Test No. 11 is the "arm" test. Here is another test used frequently to
test the receptiveness to hypnosis. Make a tight fist and extend your
arm in front of you as far as possible. Visualize your arm as one solid
mass, as stiff and rigid as a bar of steel. After your arm is extended,
give yourself a hypnotic suggestion that you will be unable to bend your
arm when you complete the count of three. As you continue to count to
five, you will be able to bend your arm very easily. Here is a form of
suggestion you can use:
"As I reach the count of three, I shall try to bend my arm, but it will
be impossible to do so until I count to five. No matter how hard I try,
it will be absolutely impossible. One ... My arm is stiff and rigid as a
bar of steel. Two ... I can feel the rigidity in my arm. Three ... It is
impossible for me to bend my arm until I count to five. Four ... I can
feel the stiffness slowly leaving. Five ... I can now bend my arm easily
and it feels normal in every respect."
Test No. 12 is the "eye" test. This is probably the most widely used
test in hypnosis. Many subjects equate the inability to open the eyes
with hypnosis. Many assume that if they can open their eyes, they have
not been hypnotized. I must emphatically point out that this is not
true. The subject can fail the eye test and yet have been under
hypnosis. In the deep, somnambulistic state, the subject can open his
eyes without affecting the depth of the hypnotic state. In fact, this is
done many times in getting the subject to do automatic writing, crystal
gazing, mirror gazing, hypnodrama and revivification. In carrying out
posthypnotic suggestions in any state, the subject is frequently told
that he will open his eyes and carry out the suggestion.
I have found that there is more anxiety connected with the eye test than
with any other test. I feel that it is a normal reaction and one that
must be anticipated by the hypnotist as well as the subject.
Occasionally, while hypnotizing a new subject, he will open his eyes.
This can happen when the subject feels he is losing consciousness. His
ability to open his eyes proves to him that he is in control. One of the
main fears that the subject has is his belief that he will lose
voluntary control of himself. The fact that he can open his eyes lessens
his anxiety.
If there seems to be too much threat to the individual, I use a method
that you can follow. Instead of suggesting that the subject will be
unable to open his eyes at a specific count, I suggest that he will be
so relaxed that it will be too much effort to open his eyes until a
further count is given. Actually, what could take less effort? Here are
suggestions you can use:
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