11 - Induction - Introduction

Even though I’m doing an analysis of the Sensory Overlap induction and using it as an example, I’d rather not copy it wholesale. I’ll be linking to various sections of the induction. Open it up in a second tab. I’ll be rewriting the induction in a way that I’d deliver it in a practice session.

Here’s the link.

Alternatively, the induction is included in three of Graham Old’s books. I recommend them. I particularly like Hypnosis with the Hard to Hypnotize.

The good news is that we’re finally getting started with giving suggestions. The next few sections will cover the intentions of the induction, at the end of which you’ll not only have an understanding of how to hypnotize someone, but also what the suggestions do, leaving you graduating with a set of tools and a structure to start with.

Holy Shit That Is A Lot

Yup, it is! I don’t expect you to memorize it. Far from it. Here’s what I’d recommend:

Starting out, just read the script to yourself out loud. (If you chose to do one of the PMRs instead, that’s fine too.)
After you’ve done that once or twice, make a copy of the script for yourself.
- If you’re doing this in VR, copy it in to a file. I use XSOverlay and Obsidian if I need some on-the-fly reminders.
- If you’re doing this IRL, print it out or transcribe it.
After you’re feeling comfortable with reading the script to subjects, and you’ve been taking notes in the exit interview, start shortening your notes.
- Break the induction down in to bullet-point reminders and techniques. Try to improvise the content.
- Keep the script around as a backup plan if you run in to too many brain farts.

Remember, this is for practice, not sex appeal. It’s okay if you suck at sucking starting out. Whatever you do, don’t worry about your “hypnotic voice.” That’ll come naturally over time.

And Then, There’s More

Starting out - simply doing an induction with someone and being willing to practice takes a lot of guts. Good job for getting this far. Seriously.

When giving suggestions becomes second nature, there’s a few more things you should be doing when you feel you have the bandwidth…

Watching. Did their body language change? If you’re IRL, how’s their expression? In VR, what are their hands doing? Are their fingers twitching?
Listening. Did their breathing change? Are they trying to verbalize something and could use a checkup? Did they let out a sigh of relief?
Responding. Starting out, hypnosis feels like reciting a script. When you get more experience, it becomes very interactive, especially in recreational hypnosis. Their head tilt? Utilize it. Fingers twitching? Mention it. Breathing slow down? Bind that to their body becoming heavier. Are they still looking at you? Gesture for them to close their eyes. It’s a ton of fun when you get to this point.

The way you interact with your partner is the difference between you and a tape recorder.

Setting the Scene

Link to original section.

All right, if you’re ready, I’d like you take as much time as you need to get comfortable. I’m going to be talking about plenty of things as we go along, and you might want to keep track of them, or you might not. It’s totally up to you.

Starting out, we invite the subject to relax, nothing fancy there. The interesting part is giving them the choice that, if they don’t want to focus, they don’t have to. This has a few intentions:

We’ve asked the subject to relax. If they’re not focusing on what we’re saying, they’re probably relaxing.
It’s not a failure if they don’t keep track of everything.
This is a stretch, but Erickson would regularly encourage people to be comfortable with both “Not Doing” and “Not Knowing.” He’d also actively try to engage their subjects in daydreaming. In a way, if you’re not actively keeping track, you might end up doing just that. Read Hypnotic Realities if you’re interested.

I’m also not sure if you’ll be able to concentrate more easily with your eyes open or closed. If you’d like to close them now, please do so. If at any time during the process, you’d like them to close, let them.

Nothing wild here either:

We invite them, instead of telling them, to close their eyes.
We’re also implying that they’re an active participant, and want them to do what’s best for them.