Dilbert Cartoonist weighs in on Hypnosis

I'm not a big Dilbert comics reader, but I think Scott Adams is a pretty cool guy, and it turns out, he's a trained hypnotist.

On his blog, he weighs in on the often-heard-by-hypnotists-comment "I can't be hypnotized."

Regular readers already know that I’m a trained hypnotist. When people hear that, the most common response I hear is “I can’t be hypnotized.” I suppose people are trying to tell me they have too much will power.

What they actually tell me is that they have no understanding of hypnosis. Luckily I’m here to clear up everything.

The best way to think of hypnosis is on a continuum of methods for influencing people. .

. . .you could learn how to improve your performance in some area of your life that would benefit from focus and visualization. For example, it might help you get rid of the yips in your golf game, or become a better public speaker. In that way, hypnosis is much like having a good coach.

 

In my opinion, if you can watch a scary movie and be scared, you can be hypnotized.  If you watch a movie about plane crashes and develop a fear of flying, you can be hypnotized. If you see a commercial about a fat juicy char-broiled hamburger then suddenly find yourself wanting to have burgers for your next meal, then you can be hypnotized. If you can ride the subway, reading a book, then miss your stop because you were so engrossed in the story, you can be hypnotized.

When I explain hypnosis to my hypnotherapy clients, I talk to them about hypersuggestibility.  When you are in a hypersuggestible state, then you are influenced by certain factors into taking "suggestions" as possible/probable reality.  We are all taken in, and influenced in our thoughts and behaviors, by compelling stories.  Especially stories about ourselves that we feel are immutable destinies.  ( and/or media or government propaganda! )

Most of my smoking cessation clients "can't see themselves without cigarettes." That's like saying, "You know, I would leave my crappy job, but I can't SEE myself doing anything else," or "I'd leave my abusive relationship, but I couldn't SEE myself with anyone else."

My job as a hypnotherapist is to help you SEE YOURSELF in a new light - and this new self-perception opens doors of possibility that allow you to really SEE YOURSELF as a Creator - not a passive victim - of life.

While under hypnosis, or guided visualization, your own creative abilities expand beyond your fixed idea of your current self, and you can be inspired and motivated to step into that ultimate vision of your life, goals and purpose. 

This is why hypnotherapy is such a completely powerful tool for creating change.  When you can really see the goal, you are more likely to achieve it.

Comments

[Jennifer Fader]

What do you think of his recent mindhack? He restored his own voice after a rare neurological disorder took it away. Having this insight on Scott really fills in the blanks!

[guile]

what would we do without dilbert?..