We explore some basic facts about the way in which the brain and body work. Specifically we See how words and images can activate other systems in the brain which relate to feelings, muscles, Senses, sense of balance etc. These are compared with “tests of hypnotisability” and “hypnotic Inductions” ENTERTAINMENT hypnotists love to make hypnosis look dark and mysterious and complicated. They love to pretend that they have special powers that no-one else possesses. I love to make things bright and clear and open, and I do not claim any special powers. In this first chapter I am going to ask you to try out various things and to think about them. These things are simple and every day, and will turn out to be not at all mysterious, and yet they are a foundation on which much of hypnosis is built.

Words can trigger pictures in your mind. This must seem a pretty obvious fact. You need only think of reading a novel and remember the pictures that come to mind as you do so to realise the obvious truth of this. But it is still worth doing a little exercise on it, as follows. First just think to yourself, “I am on holiday.” STOP NOW; did you see a picture of it in your mind? People vary, but it is unlikely, in the very short time I allowed you, that you saw anything very clearly. Now allow yourself more TIME. Think, “I am on holiday.” Pause. “It is my favourite kind of place.” Pause. “The weather is just how I like it.” Pause. “I am wearing my favourite clothes.” Pause. “I am doing my very favourite thing.” Pause. “I am on holiday!”

Nevertheless the generalisation that they all tend to have a focused or limited awareness compared with normal, outward oriented functioning makes a useful step towards the matter of the next chapter. You have probably already noticed in the above experiences that they are most effective if the mind is focused. If there are no distracting thoughts. If there is nothing else distracting happening. In other words it is best if there is no other mental activity. If other mental and physical activity is switched down or off.ded as

You can proceed like this. Sit or lie comfortably. Let your mind rest on your right hand. Think “sleep” or “rest” or “relax” or some other word that you find particularly appropriate. Then repeat it with pauses, just as we have done for other things in Chapter 1. If you are working on yourself you will of course be continuously aware of progress. If you are working on another it is helpful to ask every so often, “How is it going?” so that you know what progress is being made.

Beyond that you can continue to pay attention successively to all other major muscle groups, relaxing each in turn in the same way. As far as I know there is no magic about what order you do this in. Some people like to start with the feet, then calves, then thighs, then lower body, then back, then chest, then shoulders, then upper arms, then lower arms, then hands, then neck, then face and then scalp. Others will reverse it. But I have often jumped about with just the same effect. When working with others I will ask how things are progressing and if any particular group of muscles feels tense. That group will then get more attention, coming back to it repeatedly in between relaxing other, easier groups.

However students, in particular, should note exactly what they are trying to do. In particular you should be asking yourself, “Do I KNOW that these pictures lead to relaxation?” This can actually be very important! There are some people who HATE lying on the beach in the sun. All the suggested picture will then do is to activate a great desire to move away and muscular tension will result because one part of the mind will be saying in effect “get up and out of here” and starts to contract the muscles that will get you up, while another is saying, “no, you are supposed to stay here” and will be starting to tense opposing muscles to keep you in place. Such opposing muscular tensions is a classic symptom of stress.

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