So Deep

I tried it out yesterday, a deepener without numbers. In fact, I avoided numbers totally, even in the awakener. And really, I cannot thank all of you enough for your advice. My client loved it. He even experienced an amnesic state, which has only happened one or two other times.

Since you shared with me, I will with you. I played off the idea of colors getting deeper and darker, using the theme of the late afternoon sun setting into a comfortable darkness (I gave the option for a light source if it made him feel more relaxed). So as the sun set, I suggested that he become more and more relaxed, etc. When it came time to help him return to normal consciousness, I used the imagery of the sun rising. As the light became brighter in description, he slowly returned to normal consciousness.

This actually seems effective because my office is fairly bright with sunlight. So this really plays to the reality for a while.

This was one of those things that turned out to be a great gift. It pulled me out of a rut, helped me learn more, and it feels really good that my client was able to tell me what he needed (in a way that I could hear and understand) so he could allow himself to go deeper into the hypnotic experience.

Question from the Deep

Thanks to you who answered my call for non-counting deepeners. If you haven't read the responses I received from this, you can check them out from my Monday blog entry.

Both deepeners that were mentioned employ the use of color changes (which I really like). My question now is: will these work for people who do not easily visualize?

Places of Energy

As you may know, I have just read The Celestine Prophecy (finished it last night) during my latest retreat. For the record, I really enjoyed it and think the message, though fiction, is profound.

After reading the section about certain areas having more energy than others, my thoughts began to harbor around the first "floater" migraine I experienced. I had been hiking through a virgin forest at the time and noticed floating amoebas inhibiting my sight. Amazingly enough I made it off the trail safely (miraculously avoiding stepping on a snake on the trail). And yes, for all those concerned, I did see a doctor and had a brain scan. They found nothing and diagnosed me with hormonal migraines.

But after reading the section about places having more energy, especially virgin forest, it made me wonder if there might be a correlation between my headaches and the energy. I also used to get headaches when I coming back to normal consciousness from experiencing hypnosis. Since then I have learned to ask for suggestions at the end for returning to normal consciousness with no head pain. That seems to help. I also used to get headaches when I would facilitate hypnosis in various people (usually those who had greater amounts of success with the hypnosis process). For this, before I go into a session I meditate and do self-hypnosis to keep my mind free of pain during the session. Has anyone else experienced this?

So, I have begun to wonder if my head pains have anything to do with Energy. Perhaps I am sensitive to it in a way that causes the pain? I have been told by energy workers that I need to not give so much of my energy to others or let it be taken from me.

Anyway, these are the thoughts of the day.

Deepening

Part of today's work will involve working on the creation of a deepener that does not involve numbers what so ever. I guess I have fallen into the rut of using countdowns (stairways, elevators, steps forward) when deepening. So this is a challenge for me. I have a particular client who sees me monthly for relaxation. He is visual in the sense that he has a photographic memory. However, visualizing descriptions I give him is not his strong point (he's more toward the end of analytic). He was doing well with countdowns and eye fixation, but now he tells me he has tired of all that. He works with numbers all day in his job and says that now when I utilize numbers at all, it just makes him think about his work.

Any thoughts out there on other deepeners?

That First Post Hypnotic Suggestion

It's a peaceful morning here in my coffee cyberville. Suitcases and such still adorn the floor as the reality of this time and place seep into consciousness.

Have you all had a good week? I had a very enjoyable one that I will probably talk about later. Today I believe I will continue the Sunday tradition of asking a question (looks the the Google hypnosis forum needs something new to talk about).

When I was here last, Bhumi had asked about post hypnotic suggestions, so I'll pick up there. Here's the question:

What was the first post hypnotic suggestion you utilized with someone and how did it work out?

Mine was the usual "take the number six away." The person I was working with was an accountant, and sure enough while in the midst of our session, she "lost" the number six when counting down and back. The suggestion I gave was that her counting would remain without the six until I snapped my fingers twice. Well, the session concluded and I forgot about the post hypnotic suggestion until she was about to leave. Her car was pulling out of the driveway and I went racing after her.

When she stopped, I asked her to count down for me. Not only did she "lose the six" but she counted in the same rhythm pattern and voice inflections I had used. I snapped my fingers twice and she looked startled. Then I had her count again and she realized what had happened - and laughed.

So, your turn. Please share.

Off to the Wilds

Well, I'm off again into the wild, blue yonder. Yes, I know, it seems as though I just got back from the last retreat, but call it a restlessness of the soul that keeps me wandering. LOL. I'm hoping to continue morning coffee or tea with you, but again, I'm not sure about what sort of internet access I will have. But, I'm sure I will check in when I can (after all the laptop does make for a good companion), so please continue to post and I'll moderate when I can. Plus, I will miss you terribly if you don't.

And to leave you with a few thoughts, and a potential 'nother book discussion as I just started The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield (I know, I know I'm behind the times on best sellers), I found a quote from his introduction that speaks volumes to something about which I have been thinking. It's the idea that emotions may be contagious, mental germs that spread like illness. It's all over the forums, and I don't know about you, but when I go through a spell of reading negative post, after negative post, well, it can really bring a person down (or inspire retaliation, rebuttals, and so on). I notice this happens in civic groups in which I belong. But then to not completely focus on negatives, good emotions do the same. On said forums, they inspire thought and camaraderie. So, before I digress even more, I'll just give you the quote:

If it touches you, if it crystallizes something that you perceive in life, then pass on what you see to another - for I think our new awareness of the spiritual is expanding in exactly this way, no longer through hype nor fad, but personally, through a kind of positive psychological contagion among people.

The Post Hypnotic Suggestion

A friend, who is learning about hypnosis and has started a dialogue with me, has asked me to explain how to give a post hypnotic suggestion when hypnotizing someone and asks what the results would be when finished with hypnosis session. This is a wonderful question that I thought was worth putting on the blog because all of you who read this and respond do so in a such an understandable way that I figure between all of us, we could answer this question.

There are several ways to answer this question depending on one's views about post hypnotic suggestion. There is the direct route of traditional hypnosis and then there are differing opinions on that such as the Milton Model (which is what NLP is based upon). In clinical hypnosis, they are suggestions to help modify certain behaviors over a long period of time. There are also suggestions that are meant to be "triggered" with a certain word or action. The direct route is basically when you as the hypnotist believe the person you are hypnotizing is ready to receive the post hypnotic suggestion (after the induction and a deepener, perhaps some level testing), you give the post hypnotic suggestion. So, the question of "How" is not such a simple question.

Post hypnotic suggestions are usually fairly short and simple, have a time element involved (whenever I say the word "home," you stomp your right foot once), and a trigger ("home"). Many people also put in wording that will bring the person being hypnotized out of the reaction. You may tell them that you will snap your fingers twice and they no longer stamp their foot when you say "home."

Depending in the person you are hypnotizing, this post hypnotic suggestion may be accepted and you can trigger it after the session. This suggestion may last a long time or it may fade in a few hours.

Okay, there's more to it, so if any of you other hypnotist wants to add or explain something more, please do. And if anyone has anymore questions or seeks clarityon this, post those as well.