Is It Important to Know About the History of Hypnosis?

Many hypnosis training courses/books/videos often state they are going to skip all the “fluff” and “filler” and get right down to practical “nitty-gritty” applications of hypnosis and hypnotic techniques. Really, there is nothing at all wrong with this practice. It is a good way to jump right in, really get your feet wet, so to speak. If that is what you would like to do, then by all means, do so! On, the other hand, I have found some tremendous value in knowing at least some of the key points, people, and events that have made the ancient art of hypnosis what it is today. In fact, many of the ”nitty gritty” practical applications of hypnosis and potent hypnotic techniques that I have learned have come from studying some of the key figures in hypnosis history (especially people like Dave Elman and Milton Erickson). Now, before we move on, let me make something clear. I will only be covering the key points, people, and events in the history of hypnosis in upcoming articles, and you will not have to wade through a long series of articles to get to the "good stuff", because I will be breaking up these short and fascinating hypnotic history lessons over time and mixing them with very practical, skill-increasing, and “get right down to it” lessons. With that said, let me give you the top 3 reasons to learn more about the history of hypnosis. Top 3 Reasons to Learn About the History of Hypnosis 1. Confidence in Hypnosis There are two main things you need in order to become a master hypnotist. They are: 1. Confidence in yourself and your abilities as a hypnotist (we will cover this later) 2. Confidence in hypnosis itself! You see, when I first started to learn hypnosis and how to hypnotize, I felt pretty insecure. One of the main things I was insecure about was whether hypnosis was real and whether it really worked. I had all kinds of question running through my mind, such as: * Is hypnosis real? * Can you really put someone into a trance? * Is it really possible to help someone overcome a life-long problem by simply putting them into a trance and giving them hypnotic suggestions? (Today, I know that there is a little more to it than that!) * Can hypnosis and hypnotists really do all the cool stuff I have heard about, like making peoples eyes stick together so they cannot open them, or making someone's hand lift automatically without any conscious effort on the subject’s part, control pain, etc? (By the way, I will answer all of these question and more in upcoming articles.) At first, I was not sure how to answer those questions and dispel the doubts I had about hypnosis. That is, until I began to look into the history of hypnosis. Then I began to learn about people like James Braid (considered the father of modern hypnosis), who elevated hypnosis out of the realm of superstition and mysticism and into the realm of science. Also, I learned about legendary hypnotists like Milton Erickson and Dave Elman (both considered to be the greatest hypnotists ever). I saw the rock-solid confidence and belief that these people had in hypnosis. I also read factual accounts of the incredible things these people accomplished while using hypnosis on themselves and to help others. All of this made me start to believe that hypnosis was, in fact, real, as well as a powerful and effective tool for helping myself and others. What is more, that confidence in hypnosis also caused me to feel more confident in myself as a hypnotist because I knew that I stood on a solid foundation of science, history, and experiences of those who pioneered the way for me today. 2. Motivation The second thing I gained from learning more about the history of hypnosis was motivation. When I saw the skills these hypnotists had — the level of mastery of hypnosis they had attained, the way they developed new and more effective hypnosis techniques, and the amazing result they were able to achieve by using hypnosis on themselves and others — I wanted to be like them! They are my Hypnotic Super Heroes. They are the Michael Jordan(s) of the hypnosis world. They are legends in their own right. Now, in the same way that young basketball players want to emulate their “hero(s)” and be like, play like, dress like, dunk like, and have money and fame like their hero(s), when you learn more about these “superstars” of the hypnosis world, you may begin to find yourself starting to feel motivated to attain the mastery of hypnosis that they did. Heck, you might even surpass them! Who knows, maybe people will look back on YOU as one the greatest hypnotists who ever lived! 3. Pride in Your Hypnotic Heritage It is good to feel like you are a part of something bigger than yourself, is it not? Well, when (or if) you make a decision to learn hypnosis and become a hypnotist, you will know that you are becoming part of an art that has a long and rich history behind it. You will be joining the ranks of those who came before you and those who are hypnotists — like you — right now! If you are a hypnotist (or are in the process of learning how to become one), you should feel a sense of positive pride! We are hypnotists by trade! Although there are many of us, very few people know — really know — what we know about hypnosis and how to use it for our benefit and the benefit of others! Ours truly is a unique and exclusive art! Finally, when you keep these things in mind, they will help you feel confident in hypnosis, motivated to be the best hypnotist you can be, and feel good about being a hypnotist because you are standing on a foundation of science, history, and the experiences and feats of all the hypnotists before you, as well as being in the company of all the hypnotists that are alive and practicing hypnosis along with you now! Stay tuned! In upcoming articles I will be teaching you more about what hypnosis is (and is not) and going deeper into the history of hypnosis as well as teaching you practical hypnotic skills and techniques to get you well on your way to becoming a master hypnotist!