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!