Chapter 9 - Errors To Avoid

Before we proceed with more methods for induction, let us consider a few don'ts:

There are many errors which may be committed by a beginner, especially in his wording of sleep suggestions and his introductory remarks. These must be avoided. Never make rash and unreasonable statements to the subject, only those which will appear to be true and reasonable to him. In the beginning of the suggestions of sleep, the operator may say, "Just think about sleep. Just think that you wish to go to sleep." Do not repeat this suggestion except in the very first part of your suggestion because the idea, "I wish to go to sleep" may take hold of the subject's mind as the principal and primary ideation and the subject will not go deeply asleep, yet be under hypnosis, mixed between the idea of sleeping and the desire to sleep. I had this happen to me once when I was first beginning to practice hypnotism. I was attempting to put a woman to sleep to regulate her diet and reduce her weight. She was not imaginative and very tranquil in disposition, a type not easily hypnotized. She went into a light trance but did not go deep asleep. Her hands were limp and her face relaxed. She said she saw little images of herself rushing at her and that she wished so much to go to sleep but just could not. I had unwittingly placed the desire to sleep in her mind as the principal ideation instead of the action of sleeping. It was my fault because I had repeated several times the words, "Just imagine you wish to go deep asleep." I do not say that this would be true every time because each person may put a different meaning on the sentence. After all, it is the meaning conveyed to the subject's mind by your words which governs the results to be obtained.

Never change your method of induction. That is: when a certain method has been used and succeeded with a subject, it is not advisable to use another method on the same subject. If one method fails to induce hypnosis, you may try another method, or mix the methods. If one method fails, the chances are that you did not use the right method, the method most suitable for the subject. Ask the subject why he failed to go to sleep and he may give you the clue to the method to use. The subject may have a fixed idea of how hypnosis should be induced, by reason of having seen a stage performance or read some book about how it should be done. If so, use the method he has in mind. About ninety-five percent of your subjects should go into a trance, but do not expect all of your subjects to go into a deep trance. About six ou£ of ten of my subjects have entered a deep sleep. About three out of ten, a medium sleep; and about one out of ten, a very light trance. The deep sleep mentioned does not mean deep trance, which I consider the deepest stage of hypnosis. It requires time and practice to induce this deepest stage. It should not be attempted by amateurs. This last stage is a stuporous condition and is not really necessary for ordinary purposes. It will be explained and its uses stated later herein.

Be Careful Of Your Wording

Never use any word in the induction which will create any apprehension in the subject, such as, "You will be dead to the world" or "You will pass out" or "You will tell me everything" or "I'll knock you out" or I'll put the hex on you." Such expressions may cause apprehension in the mind of the patient or subject, and prevent hypnosis. You will find that if you use good English, correct grammatical expressions, avoid slang and any words which might suggest an unpleasant action or outcome to your subject, that your success will be greater. Never use any word or expression indicating doubt such as, "I will TRY to hypnotize you. I will TRY to help you. I MAY be able to put you to sleep. I HOPE you go to sleep" or "IF you go to sleep." It will be noted that all these expressions carry doubt. Always be positive and confident and let your statements convey that idea. If you fail, then you can explain away the failure by adequate words, but do not lay a foundation for failure before it happens. It may not happen. It will not happen if you know and follow the rules in this book.

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