Even in 2010 the definition of hypnosis cannot be agreed upon, even by those who use it, but here is my two bobs worth on informal or conversational hypnosis. Please remember that this is my opinion and, no doubt, some will agree and some will disagree.
Informal hypnosis is sometimes referred to as conversational hypnosis and some would have you believe that anyone can be made to do anything just by the words used by the “influencer”. No formal induction is used, the “influencer” uses specific words and phrases that will bypass the common sense or critical thinking of the person the suggestions are aimed at and, hey presto, result achieved.
This to my way of thinking is simply conversation. Many people and organisations are effectively Persuasion, Influence & Manipulation Practitioners (PIMPS), think of advertisers, politicians, salesmen, normal language protagonists and others but we don’t all eat the same type of chocolate bar, use the same type of washing powder, drive the same type of car or vote for the same political party? Why? Because we all have the ability to reject a suggestion, consciously or subconsciously, that we disagree with.
To define all human interaction and conversation as “hypnosis” is not an idea that I subscribe to. It is simply interaction and conversation. From the beginning of time people have convinced others to part with their money, join their religion or cause, subscribe to their views or buy their product or service. Is that hypnosis or normal human interaction?
Every weekend millions of people end up sleeping with other people that they only met hours before, throughout the world people are strapping explosives to their bodies and killing themselves and others in the name of their cause, people are being conned out of their money with a false promise of fame or wealth and people are buying products or services that they don’t really need and wouldn’t have bought if the salesman hadn’t convinced them to.
Was every person, referred to above, who got their way a hypnotist? No, of course not.
There is a world of difference between chatting up someone with a view to sleeping with them, even though the other person may not be of the same mindset initially, and having mind-blowing orgasms with a willing and consensual partner, there is a world of difference between convincing someone to blow themselves up and convincing someone to do good things for themselves and others, there is a world of difference between selling someone a product or service that they don’t really need knowing that “bad” business has been written and it will probably be cancelled in the cooling off period and genuinely showing someone how their life could be improved with a certain product or service and ending up with a genuine “happy” customer.
There are some fantastic persuasion, influence and manipulation trainers out there and they call it just that, persuasion, influence and manipulation.
Conversational or informal hypnosis is, more often than not, complete nonsense and is no more real than the emperor’s new clothes.
If someone tells you that in hypnosis you won’t feel any different from normal waking consciousness, well that’s because you probably haven’t been hypnotised.
Be happy,
Dave.
’)
{ 1 comment }
I'm inclined to agree Dave
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