Chapter 7 - Deepening the Self-Hypnotic State - A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Chapter seven, deepening the self hypnoticstate. For each progressive test, it
is usually necessary to have accomplished thepreceding tests. However, this is not
an absolute rule. Frequently a subjectresponds to tests at the beginning of the
depth scale and then to others atthe end of the depth scale. Certain

(00:22):
tests in between do not work.I have had the following experience more than
once while teaching one of my classesand self hypnosis. In testing the depth
of hypnosis, I run the gamutof all the tests from light to deep.
In this way, the subject canascertain how far he has progressed.

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One frequent test for the deep stateis to give the subject a post hypnotic
suggestion to the effect that the nextcigarette he smokes will have a vile taste
and it will be absolutely impossible forhim to take more than three puffs.
It is further suggested that after thethird puff, the cigarette taste will be

(01:04):
so unbearable it will become necessary forhim to extinguish the cigarette. We can
expect an excellent hypnotic subject to complywith these post hypnotic suggestions, but a
subject who hasn't even passed the eyeclosure test test no one or any other
test may unexpectedly react perfectly to thecigarette test, which we know as a

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standard test for determining if the subjecthas entered into a deep state of hypnosis.
How can you account for it?There is no simple or positive answer.
If we hadn't given him this particulartest, he would have felt that
he wasn't making progress in his determinationto become a good hypnotic subject. Because

(01:51):
of this, he might not havegiven himself therapeutic suggestions because he wouldn't feel
he had reached a state of hypnosiswhich would benefit him. Remember the following
instructions of giving yourself whatever therapeutic suggestionsyou want, regardless of the fact that
you feel that nothing has happened.I have seen many subjects who were bewildered

(02:13):
because certain tests did not work,yet were pleased because of very gratifying overall
results from using self hypnosis. Theywere baffled because of their inability to pass
certain tests, which they felt werea prerequisite to the success of constructive suggestions
they gave themselves. It is commonlyfelt that the deeper the state of hypnosis,

(02:36):
the better the results. In actualpractice, I have not found this
to be so. I have hadexcellent results in a relatively short period of
time with subjects who only achieved alight state, and it has been necessary
to work with others who achieved adeep state of hypnosis for a longer period

(02:57):
before lasting results were in evidence.Naturally, each individual presents a different set
of needs, and even though thesymptoms may be basically the same, each
will respond favorably when his requirements aremet. This happens on a conscious as
well as an unconscious level. Forexample, the mere assurance by a physician

(03:21):
that the patient is all right andhas nothing to worry about is often sufficient
to bring about desirable results. Anotherexample is the mother who stops the sobbing
of her hurt child by a lovingkiss. A logical approach pointing out to
the child that he really didn't hurthimself would never have worked. We have

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all heard stories of primitive tribesmen whohave died because they knew they were the
object of death wishes by another memberof the tribe. The key to achieving
a greater depth of self hypnosis liesin the use of the visual imagery technique.
You see yourself going into the hypnoticstate. Deeper and deeper you even

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picture yourself using this technique passing variousprogressive hypnotic tests. The second part of
the key lies in giving yourself apost hypnotic suggestion that each succeeding attempt will
put you into a deeper state asa result of a given stimulus, such

(04:24):
as the count of three. Thefollowing instructions should not be attempted, usually
unless you have been successful in achievingthe two basic tests, the eye closure
as well as the uncontrollable urge toswallow, followed by the physical act of
swallowing at a specific count. Ifthe conditioning process works for these two tests,

(04:46):
you have achieved the lethargic state ofhypnosis. This is the first state
of hypnosis and is generally referred toas the light state. Therapeutic suggestions can
work admirably in the state. Thenext state of hypnosis is known as the
cataleptic state and is referred to asthe medium state. Generally, hypnosis is

(05:10):
divided into three states, the lethargiclight state, the cataleptic medium state,
and the somnambalistic deep state. Asyou deepen the hypnotic state, you can
accomplish the progressive tests that I shalloutline for you. I'll also number these
tests for the convenience of having areference. Deepening the hypnotic state requires the

(05:35):
same type of practice or conditioning asthe first two steps. Let us call
eye closure number one and swallowing numbertwo. We are now ready to proceed
to the hand tangling test number three. You have just completed tests number one
and two. You are in acompletely relaxed state. Now give yourself the

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follow suggestions. As I count toten, and even before I reach the
count of ten, I shall feellight, tingling or numb feeling in my
right hand. As you slowly beginthe count of ten, you keep repeating
suggestions to the effect that your righthand is beginning to tingle. Once again,

(06:20):
you practice the technique of visual imagery, tapping your experiential background for this
feeling. You can recall how itfeels when your hand goes to sleep.
Once you get an initial feeling oflightness, tingling, or numbness, reinforce
this feeling by the feedback technique asyou did with the eye closure tests.

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As you practice this procedure, itwill work with greater effectiveness. The following
is a very important point to remember. Be sure that you give yourself a
post hypnotic suggestion that the tingling,light or numb sensation will disappear as you
continue to count to fifteen. Forexample, as I count to fifteen,

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the tingling feeling in my right handwill disappear, and I shall experience only
normal sensations. Eleven, the tinglingfeeling is leaving. Twelve, Now it
is leaving faster. Thirteen, Ican feel my hand returning to normal.

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Fourteen, the tingling has left.Fifteen my right hand feels perfectly normal.
You could try a variation of thistest by saying your nose or one of
your toes will itch at a specificcount. Once this test is accomplished,
you are ready for the foot testnumber four. You will remember that the

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key to achieving a greater depth ofhypnosis lies in visualizing yourself going deeper with
each attempt and accomplishing progressive hypnotic tests. Keep this in mind for a moment.
Let us go back to the handtingling test number three. Once you
have been successful in accomplishing this test, use the visual imagery technique to see

(08:15):
yourself successfully responding to the foot test. Once you have actually accomplished test number
four, you see yourself accomplishing thehand levitation test number five. In other
words, you use each step toenhance a greater receptivity for the following progressive
test. As you couple this approachwith post hypnotic suggestions that you will go

(08:39):
deeper and deeper into the hypnotic stateat a given stimulus, you set into
motion a conditioned response mechanism which mustultimately guide you into a profound state of
hypnosis. The foot test can beaccomplished while sitting or lying down. The
idea of this test is to imaginethat your feet are stuck to the floor,

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or that your legs are so heavythat they are impossible to raise until
you reach a certain count. Itis best to begin this test by trying
to capture a heavy, relaxed feelingin your legs. You give yourself specific
suggestions along these lines. As Icount to five, I shall notice a

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very heavy, relaxed, pleasant feelingin both legs. It will be a
very comfortable feeling, a feeling ofcomplete relaxation. You then begin the count
of ten, following out the ideaof the other tests that you have successfully
accomplished. You should remember that thereis no time limit and you take as

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much time as you need in orderto get to the relaxed heavy feeling.
Once you get the relaxed heavy feeling, you use the visual imagery technique to
try to picture your legs stuck tothe floor. If you are lying down,
imagine you are covered by a heavyblanket which is tightly tucked under the
mattress, making it impossible for youto raise your legs. If sitting up,

(10:09):
I tell the subject to imagine thathis shoes are stuck to the floor
with iron glue, and since hisfeet are in the shoes, it is
impossible to lift them until the specificcount which will enable him to do so.
Here are the suggestions you can usefor the second part of this test.
As I continue to count to ten, I shall find that it will

(10:31):
be impossible for me to raise mylegs. I shall try it the count
of ten, but it will beabsolutely impossible to raise my legs until I
count to fifteen. At that timeI shall be able to raise my legs
easily, and the heavy feeling willleave as well. You then continue with
the count, giving yourself appropriate suggestions. Once this test is accomplished, you

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use the visual imagery technique to seeyourself accomplishing the hand levitation tests. Number
five. Be sure you give yourselfthe post hypnotic suggestion that the next time
you hypnotize yourself you will fall intoa deeper and sounder state. I'll assume
that you have been able to geta relaxed, heavy feeling in your legs.

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You have reached the count of fiveand are ready to proceed further.
Here are sample suggestions you can use. Six, my legs are becoming extremely
heavy. Seven, I'll be unableto lift them until I count to fifteen.
Eight, I feel very comfortable.My legs are becoming heavier and heavier.

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Nine my entire body is completely relaxedand my legs are so heavy that
they are impossible to lift. TenI'm in a very deep hypnotic state,
and it is absolutely impossible for meto move my legs until I count to
fifteen. At this point you actuallytry to raise your legs. If you

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can't do it, you have reachedthe cataleptic state. Should you not be
able to raise your legs, don'tbecome frightened. All you need to say
is I can now move my legs. You could also say, as I
count to three, I'll be ableto move my legs. However, since

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we have elected originally to be ableto move the legs at the count of
fifteen, it would be best tofollow out this pattern. You could at
this time merely count to fifteen,at which time you would be able to
move your legs. I prefer givingsuggestions between each count as follows. Eleven,

(12:52):
the heavy feeling is leaving, andI shall be able to raise my
legs at the count of fifteen.Twelve, I can feel the heavy,
relaxed feeling leaving. Thirteen, Iam beginning to move my legs. Fourteen,
I am lifting my legs more andmore. Fifteen I have perfect control

(13:16):
over my bodily functions and legs.I am lifting and moving my legs.
The heavy feeling is dissipating. Iam in complete control. I can now
give myself post hypnotic suggestions that willbe very effective and beneficial. Give yourself
whatever suggestions you want at this time. Let us suppose that you tried the

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foot tests for some time and wereunsuccessful. Perhaps this puzzles you and you
wonder why it didn't work. Perhapsyou were able to get a heavy feeling
in the legs, but the secondpart of the test didn't work. The
following information will help you to understandwhy you were unable to complete this cataleptic
test. Either you had not conditionedyourself sufficiently, or you weren't really letting

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go enough to enter into a deeperstate of hypnosis. Most subjects need to
test themselves and feel secure every stepof the way. They don't just plunge
into the cataleptic or somnambalistic stages immediately. In this connection, I believe it
can be compared with the bather whogoes into the water one step at a

(14:28):
time. Even the playful splashing directedat him by friends does not compel him
to duck under the water. Instead, he continues to slowly go deeper and
deeper until he is completely submerged.Wouldn't it have been easier to duck under
all at once? Perhaps, ButI'm sure you have either experienced the same

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thing yourself or seen it happen.The analogy should be clear. The subject
is reluctant to do what he considersas give up his control, when in
reality he is really more and morein control of himself as he penetrates the
deeper levels of hypnosis In reality,the substitude does not or cannot raise his

(15:13):
feet really could move in case ofemergency, even without counting to fifteen.
He has in effect entered into astate in which it is too much a
bother to lift his feet. Acommon example of this frame of mind is
when you remain in bed in themorning, even though you know you will

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be late for work. You arejust too comfortable to move and your initiative
seems to be paralyzed. Let usassume at this point that you have finally
succeeded in getting the foot test towork. You are now ready for the
hand levitation test number five. Inthis test, the goal is to get

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your hand to slowly rise and touchyour chin. Once it touches your chin,
you enter into a still deeper stateand lower your hand slowly to your
side. This test is actually combinedwith the hand tingling test number three.
Since you have been successful with testnumber three, the rest is rather simple

(16:17):
this time. As you work testnumber three, aim for a light,
pleasant feeling in your right hand.Once you get this reaction, you give
yourself suggestions that your right hand willnow rise and touch your chin. As
soon as it does, you willfall into a deeper state and lower your
hand. Here are the suggestions thatyou can use. As I count to

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ten, and even before I reachthe count of ten, I shall have
an irresistible impulse to slowly raise myhand to my chin. As I progress
with the counting, my hand willslowly rise, and the impulse will become
stronger and stronger. As soon asmy hand touches my chin, the impulse

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will leave. I will then lowermy hand and fall into a very deep
hypnotic state. I shall be fullyaware of what is happening my surroundings and
will be able to give myself beneficialpost hypnotic suggestions. At this point,
you start counting to ten, givingyourself suggestions that your right hand, which

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already has a light feeling, willbegin to slowly rise to your chin.
Time the counting to coincide with theactual physical act of raising your hand.
You are trying to feel an involuntaryurge to raise your hand. The movement
itself should also be of an unconsciousrather than conscious nature. A conscious raising

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of your hand to your chin isnot what you are looking for in this
test. Should you experience difficulty inattaining the first movement of your hand.
You can give yourself assistance by consciouslyand slowly raising your hand just to get
it started. The rest of themovement, as mentioned, must be automatic.

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Should you find it necessary to startyour hand rising, use the feedback
technique to continue the movement. Youcan give yourself the following suggestions. One
my right hand is beginning to rise. Two my right hand is very very
light, and I am getting anirresistible urge to slowly raise it. Three

(18:34):
this feeling is getting stronger and stronger. Four my right hand is rising more
and more. Five my hand isrising toward my chin. Six as soon
as my hand touches my chin,I shall fall into a deeper and sounder

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state of hypnosis. Seven my handis rising closer and closer toward my chin.
Eight the feeling of lightness is becomingstronger and stronger. Nine my right
hand is about to touch my chin. As soon as it does, I'll

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fall into a very deep hypnotic state. Ten my right hand is touching my
chin. I'm falling deeper and deeperinto a sound hypnotic state. I'll now
slowly lower my hand and continue fallinginto a deep, sound pleasant state of
hypnosis. The light feeling has leftmy hand. You should not attempt to

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memorize the exact phraseology for any ofthe tests. You are to merely use
the suggestions that have been written outfor you as a guide. The timing
of the suggestions is the paramount considerationin attaining successful results. Don't be I
patient. Take as much time asyou need. Should you find yourself unsuccessful

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after ten or fifteen minutes, dropthe test and come back to it another
day. I haven't found that workingat a specific test all day long accomplishes
the end result. It is bestto work for a specific period every day.
In this way, the condition responsepattern is established for the success of

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the tests as well as the successof the post hypnotic suggestions that you have
given yourself. You should bear inmind that if you have been successful in
achieving the first five tests, youhave reached a medium state of hypnosis,
and post hypnotic suggestions will be extremelyeffective. In the next chapter, you'll

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learn psychologically how to go even deeperinto hypnosis. You'll learn those psychological factors
that are important to know and thatcan contribute to your development into an excellent
hypnotic subject. Following this, thesubsequent chapter will give you further tests and
instructions for developing into a somnambolistic subject. End of chapter seven