you have never heard the term hypnotic contract before, return all of your hypnosis courses and get your money back because someone is NOT giving you the right information to get good fast.

        #3 Poor Calibration Skills

        Poor calibration skills comes in two flavors. Yours and Theirs.
        For this one we need to elaborate a bit and actually clarify some terms. Specifically – Calibration, Sensory Acuity,

        First things first,

        Calibration is the  ability to determine the meaning of a specific piece of data based on its deviation from a pre-determined baseline. Okay so what does that mean in plain English.

        The only way you can measure a change is to know its starting point first. and then, based on the number of times that change occurs  and how strongly that change occurs relative to other “markers” is what allows you to begin to figure out exactly what that “change” actually means.

        For example, a very reliable body language cue I teach my students is pupil dilation calibration. What so special about this particular cue?

        Everything.
        A. Its easy to see change.
        B, it can’t be faked,
        C. it works the same on every human on the planet.
        D. Its cross contextually useful -  meaning it gives you very valuable information no matter where you are using it.

        The principle is simple – The smaller the size of the pupil, the less positive they find what they are experiencing. The larger the pupil size The more they like what they are experiencing.

        Here’s the rub, how do you tell if the pupil is larger or smaller?

         

        You have to have something to compare it to do you not? That initial measurement is called a “Baseline” and it’s the baseline that allows us to measure a degree of change that eventually allows us to determine exactly “What That Change Actually Means”

        The way we begin to take those measurements is through Sensory Acuity.

        Sensory acuity is an art form in and of itself. It’s the ability to use your five senses to perceive and become aware of ever finer degrees of change in the way people behave.

        Behavior can mean body language, facial gestures, involuntary responses and much much more.

        Sensory acuity applies to “anything that can be perceived by the five senses.

        So David, how does this apply to the whole Yours and Theirs statement you made earlier?

        Well, most people have practically zero calibration skills and only marginal sensory acuity. and to make things worse…

        Most hypnotists don’t even know what to look for to determine if the subject is actually in trance or not.

        Trance Leaves Clues. There are in fact some very powerful physiological shifts that manifest as a person goes into a trance state.

        Most hypnotists I have met who are “classically trained” don’t know what those traits are and even fewer can calibrate a conversationally induced trance at all. They do have some differences.

        Most people think that relaxation is equal to hypnosis and therefore they calibrate relaxation as depth of trance. That is a very bad way to do or even attempt trance work.

        Rather you should be calibrating for absorption and focus of attention while guiding them through the hypnotic process.

        #4 Bad Technique

        This is where we see one of the biggest problems with new hypnotists.

        Bad technique of course falls into several subcategories.

        The first one being more focused on the patter than on the subject.We see this most commonly in what we call the Scriptnosis Vs Hypnosis category.

        Scriptnosis is when the hypnotist is so focused on reading the words in his hypnosis script that he pays little or no attention to the client in front of him or her.

         

        When a hypnotists is so focused on following a script or a recipe for a particular hypnotic process they often miss the all-important  non-verbal, other- than-conscious, signals that allow him or her to really guide the client through the change you are working to achieve.

        Lets face it. If you are paying attention to the words on the page you are NOT paying attention to the person in front of you.

        So much for sensory acuity.

        This is also where many hypnotists start to buy into the concept or resistance.

        Resistance is usually created when the subject perceives a lack of connection and or mistrust between themselves and the hypnotist.

        This condition is made even worse when something in the hypnotists methodology is in conflict with some element within the clients unconscious mind, and, because of an inability to detect the very obvious cues when these things happen. The “Resistance” only increases.

        There are many other examples of “poor hypnosis technique” that I could give. The above is just one of the most common.

        Hypnosis Is A Skill

        In hypnosis, like many other disciplines, you don’t necessarily rise to the occasion as much as you Fall to the Level of Your Hypnosis Training.

        Speaking of Training… did you know We have a FREE Covert Hypnosis Newsletter? Its True, In that special newsletter I give you the very ways to learn how to hypnotize people, easily, naturally and as automatically as breathing. I know, I promise a lot, but here's the deal sign up for the hypnosis newsletter, I'll even give you a free 80 minute covert hypnosis audio training just for trying it out. Follow the instructions in the hypnosis newsletters. And prove to yourself just how powerful our stuff is. If you don't like it you can cancel at any time and you can keep the All of the hypnosis Newsletters and the 80 minute audio For FREE!

        Just Fill Out The Form Below or to your right to get Free Instant Access To Hypnosis and Mind Control Secrets Most Hypnotists Will NEVER Know.  Become a member now.  ——->

        If you're already ready to supercharge your hypnosis skills, check out this conversational hypnosis site!


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          Is Hypnosis Something Anyone Can Learn…4 Reasons Why Some Hypnotists Fail

          Can You Fail While Doing Hypnosis?

          Yes I know that is NOT going to make me popular with the orthodox hypnosis community, but I can tell you from first hand experience that many people out there doing trainings, and creating hypnosis products…HAVE NEVER USED Their training professionally,

          I know of probably hundreds of people each year who go through practitioner, masters and trainers training all in the space of several weeks and come out trying to bill themselves a an expert in hypnosis and NLP.

          ( a lot of these people actually wind up coming through my personal mentoring program because they realize very quickly that they don’t actually “know” anything and can “do” even less.

          That realization really bothers them because their so-called trainer made them think they would be the next “Milton Erickson” or “Richard Bandler.” )

          #2 Bad State Control:

           

          State Control is the #1 area where I see the biggest difference in a persons ability to put someone in trance. Simply put, in order to put someone in trance, you need to be able to go into trance yourself and the person you are hypnotizing has to be willing to follow you into trance either by assent or by acquiescence.

          Remember the working definition of trance has two components

          A. Absorption into the experience combined with                             B. A Continually Narrowing focus of attention.

          In an orthodox hypnosis sense you also need assent, we call that the overt hypnotic contract.

          In a Covert Hypnosis context you need acquiescence which is an implied form of the hypnotic contract.

           

          If  you have never heard the term hypnotic contract before, return all of your hypnosis courses and get your money back because someone is NOT giving you the right information to get good fast.

          #3 Poor Calibration Skills

          Poor calibration skills comes in two flavors. Yours and Theirs.
          For this one we need to elaborate a bit and actually clarify some terms. Specifically – Calibration, Sensory Acuity,

          First things first,

          Calibration is the  ability to determine the meaning of a specific piece of data based on its deviation from a pre-determined baseline. Okay so what does that mean in plain English.

          The only way you can measure a change is to know its starting point first. and then, based on the number of times that change occurs  and how strongly that change occurs relative to other “markers” is what allows you to begin to figure out exactly what that “change” actually means.

          For example, a very reliable body language cue I teach my students is pupil dilation calibration. What so special about this particular cue?

          Everything.
          A. Its easy to see change.
          B, it can’t be faked,
          C. it works the same on every human on the planet.
          D. Its cross contextually useful -  meaning it gives you very valuable information no matter where you are using it.

          The principle is simple – The smaller the size of the pupil, the less positive they find what they are experiencing. The larger the pupil size The more they like what they are experiencing.

          Here’s the rub, how do you tell if the pupil is larger or smaller?

           

          You have to have something to compare it to do you not? That initial measurement is called a “Baseline” and it’s the baseline that allows us to measure a degree of change that eventually allows us to determine exactly “What That Change Actually Means”

          The way we begin to take those measurements is through Sensory Acuity.

          Sensory acuity is an art form in and of itself. It’s the ability to use your five senses to perceive and become aware of ever finer degrees of change in the way people behave.

          Behavior can mean body language, facial gestures, involuntary responses and much much more.

          Sensory acuity applies to “anything that can be perceived by the five senses.

          So David, how does this apply to the whole Yours and Theirs statement you made earlier?

          Well, most people have practically zero calibration skills and only marginal sensory acuity. and to make things worse…

          Most hypnotists don’t even know what to look for to determine if the subject is actually in trance or not.

          Trance Leaves Clues. There are in fact some very powerful physiological shifts that manifest as a person goes into a trance state.

          Most hypnotists I have met who are “classically trained” don’t know what those traits are and even fewer can calibrate a conversationally induced trance at all. They do have some differences.

          Most people think that relaxation is equal to hypnosis and therefore they calibrate relaxation as depth of trance. That is a very bad way to do or even attempt trance work.

          Rather you should be calibrating for absorption and focus of attention while guiding them through the hypnotic process.

          #4 Bad Technique

          This is where we see one of the biggest problems with new hypnotists.

          Bad technique of course falls into several subcategories.

          The first one being more focused on the patter than on the subject.We see this most commonly in what we call the Scriptnosis Vs Hypnosis category.

          Scriptnosis is when the hypnotist is so focused on reading the words in his hypnosis script that he pays little or no attention to the client in front of him or her.

           

          When a hypnotists is o focused on following a script or a recipe for a particular hypnotic process they often miss the all-important  non-verbal, other- than-conscious, signals that allow him or her to really guide the client through the change you are working to achieve.

          Lets face it. If you are paying attention to the words on the page you are NOT paying attention to the person in front of you.

          So much for sensory acuity.

          This is also where many hypnotists start to buy into the concept or resistance.

          Resistance is usually created when the subject perceives a lack of connection and or mistrust between themselves and the hypnotist.

          This condition is made even worse when something in the hypnotists methodology is in conflict with some element within the clients unconscious mind, and, because of an inability to detect the very obvious cues when these things happen. The “Resistance” only increases.

          There are many other examples of “poor technique” that I could give. The above is just one of the most common.

          Hypnosis Takes Practice

          In hypnosis, like many other disciplines, you don’t necessarily rise to the occasion as much as you Fall to the Level of Your Training.

          Speaking of Training… did you know I will be hosting a FREE Teleclass on Wednesday August 3rd, 2011? During that FREE Tele-class I will be covering Hypnotic Attraction Secrets – The Three Magic Questions How to get inside someones head and create an deep hypnotic attraction in 20 minutes or less. and the second segment will be “Hypnotic HotSeats where I answer your most important questions about hypnosis live on the call.

          We only have about 57 lines available. If you haven’t rsvped for the call you need to go here right now and fill out the registration for the call. This thing is already filing up fast. go here

          http://stealth-hypnosis.com/members/cpi-earlybird-list


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