Fallacy:
The hypnotist is a person endowed with a mysterious power over
others.
Fact: The hypnotist does not possess any unusual
or super-normal power. The subjects actually hypnotize themselves.
The hypnotist is only a guide to help the subject achieve
his/her desires. The hypnotist has been trained in effective
suggestion and is interested in and sympathetic to the welfare
of others.
Fallacy: Many people cannot be hypnotized.
Fact: Any person of normal intelligence can be hypnotized.
All that is necessary is imagination and a willingness to
cooperate. The best subject is a person who has a good reason
for hypnosis and a strong motivation to accomplish a particular
need or desire. The ability to be hypnotized is dependent
upon the ability to relax and overcome the resistance to hypnosis.
Resistance may be conscious or unconcious. You must have confidence
in the hypnotist and you must train your mind to accept suggestions.
For example, if you were going to learn to play the piano,
your teacher would point to a particular key and say, "This
is middle C." To you, that is a suggestion. You either accept
or reject the fact that the note in question is middle C.
If you accept, you will undoubtedly go on and learn to play
the piano. If you reject the suggestion, you may eventually
learn to play, but it will be a long, hard and confusing process.
If you approach hypnois with confidence, rather than fear,
you will achieve your desired goals. Dave Elman, who instructs
dentists in the field of hypnosis, has this to say - "Remove
fear, the biggest block of all and you will be able to hypnotize
one hundred people out of one hundred."
Fallacy: You would perform acts under hypnosis which
would be against your principles in the waking state. You
will do "anything" the hypnotist suggests - you have no control.
Fact: Under hypnosis, you will not commit an anti-social
act, nor behave in any manner contrary to your moral principles.
You have the power to accept or reject any suggestion. According
to Dr. Roy Dorcus, Professor of Psychology at UCLA, "A hypnotized
subject is never in anyone else's power. The subject cannot
be hypnotized against their will, and will not accept suggestions
unless they are in agreement. The subject can waken at anytime
they desire."
Fallacy: The weak willed, unimaginative person is
easily hypnotized.
Fact:The more intelligent and imaginative a person
is, the more successful the response to hypnosis. Ability
to concentrate is necessary. The subject with a little imagination
may be hypnotized only if they are able to relax and cooperate
with the hypnotist.
Fallacy: A person must be in a deep state of hypnosis
before they can be helped.
Fact: A deep state is not necessary in order to benefit
from hypnosis. Excellant results may be obtained by reaching
a very light state. Your depth will be increased with each
session.
Fallacy: Under hypnosis you are (a) unconscious,
(b) lose your memory, (c) are not aware of what goes on around
you, (d) are put to sleep.
Fact: You are not unconcious during hypnosis. You
do not lose your memory. The hypnotic state does not necessarily
mean sleep. If you should fall asleep, it is because you are
relaxed and comfortable and want to sleep. Otherwise, you
are in a heightened state of awareness and capable of intense
concentration.
Fallacy: A person in a hypnotic state may not waken
early and may remain in a hypnotic state for a long time.
Fact: No one has ever remained so indefinately. The
hypnotist or the subject may terminate the hypnotic state
at will. Should the subject desire to waken for any reason,
they need only to desire to do so. They merely open their
eyes and awaken. Should anything happen to the hypnotist,
causing their inability to continue their work, the subject
will immediately awaken or go into a short natural sleep and
awaken. There never has been an instance in which the subject
did not return to their normal state. Reaching the hypnotic
state depends upon the subjects's ability and desire to concentrate
and relax. This stateis much like becoming completely absorbed
in a book or movie. A person has never remained in a hypnotic
state.
Fallacy: Hypnosis may achieve a cure or desire in
just one session.
Fact: Occasionally a habit may be broken with just
one session. Usually several sessions of reinforcement are
required before a permanent cure is reached. Often results
may not be obtained until the third or fourth session. This
has little bearing upon the eventual result and at least 98%
of those who continue will be successful.
