Chapter 5 - The Difficult Subject

Now, suppose you have started to hypnotize a subject and have used the above method, but your subject shows no signs of going to sleep at the end of five minutes; you decide that he is a difficult subject, or you wish to speed up the process, then tell him that you are going to count one-two, one-two. On the count of one, he is to close his eyes and on the count of two, he will open his eyes and look directly at the center of the disc, or the object you are using. Then you begin to count. One (let a second elapse), two, one-two, one (let two seconds elapse), two. Each time you count "one," he closes his eyes and each time you count "two," he opens them and gazes at the object. As you count, you space the interval between "one" and "two" a little bit more each time. Watch his eyes. When they begin to slow down of their own accord, you will know hypnosis is approaching. Here is the critical moment. He may snatch himself back from sleep. Slow down the time between "one" and "two" but not between "two" and "one." Have him close his eyes as quickly as possible after he opens them. His eyes must be closed as quickly as possible lest something should attract his attention and arouse him. The idea is to keep his mind occupied with the process of opening and closing his eyes until they feel tired, so that no other idea can enter his mind and distract him from the sleep idea. The whole procedure is to create an instant of passivity of the conscious mind so that the subconscious mind will take over and throw the conscious mind out of gear, so to speak. There will be more about this later, but here we are dealing with methods, not theories. Methods which we know will work; not theories which only reason tells us are correct, and with which other hypnotists may disagree.

Now, when subject's eyes are closed, suggest sleep. Suggest that he is going deeper and deeper asleep, that his eyes are too heavy to open. The tired feeling in his eyes and lids will of itself cause him to believe that you are putting him to sleep. This is the critical point with the difficult subject. The expert will recognize the exact point at which he must push the subject into the trance. It is done with a quick command to sleep or by getting subject slightly off-balance and commanding sleep, or by the other tricks mentioned above. If your subject does not go to sleep in a reasonable length of time, awaken him from such trance as you may have induced and tell him that more time will be required and that you have only prepared him for a more favorable time, and that he will respond better next time. Then, dismiss him. He may be one of those unimaginative persons who cannot be hypnotized, but don't give up. Try again. Persons have been hypnotized after several failures.

The foregoing gives the student the essential words and procedure for inducing hypnosis. If followed, you will have success in most cases, but do not rely on just memorizing the words. It is not necessary to repeat the exact words given above, but the general pattern and idea should be followed. Some persons will require a different procedure. It is best to ascertain if the subject has any particular idea of how hypnosis is induced. If so, it is best to use the method which takes his fancy, or, if he has been previously hypnotized, use the method which was used to previously hypnotize him. Some persons will require longer time than others. The operator will be compelled to adopt the procedure most suitable to the individual and the circumstances. Do not change your method of induction when you have once hypnotized u subject. Use the same method on him each time. Other methods will follow, but the foregoing is best for a beginner.

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