Hypnosis refers to a change in the state of human consciousness, which simultaneously combines elements of wakefulness and sleep. Hypnosis is a state that is caused by suggestion and is accompanied by the submission of the will of the sleeper. Hypnosis as a form of suggestion has been known to the world for more than three thousand years.
You can put a person into a state of hypnotic sleep in various ways, based on various hypnotic techniques.
Hypnosis procedure
First of all, in order to master the skill of hypnosis, a person must try to prevail in the following qualities that will help him in the process of suggestion:
- authoritative, confident, monotonous speech;
- magnetic direct gaze.
Hypnotic techniques fall into three main categories.
- Methods of mechanical influence, where the object of suggestion is acted upon with the help of material objects with color, sound, light, etc.
- Mental influence is characterized mainly by verbal monotonous suggestion.
- Magnetic methods where therapeutic magnetism is the main one, for example to cure a patient of migraine.
- The main focus of the hypnotized person's attention is the voice and speech of the hypnotist.
- The patient is placed on the couch, saying: “You feel the pressure of the pillow on your head, feel the couch under your back. Next, you turn your attention to your legs and hips and also feel that the couch is the support of your whole body. You are very relaxed, everything is yours.” the body is limp. Imagine that you are at home, in a comfortable and cozy environment, where it is most convenient for you to fall asleep and relax. You are very relaxed. Sleep deeply and listen to my voice.” If the suggested person does not fall asleep, the hypnotist can switch his attention to the patient’s hand: “Your hand lies freely, you feel it, now your fingers will begin to move slowly, so they began to tremble.” Then the hypnotist can slowly and carefully lift the patient's hand and suggest to him that the hand is light, like a feather: “As your hand rises, you fall asleep, and the hand slowly and smoothly begins to fall, fall. When it touches the couch, you will hear only my voice ".
- In psychic hypnosis, repetition of certain commands by the hypnotist is very important to enhance the suggestion.
- An essential element is also the influence of the hypnotist on the suggested person with his bioenergy.
Also read our article about how to put a person into hypnosis.
A person can be instilled with certain attitudes when he is under hypnosis, i.e. immersed in a state of altered consciousness. To achieve it, it is necessary to weaken the defense of the psyche. The patient should not be afraid of the session or its consequences. To do this, during the procedure you need to provide him with a feeling of complete safety.
Hypnosis as a phenomenon
Hypnosis is a procedure that involves changing consciousness to such a state during which any attitude can be suggested to a person. In ordinary life, a person is guided by consciousness. It filters all incoming information and then eliminates it. Consciousness creates fears, doubts and self-doubt.
During hypnosis, its influence decreases, and everything that is said during the session is perceived by the subconscious. The resulting command is immediately assimilated as an important idea, the result of long-term reflection. As a result, the resulting installation quickly takes root. For such suggestion, a person is put into a trance state. This is the borderline position between sleep and wakefulness.
A state of trance
Trance is the basis of hypnosis. Without it, it is impossible to instill a new attitude. In a state of trance, a person feels everything that happens to him, but does not try to react to it. She is relaxed and calm.
When induction into trance is useful:
- If a person is overcome by primary phobias, the treatment of psychological problems is more difficult.
- When the patient resists, he does not recognize the problem.
- If the introduction to a borderline state accelerates therapy (psychotherapy is used).
The trance state is not dangerous for a man or woman. A person is defenseless only in front of his own fears. Hypnotherapy is used in courses and allows you to change the way an individual thinks. Over time, new behaviors and habits are formed. Hypnosis does not affect human nature, but changes only those character traits that were formed for one or another negative reason.
Selection of methodology
There are several effective techniques that tell you how to put a person into a trance using hypnosis. Visualization is a powerful tool that requires concentration. This method of entering a trance requires special conditions - a calm environment, proper breathing (breathing exercises are used).
Another way is to provide a safe place (a type of visualization). It requires concentration not only of attention, but also the ability to distance yourself from the world around you. The third effective technique is based on rotating the eyes and holding the breath. The last technique is called multi-stage.
Visualization techniques
Anyone can put themselves into a trance. Self-hypnosis will help with this. Procedure for entering a borderline state:
- A person concentrates on internal sensations for several minutes, sitting with his eyes closed. It is necessary to feel every process occurring in the body. Passivity is the main condition for rapid relaxation.
- The individual needs to concentrate on breathing. To quickly enter a trance, special breathing exercises are used. Breathing should be uniform and deep. As you exhale, the man or woman becomes completely focused, and as you inhale, you relax again.
- The person imagines that his mind consists of several parts. The highest level is the active part (consciousness), and deep hypnotic sleep is at the lowest level.
- The person being hypnotized needs to move from one level to the second. You need to relax each time and then explore the level. You need to feel what is inherent in your personality. Knowing the level is a state of trance.
Time will pass unnoticed if the entrance to the border state has been completed correctly. To get out of this state, a person concentrates on inhaling. As the lungs fill with air, the personality carefully rises through the levels. When the turn reaches consciousness, the eyes open.
Eye rotation and breathing
Another practice for use at home. A man or woman should be calm. Starting position - lying or sitting. The person's head must have support, and during a trance it is better not to move. This technique is used for self-hypnosis: a man or woman closes his eyes and relaxes all the muscles of the body. The greatest relaxation occurs when you exhale.
After preparation, the eyes open - you need to sharply look up and hold your breath. After 5–7 seconds. the eyes slowly lower and relax. The eyelids close. The person inhales, then exhales and stays in this position for 5 seconds. As you inhale, your eyelids lift again. The gaze is directed to the ceiling and the breath is held again for 5-6 seconds.
The eyes close - the person concentrates all his attention on breathing. The body slowly relaxes. It is necessary to listen to the body, feel every movement, tingling, trembling. With relaxation comes freedom from unnecessary thoughts: trance eliminates empty, distracting thoughts.
Relaxation lasts for at least 15–20 minutes, after which, to get out of this state, you need to concentrate on exhaling. Gradually the person returns to a conscious state.
Multi-stage technique
The 4-step technique is more complex. It is used to independently enter a borderline state. Stages of going into trance:
- The person takes a comfortable position (lying down), it is better to lie on the floor or any hard surface. In this position, you need to monitor your breathing. It should be smooth, slow. While inhaling, the following sounds are pronounced: “So-o-o-o,” and when exhaling, “Hum-mm.” The sounds are repeated until breathing becomes natural and does not have to be monitored. At this stage, unnecessary thoughts and worries should disappear.
- The person needs to completely get rid of movements in the second stage. With the effort of the mind, you need to stop each one so that the body plunges into absolute peace. Relaxation begins with the facial muscles and gradually reaches the fingertips. When the muscles and muscles relax, say the words to yourself: “My body is relaxing, my eyelids are getting heavier.” Thoughts of relaxation should be repeated until the body becomes sluggish, almost immobile. The entire relaxation cycle is repeated at least 4 times.
- As a person, after the body is completely relaxed and the mind stops generating new distracting thoughts, you need to say the words of the mantra: “Om.” It is repeated 14 times. When the syllable interrupts all thoughts, the person moves on to the final stage of trance.
- The mantra is repeated at the last stage. New images should appear in your head - the rays of the sun or the solar circle. This visualization is not easy for everyone the first time, but over time the image will become clearer and clearer.
In a state of absolute trance, you can imagine any image, desire, thing - all this will take root in the subconscious. One way or another, a person will be able to get what he wants soon. To break out of trance, you need to focus on your own breathing.
Entering and exiting trance
Simple techniques are used to put outsiders into trance. A certain factor influences the human psyche. A state of shock or surprise is used to concentrate the individual's attention - this is the first stage. On the second, it is necessary to completely concentrate the person on the hypnotist and his words (a certain timbre of voice, tactile contacts or additional tools are used).
To enter a trance, you must:
- Prepare the person being hypnotized (give the right morale).
- Use relaxation techniques (method of relaxation of each muscle or Jacobson).
- Use one or more methods to quickly enter a trance (using a pendulum, tactile or visual sensations).
You cannot put a person with mental disorders into a trance. Schizophrenia and split personality are direct contraindications for hypnotherapy. Only one person can enter and exit the borderline state (the procedure is carried out without strangers).
Conclusion
The state between wakefulness and sleep is an opportunity to instill in yourself the necessary attitude. Methods of hypnosis or self-hypnosis are used, since in a trance the defense of the psyche is weakened. To enter it, breathing exercises and complete relaxation techniques are used.
Instructions
Be wary if a stranger tries to gain your attention in any way. Most likely, he will offer something “for free”. Or it will scare you, for example, with the presence of “damage”, “crown of celibacy”, etc.
Pay attention to the gestures of the person speaking to you. will use the “adjustment” method - breathe and speak in the same rhythm as you, copy your postures and movements. If his methods work, you will be pleased to communicate with this person, and you yourself will begin to copy his gestures. To finally gain your trust, the scammer may try to take your hand.
The easiest way to put a person into a trance is to overload him with information. In this case, the interlocutor’s speech will constantly either speed up or slow down until you stop assessing its meaning. The information flow will go into the subconscious, and you will receive an installation. A variation of this method is a double attack. Two people will start talking to you at the same time, unleashing a whole avalanche of information, they will rush you and force you to do something that you didn’t even want to think about. This method is most often used by gypsies, and it works with upset or worried people.
Repetition of words or phrases in conversation that seem to be woven into speech, fixing your attention on some bright object, any rhythmic movements - snapping fingers, tapping your foot, etc. These are also common hypnosis techniques.
To avoid falling into a trance state during an attack, try to relieve drowsiness, which is the first stage of hypnosis, and ask a few direct and simple questions. For example, “how do you know this?”, “what does this mean?” The hypnotist will get confused and most likely leave you alone. You can try to turn everything into a joke. Tell the gypsy who is hypnotizing you that she is wrong, and you yourself can teach her to tell fortunes.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to combat hypnotic influence is to replay any obsessive or childish melody in your head. If you suspect that you are being tried, start humming to yourself “A Christmas tree was born in the forest” or “Two cheerful geese lived with grandma.”
Hypnosis literally means sleep. This is an art that allows you to intentionally put a person into a trance. Hidden hypnosis can be used in everyday life.
Hidden hypnosis
Covert hypnosis is a direct psychological influence on a person’s sub-creation, which bypasses his consciousness. Milton Erickson practiced this. Subsequently, he developed his technique, which received recognition throughout the world. Today it is known to many under the name “Ericksonian hypnosis”Ways to influence a person
According to Milton, there are two ways to influence a person: at the physiological and psychological levels.The physiological effect on a person is copying the posture, facial expressions and gestures of the hypnotized person.
At the psychological level, you can change the interlocutor’s train of thought. However, for this it is necessary to initially determine. There are three types of hidden psychological hypnosis: visual, auditory and kinesthetic.
Visuals
For such a person, the eyeballs will move up-left or up-right, which indicates that the interlocutor often uses visual images in a conversation. He can also direct his gaze to one point and take on a thoughtful look. In his speech, he often uses phrases: ““Consider, pay attention, imagine”” and so on.Audials
The gaze of such a person will be directed to the left or to the right. Auditory learners navigate by hearing. In a conversation, they will always pay attention to what they once heard. Such people remember melodies and songs well. In gesturing, they can sometimes tap objects on the table, thereby depicting a certain motive. Hypnotists often use such a personal melody as a gift, since by repeating this melody they can easily put a person into a trance. In their speech, auditory learners most often use the words: “Tell, listen, listen” and so on.Kinesthetics
Such people think based on bodily sensations. They easily remember hunger, cold, heat, and so on. Kinesthetics are more capable than others of understanding bodily experiences: pain, illness, insect bites and much more. In a conversation, their gaze will be directed downward - to the right. As for the movement of the eyeballs down - to the left, this can be used in all people, as it means control of speech. In communication, kinesthetics are guided by the phrases: “I felt, felt,Often people are interested in how to put a person into hypnosis for different purposes. There are many techniques that can help make a hypnotherapy session effective and enjoyable.
You can put a person into hypnosis using different methods.
Hypnosis is an effective treatment for many illnesses and mental disorders. Initially, a person is put into a trance, and then suggestion occurs. The main problem is that not every person is suggestible. This may negatively affect the results of hypnotic work. Another option is that the patient cannot be hypnotized at all; it is necessary to choose a different method of treatment.
To put a person into hypnosis, you need the right choice of hypnologist. There are real professionals, and there are scammers. A specialist can be identified by the presence of such qualities as self-confidence, the ability to control oneself and one’s thoughts. But the main professional skill of a hypnotist is the ability to fix attention on some object.
The main tool of a hypnotherapist is his voice. The doctor’s intonation and the nature of his statements depend on the type of hypnosis chosen. If this is classic hypnosis, then his voice will be authoritative and menacing. Words will be spoken in command form. If Ericksonian hypnosis is used, the doctor’s voice will be calm, and the session will take place in the form of a regular conversation.
Practical exercises
Imperceptibly putting a person into trance or hypnosis is a real art. Often it doesn’t work out the first time, but persistent training will yield results.
The easiest way to introduce hypnosis is to fixate your attention. The therapist asks the client to concentrate on some object in the room. Often this is a picture, a stationery device. Such tools can also be a shiny ball, a watch on a pendant, an amulet, or beads.
In the process, a number of suggestions occur. Using certain phrases, the hypnologist induces in the patient a feeling of security, general relaxation, and increasing drowsiness. This is how a person gradually falls into a hypnotic sleep.
The second method is the hypnotic gaze. Often used in hidden, gypsy hypnosis. The requirements for a hypnotist are large, sparkling eyes, a piercing, magnetic gaze. Such a hypnotherapist must be able to visually establish contact with his patient.
Features of the method:
- the distance between the hypnotist and the patient should not exceed 30 cm;
- during hypnosis the client can sit, stand or lie down;
- the doctor should tower over the person and look down on him;
- The hypnotherapist looks directly into the client's eyes or at the bridge of the nose above the eyes.
Then the doctor can begin to rock the person back and forth. In a quiet, calm voice he begins to recite the texts of suggestions. Asks the person to take a comfortable position and close his eyes. So he gradually falls asleep and enters a hypnotic sleep. But, besides the hypnotic gaze and fixation of attention, there are other methods of introducing the patient into trance or hypnosis.
When put into a trance state, a person can lie, sit or stand
Three Yes Technique
The doctor gradually names facts or proposals with which the patient will definitely agree. The topics of requests vary - weather, nature, generally accepted norms, etc.
It is important that the number of phrases is not less than 3-4. Otherwise, this technique will not give the desired effect. The effectiveness of the three “Yes” technique has been proven by psychologists around the world. When a person often agrees with others, his consciousness loosens its grip and the brain perceives further proposals as affirmative conclusions. The development of a negative reaction to the voiced proposals gradually ceases. This is how a person enters the sleep stage and is put into a hypnotic state.
The three “yes” technique works only when a trusting relationship has already been formed between the doctor and the patient. The technique does not work if a person cannot escape from his thoughts. He wants to sleep or eat; instead of talking to the doctor, he looks at the pictures on the wall. In this case, it is initially better to try the technique of fixing attention and later move on to the three “yes” technique.
Milton Erickson's Triple Helix
A frequently used method in Ericksonian hypnosis. It is based on 3 stories that may not be related to each other. The sequence of actions when introducing a person into hypnosis using the triple helix method:
- The first story is told quickly. It ends at the climax.
- After this, the doctor tells a second story. His voice is calm, his pace is slow.
- After finishing the second story, he moves on to the third. It contains the text of the suggestion.
- Having told the story to the end, the doctor returns to the first story. Continues it from where it left off. After which the patient comes out of trance and hypnosis.
The technique is quite effective. Especially if the person is sensitive and emotional.
Suggestion occurs unnoticed; it seems to the person as if he is simply listening to some stories. The introduction and exit from hypnosis are smooth and gradual.
5 steps
The purpose of the method is to obtain the person’s consent to suggestion and induction into a trance. If he does not want this voluntarily, then he needs to change the technique to another. Algorithm of actions in the 5-step method:
- The doctor approaches the man. He extends his right hand to him. A prerequisite is that the palm must be facing up (directed upward).
- The client is asked to do the same. Only his palm should cover the hypnologist's hand.
- You need to hold your hands in this position for a few seconds. It is necessary to ensure that the contact does not change. Remember, the force of pressure must match the force of resistance.
- The doctor says that the person needs to first take a deep breath, then exhale slowly. Repeat the breathing exercise at least 3 times. The patient is put into hypnosis. Then he is asked to close his eyes and relax.
As soon as the client closes his eyes and remains in this state for 3-4 seconds, the palm is sharply removed. The doctor says in a sharp tone: “Sleep! Are you sleepy! Go to sleep!” If a person did not blow himself up, but continued to sit or lie with his eyes closed, he was successfully put into a hypnotic state.
Chatting
Another technique for inducing trance, often used in Ericksonian or covert hypnosis. Its essence is that the doctor suddenly begins to voice a lot of information. Usually it is not connected with each other, which resembles an ordinary stream of consciousness.
This monologue lasts about 1–2 minutes. During this time, the patient goes through several stages of hypnotherapy. At first he does not understand what is happening and why the hypnologist talks so much. He feels irritated and bewildered. The second stage is gradual relaxation. The patient perceives the verbal flow as a peaceful muttering. The third stage is hypnotic sleep. After strong relaxation, a person literally falls asleep, his consciousness turns off and he is completely under the power of the doctor.
The exit from trance is gradual. The hypnotherapist suggests to the patient that he no longer wants to sleep. After which he wakes up.
Gypsy (street) hypnosis
3 handshakes
A person enters a trance state because he expects some sensations from working with a doctor. The hypnologist first explains to him that from each handshake he will experience certain sensations. Usually this:
- concentration of attention;
- feeling tired;
- complete relaxation;
- falling into a drowsy state, etc.
When the doctor shakes the client’s hand for the first time, he says: “You feel good and warm.” On the second handshake he says: “You slowly close your eyes. You feel comfortable and completely relaxed. Now you want to sleep."
The third handshake is accompanied by the words: “You are sleeping! Sleep!". Coming out of trance follows the same principle. Each handshake is accompanied by a certain meaningful phrase.
Possible difficulties and contraindications
It must be remembered that it is rarely possible to put someone into hypnosis the first time. Constant practice is required. Various diseases of the central nervous system or mental disorders can become an obstacle:
- manic psychosis;
- attacks of panic and aggression;
- paranoid attacks;
- schizophrenia;
- phobic disorders, etc.
It is prohibited to perform hypnosis if a person is intoxicated or under the influence of psychotropic substances. His brain activity increases, which makes it impossible to organize in-depth work with the patient.
Other contraindications to hypnosis include pregnancy and developmental delays. Another problem that may arise at the initial stage is the low degree of suggestibility of a person. This is characteristic of people with a strong, strong-willed character.
But if the hypnologist is truly a professional, then hypnotherapy will be beneficial for the person. The doctor will easily establish contact with the patient, and there will be no problems with entering a trance state.
Hypnosis cannot be used on a person under the influence of drugs.
Conclusion
Introducing a person into hypnosis is an important stage in hypnotherapy. Implemented using the techniques of three “yes”, chatting, 3 handshakes, 5 steps, Milton Erickson’s triple helix. Before attempting to put someone into a trance, you need to examine the person for any contraindications.
Man has always dreamed of manipulating the consciousness of others. Today, this opportunity is provided by hypnosis training courses in various commercial centers. In this regard, we decided to tell you what hypnosis is and how to resist it.
Hypnosis - to the masses
Doctor of Philosophy in anthropology Carlos Castaneda, author of many works on shamanism, considered “magic” the most important way to manipulate human consciousness. That is why he dedicated his books to the teachings of the Toltecs (“people of knowledge”), which he learned about from the Mexican magician Juan Matus.
The essence of the teaching comes down to changing the perception of the world around another person. In other words, after a session of such “magic”, another person sees everything around him in a different reality. For example, a magician is perceived as God.
And although Castaneda argued that all this is done in the name of man, his works allow the so-called “naguals” (magicians) to spiritually dominate other people. Meanwhile, hypnosis experts say that the artistic treatises of Carlos Castaneda can be safely attributed to hypnology - the science of hypnosis.
However, he can hardly be called the discoverer of hypnosis. Castaneda's merit lies in the popularization of this teaching. Only the hypnologists themselves, and not the general public, could understand the scientific articles of hypnologists.
Another thing is the fascinating books of a talented writer like Castaneda. Having become bestsellers, his publications revealed to Western society the mysterious power of hypnosis, and also suggested to many swindlers the path to non-violent withdrawal of other people's money.
Somnambulistic sleep
Meanwhile, hypnosis has been known since ancient times. The first conclusions about the mental influence of a person on his opponent were made by the physician and alchemist Paracelsus at the beginning of the 16th century. But hypnology, as an official science, was presented to the public only in 1866 through the works of the French doctor Ambroise Liebeault, founder of the Nancy school. He proved that hypnotic trance is of a psychophysiological nature and is not magnetism, as was considered at that time by official medicine. In particular, Liebeault studied somnambulism and developed a technique for introducing patients into this form of sleep. “At first glance, a person in a state of somnambulistic sleep appears absolutely normal and awake,” wrote Ambroise. “But he does everything he’s told.”
The main thing is to tire
After the works of Dr. Liebeau, hypnology began to develop at an accelerated pace. It turned out that it is not necessary to put a person into a somnambulistic sleep in order to influence his consciousness. “Hypnosis is nothing more than the instillation by word or some other method of various mental phenomena. For example, feelings, sensations, or actions to another person when his volitional attention or concentration is diverted,” said Russian psychologist Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev. Physiologist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov agreed with him. In his opinion, in order to hypnotize a person, it was necessary to cause mental fatigue in him. In scientific terms, it is necessary to provoke inhibition of brain cells, which occurs at the moment of normal falling asleep.
In parallel with Pavlov’s theory, the idea of hypnosis as a generalized super-suggestibility, which was held by the American hypnologist Michael Hull, was also formed. However, modern experts are convinced that both theories only complement each other.
Tranquilizers - weapons of hypnotists
Today, hypnology is considered an already established science, enriched by the works of numerous authors. There are very real procedures and techniques that have been proven over the years to immerse a person in a state of hypnosis. Some of them are far from metaphysics. For example, to overcome the protective reaction of the brain against mental influence from the outside (it turns out that our body has a mechanism to combat hypnosis), various drugs are used, in particular meprobomate and phenobarbital.
The hypnologist, who quietly injected the person with these tranquilizers, can only say something monotonously, gradually lowering his voice. “You can hypnotize anyone this way, for example, during a business breakfast,” says a hypnosis teacher who preferred to remain anonymous. “I know businessmen who sign contracts that are profitable for them this way.” According to the statistics he cited, 40% of people have weak protection against suggestibility. They are the “golden fund” of various hypnotists, most often criminally oriented.
Scammers
Currently, there are about 266 large schools in Russia where they teach hypnosis, including the technique of neurolinguistic programming. Most likely, not all graduates become hypnologists “from the highway.” However, experts are confident that 4% of all crimes are committed by students of such schools. As a rule, catalepsy, distortion of time perception, positive and negative hallucinations, amnesia, and post-hypnotic suggestion are used for criminal purposes.
“Whatever a person’s willpower, if he is under hypnosis, he will carry out any criminal act suggested to him by the attacker,” says candidate of legal sciences Lidiya Sedykh. According to her, such crimes are difficult to prove, and, therefore, to sentence a criminal hypnologist to real terms. Today, operatives of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Stavropol Territory are investigating the case of a person using neuro-linguistic programming for the non-violent withdrawal of money. “I myself didn’t notice how quickly we became friends,” said one of the victims, who voluntarily gave him 87 thousand rubles.
Defensive reaction
Understanding that hypnosis is being used against you is quite simple. To begin with, the fraudulent hypnotist copies your posture and adjusts to the rhythm of your breathing, while quickly pronouncing completely unnecessary information, gradually lowering his voice. If you feel guilty about him, then his first arrows hit the target.
By the way, neurolinguistic programming is also used by intelligence officers. “During the negotiation process, the task is to win over the bandits as much as possible, to arouse in them a feeling of mutual sympathy, in order to lull their vigilance,” one of the operatives, Sergei D., shared his experience. “Such a program is always drawn up individually, taking into account the psyche of the opponent.”