scottyboy wrote:...I'm fairly confident that I don't enter a trance as I can hear both the hypnotist and my own (annoying) thoughts.... Someone ought'a make a guide on this as I hear different things everywhere.
You hear different things everywhere because there are different people talking about different situations.
There's only so much that can be done in a recorded induction. In live work, the hypnotist can see that a particular technique isn't working and can adjust. With an MP3, you get what you get. So, out of the box, the "success" rate for recorded inductions is going to be a little lower. Does that mean you can't trance with a recording? No. It means that it's up to you to keep shopping for different styles until you find what works for you. (And this is directed to everyone on the thread, not just scottyboy.)
You can do a lot by getting comfortable before you start trying. Do whatever you need to get ready. That can be different for different people but there are some general suggestions that often help. Take off shoes and at least loosen belts or ties. Make sure that you've finished any important work that you're not planning to put off until the next day. Go to the bathroom. Get a drink of water if you think you're going to be thirsty. Lie down, or at least sit in a chair that reclines or on a sofa. Fluff your pillows. If you're starting out drowsy, you might want to set an alarm, just in case. Just knowing that you won't go entirely to sleep can be reassuring and relaxing.
Starting where you are, though, go ahead and listen to your thoughts.
Yes, you can ignore the hypnotist for a minute or two during the induction and listen to your own thoughts.
Analyzing what's being said.
Gaging your reactions to it.
Bitching.
Moaning.
All that's cool. Really.
You have to remember that your subconscious mind--all of it--is there to help you out. It's doing what it thinks is best for you at the moment. The problem is that your logic and its logic are just slightly out of synch.
Since the part of you that the hypnotist and I are talking to is really the one in charge, that part can change the voice you think with. I don't know if you were aware of that before, but you're going to be surprised at how cool it is.
The voice that's cataloging your thoughts--the one that's reading along inside your head right now--can be a little deeper now, and it can talk a little slower. It sounds like a voice-over actor for an insurance commercial, doesn't it?
It sounds a little drowsy, too.
Did it just yawn? Listen closely. I don't know, and I can't tell. You'll have to listen for it and let me know when it happens.
Now the best part is that this deep, drowsy, warm voice that's talking and talking and talking is recorded on an old reel-to-reel tape recorder. That's pretty good, really. I've still got old Westinghouse steel consoles with Bakelite knobs on 'em inside my head. Your reel-to-reel machine is up to the minute: woodgrain case and brushed aluminum knobs and everything.
See it?
Watch the reels turn as that voice drones on and on in the back of your head.
Now reach out and gently touch one of the reels with your fingertip and as you feel that slick, smooth sensation on your finger you can listen to the voice... slllowwwingggg... doooowwnnnnnn.
It gets deeper and deeper and deeper as it goes slower. Have you noticed?
How does that feel?
And there's something that you've known all along, but you didn't know that you knew it until you finished reading this post.
And you might not know it in every part of your mind, but the deep, quiet part in the back of your mind knows it, and that's really all that matters.
Enjoy.
-- Blink
Posted: September 21st, 2007, 10:53 pm