Don't Try Too Hard - Part 2

INDUCTION

(Subject's name), don't try too hard to make things happen, and don't try to stop things from happening (bind of comparable alternatives). Just allow your imagination to wander as you notice things going on, perhaps interesting or curious (hypnotic languages)thoughts or sensations, maybe on the inside or the outside, or both at the same (bind of comparable alternatives) time. You don't have to think, or reply, or try to do anything at all (not knowing/not doing). In fact, it isn't even necessary to listen (restraint) carefully to what I'm saying because your unconscious mind will inevitably pay attention (suggestion) to anything important, without any conscious effort on your part. Now, (subject's name), perhaps you thought ahead of time (suggestion) about this experience today. Maybe it crossed your mind yesterday or the day before, or maybe you wondered about it today (truisms) or in the waiting room a few minutes ago, and perhaps right now a part of you is observing the process while the rest of you just goes along with the experience (hidden observer), which is just fine, because beginning now you can let yourself go (suggestion) into just as light or deep a trance as you would like.

As you hear my voice you can allow your body to relax (contingent suggestion) as deeply as you can. Now take several deep breaths, just as deep as you'd like ... very good, that's the way ... A deep breath can feel so very comfortable and satisfying.

(If subject's eyes are not already closed) You may begin to notice that your eyes, and particularly your eyelids (suggestion), may feel very, very drowsy, heavy and somewhat sleepy ... and (linking word) as they begin to blink, they may become especially tired and heavy (suggestion), and when (when) it is hard to keep them open, those (dissociation) eyes may wish to close all by themselves (involuntariness), that's the way ... changing perspective ... and going inside can be a most curious (hypnotic language) contrast.

The feeling that you can attain in your body is a sensation of complete and total muscular relaxation (repetition) ... just relaxing into a deep and very relaxed state ... simply listening to my voice ... and drifting into a very, very pleasant state of mind ... a body that is free from all tension and tightness, free from stress and strain. As you listen to my voice guiding you into a total and complete state of relaxation (repetition) ... your mind, your body ... the muscular system, the nervous system ... lump, relaxed muscles ... and your breathing (suggestion) is the essence of deep, deep relaxation. Your entire body is becoming completely and totally relaxed, (suggestion) your head ... your face ... your neck ... shoulders ... back ... chest ... arms ... completely relaxed, very deeply relaxed, your mind and your body, relaxed, at ease, free from tension, tightness, stress and strain.

Feeling secure and at rest. Enjoying the sense of quietness and calmness. No pressure, no need to rush, no one to please, no one to satisfy. This is just your time to rest and enjoy (suggestion) a gentle peacefulness. Just letting go, quietly and gently, with nothing to bother you, and nothing to disturb you.

While you sit there quietly, you can notice your breathing (contingent suggestion), and at the same time you recognize you are moving deeper and deeper into relaxation. That's the way ...

As soon as your unconscious mind is ready to move deeper into trance, you can raise your right index finger. Good. You know, I once knew a woman (metaphor) who let her unconscious mind identify issues that had been bothering her. As she let her unconscious mind look into the solutions, that were already there inside her (embedded meaning/suggestion for internal search), she began to feel more and more at ease. And as you allow your own imagination to wander, peering into your own inside issues, your conscious mind may think about solutions, while your unconscious mind considers their implications; or perhaps your unconscious mind will generate some solutions, while your conscious mind wonders what the result might be (conscious-unconscious double bind).

And now, letting that comfort and calmness flow, out to every part of you. Bringing such a sense of peacefulness, and quiet, and calm, that any inner stresses can also relax. Allowing all the stress and strain to just fade into the background (suggestion), and become more and more distant, farther and farther away ...

And now I'm going to give you some quiet time, to continue experiencing a deep level of relaxation, enjoying it in your own way. (Allow about 90 seconds.)