Part II How to Hypnotize
Chapter 5
Methods of Hypnotism
(including the Ralph Slater Method)
I should like to begin this chapter on methods of hypnotising by making clear a few very important points. What I am about to say now may surprise the reader, but the Hypnotist actually does not hypnotise the Subject; the subject hypnotises himself. The hypnotist merely acts as the instrument through whom the suggestions for sleep are given. With this thought in mind, it can be readily understood that the first law of hypnotism is to make the subject believe that he is going to be hypnotised. This is achieved by the manner and bearing of the hypnotist, who, by his very actions and confidence, impresses the subject with his ability to hypnotise him. Therefore, the hypnotist must have complete confidence in his ability to hypnotise any normal person. If this sense of confidence is ever relaxed so as to admit the slightest doubt, he may fail. Do not be discouraged if you do not succeed in hypnotising the first few people upon whom you experiment. Once you have hypnotised successfully, you will undoubtedly gain the confidence that is necessary to make you an expert hypnotist. I mention this point in my first paragraph, and wish to dwell on it, since I believe the lack of this necessary confidence to be one reason why hypnotism is so comparatively little used therapeutically to-day. Such confidence is in no way peculiar to me, or a mysterious part of the Ralph Slater method, but just one of those basic rules of life. In this world other people accept you at your own valuation of yourself; thus it is your first duty to desire sincerely to help your subject, and your second to make your subject realise that this is your desire.
Of course, most ordinary practising doctors are already certain enough of their ability to relieve suffering, and they are already accustomed to taking responsibility often at the shortest notice, and issuing clear-cut orders for the good of their patients. This is all in the day's work, and such men will already have the fundamental confidence to embark without hesitation, and with complete success on the regular practice of hypnotism, which may become, as I suggest elsewhere, the most useful weapon in their whole armoury of healing. But there is no reason why medical students too, though they are young and have less experience of the rough and tumble of a doctor's daily life, should not become proficient hypnotists. Indeed, as in most other spheres of life, the young have the immense advantage of youth and energy over their elders, and the acquiring of this technique early on in life will enable the young doctor to bring his skill to greater heights of perfection than his seniors can hope to.I have seen cases where several people in a row have failed to respond to hypnotism; and by the same token, where thirty or forty people consecutively can be placed in a state of deep hypnosis without any difficulty whatsoever. All disturbing elements must be removed. When you practise hypnotism, try to do so in an environment which is conducive to the concentration of your subject. Avoid draughts. A draught will sometimes keep a subject awake, where he normally would fall asleep. Also, distracting noises should be so far as possible avoided.
Some subjects, who cannot be hypnotised at the first attempt, will fall into a hypnotic state after two or three tries. I would strongly recommend that for his initial attempts at hypnotism, the operator should practise on strangers instead of on his friends, because the psychological effect is so much greater. Someone who knows the hypnotist too intimately might not fall into the passive state of mind which is necessary for hypnosis.
I cannot stress too strongly the importance of reading each chapter over and over until the reader has thoroughly acquainted himself with every detail. The confidence gained by his thorough study of this book will enable the hypnotist to be much more successful. And now for some of the methods of hypnotism.
Chapter 5
Methods of Hypnotism
(including the Ralph Slater Method)
I should like to begin this chapter on methods of hypnotising by making clear a few very important points. What I am about to say now may surprise the reader, but the Hypnotist actually does not hypnotise the Subject; the subject hypnotises himself. The hypnotist merely acts as the instrument through whom the suggestions for sleep are given. With this thought in mind, it can be readily understood that the first law of hypnotism is to make the subject believe that he is going to be hypnotised. This is achieved by the manner and bearing of the hypnotist, who, by his very actions and confidence, impresses the subject with his ability to hypnotise him. Therefore, the hypnotist must have complete confidence in his ability to hypnotise any normal person. If this sense of confidence is ever relaxed so as to admit the slightest doubt, he may fail. Do not be discouraged if you do not succeed in hypnotising the first few people upon whom you experiment. Once you have hypnotised successfully, you will undoubtedly gain the confidence that is necessary to make you an expert hypnotist. I mention this point in my first paragraph, and wish to dwell on it, since I believe the lack of this necessary confidence to be one reason why hypnotism is so comparatively little used therapeutically to-day. Such confidence is in no way peculiar to me, or a mysterious part of the Ralph Slater method, but just one of those basic rules of life. In this world other people accept you at your own valuation of yourself; thus it is your first duty to desire sincerely to help your subject, and your second to make your subject realise that this is your desire.
Of course, most ordinary practising doctors are already certain enough of their ability to relieve suffering, and they are already accustomed to taking responsibility often at the shortest notice, and issuing clear-cut orders for the good of their patients. This is all in the day's work, and such men will already have the fundamental confidence to embark without hesitation, and with complete success on the regular practice of hypnotism, which may become, as I suggest elsewhere, the most useful weapon in their whole armoury of healing. But there is no reason why medical students too, though they are young and have less experience of the rough and tumble of a doctor's daily life, should not become proficient hypnotists. Indeed, as in most other spheres of life, the young have the immense advantage of youth and energy over their elders, and the acquiring of this technique early on in life will enable the young doctor to bring his skill to greater heights of perfection than his seniors can hope to.I have seen cases where several people in a row have failed to respond to hypnotism; and by the same token, where thirty or forty people consecutively can be placed in a state of deep hypnosis without any difficulty whatsoever. All disturbing elements must be removed. When you practise hypnotism, try to do so in an environment which is conducive to the concentration of your subject. Avoid draughts. A draught will sometimes keep a subject awake, where he normally would fall asleep. Also, distracting noises should be so far as possible avoided.
Some subjects, who cannot be hypnotised at the first attempt, will fall into a hypnotic state after two or three tries. I would strongly recommend that for his initial attempts at hypnotism, the operator should practise on strangers instead of on his friends, because the psychological effect is so much greater. Someone who knows the hypnotist too intimately might not fall into the passive state of mind which is necessary for hypnosis.
I cannot stress too strongly the importance of reading each chapter over and over until the reader has thoroughly acquainted himself with every detail. The confidence gained by his thorough study of this book will enable the hypnotist to be much more successful. And now for some of the methods of hypnotism.
