The Word "Sleep" In Instant Inductions

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Permalink Reply by Nathan Thomas on November 27, 2009 at 2:05am

Hi Conca
Sleep is a bit of a puzzling choice of words depending on how you look at it, in my early days I used to always qualify it in my pretalks "and I'll say the word sleep, by which I don't mean like the sleep you have at night, I mean just a deep state of inner focus, where your eyes close, and your body relaxes and you open up to these new ideas"

This can help to preframe the experience, build expectation, and condition something of a pre-trance also, however it is not nesseceary. A word is just a word, and 'sleep' is only one choice.

As I demonstrate here: http://www.hypnothoughts.com/video/instant-non-verbal-hypnosis provided your confidence is there and you have built the right expectation, you can get away without even saying anything!

As for the client knowing what is trance, trance is also just a word, and the experience is tends to refer to is subjective, ie it is different for all of us. Give them the freedom to make their own meaning, the word 'sleep,' or whatever other word you use, being just the trigger or guide.

So to summarize, don't get too hung up on that one little word, trust that it will work and it will. That's really all there is too it, although it takes some practice before anyone really get's that.

Cheers, and hope this helps.
Nathan
Street Hypnosis Training

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Permalink Reply by Beverly Lieb, C.Ht. on November 27, 2009 at 3:57am

Nathan...First of all, I never tell them they "should" go into a deep trance, or that they "should" do anything. "Should" presents the inference that if they don't do it, they are doing something wrong. The word "should" has to be eliminated from hypnotherapy altogether, in my opinion.

Secondly, I never even mention the word "trance" because it is an old-school word that has given a bad rap to hypnosis. Instead, in the pre-induction, I explain the difference between the hypnotic sleep and the kind of sleep that we do at night, and I tell them that when I say deep sleep, they will be entering the very relaxed state of hypnosis.

Thirdly, I don't even mention the word, "somnabulism" to my clients. That is technical terminology for us hypnotherapist to gauge the depth of the state of hypnosis that the client is in. All I tell them in the pre-induction is that they will be in a very relaxed state of heightened awareness, where they will be able to make the changes they desire.

Of course, in the first session, I do the entire preinduction, dispelling fears and misconceptions, Theory of Mind, Suggetibility Testing, deepening techniques, and conversion to hypnosis before we even get to the hypnotherapy. By the time we get to the point of the client "going into a deep trance", they are so comfortable and so overloaded with message units, that, believe me, they automatically go in.

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Permalink Reply by Hugh Cole on November 27, 2009 at 5:16am

An instant induction or shock induction does one and only one thing. It shuts down concious processing and activates unconcious processing. It's not really in my opinion a pattern interrupt. It is what I and some others call a "Moment of Acquiescence" If you watched the Gil Boyne in Hungary videos, you probably noticed some patter right after the client rested safely on Gil's shoulder ... "When I say the word sleep ,,, I am not talking about etc etc etc". That is the point at which the unconcious mind is processing what just happened and determining the best unconcious response to it" (I sincerely doubt the word Satan would be as universally effective as the word sleep)
If you follow Gil's pattern (or mine or Richard Nongard's or Brian Phillips for that matter) there is no pretalk about the word sleep. It is actually part of the deepening patter which allows the unconcious mind to continue building a pattern of "reponsive acquiesence" along with feelings of comfort and safety that normally attach to the verb/noun "sleep".

Nathan, Beverly's advice is good. The word Should is in the same class as the word Try. It's a sort of a backdoor built in cop out. I prefer only positive directive statements unless I am setting someone up to fail a challange. But that's just me.

Hugh Cole
The Pretty Goodest Hypnotist on the Planet

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Permalink Reply by Jan Krüger on November 27, 2009 at 7:06am

Ah, the fine details in language.

Personally I think "should" is an excellent word to use, as long as you know the effects it has. As has already been said, it can imply the possibility of failure, or in more general terms, the possibility of the opposite of what you're saying. That can actually work for you, for example in double binds: "you really should do X... unless you'd rather do (something that has the same outcome as X)." Or for setting up a frame/context: "I suppose now I should ask you to talk about unspeakable things in your past that you don't even remember, and then we should work at getting you to remember them, no matter if they actually happened or not." Or for a reversal: "you know what you should do? You should give up. There's really no way whatsoever you'll be able to even think about smiling for the rest of your life. I don't even know why I bothered seeing you today. I have never heard of a case that's more hopeless than yours."

By the way, I think it would be interesting to try different words than "sleep" in an instant inductions. For example, "change"; almost immediately launching into a sentence based on the word, but marking out the word "change". Or "stop". Or "feel". Or, since it was already mentioned in a different context, "try". ;)

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Permalink Reply by Conca on November 27, 2009 at 9:43am

Are the videos on the internet?

Conca

Hugh Cole said:

An instant induction or shock induction does one and only one thing. It shuts down concious processing and activates unconcious processing. It's not really in my opinion a pattern interrupt. It is what I and some others call a "Moment of Acquiescence" If you watched the Gil Boyne in Hungary videos, you probably noticed some patter right after the client rested safely on Gil's shoulder ... "When I say the word sleep ,,, I am not talking about etc etc etc". That is the point at which the unconcious mind is processing what just happened and determining the best unconcious response to it" (I sincerely doubt the word Satan would be as universally effective as the word sleep)
If you follow Gil's pattern (or mine or Richard Nongard's or Brian Phillips for that matter) there is no pretalk about the word sleep. It is actually part of the deepening patter which allows the unconcious mind to continue building a pattern of "reponsive acquiesence" along with feelings of comfort and safety that normally attach to the verb/noun "sleep".

Nathan, Beverly's advice is good. The word Should is in the same class as the word Try. It's a sort of a backdoor built in cop out. I prefer only positive directive statements unless I am setting someone up to fail a challange. But that's just me.

Hugh Cole
The Pretty Goodest Hypnotist on the Planet

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Permalink Reply by Hugh Cole on November 27, 2009 at 10:14am

Actually Paul I don't think of it that way. A pattern is a preprogammed response, more of an unconcious program that one is "running" at the time, like a handshake. In a pattern interrupt one basically interupts an unconcious action and hijacks the action to install trance, If I were to think of people as always running patterns... I would eliminate all possibility of concious volitional thought. While I have met a few folks in my life that might work that way, the majority of us do not.
In an instant induction I am asking them to focus on a concious volitional act like pushing on my hand, or perhaps staring into my eyes as Gil does in the video. I am directing all concious attention to one simple easy nonthreatening but confusing task. And ... actually .. I don't interrut it. I introduce an additional element to it that occurs rapidly enough that concious attention can not evaluate it. Actually I invite the unconcious system to "Kick in" and assume temporary responsibility.
Of Course, Everything I have said so far assumes one thing which I will spell out. The induction is consensual. ie I have in someway confirmed the Hypnotic contract with my trance partner.

What I said about the word Satan was this.. .
"I sincerely doubt the word Satan would be as universally effective as the word sleep"
I don't think I implied that you though it was Ok to do it or that you said you should do it. I get your point that any word SHOUTED at that point is part of a "pattern Interrupt". But that does bring up a point where you and I disagree and that is relevant to the thread. In my model of the world the word Sleep is highly relevant to the induction. It is a command interjected at the precise moment that the unconcious mind shuts down "Volitional Processing". It is a safe and familiar instruction on the top of the stack that makes sense as both a noun and a verb, so it can be processed easily. The vast majority of us are comfortable and safe in our sleep, so that warm fuzzy thing kicks in before the Volitional "What the hell am I doing here" reaction forms, That is what I call a Moment of Acquiesence.
If I were to use Satan, Parsnips, Rutabaga, or Antidisestablishmentarianism, my smooth entrance into the deepening.. (self validating) phase of the trance work would be awkward and dare I say fruitless (vegetableless). No.. I think Sleep serves a very important fuction. (at least among English speakers)

Hugh Cole
The Pretty Goodest Hypnotist on the Planet.

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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on November 27, 2009 at 10:31am

Conca,

It looks like this was a very good question to ask. Look at the wide variety of answers and explanations you have so far! Excellent! Allow me to add to the mix with a bit simpler explanation.

In my model of hypnosis and trance, I define trance as: a state where the reactive mind automatically reacts to outside input. (hypnosis takes advantage of this by realizing that the outside input can be in the form of a suggestion)

In order to react, the reactive mind has to understand "how" to react. This is why generic words like "sleep" are used. Since you experienced sleep less than 12 hours before the word was used, your reactive mind knows exactly what to do and how to react. It is important to note that the reaction is only what the body does during sleep, and not the mind. The same is true of the word freeze, and a few others.

It by no means specifically takes them into deep trance, but when reacted to, tends to widen the bandwidth of acceptance thus deepening that way. (every reaction of compliance to suggestion in trance tends to deepen it)

In instant inductions using surprise/shock/confusion, you are creating a trance state by momentarily activating survival mode, which is a purely reactive state, then providing input as to how to react. Interrupt patterns work the same way as confusion does, momentarily stopping the mind and creating a temporary trance state.

You can actually use any word to deepen the trance by compliance, as long as you first explain how to react to that word. A good example of this is the no-induction induction, also called the expectancy induction. (i.e. when I say this color (or word), you will notice....)

To create somnambulism, (which I define as automatic reaction to outside input without the filter of the analytical mind (critical factor)) have the subject turn their focus inside and use their imagination for input instead of the senses (suggesting what they feel, hear, see, smell etc). again, compliance widens bandwidth (deepens) and makes the critical factor go dormant.

I have videos on my profile page that demonstrate this if interested further.

I hope this helps you
John

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Permalink Reply by Hugh Cole on November 27, 2009 at 10:31am

Conca They are on the internet and they are in the header of the 'Talking Point: Instant Inductions and Modern Hypnotic Practice - Gil Boyne in Budapest" discussion here on Hypnothoughts. Watch and learn

Hugh Cole PGHP

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Permalink Reply by Kelley Woods on November 27, 2009 at 12:20pm

Hi Conca,
Curious minds think alike: about a month ago I asked Gil Boyne this in the forum of his Master Online class:

"I'm a bit confused about something! In Gil's latest post he specifies some language usage which include the words "sleep, sleepy, sleeping", yet he has taught to avoid using the word "awake" when bringing a subject back into awareness.

Can someone please explain why a subject won't be disappointed that they were not asleep, when they were told to sleep?"

and Gil's reply was:

"Hello Kelley, In the pretalk (or immediately after the induction) I explain, " When I use the word "Sleep", I do not mean the kind of sleep that you sleep at night. I am referring to a pleasant, relaxed state of mind and body which is really a "sleep of the nervous system".

The word sleep is strongly associated with hypnosis through custom, books, movies, cartoons and tv.
More importantly,the word "sleep", uttered in appropriate context, creates endocrine and vegative changes which correspond to identical changes occuring in noctural sleep.
From the book; The Word as a Physiologic and Therapeutic Factor" by Platnov, a Russian Physiologist and Comtemporary of Ivan Pavlov.
__________________
Gil Boyne "

I found that illuminating and have since felt more comfortable incorporating the word "sleep" into my work.

Best wishes,

Kelley

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Permalink Reply by Hugh Cole on November 27, 2009 at 12:50pm

Thanks Kelley
I was trying to get them to watch the video and listen to the post induction patter so they could analyze it, . You handed it to them on a silver platter. But . it's still good to watch the way it is done on the video.

If one were to take Platinov's words ...
More importantly,the word "sleep", uttered in appropriate context, creates endocrine and vegative changes which correspond to identical changes occuring in noctural sleep.
and allow me substitute a semi scientific concept from my answer.....
The vast majority of us are comfortable and safe in our sleep, so that warm fuzzy thing kicks in before the Volitional "What the hell am I doing here" reaction forms

Then I think you might help some to see what I was saying a bit clearer.

Hugh Cole



Kelley Woods said:

Hi Conca,
Curious minds think alike: about a month ago I asked Gil Boyne this in the forum of his Master Online class:

"I'm a bit confused about something! In Gil's latest post he specifies some language usage which include the words "sleep, sleepy, sleeping", yet he has taught to avoid using the word "awake" when bringing a subject back into awareness.

Can someone please explain why a subject won't be disappointed that they were not asleep, when they were told to sleep?"

and Gil's reply was:

"Hello Kelley, In the pretalk (or immediately after the induction) I explain, " When I use the word "Sleep", I do not mean the kind of sleep that you sleep at night. I am referring to a pleasant, relaxed state of mind and body which is really a "sleep of the nervous system".

The word sleep is strongly associated with hypnosis through custom, books, movies, cartoons and tv.
More importantly,the word "sleep", uttered in appropriate context, creates endocrine and vegative changes which correspond to identical changes occuring in noctural sleep.
From the book; The Word as a Physiologic and Therapeutic Factor" by Platnov, a Russian Physiologist and Comtemporary of Ivan Pavlov.
__________________
Gil Boyne "

I found that illuminating and have since felt more comfortable incorporating the word "sleep" into my work.

Best wishes,

Kelley

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Permalink Reply by amber lee poole on November 27, 2009 at 2:01pm

Awesome Kelly! I have been using the word sleep also lately which i found quite uncomfortable doing in the beginning and i do explain it is not "actual" sleep, etc... Gil's response to your question is awesome and i am going to use it every time from now on in pre-talk :)

I am starting to get quite "brave" when thinking about learning rapid and instant inductions - who knows, might actually do it one day! I admire anyone that does and Conca, you have brought up another great discussion.

Amber xox

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Permalink Reply by ricky strode on November 27, 2009 at 11:53pm

They know what trance is when I start talking. I usually just adlib whatever I'm going to say using specifics for whatever they came to me for. Sometimes I do these kind of induction for effect, but just words do works just as well as anthing else.

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