Hypnosis & Beyond

"Delta. Frequencies less than 4 cycles per second are encountered in total unconsciousness, the delta state."

Note that the "disastrous results" mentioned in connection with brain frequencies of higher than 60 cycles per second would seem to provide an explanation for cases of death due to fright. Fear kills, whatever its cause. A faulty doctor's diagnosis can cause a person to die of pure anxiety, as can the magical sentence of death delivered by a voodoo priest. Slightly lower frequency beta activity might be linked to anxiety based conditions like insomnia, phobias, and stage fright. If we learn to lower our brain frequency at will, we can become immune to fears and anxieties, as well as to the very real physical effects that accompany them. Furthermore, fear based suggestions such as those purveyed so often in the mass media will no longer gain acceptance in our unconscious minds once we have trained ourselves out of the habit of being anxious and afraid. The cultivation of positive emotions, and the recording of such emotional experiences at the theta level, can also make us immune to negative suggestions of all kinds since the subconscious theta waves interfere with suggestions on the emotional level. This quality of resistance to suggestion through positive emotions might be equated to moral courage or integrity. Meditation on what Anna Wise calls the "Qualities of Mastery" can be a way to cultivate positive emotions at the theta level of the mind. Anna identifies these qualities as: compassion; detachment; nonjudgment; clarity; equanimity; service; and love.

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Methods Of Hypnosis

Warren's Dictionary Of Psychology, quoted in New Concepts Of Hypnosis (1976), defines hypnosis as: "An artificially induced state, usually (though not always) resembling sleep, but physiologically distinct from it, which is characterized by heightened suggestibility, as a result of which certain sensory, motor, and memory abnormalities may be induced more readily than in the normal state." Hypnosis consists of two basic components: induction, and suggestion. First, we will look at different types of hypnotic induction. Then, we will go over a few of the types of suggestion that are possible once the hypnotic trance has been induced in the subject by whatever means.

In light of what we now know about brain waves and states of consciousness, many of the induction methods formerly employed to hypnotize subjects seem silly or altogether superfluous. The choice of induction method depends mostly on the beliefs of the hypnotist, the mindset of the subject, and the nature of the particular circumstances in which hypnosis will be attempted. The best times to attempt hypnosis occur when the subject (self or otherwise) has almost fallen asleep at night, or just before the subject gets out of bed in the morning. The "Nancy" method employed by Emile Coue might be compared to the mantra yoga of Indian mysticism. This method counsels the repetition of a simple phrase such as "Every day, in every way, I'm getting better and better." The phrase should be repeated while falling asleep at night, and just after waking in the morning. A more complex suggestion can be substituted for the "mantra" if one wishes to cure a specific ailment such as asthma or chronic anxiety.

Bernard C. Gindes, in New Concepts Of Hypnosis (1976), recommends tailoring induction methods to the expectations of the subject. Since Gindes wrote his book before the discovery and classification of brain waves, he adheres to the theory that all hypnotic phenomena can be attributed to the imagination of the subject, which can be manipulated through suggestion. However, since the imagination does send instructions to the unconscious mind, and since suggestions can exert some influence over the imagination, this theory holds some water in spite of being antiquated. Gindes suggests various tricks of induction such as sudden noises or distracting gestures accompanied by the command to "sleep," as well as the employment of props such as watches, brass doorknobs, and bright lights. Hypnosis can also be induced in a sleeping subject by partially waking them, gettting them to make automatic responses to queries, and finally offering suggestions to the somnambulistic subject.

Even more antiquated but nevertheless effective induction methods include the "magnetic passes" employed by mesmerists. To mesmerize a subject, the operator produces a magnetic charge in the hands by an act of will or some other expedient, and the magnetized hands are then passed throughout the "aura" of the subject from the top of the head to the feet, at a distance of a few inches from the subject's body. Ideally, the subject will be lying down during this process. Posthypnotic suggestions can be effected while the subject lies in the "mesmeric trance," the depth of which may vary. Mesmeric sessions can take up to fifteen minutes or more as they tend to lower brain wave frequencies somewhat slowly. However, this method seems to work exceptionally well on subjects suffering from acute hysteria or anxiety.

Guided visualization or path working offers an ideal method of trance induction, and can be effected solo by means of a tape recorded "script" that guides the subject into successively deeper trance states. Furthermore, a series of imaginative suggestions can induce any desired state of mind or level of consciousness in the hypnotized subject, allowing the hypnotist (or self-hypnotist) to make suggestions directly to the unconscious and subconscious minds through the medium of the imagination. In technical terms, this means that the hypnotist or self-hypnotist can use guided visualization to activate a combination of alpha, theta, and delta brain waves, making a complete bridge between the daydreaming mind and the unconscious mind along which suggestions can freely pass, so long as no contrary emotion in the subconscious blocks them.

As a final consideration concerning methods of hypnosis, it should be noted that all methods tend to produce the same effect if properly performed: the subject falls into a trance during which a suggestion may be given or a visual program communicated to the unconscious mind through the medium of the imagination. The suggestion, command, or symbolic set of instructions will take effect if the subject proves suggestible, and if contrary emotions in the subconscious do not interfere with the content of the suggested course of action. Different methods of induction will prove more effective with different subjects, or with the same subject at different times.

Care should be taken that suggestions and visualizations contain material beneficial to the welfare of the hypnotized subject. Impossible things should not be suggested. Nor does hypnosis impart superhuman powers to the subject, in spite of the psychic activity associated with theta and delta waves. If we suggest to a hypnotized subject who cannot swim, "Tomorrow you will find yourself able to swim easily," for example, we may find ourselves responsible for the tragic drowning of this individual. Suggestions do not change the physical nature of things, though our altered perceptions may tell us otherwise under the influence of posthypnotic suggestion. The power of suggestion to alter an individual's perception can even make a person hallucinate objects or people that do not exist. As we read in New Concepts Of Hypnosis (1976), "One of the most interesting phenomena noticed in hypnosis is the control of the therapist over the sensorium of his subject. He can persuade the subject that he is perceiving an object that is not actually there, and can produce many other illusions and hallucinations." Hypnosis cannot, however, cause these hallucinations to take on tangible substance for those who have not been given the same suggestion. Hypnotic suggestions do not alter reality. Rather, they alter our perceptions of reality.

In light of this revelation, it might be wise for metaphysicians to replace the cliche phrase "You create your own reality" with the more accurate and modest assertion that "You can create your own perception" through self-hypnosis. Note, however, that false perceptions can be created through hypnosis just as easily as can more "adaptive" perceptions that allow us to approximate the mysterious fullness of reality. The unconscious mind does not employ logic, but only sees what the imagination has told it to see. In order to create our own perceptions, we must first gain control over our imaginations and begin to integrate our consciousness into a seamless whole in which all four brain frequencies can act in harmony. Self-hypnosis provides us with the tools to turn the idea of harmonized consciousness into a reality.

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Instructions For Self-Hypnosis

There may be as many ways to hypnotize yourself as you can imagine. All methods of self-hypnosis work on the same principles, and accomplish the same ends. For the sake of convenience, we'll continue to classify self-hypnosis methods into three distinct categories: autosuggestion, conditioned response, and meditative hypnotherapy.

A simple set of instructions for auto suggestive self-hypnosis can be found in The Practice Of Autosuggestion (1922): "In order to formulate particular suggestions, go to a room where you will be free from interruption, sit down in a comfortable chair, close your eyes, and let your muscles relax. In other words, act precisely as if you were going to take a siesta. In doing so you allow the Unconscious tide to rise to a sufficient height to make your particular suggestions effective. Now call up the desired ideas through the medium of speech. Tell yourself that such and such ameliorations are going to occur." Autosuggestions ought to be kept within certain limits. You should not try to suggest the impossible, since a successful suggestion that counsels you to defy known physical laws or act beyond your abilities can result in harmful consequences. Also, keep in mind the idea that suggestions which seem very difficult to carry out may be rejected by the subconscious mind on emotional grounds. A suggestion must be backed up by sufficient emotional motivation to gain unconscious acceptance, and it must delineate a practical course of action that you are capable of carrying out on some level. The curing of psychological, emotional, and psychosomatic ailments is entirely within your power. You should not hesitate to create and try out suggestions that will bring you relief from such conditions as asthma, fears and forebodings, loss of memory, loss of concentration, irritability, and insomnia. Even seemingly organic conditions such as nearsightedness, deafness, chronic fatigue, digestive troubles, impotence, and frigidity all may prove susceptible to the influence of autosuggestion. Finally, self-hypnosis should be considered the first option in cases of possible faulty diagnosis by a physician, especially when the medical diagnosis indicates a need for surgical intervention or drugs. Supposed indicators of breast cancer, heart palpitations, fainting, epileptic fits, venereal disease, and many other organic symptoms can be successfully eliminated by autosuggestion in some cases. There is plenty of evidence in the world that organic diseases such as cancer and other "terminal" illnesses can be reversed thru self-hypnosis and the suggestion of health and well-being.

When formulating specific suggestions, remember to cultivate positive conditions rather than opposing negative ones. For example, you should tell yourself "I will be confident on stage," rather than saying "I won't be nervous next time I perform." The unconscious mind cannot distinguish between a suggestion and its contrary. If we allow the imagination to dwell on problems, these problems will take the form of a suggestion in the unconscious mind and continue to plague us. Instead, we must give the imagination positive images of health and well being to focus on, so that these beneficial affirmations will take root in the unconscious mind. In wording your suggestions, use phrases that leave no doubt about the outcome of hypnotherapy. Take the attitude that "I am improving rapidly" or "I feel better already." Such confident affirmations have a far better chance of changing unconscious thinking patterns than do weak or uncertain suggestions.

Successful autosuggestions can be constructed using a simple three-part formula. First, suggest that healing or improvement will start immediately. Second, indicate that such healing and improvements will proceed rapidly. Third, affirm that the cure effected by the suggestion will be both complete and permanent. The Practice Of Autosuggestion (1922) provides us with several examples of how to word specific suggestions, so we will quote one here, designed for those suffering from irritability, that will serve as a model for constructing your own autosuggestions: "Henceforth I shall daily grow more good-humored. Equanimity and cheerfulness will become my normal states of mind, and in a short time all the little happenings of life will be received in this spirit. I shall be a center of cheer and helpfulness to those about me, infecting them with my own good humor, and this cheerful mood will become so habitual that nothing can rob me of it." Similar suggestions can be constructed for any of the ailments mentioned above, keeping in mind the principles of positive affirmation and perfect certainty of the outcome. Once you have entered the hypnotic trance state, which will be indicated by complete relaxation of the body and an increase of visualization activity or mental imagery, you can repeat the suggestion to yourself in your mind. Alternately, you can have a friend read the suggestion, or record it on tape and start playing the recording at the beginning of your meditation session. Remember to leave enough space on the tape to give you time to relax before the suggestion begins to play.

Laurence Sparks devotes an entire fifteen page chapter to the technique of self-hypnosis in his work, Self-Hypnosis (1969). This author introduces some new elements not present in the somewhat more antiquated but still practical method of spontaneous autosuggestion. Sparks tells us to formulate our suggestions and repeat them to ourselves at the beginning of the hypnotic session, while we unwind and relax. Then, he has us visualize certain symbols that represent deeper levels of trance. The visualization of these symbols can be accompanied by a sort of path working, such as the mental image of walking down successive flights of stairs and opening doors with symbols painted on them. The downstairs movement symbolizes deepening levels of consciousness or slower brain wave frequencies. The doorways can be equated to the seven levels of meditative consciousness identified by Anna Wise, which will be described later in this section. This technique, modified for the purposes of our course, can be summarized in nine basic steps:

1. While sitting in a comfortable position, think of the time that you wish to awaken from your trance. Set your clock beforehand if necessary.
2. Call to mind the suggestion that you wish to use during the hypnotic session, and repeat it to yourself silently or out loud.
3. Close your eyes and visualize the number "00." This number symbolizes the ordinary state of relaxed consciousness, where the brain emits mostly beta waves of a low frequency, say 15 to 20 cycles per second.
4. Now visualize a door with the number "00" marked on it. Visualize yourself opening the door and walking through it. You descend a flight of stairs and find yourself standing before another door with the number "01" marked on it. This number symbolizes the second level of meditative consciousness, where alpha waves begin to surface in a regular pattern while beta waves become suppressed.
5. Open the door marked "01" and proceed down the stairs beyond it until you come to the door marked "02." This number symbolizes the next lowest level of the mind, with continuous alpha wave emanation and intermittent theta waves.
6. Open the door marked "02" and descend the next flight of stairs to the door marked "03." You may find that the stairs seem longer at this level. The number "03" symbolizes the next lowest level of the mind. Alpha and theta waves should be more or less continuous at this level.
7. Open the door marked "03" and descend the next flight of stairs until you come to the door marked "04." During this descent you may find it difficult to continue your meditation, or will feel as though you have slipped out of the meditation state. Concentrate on continuing to go deeper. The number "04" represents a state of mind with very little beta activity, continuous alpha waves, and strong theta waves.
8. Open the door marked "04" and walk down the next flight of stairs to the door marked "05." You will find it easier to stay awake on this level, since the continuous rhythm of alpha and theta waves will allow the beta waves to ride merrily over the surface of the subconscious. The number "05" symbolizes a state of lucid meditation.
9. Walk through the door marked "05," walk down the next flight of stairs and stand before the door marked "06." This number symbolizes the spiritually awakened state of mind where you can access all levels of consciousness and harmonize all four brain-wave frequencies for optimum awareness. Beyond the door marked "06" you will find your own personal meditation room or temple. Inside this room you will find a table with an open book on its surface and a chair in front of it. Sit down in the chair and look at the book. On the open page you will see your suggestion written down in flowing calligraphy. Read the suggestion to yourself, and allow it to ring in your mind. Then, close your mental "eyes" and allow yourself to return to an ordinary state of consciousness when the time set aside for your hypnotic session has ended.

Certain internal experiences, which Anna Wise calls "subjective landmarks," can help us to recognize when we have successfully achieved the states of consciousness symbolized by the numbers in the above meditation. At level "00" we may feel somewhat relaxed, but still find that thoughts interfere with the meditation. At level "01" we begin to feel sleepy or dizzy, though the mind may continue to chatter away automatically. Level "02" brings a feeling of calmness or centerdness, with imagery flashing before the inner eye and memories surfacing into conscious awareness. At level "03" our visualizations should take on a sharper focus and become more clearly defined as we experience a sensation of weightlessness or "floating." Level "04" brings the breathing, heartbeat, and flow of blood into the field of our perception. The limbs may go numb, and sensations from the outer world may no longer reach us. Here the trick lies in staying in the meditative state. At level "05" we enter an altered state of consciousness. Imagery becomes far more vivid and detailed at this level. We feel calm, lucid, satisfied, and yet somehow detached and alert at the same time. Out of body experiences can occur at this level. Finally, at level "06" we begin to experience mystical states of mind where observer and observed blend into one. We may feel at one with the universe, and have spiritual revelations or personal epiphanies. Delta activity at this level allows us to tap latent creativity and psychic potentials.

The preceding instructions have been synthesized from several sources and abridged for the sake of the length of the course. Complete instructions for meditative self-hypnosis have now become so intricately developed that any serious attempt to present them in their entirety would be beyond the scope of the present course. The Nine-Step Self-Hypnosis Method developed by Laurence Sparks can be studied in more detail in his book, Self-Hypnosis (1976). Students interested in exploring self-hypnosis for the purpose of becoming psychic healers might wish to follow the 30 session course of psychic development through self-hypnosis outlined in William H. Hewitt's book, Beyond Hypnosis (1987). Finally, though Anna Wise does not write strictly on the subject of hypnosis, her techniques of brain-wave mastery through meditation make self-hypnosis much easier to perform, and her systems of classification make different states of mind easy to identify. Anna's book, Awakening The Mind (2002), ought to be considered a must-read for all serious students of self-hypnosis. Though it should not be considered a complete synopsis of Anna's method, the following steps can be used as a rough guideline for charting your own course through the seas of meditative self-hypnosis:

1. Still the mind.
2. Become aware of your thoughts.
3. Relax your tongue.
4. Lie down if necessary.
5. Slow your breathing down.
6. Count your breaths (up to "5," then start over.)
7. Withdraw from outside stimuli.
8. Begin to visualize.
9. Eventually you will want to create an inner landscape in which to develop all of your imaginary senses, not just that of "sight."

Feel free to use the various pathworkings and guided meditations that you may encounter in your studies, or create your own visualization scripts to suit your needs. The "landmark" experiences that you notice during your hypnotic sessions should be written down so that you will be able to reach these altered states of consciousness more easily as practice continues. Once you have learned to "turn on" the desired combination of brain-waves, you will be better able to perform hypnotherapuetic work on the part of your mind that needs to be brought back into balance. A balanced state of mind, where all of the brain-wave frequencies work in harmony, will make your consciousness into a smoothly functioning mechanism that will require little or no intervention on your part. Eventually, you may find yourself "meditating" at all times, and you'll be able to shift into different states of consciousness at will. Flashes of intuition or "synchronicities" may begin to occur as you "turn on" the delta waves and become attuned to your psychic radar. Follow your inner promptings, and these phenomena will become more frequent. You might also notice an increase of compassion or empathy at the psychic level. This can be a powerful tool for healing through visualization. Be careful, however, not to become so empathetic that you can no longer distinguish between your own thoughts and emotions and those of others.

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Why Should Hypnotists Become Certified?

Students wishing to practice hypnotherapy on themselves alone may not need to seek certification. After all, you are ultimately responsible for the suggestions that you give to yourself. Those who have a desire to heal others through hypnotherapy, however, may wish to become certified for several compelling reasons. As stated before, you will incur a great responsibility by deciding to hypnotize a willing subject. Your posthypnotic suggestions may have surprisingly powerful effects on suggestible subjects. For example, your suggestions may remove a subject's inhibitions in such a way as to precipitate some rash action on their part for which you might be held legally responsible. A suggestion can circumvent inhibitions if we can convince the subject that the inhibiting condition does not exist, or does not apply to the present situation. Suggestions that tax the abilities of the subject can prove harmful in many unforeseen ways. You may unwittingly develop a deep rapport with a subject that results in an emotional transference, in which case the subject may "fall in love" with you or become psychologically dependent on the hypnotic sessions that you have initiated. Such subjects may be difficult to dissuade from their hypnotically induced "feelings." On this point we read in New Concepts Of Hypnosis (1976) by Bernard Gindes that, "The en-rapport spoken of by hypnotists resembles psychoanalytic transference in many respects, that transference where the patient identifies the psychotherapist with some mentor of his past to whom he could come with his problems- father, brother, etc." We might fill in the blank occupied by the "etcetera" in the above quote with such "mentors" as sister, mother, or lover. Transference of emotions from subject to therapist can be very awkward and embarrassing for both parties.

The phenomenon of hypnotic amnesia also gives the would-be hypnotist reason to pause for consideration before entering into practice. Amnesia occurs at a deep trance level of consciousness where beta waves become almost entirely suppressed in the subject's brain activity. Other parts of the mind such as the subconscious and unconscious can still be accessed by the hypnotist without the subject's conscious awareness. Nor will the subject remember anything that happened during the hypnotic trance. Furthermore, the amnesiac or somnambulist who has been hypnotized correctly can be made to perform automatic actions as if they were actually awake, and without the benefit of further hypnosis they will remember nothing upon awakening. To support this rather bold and perhaps disturbing statement I quote Bernard Gindes from New Concepts Of Hypnosis (1976): "The phenomenon of amnesia is one of the conclusive tests for evaluating the height of suggestive susceptibility of the subject. The patient in hypnosis can rise from his chair, walk in the streets for two hours, even see a movie, but upon return to normal waking, will remember nothing that occurred during the state of hypnosis." If the subject cannot remember what happened during a session of hypnosis, then the therapist had better make sure to invite a trusted witness to view any attempts to hypnotize a stranger. Otherwise, it seems possible that a person would be able to make any sort of ridiculous accusation. Mentally disturbed patients must especially be guarded against in this respect.

A licensed or certified hypnotist would probably have a better chance of defending themselves in court against allegations that their posthypnotic suggestions had caused someone to commit a crime. To support this point, let us relate a relevant case history from New Concepts Of Hypnosis (1976): "Bjornstrom cites a widely reported experiment, having its initial appearance in the French journals, which was based upon an idea borrowed from Clareties' novel, Jean Mornas. In this instance suggestion succeeds in persuading a girl through hypnosis to steal a bracelet and later accuse a man of having committed the crime. Bjornstrom also reports an experiment by Liegois in which a girl under hypnosis is made to confess to the hideous murder of her friend before a justice of the peace, though she had been informed of the consequences of her confession." Needless to say, hypnotized subjects can be made to remember doing things that they actually did not do, or to admit to doing things that they did not do. They can also be made to do things, through posthypnotic suggestion, that they ordinarily would never do. However, such reactions often reflect an unconscious desire or drive on the subject's part that has been freed by the suggestion. Nevertheless, such caveats will not necessarily mitigate the consequences devolving upon the head of the therapist who unwittingly hypnotizes the wrong subject, or who gives a suggestion that turns out to have harmful effects of some kind.

DISCLAIMER: In light of these weighty concerns, you MUST be certified to practice hypnotherapy if you decide you want to do this for a living. Playing with hypnotherapy with your friends and family who don't pay you is one thing, but being a professional hypnotherapist is quite another. This course is an introduction to hypnotherapy and how it works, and does not replace the necessity for certification if you desire to market yourself as a hypnotherapist. You cannot practice hypnotherapy on others in an official circumstance if you have not been certified, although working with a friend or family member in a situation where you are not being paid is fine. This is very important that you understand this, and that this course is not a substitute for certification in the methods of hypnotherapy.

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Examination Of Case Histories

Hypnosis can also be useful for reducing the effects of chronic pain.

Can pain from a truly organic cause, such as the loss of a limb, be alleviated or mitigated through self-hypnosis? Permanently injured readers might be skeptical enough to forego trying to hypnotize themselves out of feeling the pain of an old wound unless some evidence could be provided to back a positive assertion. Hence, let us read a case history from Self-Hypnosis (1969):

"About a year ago I received a request from a physician to call on a patient who had lost his leg in an accident. The man was forty years old, had a wife and three children and was reasonably well-off financially. He had not, as yet, been able to make any significant emotional adjustment to the traumatic effect of the amputation. He had tried to go through the procedure of being fitted for a prosthesis, or artificial leg, but the pain of any pressure on the stump was more than he could endure. He was on massive doses of morphine derivatives which were having diminishing effectiveness against his pain and itchiness. To him the sensations were coming from the limb he no longer had! This is a condition known as a 'phantom-limb' sensation. It is very common in amputations and also occurs in various types of paralysis. This particular pain was occurring with increasing frequency and intensity, and each time it came his whole body would become rigid with agony. The itchiness was driving him frantic and was seriously interfering with his sleep. The usual procedures... were used successfully, and direct suggestions were made that he would feel fine in every way from then on. He was told that he could easily induce self-hypnosis and use it to make suggestions of relaxation, deep sleep and continued well-being. When he woke up, he smiled and said he felt relaxed, free of pain and happy. After some further discussion and explanation he was able to put himself into a trance and wake up at a precise, predetermined moment. The following week he reported that the effect had worn off a little. The pain had not returned, but the itchiness and insomnia had to some extent come back. It required three additional sessions to establish the pattern to the point where it appeared to be permanent. Close contact has been kept with this patient for over one year, and he has had no relapse whatsoever. Neither has he required any further help. He uses self-hypnosis once a week. He now has his prosthesis and gets around as if he had no problems at all. His adjustment, both physiologic and psychologic, is excellent. He feels rather deeply and has said that with the aid of self-hypnosis he has recovered his pleasure in living."

What more could anyone ask for? Though pain of the ordinary sort can easily be removed with hypnosis, we do not advise the removal of pain by posthypnotic suggestion in the case of an injury that could become worse. Numbness induced by suggestion, say in the injured lower back of a construction worker, could easily allow the worker to paralyze himself by going back on the job prematurely. Remember, the altered perceptions produced by hypnotic suggestion do not necessarily reflect the actual state of things. Nor does hypnotic anesthesia cause a hypnotized subject to become invulnerable. A needle stuck into the hand of subject whose hand had been anesthetized by hypnosis would still draw blood, and the subject would feel the pain of the needle wound upon awakening from hypnosis. The same principle applies to burns, so don't try convincing a somnambulist to hold onto a lit cigarette: they will get burned, and you will be responsible. Here we can see some clearly delineated limits to the "convince yourself that it's so and it will be so" theory so popular among proponents of pure suggestion and positive thinking as cures for just about anything.

In cases of extreme chronic pain from an organic source, the best course would seem to be seeking relief from the side effects of pain, and adjusting to the pain itself through a psychological process so that it would no longer disturb the mind of the damaged subject. Thus, separate hypnotic sessions might be arranged to deal in turn with the problems of insomnia, anxiety, and irritability associated with the pain. Then would come sessions suggesting a new way of thinking, and eliminate the repetition of such subconscious phrases as "it hurts," replacing these phrases with positive ones like "I feel fine." It might still hurt, but you will begin to feel fine anyway. This way, your nerves will still warn you when you are about to injure yourself, but chronic pains won't bother you as much. Hypnotic anesthesia might be tried during healing exercises such as hatha yoga where a certain amount of pain must be worked through for the sake of health and relaxation afterwards. Self-hypnosis can also be used by a mother to make herself unaware of pain in childbirth while allowing her to retain full consciousness. Complete instructions for those interested can be found in New Concepts Of Hypnosis (1976), where we read, "Hypnosis has been used in obstetrics for a long time and should be employed more often than it is at present. Even if complete hypnosis is not desired, physicians should remember that repeated suggestion, with or without the aid of medication, can accomplish a great deal in labor, particularly for the relief of fear as well as the pains of labor." Hypnosis has the added advantage of being entirely safe for both mother and child, unlike most commonly used anesthetics.

Self-Hypnosis (1969) by Laurence Sparks contains several lengthy case histories in which patients have been cured of such ailments as allergies, impotence, frigidity, transvestitism, enuresis (bed-wetting), stuttering, tics, and nail biting. Regarding cases of alcoholism we find in this book, "Only three out of the twenty most recent cases of alcoholism referred to this writer showed significant, long-term improvement even though all twenty patients gave every indication of being good hypnotic subjects." The three patients who "recovered" from their alcoholic tendencies were among the few who decided to actually go through with the full course of treatment, which involves a negatively conditioned response. The subject acquires an aversion to alcohol through a hypnotically induced state of nausea that becomes associated with alcohol by suggestion. Similar "negative responses" can also be hypnotically induced in association with certain foods, or in connection with cigarettes. In such cases, the subject's desire to no longer smoke or eat excessively seems to be the deciding factor that leads to success or failure of the negative response procedure.

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Discussion

Should hypnosis be used in police investigations? Should confessions or evidence given under hypnosis be admissible in court? Close examination of the facts leads us to conclude that the answer to the first question might be a cautious affirmative, while the answer to the second question must be an unequivocal "no." On this point we find in Mind Wars (1984) by Ron McRae that, "Like military research, police interest in the psychic ranges from the mundane to the bizarre. For example, hypnosis is widely used to enhance witness' recall and is so commonly accepted that few would characterize it as a 'psychic' phenomenon. In fact, however, scientists aren't sure what hypnosis is; most of the early scientific studies were carried out by parapsychology investigators and spiritualists who believed entranced persons have heightened psychic powers. The tinge of spiritualism remains, and conventional psychologists often still feel uncomfortable with the concept of hypnosis and prefer to ignore it. Police are more enthusiastic in using hypnosis, perhaps dangerously so, according to recent research by University of Pennsylvania psychiatrist Martin T. Orne. "Hypnotized persons," says Dr. Orne, "tend to have diminished critical judgment and are highly responsive to even unconscious suggestions furnished by the hypnotist. 'If the hypnotist has beliefs about what the witness or victim might have seen or about who the guilty person might be, it is all too easy for these beliefs to be transferred into the memories of responsive hypnotic subjects. Likewise, the subject's own beliefs about the crime may be converted into 'pseudo-memories,' which the witness will believe and swear to be true. Courts allow police to interrogate witnesses under hypnosis, but are beginning to put restrictions on the practice." Due to their highly unreliable nature, therefore, confessions and other information obtained under hypnosis ought to be used only as clues requiring further investigation. No statement made under hypnosis should be regarded as evidence in court under any circumstances.

1. Sit in a comfortable manner, and take a few deep breaths.
2. Create an "I am" statement. Consider what it is you would like to change or better understand. Make believe that you have already achieved the results you desire and make a statement that describes how you feel. Experience life and yourself having already achieved the results you desire. For instance, if you are wanting to lose weight you might say, "I am healthy, maintaining an optimal body weight, and feeling good about myself." This will be your "I am" statement for your practice. It is very important that you make an I am statement that gives you the mental image and emotional feeling of how you look and feel having accomplished your goal, rather than using negative terms that describe how you do not want to be. An incorrectly formulated I am statement would be, "I am no longer overweight and I feel good about myself." In the same way, a successful athlete would not say to herself, "I am no longer missing field goals during important moments of a game." Instead, state what you are doing, and feeling, and the positive results you are achieving. Once you have made your "I am" statement breathe deeply three times. It is important that you breathe deeply and expansively. Take your time while doing this.
3. While looking in a mirror sit comfortably, breathe deeply, relax, and have a friendly look at your self.
4. Make your "I am" statement once again, speaking slowly and purposefully, in a calm voice. Breathe deeply three times.
5. State three things you see other than yourself while looking in the mirror. Breathe deeply three times.
6. Name three sounds that you hear as you sit looking in the mirror. Breathe deeply three times.
7. State three things that you feel or notice about yourself as you sit and look into the mirror. Notice some aspect of your posture, body movements, or facial expression or feeling that you have inside your body. Breathe deeply three times.
8. Make your "I am" statement again and breathe deeply three times.
9. State two things you see other than yourself when looking in the mirror. Breathe deeply three times.
10. Name two sounds that you hear as you sit calmly when looking still. Breathe deeply three times.
11. State two things that you feel or notice about yourself as you sit calmly and look into the mirror. Breathe deeply three times.
12. Make your "I am" statement again. Breathe deeply three times.
13. State one thing you see (other than yourself) when looking in the mirror. Breathe deeply three times.
14. Name one sound that you hear as you sit calmly and look in the mirror. Breathe deeply three times.
15. State one thing that you feel or notice about yourself as you sit calmly and look into the mirror. Breathe deeply three times.
16. Repeat your "I am" statement again. Breathe deeply three times.
17. Allow your mind to wander for a minute or so. Breathe deeply three times.
18. Make any statement that comes to your mind at this time. You can state how you are feeling, and you can also state any thoughts that come to your mind.

The following scripts are from Charles Tebbetts, Self-Hypnosis And Other Mind-Expanding Techniques, (1987):

Relief From Headache

Now that you are completely relaxed and in a deep hypnotic sleep, let go, all over. So...relaxed. So...lazy. Now all the muscles in your forehead are letting go. They are getting looser...looser....relaxed...and limp. This loose, relaxed feeling spreads to your eyes...your eyes are so relaxed...so comfortable. Your forehead is loose and all the muscles are relaxed and limp. Your eyes are loose and relaxed. The loose feeling goes over the top of your head, and your whole scalp is relaxed. You feel better and better. Now all the muscles in the neck let go...all loose and limp....relaxed and comfortable. The base of your skull is all loose and relaxed.

You feel so good! Better and better. You feel much better, relaxing more and more. Your neck muscles are now completely relaxed and comfortable. Your whole head is relaxed and comfortable. You feel wonderful! Your head and neck feel clear. You feel good. You feel absolutely wonderful! All the muscles and nerves in your head and neck are completely relaxed and you feel fine. When you awaken you will continue to feel fine. You will feel better and better for the rest of the day. You feel absolutely perfect! All of your neck and head muscles and nerves are completely relaxed. (Use the usual awakening procedure, counting from 10 to 5 down to 1 and awakening on 1, wide awake and alert.)

Pain

Sit in a comfortable position. Concentrate on the pain. Feel it ache. Continue to think only of the ache, the way it feels, for several minutes. It will probably ache worse, but don't give up. Feel the pain and exclude any other thoughts that come into your mind. You will be interfering with your subconscious, which is causing the tension. After five to eight minutes your pain will disappear. (An additional technique is to focus on turning the pain into a tickling feeling or a pleasurable warmth or pleasant feeling.)

Illness

My body manufactures healthy cells that fight and kill harmful germs and bacteria. My body is manufacturing great quantities of these disease-fighting cells, and my arteries are transporting them to the areas where they are needed. These healthy cells are killing the invaders, and I am getting better every hour, feeling better every hour. Focus on the area and visualize the antibodies destroying the germs and replacing the diseased cells with healthy ones. Do twice daily. (Another is to visualize particles of sunlight circling throughout the body, in the blood, in the nervous system, in the lungs, everywhere.)

Perfect Concentration

Because you want to learn more rapidly and with less effort, you can concentrate more perfectly every day. People in hypnosis can concentrate upon and learn entire pages of material, so you narrow your attention down to one thing as though you were in hypnosis. Set a time limit of one hour, and when you are ready to concentrate, say the words "narrow down." Your attention immediately narrows down to the job you have to do. The noises around you fade into the distance. You are oblivious to your surroundings. There is only one job to do and nothing else exists for you. Only in an emergency will your concentration be broken, and then you are concentrating again the minute you attend to it. Your concentration is perfect until the minute you attend to it. Your concentration is perfect until the time limit you set arrives. You are oblivious to your surroundings and think only of the job you set out to accomplish. Narrow down your thoughts to the one thing. Your concentration is perfect and remains that way for the time you set. When you say "narrow down" the world seems to fade away except for the job you are concentrating on.

Memory Improvement

Because I want (state your reason), I have perfect recall. Everything I hear, see, think, or experience is recorded in my mind. My mind is a computer and this information is available to me at any time because it is permanently recorded in my mind. I have a permanent record of names, dates, faces, and all other things I have learned, and I recall them easily. All I have to do is ask my subconscious mind for the information I want by pretending to push the answer button. I think the word answer and in a few seconds the answer button is delivered to my conscious mind. I read pages of material and every bit of it is available to me when I push the answer button. My computer goes to work and supplies me with the information I have recorded and retained.

Memories are also staying in my conscious mind longer. I instantly recall things I have recently studied or experienced. My concentration is perfect, and anything I concentrate on, I retain in my conscious mind. My conscious mind is expanding, and it retains more and more information for instant recall. Memories stay in my conscious mind much longer. If any older memory isn't instantly recalled, I send an order to the subconscious computer. It is reliable and foolproof, and it sends me the answer.

Increasing Self-Confidence

You have confidence in yourself. This confidence is growing daily. As you go deeper into hypnosis you see yourself, in your imagination, speaking calmly and confidently to a gathering of people. Their attention is directed toward you. You are enjoying being the center of attention. The crowd likes you and you like them. You find it easy to make friends. People like you. You have confidence and poise. You are interested in people and they are interested in you. You listen to what they say with great interest. People like you because you are a good listener. They know they can depend upon you for good advice. You have a great ability to reach decisions, and people know your advice is worth listening to.

You have confidence when you go to a party. You mix with people and have fun. You make friends easily because you are genuinely interested in people. Your confidence in yourself grows daily. You like people and you like yourself and you are on your way to success. You can do anything that is necessary for your well-being and happiness, because you have perfect confidence in yourself. You can handle any situation. You have confidence in your ability to meet new people and make new friends. People like you because of your confident personality, your warm, friendly smile, and your charming manner. You radiate friendship and good will. Your personality is growing daily. Your confidence is growing daily. You have poise and you are comfortable, relaxed and at ease on every occasion.

Quit Smoking

First, set a date, and make a commitment to yourself that you will never smoke another cigarette after the date you choose. It's best to give yourself from three to ten days to get used to the idea that you will never smoke again. During this period tell your friends and relatives and co-workers that they will never see you smoking again after the date you set.

1. Smoke twice the number of cigarettes you usually smoke during every waking hour. It is important that you smoke when you don't want to and it is also important that you finish every cigarette you light.
2. Practice being free from tobacco enslavement for short periods of time by gradually cutting down on the number of cigarettes you smoke. Drink lots of water and take long, deep breaths.
3. Listen to nonsmoking hypnotic tape twice a day.

Affirmation For Breaking The Smoking Habit

And now, as you go deeper into relaxation, you thoroughly enjoy the feeling of complete freedom you get from knowing you are a nonsmoker. You feel so proud of yourself. You have chosen life over death. Vibrant health over sickly weakness! You have gratifying new respect for your body. Your greatest and strongest desire is vibrant health and radiant vitality! You know that your lungs and your heart are the primary parts of your body that sustain the health and energy you require to thoroughly enjoy living. You respect and care for your lungs and your heart. You have chosen health over sickness, strength over weakness, and you are happy. You are now free at last. You have broken the chains that bound you, and you are free. You are now one of the vast majority who are strong enough and intelligent enough to be nonsmokers. You have made a final decision that you are now and forever to be a nonsmoker.

You are a confirmed nonsmoker for the rest of your life. You feel so good about yourself, better than you've felt for years. You are tremendously proud of yourself, proud of your ability to step up... up into the fresh, cleaner air. You thoroughly enjoy breathing the fresh, clean air that is a natural stimulant to your lungs. This is the change your lungs have been gasping for, that your body has been crying out for, that your heart has been longing for, and you've made it! Your lungs welcome the fresh air that they crave. Your heart rejoices at getting the undiluted oxygen it needs, and you feel wonderful! You have conquered all unnatural and destructive habits. Now, just relax even more, and go deeper.

Take long, deep breaths and think of how good you feel. At least once every half-hour you stop whatever you're doing for just a moment and take a long, deep breath. Hold it in, and then you let it out, close your eyes and relax all over. As you exhale, think of the words "relaxed and free." This is a wonderful feeling. Now take another long, deep breath, even deeper than before. Hold it is long as possible. As you finally let it all out, think those same words, relaxed and free as you think these words, just let a wave of relaxation go from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. You feel good all over! Now go deeper into a pleasant hypnotic sleep.

Now visualize yourself and feel yourself as a healthy, happy nonsmoker. You are now free. You now move with greater ease and confidence. You feel better than you've felt for years. You are proud of yourself, proud of your ability to conquer any habit. You're strong! You feel better with each day that passes. Imagine and feel your clean, healthy lungs. Each breath of fresh air causes you to feel better and better. A satisfying sense of pride sweeps over your entire body, and you feel a wonderful, exhilarating sense of freedom. No longer a slave, you are free and feeling great. Enjoy feeling this wonderful, satisfying feeling now.

You are now and forever a confirmed nonsmoker. Your final decision is made and agreed to, and every day that passes reinforces it. Picture in your mind someone offering you a cigarette. You always answer, "No, I kicked that habit." You have what it takes: guts, intelligence, self-respect, and common sense. You know that the longer you remain free of this habit, the easier it is staying free of it, because you feel better and every day that passes. You feel it in your body, mind, and spirit. You thoroughly enjoy this invigorating feeling: a physical well-being, mental health, and emotional respect. You feel good all over and proud. You, and you alone, are in charge of your body. Now, just relax even more and enjoy a moment of silence, and during which all of these true ideas and concepts make a deep and lasting impression upon your subconscious mind, never to be removed. This moment of silence starts right now.

Throwing Your Weight Away

Now, as you go deeper into pleasant relaxation, you realize that you have a right to enjoy the perfect body, a perfect size, and the perfect shape. This is your own body, and you have a tremendous respect for it. You have now chosen an ideal weight and size for your body, and you constantly visualize this ideal look is the real you. You now inform your inner mind of your overwhelming desire to reach and maintain this ideal size and weight.

Now, relax even more, and as you let go more and more, imagine that you are standing alone in a large, pleasant room. This room is your own secret place, a restful, peaceful place where you can come every day to relax and enjoy being and feeling slim and attractive. Enjoy being the real you with ideal figure.

Now imagine how your room is furnished. Choose the color of the walls, the colors of the rich, soft carpeting. And also notice that one wall is completely covered with a beautiful, spotless mirror. It is reflected in the beauty of your room, and also reflects you. You are so happy! You are always your ideal size and weight when you're in this room, and you come here often to relax and feel happy. You thoroughly enjoy posing and admiring yourself in this large, lovely mirror. You admire your attractive body. Just look at yourself from a side view now, and enjoy knowing that this beautiful attractive person is you. You are thrilled and happy with the image you see! You now sit down, in a very comfortable chair and look at your beautiful figure while seated.

You're growing very fond of the restful chair, and as you sink back into its soft surface. Go deeper, deeper and relax. You feel terrific, mentally, physically, and emotionally. It's a wonderful feeling to be healthy, slender, an attractive, and it's so easy. You wonder why you haven't done it before. You look so good, and you feel so good. You are so good. You do things for yourself because you deserve the best life has to offer. The process is going on right now and you are enjoying a new, positive personality! Looking at yourself, admiring yourself, and knowing that the reason you look so good is the result of your new respect and love for your body. It is also the result of your new eating habits.

You eat only when you're sitting down. When mealtime comes you sit down and you enjoy eating more than you've ever enjoyed it before. You enjoy the taste of food more, because of your new tasting habit. Your food tastes so much better, because you give your taste buds a chance to savor and enjoy every bite. You take a bite of food into your mouth. You then lay down your utensil. Think only of the bite that is in your mouth. Concentrate your entire attention upon that one bite. Feel the texture of the food.

You find that food tastes better in certain parts of the mouth than others. You feel it in your mouth. You find that the taste is more important than the food. You concentrate your entire tension upon the bite that you were chewing, and enjoy every bit of taste it has to offer. Finally, you swallow it. Only then do you even consider another bite. Only when you swallow the delicious bite you were chewing do you take another bite to your mouth. It tastes wonderful also. It tastes so good because you concentrate your entire attention upon this new bite you are chewing. You have learned that single bites taste much better. Only when you have enjoyed the second bite to it's fullest and swallowed it do you take another bite. You repeat this process, bite after delicious bite, enjoying each one to its fullest.

Your taste buds thank you, for allowing them to taste and savor each bite the way nature intended them to do. Your stomach thanks you, because it remembers that terrible, stuffy feeling that it had after those huge Thanksgiving dinners. Your body thanks you, for allowing it to become beautiful, healthy, and vigorous. You are happy! Each time you think of food, when your body is in need of nourishment, you sit down and you eat slowly, and enjoy every bite, using your thrilling new eating habits.

Each time you think of eating when your body does not need food, you have an enjoyable new way of dealing with this. You hypnotize yourself. This is so easy! You take a long, deep breath, hold it in, and count to 10 slowly. Then you close your eyes, exhale, and think the words, calm and relax. Those are your keywords, and as you exhale and think these words, calm and relax, you allow yourself to relax all over, every muscle, every ligament, and every nerve in your body. Let them all go loose and limp. Repeat this procedure and let your mind go to your secret room, if only for a few seconds.

Then open your eyes and decide whether you need food now, or whether you wish to enjoy it more by waiting until you know it will taste much better. Of course, you do know that you enjoy food a great deal more later, because the more you save up your hunger, the better the food tastes and the more you enjoy it. Now, go deeper into relaxation, and visualize yourself making the decision you know will give you the most health, happiness, and progress toward being your ideal size and weight. You respect your body, and you eat only what your body needs. Now go deeper. Enjoy this pleasant relaxed feeling.

You eat only when you're hungry and your body needs food. This is why you enjoy the taste of food more than you have enjoyed it for years. Your inner mind knows the difference between real hunger and a fool's appetite. Boredom is not hunger. Worry is not hunger. Disappointment is not hunger, and frustration is not hunger. These feelings are a fool's appetite you are certainly not a fool. You are born to be a unique one-of-a-kind individual, and you are which you were created to be... a beautiful and perfect human being.

You have a new and powerful method of dealing with the stress factors in your life. If at any time something displeases you or bores you, or if you feel fool's appetite. You rely upon your new habit of taking a long, deep breath. You hold it in and count to 10. Then you let it all out, and relax all over. Let your eyelids close down, and say these words to yourself calm and relaxed. You just feel wonderful. You open your eyes feeling good. You know that fool's appetite cannot be satisfied with food, because it's not real. Being deceived by fool's appetite only punishes your body. Feeding real hunger is natural and satisfying.

Because you understand this, you eat only when your body needs food. And your body is showing it. Go back to your beautiful place in your secret room now, and look at your beautiful body of the real you. You love the way you look. And you find yourself merging with this image, more every day. You are becoming this image. You are much more confident now. Everyone is noticing how good you look. You find yourself smiling more and more, because you are feeling so good about yourself. You feel so happy that you are incomplete charge of your mind, your body, and your spirit. And now relax even more, and go deeper while you allow all these true and beneficial ideas and concepts to make a deep and lasting impression upon your subconscious mind. Never to be removed.

Improve Sports Performance Using Visualizations

Dennis Marthaler, Picture Me Perfect- Self Hypnosis & Imaging For Improving Your Life (1985) explains that the purpose of visualization is to tap into that pure knowledge of how to perform the movements of your sport correctly. You can visualize yourself as an animal or bird known for the quality you want to posses. You can perform this technique individually or in a group setting.

Get into a comfortable position, close your eyes, and do a relaxation exercise. Once your body and mind are relaxed, imagine yourself playing your sport perfectly. Make this high-quality visualization. If your sport is running, see and feel your body running as a smooth, steady pace. See and feel your feet gliding across the surface. When you imagine yourself crossing the finish line, see yourself at your personal best. Have people there enthusiastically congratulating you. At several points during this visualization, check how you are feeling. I f you are experiencing tension, do another relaxation exercise or take several deep breaths, sighing as you release the air. If you have any doubts, give yourself a totally positive pep talk, then go back and finish the race. Use affirmations to make a positive statement about your performance. Such as, "I shoot the ball perfectly every time or I feel relaxed and play beautifully." Repeat this statement slowly with feeling, while you are picturing yourself performing like a superstar. Practice this several times a day before the event

Script For Group Induction by Philip Holder, Hypnosis & Hypnotherapy (2002)

Place your feet on the floor and place your hands on your lap. Close your eyes for a moment. Imagine a pleasant place of feeling. Now hold onto that image or feeling. Now I want you to open your eyes and look at me. Focus only on me. Look right here until I ask you to close your eyes once again. In a few moments I am going to begin counting backwards from 10 to one. By the time you reach the number one you begin a deep wonderful state of relaxation. It will be like dreaming, or relaxing at the beach, only much better. No matter how deeply you go into hypnosis your subconscious mind always hear the sound of my voice and I can always bring you out of hypnosis simply by counting from one to five and asking you to emerge. Everything we do will be totally beneficial for you and it will feel great, so forget about me and enjoy the feeling. You may hear other sounds, but it doesn't matter. If there are any extraneous sounds, let them carry you deeper into relaxation. Just allow that to happen. So just leave everything me and enjoy. Taken mini-mental vacation and have a massage for the mind. Now I would like you to keep your eyes open until I ask you to close them. Take a deep breath in and fill up your lungs.

Now take a deep breath in, imagine yourself breathing in relaxation, and now exhale just release any stress tension or irritation, let it go. Now take a third deep breath in your lungs, now exhale, close your eyes, and sleep. Imagine that moment between awake and asleep when you drift off to sleep at night. Let sleep be on your mind, and as you float, drift and dream, notice how good you feel. Peaceful, calm, relaxed. Feel that relaxation as it drifts through your body. Feel it drifting through your scalp. Down over your forehead, to your eyebrows, gently over your eyelids, as they grow warm and heavy. Let it drift down over your nose and mouth. Relax the muscles of your jaw. Now notice the muscles of your neck, as they grow so limp and relaxed that your head just hangs loose, limp, and wonderfully relaxed. It feels wonderful and it just keeps getting better.

Because it's normal and natural to relax when taking gentle breaths, each gentle breath you take carries you deeper and because it's in your best interest in accomplishing your goal. Allow that to happen. Feel that relaxation as it drifts down from your neck and shoulders, down your arms, right down to the tips your fingers. Let it flow down through your body to the tips of your toes as you relax even more deeply. It is such a wonderful feeling to relax, and the deeper you go, the better you feel. Right now you have no place to go, nothing to do, no problem to solve, simply enjoy this wonderful quality of relaxation. Deeper with each gentle breath you take. On the count of 10, feel your body relaxing and limp. Just let that relaxation grow with each and every breath you exhale.

Pretend as if you are relaxing at the beach. Imagine yourself on a white billowy cloud floating across the pale blue sky as a gentle breeze blows over the surface of your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun on your face, the warmth of the sun on your body. As that warm wonderful feeling soaks in every muscle, joint and fiber you relax much more. On the count of nine, it feels wonderful, and it just keeps getting better. It feels peaceful and calm, nothing can disturb you now. Deeper and sounder on the count of eight, as you drift and float and dream. And on the count seven, notice how pleasantly heavy your body feels, especially your arms, especially your head. Your head is so heavy, now the muscles of your neck so loose, limp and relaxed, that even though you know you could move your head if you really wanted to it just isn't worth the effort.

Your head rests loose and limp, and you allow that to happen. On the count of six, you're in a circle of relaxation that nothing can disturb you now. Perfectly comfortable, peaceful, calm and relaxed. Each gentle breath you take will carry you deeper. Because it's in your best interest in accomplishing your very important goal, you allow that to happen. Deeper and sounder, floating and drifting like in a dream, only better than a dream and it just keeps getting better. So now go very deeply into this deep wonderful hypnotic sleep. Enjoy this wonderful feeling on the count of five. And on the count of four, notice your arms growing even heavier. They feel like heavy weights hanging by your side. It feels wonderful and curiously interesting that your arms could be so loose and limp and wonderfully relaxed.

Your arms feel so heavy now they feel as if they're dragging, pulling, wanting to fall by your side, that they just hang by your side loose, limp and lazy. Each gentle breath carries you deeper, you allow that to happen, down deep floating, drifting as if in a beautiful dream. Way down deep. Deeper and sounder with each gentle breath you take, deeper and sounder. On the count of three you feel wonderful, refreshed, peaceful and calm. Each gentle breath continues to carry you deeper because it's in your best interest to accomplish your important goal and you allow that to happen. Deeper and sounder on the count of two you feel wonderful, refreshed and healthy.

The deeper you go the better you feel and it just keeps getting better. On the next count I give you the ability to go so deeply into hypnosis that you drift easily and safely to that special magical place where anything that you can imagine is something you can accomplish easily and effortlessly. Go very deeply now into this deep wonderful hypnotic sleep, very deeply on the count of one. Each gentle breath continues to carry you deeper. You feel wonderful, refreshed, peaceful and calm. Floating, drifting, like in a beautiful dream only better than a dream. Way down deep.

Phobias

A phobia is always an unreasonable or abnormal fear of something. Sometimes in extreme cases it becomes displaced, which is rare. It begins with something that is so frightening or the thought is so repulsive that the fear is transferred to something else, thus displacing it. The key is to discharge all the emotions around the original event. You can locate the causes by your questioning technique. Go through the experience several times until you have discharged all the emotion tied up with it. This desensitizes you and you should lose your phobia. Always remember before regressing yourself to ask your subconscious that it is all right for you to go back to it. (Seek a professional hypnotherapist for help.)

Remove Fears and Free Your Psychic Energy

Now listen very carefully. I want you to imagine a bright white light coming down from above and entering the top of your head, filling your entire body. See it, feel it and it becomes reality. Now imagine an aura of pure white light emanating from your heart region, again surrounding your entire body, protecting you. See it, feel it, and it becomes reality. Now only your higher self, Masters, guides and highly evolved entities who mean you well will be able to influence you during this hypnotics are session. You are totally protected by this aura of pure white light.

Mentally see yourself at the foot of the mountain. Begin a gradual ascent now. As you wind your way slowly along that mountain path, become aware of a heaviness, a tiredness, a sense of anger, futility, and pain. Your climb is slower and you feel those burdens you are carrying, burdens for which you had not even realized you asked, but that you are carrying nevertheless. The sun grows hotter as you climb higher in the sky, yet you travel on. Soon you come to rest by a small crevice in the rocks. Suddenly a stream appears. The stream widens, water rushing down the rocks. You shed your clothes and stand beneath the waterfall. Feel clear, cool water pouring down all over you. Let the gentle stream of water wash away all your fears, all your sorrows, all your anxiety.

Now stepping out from under the waterfall, you rest for awhile, letting yourself dry off in the sun. Let the sunlight stream down upon you and fill every cell and tissue until you feel light, refreshed and renewed. When you are ready you can return to your usual awareness, relaxed, refreshed, and filled with energy. Now reflect on those fears or habits that you would like to release. Write each fear, habit, or negative feeling or experience on a separate piece of paper. Imagine yourself taking the pieces of paper one at a time and reading them aloud. Then burn each one, saying, "As this paper burns, my fear is destroyed." You may want to see the negative energy transformed into positive energy. As you burn each paper, you may say, "This fire is transforming my worry into careful attention."

When you finish burning all the papers, sit quietly and reflect on what you have said and done. Feel yourself released from fears and negative energy and filled with love and joy. All right now. Sleep now and rest. You did very, very well. Listen very carefully. I'm going to count forward now from 1 to 5. When I reach the count of five you will be back in the present, you will be able to remember everything experienced. You'll feel very relaxed, refreshed and you'll be able to do whatever you plan for the rest of the day or evening. You'll feel very positive about what you experienced. All right now. 1... very, very deep, 2... getting a little bit lighter, 3... you're getting much lighter, much lighter, 4...very light, 5... awaken. Wide-awake and refreshed.

Past Life Regression

Past Life Regression therapy cuts through layers of consciousness and time. It is a connecting to the spirit that transcends time and links us to the Divine. It is deep work and many answers can be found to our reactions to people and situations. For more information on Past Life Regression, see the UMS course on Reincarnation. Robert Morrison, The Purpose Of Past Life Therapy (2005) writes "Past life Regression is an important tool for us to understand what we as a soul have been becoming, which assists us in moving forward on our path toward God." PLR is particularly helpful when dealing with issues that have no rational cause. Also, phobias seem to have roots in past traumas. If the client is able to accept the past trauma and release it they are able to heal their present problems. Many times talents and interests have been traced back to a past life experience as well.

There are various theories to Past Life Regression. One theory is reincarnation, which is the way the Buddhists believe the soul develops. A second theory is that we have parallel lives, and an aspect of our soul is experiencing different realities, each one is influencing the other. According to Dr. Bruce Goldberg Spirit Guide Contact Through Hypnosis (2005), "The future is not etched in stone. There are an infinite number of parallel universes that exist alongside ours. We all have the ability to create any path we so desire and select the ideal probable future through the use of our fee will. If you totally want to change your current future path, you must change yourself. The future is determined to a great degree by your motives and actions. We live in a world of simultaneous time in which all past present and future events are taking place now. Each time we make decisions, additional paths are created. Free will allows us to select one of many options, which, in turn, creates many other probable paths. Our intentions produce a certain series of probable futures, while our actions we take form other options." The third theory is that we may be tapping into a collective consciousness where we are able to tap into another's memory. Another theory is Generational memory where we tap into our ancestors memories through our DNA. No one knows for sure what the truth is about past lives, but it is has proven to help where no other therapy could.

There have been studies that show illnesses that have been cured through regression as the original cause has been relived. Morrison tells of a case where a woman had headaches and dizziness for years. Tests showed no physical cause. In the regression she relieved the original trauma where she was blindsided with a blunt object while asleep in a teepee during a raid on her village. After the regression her head was in pain and she was extremely dizzy for about half an hour. When she regained her balance, her head cleared and she has never suffered another headache again.

It is important to have a specific intention to work on. Issues such as questions about life circumstances, relationships, phobias or illnesses are most effective in regression therapy. PLR offers a way to finish our business in learning the lessons that we failed to learn. Jung wrote, "A complex arises where we have experienced failure in life... There is a compulsion to repeat the unfinished business. This compulsion to repeat gives the opportunity to change the outcome, thus finishing the business. (See a professional hypnotherapist)