The easiest way, in my opinion, to deepen the effect of hypnosis is to make an objective statement, and to follow with a subjective question.  By making an objective statement, you place or control the direction of the story.  By asking questions about the statement, you cause the listener's imagination to invent details and add vividness.  As surgeon Maxwell Maltz always said in his book Psycho-Cybernetics, 'The brain cannot distiguish between something that is real and something that is vividly imagined.' If you can get someone to attain a vivid image about whatever you are suggesting they imagine, that will draw them deeper into their subconscious.  If you are a natural storyteller, this is even easier.

This is only an example, but you should use whatever would be common between the patient and yourself.  Here are some objective statements to create a foundation for a visual imagery:

• "You find yourself in a wide open field.
• This meadow is a valley surrounded by high hills.
• You can see evergreens and forest on the hills and mountains beyond, in all directions.
• There is a stream a safe distance away.
• "Looking around, you see animals, birds, butterflies and other insects.
• Nothing here is giving you any reason to be afraid.
• You only feel relaxed, and you feel you want to explore this area. "

• "You see a house.  What color is it?
• There is someone coming out.  Do you know this person?
• Look into the sky.  What do you see?
• You hear people talking inside.  What are they saying?
• You drink some water from the stream.  How does it taste?"

• "Where do you find yourself in this memory?
• Who is with you?
• What are you doing here in this memory?
• Does this place remind you of anywhere you have ever been?"

Return to middles