Читать книгу Self Hypnosis - Valerie Austin - Страница 14

This question conjures up an amazing and controversial set of opinions, based on various people’s belief structures. I can tell you what I understand, in the knowledge that my reasoning will probably be severely attacked by some. Nevertheless, my opinions are based on my experiences in working with well over 2,000 clients.

Everyone is susceptible to hypnosis to differing degrees. If, however you want to break the question down and ask who is susceptible to going into hypnosis immediately, then the answer is completely different. About a third of a group of people at any one time are likely to be susceptible to being put instantly into hypnosis. That is why the stage hypnotist can feel secure that there will always be a good percentage of his audience he will be able to work with, ensuring a fast-moving show. A brief explanation of the nature of stage hypnosis may help you to understand a little more.

First, the hypnotist will do a quick suggestibility test to decide whom he is going to use in his act. Normally he chooses a simple task, such as instructing the audience to clasp their hands together. He suggests that their hands will literally stick together as if super-glued and that, whatever they do, they will not be able to unclasp them. The hypnotist uses confusing and repetitive instructions, then he asks the members of the audience to try and unclasp their hands. Those who do unclasp their hands are not used in the act. Of the members of the audience who still have their hands clasped together, he will ascertain whether they are pretending or whether they really are in hypnosis. His experience weeds out the odd cheat. Those few who are left are considered to be in hypnosis and, therefore, susceptible.

Susceptibility in hypnosis has nothing to do with intelligence or trying too hard either way. The more someone is hypnotized, the more susceptible he or she becomes. Very susceptible people in hypnosis will still refrain from doing something that they find unacceptable. The grey area is that in hypnosis people may not have as many inhibitions as they would normally and may, therefore, be more daring.