At first, the ability of hypnotic conversation to influence people and change situations seems almost unbelievable, even downright magical.
However when you look at it a little more closely, you realize that conversational hypnosis is just a carefully orchestrated use of words that allows the user to bypass the conscious mind of the listener and speak directly to the subconscious.
We normally don't learn this method of conversation, so when we first witness its effects they seem astonishing.
In a way, reporting on the results of conversational hypnosis has the same effect as demonstrating a light switch to someone who has never heard of electricity.
Throwing a switch on a wall to cause an entire room to light up would have amazed earlier generations.
However, once you know about electricity you can use it without thinking about it.
You can use it even if you don't know how the generators or the transmission lines or even your wall switch work.
All you need to know is the basic rules of how the system is set up and how to use it safely (don't stick your finger in any empty light sockets).
It's very similar with hypnotic conversation, a form of NLP hypnosis.
Most people acknowledge Dr Milton Erickson as the greatest hypnotist of all times.
The results he obtained with the simple use of words were nothing short of astounding.
One problem was that Dr.
Erickson's technique sprang from who is was.
Even he wasn't completely sure how he obtained his results.
However, over time careful examination of recordings and transcriptions of Erickson's work as well as conversations with those who worked directly with him have led to some understanding of how Dr.
Erickson accomplished what he did.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about hypnotic conversation is that there's no elaborate setup or ritual.
The hypnotist just talks, but a trance results just the same.
There are natural rules about how our minds work that allow conversational hypnosis to work.
Again, like electricity, we can use it without knowing all the details of the psychology.
Here's a very simplified example.
The conscious mind can hear the words "no" and "don't" and so forth but the subconscious mind can't.
If I say "Don't drop the water glass" what picture do you get in your mind?A picture of a dropping water glass.
The "don't" didn't change that.
Compare that to "Hold on to the water glass with two hands.
"The difference is obvious.
A skilled conversational hypnotist can use this principle to hypnotize even someone who claims to be resistant.
Traditional hypnosis techniques might use a script giving suggestions something like "Now relax your arms, now your shoulders,...
"To which the resistant subject says "No way" Their resistance is fully engaged.
Now imagine the response to: "Don't relax any more quickly and easily than you feel comfortable doing.
"Since the hypnotist used the word don't the resistant listener has nothing to push against and their subconscious was open to the suggestion to relax quickly and easily.
Of course this is a simple example, but I think it gives you an idea of how conversation can achieve hypnotic results.
However when you look at it a little more closely, you realize that conversational hypnosis is just a carefully orchestrated use of words that allows the user to bypass the conscious mind of the listener and speak directly to the subconscious.
We normally don't learn this method of conversation, so when we first witness its effects they seem astonishing.
In a way, reporting on the results of conversational hypnosis has the same effect as demonstrating a light switch to someone who has never heard of electricity.
Throwing a switch on a wall to cause an entire room to light up would have amazed earlier generations.
However, once you know about electricity you can use it without thinking about it.
You can use it even if you don't know how the generators or the transmission lines or even your wall switch work.
All you need to know is the basic rules of how the system is set up and how to use it safely (don't stick your finger in any empty light sockets).
It's very similar with hypnotic conversation, a form of NLP hypnosis.
Most people acknowledge Dr Milton Erickson as the greatest hypnotist of all times.
The results he obtained with the simple use of words were nothing short of astounding.
One problem was that Dr.
Erickson's technique sprang from who is was.
Even he wasn't completely sure how he obtained his results.
However, over time careful examination of recordings and transcriptions of Erickson's work as well as conversations with those who worked directly with him have led to some understanding of how Dr.
Erickson accomplished what he did.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about hypnotic conversation is that there's no elaborate setup or ritual.
The hypnotist just talks, but a trance results just the same.
There are natural rules about how our minds work that allow conversational hypnosis to work.
Again, like electricity, we can use it without knowing all the details of the psychology.
Here's a very simplified example.
The conscious mind can hear the words "no" and "don't" and so forth but the subconscious mind can't.
If I say "Don't drop the water glass" what picture do you get in your mind?A picture of a dropping water glass.
The "don't" didn't change that.
Compare that to "Hold on to the water glass with two hands.
"The difference is obvious.
A skilled conversational hypnotist can use this principle to hypnotize even someone who claims to be resistant.
Traditional hypnosis techniques might use a script giving suggestions something like "Now relax your arms, now your shoulders,...
"To which the resistant subject says "No way" Their resistance is fully engaged.
Now imagine the response to: "Don't relax any more quickly and easily than you feel comfortable doing.
"Since the hypnotist used the word don't the resistant listener has nothing to push against and their subconscious was open to the suggestion to relax quickly and easily.
Of course this is a simple example, but I think it gives you an idea of how conversation can achieve hypnotic results.
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