talkmagic.co.uk

"Yeah, well, you know; that's just, like, you're opinion, man" - The Dude

johnnyryanuk, I thought you started this thread so that people could recommend books or DVDs to you regarding hypnotic induction. A few people have done that, so let's not get hostile about brain scans and proof of a hypnotic state etc. As you can see, there are a great many people that contribute posts to this excellent site that have a huge amount of experience with hypnosis and psychology (I'm doing my degree too at the ripe old age of 36), and each of us have different opinions and ideas about what it is. I thought your reaction to Barry's post was a bit harsh is all. No need, we're here to help and discuss, not to accuse each other of reading right-wing alarmist tabloids.

cc100, I wouldn't recommend trying hypnosis from Derren's book. He doesn't really cover the health and safety parts which I consider quite important, nor does he really cover the wake up in as much depth as, I would argue, you would need.

Furthermore, if your family and friends know you haven't done hypnosis before, I've found that they are very difficult to 'go under'. Its like with magic tricks, its easier for people to buy into your 'powers' if they haven't met you before.
Having said that I managed to successfully hypnotise my significant other over the weekend, and we've been seeing each other over a year now. Mind you, she always thought I was a little odd apparently...

I think if Johnny reads that thread I referenced there is more than enough information for him to make up his own mind about the reality of hypnosis so there is no point going over old ground again. In any event he should certainly form an opinion about it and it seems he has already done so. His decision will affect the entire way he approaches the subject. I do know that once I decided (on the basis of information provided to me by one of the greatest stage hypnotists of the twentieth century) that it was all nonsense I made very rapid progress towards learning it.

As to which sources he should learn from I suppose this depends on what kind of hypnosis he wants to do. If it is this business of approaching people in the street or other impromptu venues I can be of no help to him whatsoever. Or performing this stuff close up to people. That I have no idea about either and indeed I am not even sure that it should be done in those circumstances. If it is done for entertainment purposes in that manner I think it trivialises the "phenomena".

If he is interested in stage work apart from my own DVDs I alway recommend material from Ormond Mc'Gill.

and on that note.......