Don't Try Too Hard - Part 1

DON'T TRY TOO HARD

This induction may be the hypnotic equivalent of the progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) technique. Subjects are not asked to tense and relax their muscles as in PMR; however, in this induction you directly suggest relaxation in successive parts of the body. More concrete, bodily-oriented individuals, as well as adolescents and children, may respond favorably to this induction, which is more authoritarian than the previous one. Notice that the suggestion for eye closure is rather firm and directive, not permissive and general like the previous induction, which allowed for either continued eye fixation or eye closure. Accordingly, you need to be prepared to pace the subject's response in case eye closure does not occur, for example, "... or your eyes may find it more comfortable to remain open as your body continues to become more relaxed with each deep breath ..."

Communicating or "dancing" with the subject requires that you periodically look up from the script and monitor the subject's response. With practice and experience, you will not have to rely on a prepared script, and monitoring, pacing, and leading will become much easier.

As these script are written to be read aloud (and to have a hypnotic effect), conventional rules for writing are not followed. Sentences that begin with "and," incomplete and run-on sentences, and even double or triple negatives are included purposely.

The concept of unconscious mind is seeded in pre-trance discussion. The therapist may tell the subject that the unconscious mind is like the big part of the icebery, largely unseen beneath the water, or perhaps the therapist wonders aloud, "I wonder how your unconscious mind will benefit from this experience today ..."