Robber Hypnotizes Store Clerk

Why Everyone Needs to Take Training in Hypnosis

I have said it before and feel compelled to say it again- just because you are a licensed therapist doesn’t mean you understand hypnosis. Case in point is a recent video interview on MSNBC with Dr. Joy Brown (see link below)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23766568#23766568

about a series of robberies in Italy in which the bandit “hypnotized” the cashier and “suggested” that they hand him all the cash in the register, which they did.

Dr. Browne laughed off the idea that someone could be made to do something in hypnosis that violated their ethics or morals. Dr. Browne also stated that the reason the clerks gave away the cash was that they were doing the smart thing. After all they’re minimum wage employees faced with a crazy person demanding money. Forking over the lira makes sense.

On both these points the doctor and I are in complete agreement. It is smart store policy to turn over the cash to a robber without a fight. Cash can be replaced. People can not. And it is a childish fantasy to believe that you can hypnotize a person and make them do your absolute bidding. Whether you think you are Svengali or use “street hypnosis”- I hate to break it to you - but the people you are hypnotizing are not “in your power.” Grow up.

So, as far as control and the power of hypnosis are concerned, Dr. Browne and I are on the same page. Beyond that however we are barely in the same chapter. First, Dr. Browne states that very few people are “suggestible”. Perhaps P.T. Barnum had it wrong when he said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” but I don’t think so.

Most people are highly suggestible. Suggestibility is the reason that marketing works. Suggestibility is the reason you cry when the hero on TV dies- even through you know he’s living in Malibu and dating a supermodel! Suggestibility is the reason an athlete can take the coach’s “suggestions” and turn them it into performance on the court, course or field. The reason people don’t just hand over money when it is “suggested” to them to do so is that most people who have a job- even a menial one- just aren’t that stupid. Stupidity and suggestibility are not the same.

My second beef with the Doctor’s assessment of the hypno-bandit comes when she is asked by the interviewer if someone “could be hypnotized that quickly.” Her answer is no and here is where the lack of exposure shows through. Just about every Hypnosis 101 class demonstrates (or should demonstrate) the shock or rapid induction. Most variations of rapid hypnosis involve overloading the nervous system with a startling command while simultaneously disturbing the subject’s equilibrium. Rapid hypnosis takes about 3 seconds and uses the same principles as an arm levitation induction which could take 20 minutes. The rapid inductions can be very effective when a person is slow to respond to conventional attempts at inducing hypnosis.

My third point of disagreement is in the Doctor’s unfortunate use of the phrase “under hypnosis.” “Under” is a pejorative term. Think of the underlining message behind the phrases “under a spell” or “under my thumb” and you will quickly see why knowledgeable hypnotists use the term “in” as opposed to “under” when referring to the hypnotic state. “In” builds rapport while “under” breeds resistance. I am not picking on the Doctor. Hypnosis achieves its effect with words so semantics matter. Wise hypnotists chose their words well to avoid being thrown “under the bus.”

Now don’t get me wrong. It is obvious that Joy Browne is a very bright and intelligent person. From her poise and confidence in front of the camera you can see she is loaded with personal power. I imagine that she is a gifted therapist. However, when it comes to hypnosis, it is doubtful that the doctor has done much more than read about the subject. It is also highly unlikely that she has ever been hypnotized. Talking about hypnosis without having experienced the state is like telling someone about cooking when you have never tasted food.

Even Carl Jung found hypnosis perplexing so Dr. Browne is easily forgiven.
But using hypnosis is a science and an art. No matter what your doctorate is in or how many years of med school you have, you still need to take the training to become a proficient practitioner or a knowledgeable spokesperson.

7 Reasons why EVERYONE should be hypotized!

Seven Reasons Why Everyone Should Be Hypnotized

When was the last time you were hypnotized? If the answer is "never" you may be missing something that could do you some good. More misunderstood then the code in a DaVinci painting; hypnosis has proven to be the key to better health, higher performance and greater personal power. Now a master teacher on the subject explains why hypnosis is good for you and why everyone should be hypnotized. Here is why you should put being hypnotized at the top of your to-do list.

1 - Stress into Success

Most people think that chronic tension is just part of life in the new millennium. Actually, tension is a signal from your nervous system that something is wrong. Tension saps your strength and chronic tension breaks your body down leading to disease. Tension also impedes your performance in every human endeavor. From public speaking to sex, tension is your enemy. Hypnosis is like pressing the restart button for your brain and body. In the hypnotic state, you dump accumulated stress and your body shifts gears devoting energy to lowering blood pressure, improving digestion, pumping up your immune system and balancing your hormones. Imagine a night of perfect sleep where you wake refreshed; your mind is clear, your body blissfully relaxed and you feel reenergized. You now have an idea of what many people experience when they come out of hypnosis.

2 - The Hypnotic Facelift

When I demonstrate hypnotism one of the most common remarks from the audience is how much younger the subject looks after the trance. This isn't anti-aging magic, its biology. Many of those lines in your face are the products of tension and worry, not genetics. Release this pent-up mental and physical tension and you look years younger instantly. Think of hypnosis as Botox without the toxin. Hypnosis also turns back the aging clock by relaxing your capillaries, which allows blood to carry oxygen and nutrients out to the hair and skin more efficiently. In fact, all the markers of old age including inflexibility, fatigue and depression are reversed by trance. There is a real fountain of youth hidden inside of you. Hypnosis can help you discover it.

3 - Natural Self Mastery

Diet gurus, success gurus and golf gurus can teach you how to lose weight, make money and win tournaments but in the end it's you that will have to make it happen. Hypnosis gives you the mental focus and discipline to do the things you say you are going to do. The simple act of guiding your brain and body into hypnosis opens a line of communication between your conscious intention and the subconscious parts of you that make things happen. This interaction brings with it an amazing sense of personal power and self-discipline. Instead of failed diets or fears holding you back in business, you walk away with the winner's trophy because now your mind and body is accepting your directions instead of telling you what to do.

4 - The Great Sex, Sound Sleep, Swimming Pool Connection

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the harder you try to do a thing the more difficult it becomes? That is because of the law of reversed effort. Try to sink in the swimming pool and you float but struggle to stay on top and you sink. The same is true for getting to sleep or having great sex, we usually do our best the less we try. In hypnosis you quickly discover how to "let go" and allow your mind and body to rise to the occasion. As you learn to allow your subconscious to do its stuff and use less conscious effort, you drift off to dreamland faster and find the power to be a super lover naturally. Best of all harnessing this letting go process isn't limited to the bedroom. Allowing old wounds to heal, letting go of toxic relationships and self-limiting beliefs, and releasing fear all become second nature once you learn to let go and allow yourself to go into trance.

5 - Creativity2

Do you get your best ideas in the shower? When you are driving or working out do insights and solutions seem to pop into your mind as if out of nowhere? While most people strain to solve problems with the analytical part of their brain, your real source of creativity is located in the subconscious. The "Ah-ha" moments that hit you "out of the blue" are byproducts of this powerful but hidden creative process. Since hypnosis primarily involves the subconscious it gives you access to this creative force and allows you to direct it into the projects and problems you face each day. A math professor was hypnotized and given a series of complicated calculus problems to solve in twenty minutes. In those twenty minutes, the teacher accomplished an astonishing two hours worth of work. Asked by the researchers how he managed to ramp-up his speed six-fold but still maintain his accuracy, the professor replied, "It was fun."

6 - Passion & Purpose

We live in a raced paced world that can seem as complicated as quantum physics. With so much going on it is easy to be swept up in the chaos and cut off from life's big picture and our place in that picture. When we lose our sense of purpose, an undercurrent of dissatisfaction dogs our days and some people go through addiction, divorce and jail before they realize that the issue is within. Hypnosis frees the mind from endlessly traveling those nutty little neural loops that keep people small and feeling miserable. Changing the way you use your brain, hypnosis takes you out of your regular mode of thinking, giving you an objective and expanded view of your situation and attitude. Rising above old thought patterns allows your perspective to fill with new possibilities and fires up your passion.

7 - It is FUN ! ;-)

Hypnosis FAQ's

Can I be hypnotized?

Yes. Every person of normal or above average intelligence has the ability to be hypnotized.

While hypnotized, will I do anything I don’t want to do?

No. This is one of the most common misconceptions about hypnosis. While hypnotized, you will not do anything that is against your moral and ethical beliefs. If someone hypnotized you and told you to load a gun and hold up a bank, you would reject the suggestion and refuse to take that action (unless, of course, you’re a bank robber).

Will I say anything I want to keep secret or private?

No. Many people have the misunderstanding that, while hypnotized, they will blurt out their deepest darkest secrets. This will not happen. If you have thoughts, ideas and information you want to keep private, you will keep them private.

Will I be programmed to bark like a dog or scratch like a chicken?

Not in any session using hypnosis for therapy. Stage shows featuring hypnotists are for entertainment. Audience members who volunteer to be hypnotized on stage, provide their consent to be a part of the show. At the end of the show, all hypnotic suggestions are cancelled, and there are no lingering effects. When you schedule an appointment with a reputable hypnotist or hypnotherapist for therapeutic purposes, be assure that the only focus is on producing the results you came for, not entertainment. Your dignity is respected.

Will I remember anything that is said while I’m hypnotized?

Most people remember everything from a session. Some people are capable of very deep levels of hypnotic trance, and may not consciously remember every detail of a session. If you want to be certain you’ll remember every word, ask your hypnotist to give you the suggestion that you will remember everything from your session.

Will some awful, hidden personality emerge from me while I’m hypnotized?

Thanks to Hollywood, the Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde fear is surprisingly common. While hypnotized, no “under the bed” monstrous creature will emerge. You will remain you.

Will I be aware of anything?

You will hear every word the hypnotist or hypnotherapists says, and will be aware of the sounds of everyday living surrounding you. The hypnotic trance is a very focused state of mind. You are more aware than in your normal, waking state of mind.

Will the hypnotherapist make sexual advances while I’m hypnotized?

Since you’ve taken care to find a reputable hypnotherapist, honorable conduct is expected. And since you will be aware of what is going on around you, and you will not do anything against your own moral or ethical beliefs, sexual encounters are extremely unlikely. You remain in total control of your thoughts and your body.

What happens if I don’t come out of hypnosis?

This is an impossibility. All trances end, whether formally ended by your hypnotherapists, or by yourself. If, in the unlikely event, you are hypnotized and the hypnotherapist drops dead, you will end your trance naturally, much like how you wake up from a nap.

What does it feel like to be hypnotized?

A hypnotic trance provides a sense of profound physical and mental relaxation. Internal chatter is quieted, and you feel peaceful and calm. Its similar to those few moments of being not-quite-awake just before you fall asleep. When you come up from a hypnotic trance, you feel wonderfully good, refreshed, revitalized, and full of energy.

What can hypnosis do for me?

It can put you in control of your life. Hypnosis can help you build unshakable self-confidence, enhance learning and comprehension, reach goals, be free of procrastination, increase motivation, reduce stress, improve health, control habits, boost creativity, develop intuition, manage pain and accelerate spiritual growth. Hypnosis puts you in touch with the most powerful and resourceful part of you, your subconscious mind.

How does hypnosis work?

This remains a mystery, even after 4,000 years of use. The how is not known. However, the results are undeniable. Burn victims heal faster, the timid become confident, smokers lose the desire for tobacco, procrastinators become productive, arthritics increase comfort, the fearful become calm and assured.

How do I find a qualified hypnotist?

Ask your friends and others you respect for recommendations. Check credentials and ask about training. Did he or she attend an approved school? Is he or she a member of the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners or National Guild of Hypnotists? Ask how long the hypnotist or hypnotherapist has been practicing, and if he or she specializes in any issues or problem areas. Request a consultation. If, after your meeting, you feel uncomfortable with the person, keep looking. You want to find a hypnotist or hypnotherapist that you feel at ease with and can trust.