In part 2, we discussed both the negative and positive effects of Suggestology in the work place plus the Japanese system and how a slightly modified version was applied to American industry with positive results.

In part 3, we dealt with the various methods for making suggestions and how to win arguments to the benefit of all concerned.

We shall now move on to the somewhat controversial topic of Hypnosis!

All the sciences, as we know them today, are direct descendants of 'magic' and 'superstition', (also, sometimes referred to as 'alchemy')! But, because of certain evil associations, (Mesmer, Rasputin, as well as other sociopathic individuals), while being the oldest of all of the sciences, hypnosis has been the most shunned!

As the result of this, the question of, 'what hypnosis is', remains largely unanswered! Thus, hypnosis is often called a 'de facto' rather than a 'de jure' state of science! Several theories have been put forth but in the end, we are forced to admit that we do not really know what it is!

However, we are beginning to know how it works!

Meanwhile, we are forced to settle for a somewhat working definition such as:

"Hypnosis is a particular altered state of selective hypersuggestibility brought about in an individual by the use of a combination of relaxation, fixation of attention and suggestion, either by the 'self' or with the assistance of another, more qualified person!"

There are many beneficial uses for Hypnosis:

Medical Anesthesia; Hyperesthesia, (Heightened Sense Awareness); Hypermnesia, (Memory Recall); Personal Development; Artificial Reincarnation, (Past & Future Lives); - The list is endless! We shall explore these, one at a time!

Medical Anesthesia:

Many physicians, (especially surgeons and dentists), have began using hypnosis as an alternative to standard anesthetics especially for patients who are allergic to such medications or evidence a great reluctance to use them.

Simple operations such as root canals, fillings, tooth extraction, cyst removal, and even appendectomies and other forms of major surgery have been performed while patients were in a state of deep hypnosis all without pain or ill effects.

Hyperesthesia, (The Heightened Sense of Awareness):

Hyperesthesia, initiated under a deep state of hypnosis, can heighten one's senses to the level of Ancient Man as was discussed in our previous articles in, 'Human Potentials: The Powers We Possess', Parts 1 and 2. One's sense of sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, as well as an advanced 'Sixth Sense of Perception', can be elevated to levels way beyond the normal waking state!

When the hypnotist suggests that this condition should be available upon command, a person so instructed, can call forth its use at any time such use is desirable. However, it is best that such a state only be available at the descretion of the individual concerned as if left unchecked, such a state could become quite distressing to say the least!

Hypermnesia, (Memory Recall):

Everything that happens to us or that we experience, is stored in our subconscious mind. Conscious recall of these events is carried out by the application of our conscious will or by an 'association of ideas'! This search continues even after we have abandoned the effort in frustration after running up against the proverbial 'Brick Wall', (unable to remember what we are searching for)!

This unconscious search continues at the rate of approximately thirty items per second which is why, even though we are now intensely focusing on other important matters, we suddenly 'remember' that which we were unsuccessfully searching for!

However, with the use of hypnosis, memory recall can be increased 65% or greater!

Forensic Recall:

Hypnotic Forensic Recall has been used successfully to solve crime and accident investigations. However, most courts will only accept objective, observable facts such as color and make of vehicles and their license plate numbers! A witness subjective descriptions of events are usually not acceptable by the courts for the following reasons:

Most law enforcement officers have only had very basic training in the use of hypnosis and therefore might unwittingly lead a witness to certain conclusions!

Also, even under hypnosis, an individual person's 'mind set' can unduly influence his or her testimony!

Examples:

A middle aged, well dressed, well groomed male, driving a Lincoln Continental, could not possibly have been driving more than 30 m.p.h. in the 35 m.p.h. zone!

A young, sloppy dressed, long hair, 'hippie' type, driving a red sports car, had to have been driving over 50 m.p.h. in this same 35 m.p.h. zone under identical circumstances!

Even descriptions of abductors and/or assailants are subject to these same biases!

Psychology Today magazine has addressed this topic many, many times over the years!

Personal Development With Hypnosis:

Many publications are available on 'Self Hypnosis' as well as hypnosis in general. There is also a plethora of 'Self-Help', hypnotic cassette tapes, some good, some, not so good! These deal with such subjects as; 'Quit Smoking'; 'Memory Recall'; 'Study Improvement'; 'Improving Self-Image & Confidence', - the list is endless!

These cassette tapes usually have the audio, verbal message on one side, and on the other, the message is usually imbedded in the soothing sound of ocean waves. These publications and tapes are highly effective but only if the individual truly wants to improve or achieve the objective in question! If the individual's subconscious is at odds with such improvements, one may find one's self working at cross purposes and hence, their efforts will have little effect!

It should also be noted that one may make their own 'self-improvement' cassette tapes tailored to one's own individual needs. The methods for this are too many and varied to be presented here and the reader is directed to consult the appropriate publications which are available in most major book stores and on line on the Internet. However, one most be extremely cautious of 'Bulk Mail' ads, (spam), which might be the work of unscrupulous individuals!

The 'Auto-alarm Clock' In Our Head:

As we have discussed previously in SCIENCE in FOCUS, the powers of the human mind are quite extensive! Can we 'pre-program' ourselves without entering into a hypnotic state??? Absolutely!!!

Let us say that we want to wake up during the week at exactly 6:00 a.m. each morning! Before going to sleep, make the following affirmation assertively at least three times:

"I will wake up exactly at 6:00 a.m. ! ! !

If this is repeated on a regular basis, one will find one's self waking up each work day morning at exactly 6:00 a.m.! However, until the pattern is firmly established, it is best to set a real alarm clock for a back-up especially if one is overly tired!

On Friday and Saturday nights, if desirable, one may also make the affirmative statement, "I will sleep in this morning until 8:00 a.m." ! ! !

Automatic Problem Solving:

A difficult problem can also be solved without entering into the state of hypnosis! As previously mentioned, the mind still 'tries to remember' even after we have long given up trying to remember and gone on to more important things. This same phenomena can also be used to solve difficult problems.

Suppose a person is faced with a difficult problem and just cannot seem to find any rational solution! Give the following command to the subconscious:

"I need an answer to this problem by the end of this week!"

Then put the problem aside completely out of one's head and get on to other important tasks!

Most usually, one will have a rational and constructive answer by the end of the week!

Reliving History:

There exists an hypnotic exercise known as 'The Christos Procedure'! This procedure allows one to 'visit' and 'vividly experience' past moments in history much the same as in 'Remote Viewing' which was discussed previously in 'Human Potentials: The Powers We Possess'. However, in this case, the one experiencing is in a deep, hypnotic state and directed by a hypnotist.

(At this point, the reader is cautioned to attempt this procedure only under the direct supervision and control of a fully qualified hypnotist, usually an M.D. or Ph.D.)!

The hypnotist places the subject in a very deep state of hypnosis known as the 'Deep Somnambulistic State'!

The subject is then instructed to inflate him or herself, like a hot-air balloon, and float up through the ceiling into the clouds and then drift off into the distance.

At a random moment determined by the hypnotist, the subject is instructed to flote gradually to a soft landing on the ground.

The subject is then asked:

Where are you?

What year is this?

Describe the surroundings and what is happening!

The subject usually finds him or herself at some past moment in history!

Should this moment be highly traumatic, (a war, revolution, natural disaster, etc.), the subject is instructed to immediately re-inflate him or herself and return harmlessly to the present and to the original location!

One can see why this procedure is NOT recommended for amateurs!!!

Artificial Re-Incarnation - 'The Sea of Eternity':

Unlike the 'Christos Procedure', 'The Sea of Eternity' exercise is usually practiced with 'Self Hypnosis' and the person places him or her self in a deep, self-imposed somnambulistic, hypnotic state! Then, one pictures one's self standing at the edge of a vast 'Seashore' observing a beautiful sunrise or sunset, (either will do)!

To the right is a door marked, 'Door To the Past' with a key on the door jam!

To the left is a door marked, 'Door To the Future', also with a key on the door jam!

The person chooses a door, walks up to it, unlocks it, and enters a hallway cloaked in a deep mist. The person then walks down this misty hallway until he or she comes upon a brilliant past or future 'life' event.

(As in the 'Christos Procedure', this exercise can also lead to some traumatic events and the reader is cautioned to attempt this exercise only at their own discretion!)

However, it should be noted that, as previously discussed in our article covering 'Remote Viewing', if one encounters a tragic 'future event', a change in one's life style will also change the future outcome!

Stage Hypnosis & Hypnotic Parties:

At one time or another, we have all seen either in the movies, on TV, or in person, Hypnotic Stage Presentations where volunteers from the audience are hypnotized and then, on command of the hypnotist, perform certain unnatural acts such as 'Acting As News Boys', one after another!

There is little danger in participating in such events as there is usually a large audience and it would be extremely difficult for a hypnotist to plant 'unethical' ideas in a participant's psychic without the audience being aware of it! Unlikely but not impossible! We leave it up to our readers as to weather or not they participate in such events!

However, private parties are another matter!

If one knows the host and most of the attendees, there is little risk , because, as in the public stage presentations, too many people are present. But subtle, unethical suggestions are not entirely impossible. If the host and attendees are NOT well known, it might be prudent to excuse oneself from the proceedings with some momentary, manufactured excuse!

Can a person be hypnotized and commanded to commit some act contrary to one's basic principals, an immoral or illegal act? NO! Not directly!

However, over a period of time, when a hypnotist has instilled faith and confidence in a subject by repeated and frequent sessions, the hypnotist can set up a scenario where such acts would be acceptable! In example:

"You are being attacked by a serial rapist! - KILL HIM!!!" (Assassination)

"You are so 'stressed out' after a long, hard weeks work, wouldn't it be nice to take a nice long, hot shower? - Take off your cloths and experience this!" (Seduction)

Thus, one should be very wary of anyone wanting to continually hypnotize one for any reason or those who are 'control freaks'!

Some Good Rules Regarding Hypnosis:

When engaging the services of a hypnotist, always choose from a list of highly recommended practitioners with appropriate credentials and a good reputation. Ask for references.

Except for medical procedures, request that a trusted friend, usually of the same gender, be present for the session(s) and that a recording be made at each session and be furnished to the client upon request.

Subliminal Hypnosis From A Distance:

This is possible but as previously stated in our past articles, if one finds one's self thinking or acting contrary to one's own basic principles, engage that 'Left Brain' activity, (thinking), 'Full Speed'! This should effectively override any such attempts!

UFO Abductions:

While this subject is quite controversial, if one finds one's self with 'missing time', 'a missing fetus', and/or 'flash backs' indicating such an event, it is wise to contact one's local State MUFON Organization for a qualified UFO Abduction hypnotist as this is a specialized field in which not all hypnotists, even medically certified ones, are qualified or proficient. However, keep in mind that because one 'feels' that one has had a UFO Abduction experience, this does not necessarily make it so as there are also more natural causes that can create such feelings.

With that, we will bring our discussion of Suggestology & Hypnosis to a close.

Stay Tuned! Our next article series will be on 'Debunkers'!

Dick Udell

Reading References:

Lethal Lovers & Poisonous People, Harriet B. Braiker, Ph.D.
In Search of Excellence, Thomas J. Peters & Robert H. Waterman, Jr.
A Passion For Excellence, Nancy Austin & Thomas J. Peters
The Five Pillars of TQM, Bill Creech
How To Win Arguments, William Rusher
Hypnotism, G.H. Estabrooks, M.D.
Using Hypnotism, G.H. Estabrooks, M.D.
Modern Hypnosis, Masud Ansari, Ph.D.
The Warriors Edge, Alexander, Groller & Morris
Close Encounters of the Fourth Kind, C.D.B. Bryan
PSIence, Marie D. Jones