        



                                 CHAPTER IV

                                  HYPNOSIS  
         
         Hypnosis  is  a  phenomenon with  which  we  are  all  quite
         familiar,  and certainly the majority of us are amenable  to
         hypnotic   induction  at  the  hands  of  an  operator,   or
         hypnotist.
         
         The  induced  condition, or trance, is an altered  state  of
         consciousness  totally  dissimilar from  either  the  waking
         condition  or  that  of sleep and in its commonest  form  is
         consists of a trance inducted in a subject by a hypnotist.
         
         When a trance is induced by an operator (as opposed to self-
         hypnosis), it establishes a strong bond, or rapport, between
         the  hypnotist and the subject which is best illustrated  by
         the  act  (of the subject) surrendering his or her  critical
         faculty (the Censor) to the operator.
         
         The  trance also entails a heightened response to suggestion
         by  the subject and, as the trance deepens, so the attention
         of the subject is concentrated on the inner  mental, sensory
         and physiological experience.
         
         When  in the trance state, the responses of the subject  are
         controlled  by the hypnotist, yet the phenomena or  behavior
         that  the subject manifests objectively is still the product
         of  his or her motivational set.  Not that of the hypnotist.
         What this means is that the subject's response reflects what
         is sought from the experience.
         
         Hypnosis can be induced by another person, the hypnotist  or
         operator, or it can be self-induced (self-hypnosis)  by  the
         subject alone.
         
         Most  of us can be hypnotized quite easily, just as most  of
         us  are  able  to  master  the  induction  of  self-hypnosis
         (although this usually takes time).  The depth of trance  we
         may achieve is, however, subject to a number of variables.
         
         What  this  means  is  that either being  hypnotized  by  an
         operator or inducing the trance state yourself requires work
         in  the  form  of  repetition in order to reach  the  deeper
         levels of the trance state.
         
         Naturally,  the  deeper  the trance the  more  positive  the
         achievements, although therapeutic effects occur in even the
         lightest trance.
         
         A hypnotist induces the trance state in a subject by holding
         the  attention of the subject and requiring adherence to one
         or  a  series  of  simple tasks.  As these tasks  are  being
         performed,  the  operator  maintains  a  stream  of   verbal
         commands,  delivered in a monotone.  At some  point  in  the
         course of the induction, the subject relinquishes control of
         his or her critical faculty to the operator.
         
         When  self-hypnosis is achieved it can be through the  means
         of  trained  relaxation, the practice of rhythmic breathing,
         or  by performing the ritual or rituals that may be found in
         many  mind control, philosophical or mystical systems  or  a
         combination of all of these.
         
         A  subject can also achieve self-hypnosis through the use of
         a  good  hypnosis  cassette recording.  This  method  offers
         privacy, secrecy and efficiency, the quality of the  results
         obtained being in direct proportion to the degree of  effort
         on the part of the subject.  There is no free lunch.  If you
         choose  this  method,  then  be prepared  to  work  for  it.
         Repetition is the key!
         
         It  is possible to spend a great deal of time exploring  the
         many  facets of hypnosis, including the results achieved  in
         both the mental and physical areas.  This includes seemingly
         miraculous  results  at the cellular level!   Cancer,  which
         originates  at  the cellular level, has been  defeated,  not
         once  but  many  times.  So have many of  the  diseases  and
         afflictions to which we are susceptible.
         
         I  suppose we could explore these aspects indefinitely,  but
         we won't do it here.  Accept that this is so, or research it
         for your own satisfaction.  An afternoon spent at the public
         library  will  show  that the statements  I  have  made  are
         extremely conservative.
         
         Hypnotism  as  an  observed (and utilized) phenomena   dates
         back  far  beyond  the bounds of recorded history,  although
         this can only be shown by inference.  That it dates back  to
         the  very earliest days of recorded history however, can  be
         demonstrated.
         
         For  example, the earliest written records of ancient Persia
         speak of sages who held control over the minds and bodies of
         men.
         
         Ancient  Sanskrit literature relates that  the  God  Brahman
         (whose  attributes are strangely reminiscent of the Egyptian
         God  Thoth),  with gentle passes of the left hand  over  the
         forehead  of his patient, would produce a sleep that  had  a
         wonderful power.
         
         Further back yet in recorded history, on the Zodiac  in  the
         arched  wall  of  the  temple of  Denderah,  in  Egypt,  the
         Goddess Isis is shown holding a child by the hand, while she
         passes  her  other hand in front of him in the  gestures  of
         mesmerism.
         
         Backing  up the hieroglyphics at Denderah, we have the  word
         of the chronicler Diodorus of Sicily speaking of the priests
         of  ancient  Egypt  .  .  .  "They threw  one  another  into
         trances."
         
         Later,  in  our  own  middle ages,  we  find  references  to
         "Magic,"    "Mind    Reading,"   "Wonderworking,"    "Secret
         Mysterious" and so on, all of which refer to hypnosis.
         
         Similarly,  in  the  17th. And 18th. Centuries  we  hear  of
         "Animal     Magnetism,"    "Willpower,"      "Somnambulism,"
         "Mesmerism"  and  "Personal  Magnetism."    These  refer  to
         hypnosis also.
         
         Here in our own 20th. Century, the buzzword is Hypnotism!
         
         It  is  here  in  the  20th. Century  however  that  we  can
         contribute something to hypnosis of whatever name  or  form.
         Something  that  has been missing since  the  phenomena  was
         first  discovered, and which could not have  existed  before
         our own time.  An electronic analytical system.
         
         In  times  past,  the depth of trance achieved  in  hypnosis
         could  not  be measured objectively.  Only subjectively,  as
         the  result of previous experience.  Indications  of  trance
         levels  achieved  during  self-hypnosis,  were,  of  course,
         completely non-existent!
         
         Now, the benefits of electronic technology can be applied to
         this requirement.  This is as a result of the development of
         bio-feedback instrumentation during the last decade or so.
         
         For  those  unfamiliar with the subject, perhaps   a  little
         background on bio-feedback is in order.
         
         Bio-feedback   is  a  technique,  supported   by   specially
         developed  instrumentation, which allows the  individual  to
         monitor  their own physiological functions, including  those
         over  which we normally have little conscious control.   The
         aim  is  to  develop the inherent ability of the species  to
         influence  these  functions through mental control.   Sounds
         familiar?
         
         It  emerged as a serious area of investigation about  thirty
         odd years ago in the 1960's, when electronic instrumentation
         was   attached  to  the  individual  in  order  to   measure
         physiological  functions.   When  such  instrumentation  was
         attached, the emissions of the functions being measured were
         transformed  into amplified signals that the  subject  could
         see or hear.
         
         These  signals,  as  flashing lights or electronic  buzzers,
         enabled the subject to know when internal physical responses
         to   various  stimuli  were  normal  of   abnormal.    After
         practice, the subject was able in many instances to  control
         physiological  functions (thereby altering or canceling  the
         electronic  indications) through mental application.   Quite
         fabulous!
         
         Unfortunately, bio-feedback's great promise failed to  fully
         materialize.   The  work,  which  produced  data  of  almost
         incalculable  value,  also produced  some  rather  wild  and
         unsubstantiated claims that not only physiological functions
         could be controlled at will but that its practice could also
         produce altered states of consciousness.
         
         The sad thing is that it could indeed produce altered states
         of consciousness, but somehow this got labeled garbage along
         with  a  few  other  claims that really were  a  little  far
         fetched.   Unfortunately, establishment  scientists,  or  at
         least  some  of  them, are only too willing  to  open  their
         mouths without first putting their brains into gear!
         
         Subsequent research has shown that although some  degree  of
         physiological  control of the autonomic  nervous  system  is
         possible,  it  is  too limited in effect  to  correct  major
         deviations from the norm.  It is, however, quite capable  of
         fulfilling  the requirements which will qualify the  subject
         as an enhancement in the search for practical immortality!
         
         During  the  bio-feedback heyday, a considerable variety  of
         machines  were developed, among they instruments  that  were
         capable   of  measuring  the  frequency  of  the  electrical
         emissions  of  the  human brain.  You see,  in  the  altered
         states   of   consciousness  to  which  we  currently   have
         relatively  easy  access  .  .  .  .  Hypnotism,  sleep  and
         meditation  .  .  .  the  brains  electrical  emissions  are
         different for each state.
         
         This  being  so,  if  we can physiologically  replicate  the
         conditions of a specific state of consciousness, the we  can
         train ourselves to enter that state at will.
         
         Biofeedback  training allows us to replicate  the  state  of
         consciousness  in, for example, trances of  various  depths.
         Convenient,  isn't it?  It is also ever so much faster  than
         the   old,   pre-technological   techniques.    Bio-feedback
         techniques   can  be  learned  in  hours  while   the   old,
         conventional  pre-technological  techniques  sometimes  took
         years  to  master.   We can learn to emulate  the  state  of
         consciousness  of  a Zen or Yoga master which  took  them  a
         lifetime to acquire.
         
         Anyway,  since  the  use  of  bio-feedback  techniques   can
         materially assist our research, particularly with  hypnosis,
         here is a little bio-feedback background:
         
         There are at least four different electrical brain emissions
         that  can  be  detected by the appropriate  instrumentation.
         These are:
         
                             Alpha     8 - 13 cycles per second.
         
                             Beta      14+ cycles per second.
         
                             Theta     4 - 11 cycles per second.
         
                             Delta     5 - 6 cycles per second.
         
         Not  that the brain is dominated by a specific frequency  at
         any  one  time, because it isn't.  At one moment  the  right
         hemisphere  may be generating Alpha frequencies,  while  the
         left  hemisphere  is  in Beta.  A minute  or  so  later  the
         emissions may be reversed.  Here is what generally applies:
         
         ALPHA:   A  state most often described as pleasant,  passive
         and relaxed.  This is the state of hypnotism and meditation.
         It appears to be a slowing down of electrical discord into a
         pulsating hum, which sweeps regularly over the brains cortex
         from front to rear.
         
         BETA:   The  higher  brainwave usually associated  with  the
         normal  waking state.  It consists of a flurry of electrical
         static and usually implies that you are using your brain  to
         get something done.
         
         THETA:  Is associated with both creative hallucinations and,
         occasionally  with anxiety.  Theta and Delta represent  even
         slower rates of cortical synchronization.
         
         DELTA:  Occurs almost exclusively during sleep.
         
         Bio-feedback training allows shifting into altered states of
         consciousness,  controlling  internal  organs  and  changing
         brainwaves  and  body radiation's at will!  The  ability  to
         enter  into Alpha prior to listening to a hypnotic  cassette
         for  example,  is extremely valuable.  Alpha  is  associated
         with  hypnosis  and the results will be materially  improved
         upon  by doing so, since it speeds up the induction  of  the
         trance state.
         
         The  use of the Electroencephalograph (or EEG) on hypnotized
         subjects    showed   strong   Alpha   readings.     Hypnotic
         susceptibility  and  operant Alpha  rhythms  are  positively
         related  both before and after subjects have received  Alpha
         training.
         
         Before concluding this chapter there are two tables that are
         of  interest to anyone considering either hypnosis or  self-
         hypnosis.   The  first relates to judging the  degree  of  a
         particular trance and is taken from Arons book "Handbook  of
         Self-hypnosis."
         
         1.  Hypnoidal or lethargic state.
         
         2.  Light sleep.
         
         3.  Sleep (glove or partial amnesia).
         
         4.  Deep sleep.
         5.  Somnambulism.
         
         6.  Profound  somnambulism.
         
         There are numerous symptoms present in all these stages, but
         suffice  it  to say that the 3rd. Stage is ideally  required
         for self-hypnosis.
         
         The  second  list  is  given by  McBrayer  in  his  "Key  to
         Hypnotism  Simplified."  This list refers to the human  mind
         and outlines the rules under which it operates:
         
         1.  Every thought or idea causes a physical reaction.
         
         2.  The expected sensation/result tends to be realized.
         
         3.   Imagination is more potent than knowledge. It  is  also
         more potent than reason.
         
         4.   Only  one  idea  can be entertained  at  one  time  and
         conflicting ideas cannot be held.
         
         5   Once  accepted,  an idea tends to  remain  until  it  is
         replaced with another, or else is forgotten.  There is  also
         opposition to replacing it!
         
         6.   An imagined condition tends to become real if persisted
         in long enough.
         
         7.   A  suggestion followed tends to create  less  and  less
         opposition to successive suggestions.
         
         One final comment.  The best and easiest way to learn how to
         enter  a  self  induced  trance is to  be  hypnotized  by  a
         competent hypnotist and have him or her pass over control to
         you.  Ever afterwards, all that is necessary is to repeat an
         agreed  upon codeword and then entry into the desired trance
         state is automatic.
         
         It  takes somewhere between five and eight sessions with   a
         hypnotist to reach stages 3, 4 or 5.  Sleep, deep  sleep  or
         somnambulism.   This is were good results may  be  obtained.
         Unfortunately,  five to eight dessions with  a  professional
         can add up to a lot of money.
         
         A  less expensive (but more time consuming) solution  is  to
         utilize tape recordings both audio and video ( the latter in
         the form of tachistoscopic subliminals on your computer, for
         example).    A   combination  of  these,  plus  bio-feedback
         training,  relaxation  and  hypnosis  tapes  is   not   only
         possible, but relatively inexpensive.  It is also completely
         practical   for  those  of  us  who  might  otherwise   find
         professional assistance a little on the high side.
         
         There you have it.  If I have conveyed to you the impression
         that all of these techniques can be learned and combined for
         a  specific purpose, either by using professional assistance
         or  by doing it yourself,  this chapter has well served  its
         purpose!
         
         
