Archive for August, 2007

Recommended Reading for Hypnosis Clients

Monday, August 6th, 2007

Here are some books that I like to recommend to clients; reading these along with working through hypnosis sessions can be a great way of enhancing positive changes. Listening to the audiobook versions is even better (and easier), I think.

The Power of Now
I love Tolle’s idea that compulsive thinking about both the past and future is a disease and at the root of many problems we create for ourselves.

Think and Grow Rich
When I first read this all-time classic, I was surprised to see that it was basically about the power of the subconscious mind and using emotions and desire to shape behavior and therefore reality. It even has a section on Autosuggestion. Did you know: Bruce Lee followed the recommended steps in this book, including writing a statement to himself where he committed to his Definite Chief Aim to become the “highest paid Oriental superstar… I will achieve world fame…” We know how that turned out! There are also some extremely successful business people who give credit to this book, but c’mon, would you rather be the billionaire CEO of some company, or Bruce Lee?

The Now Habit
This is a great book that I always recommend to procrastinator clients. Terrific insights into why people procrastinate and different ways of looking at yourself in relation to productivity. This is another book that has elements of hypnosis in it, but doesn’t call it that by name. PS. Did you know that procrastination clients are the most likely to be no-shows for appointments?

Goals! – Brian Tracy
This is another book that uses hypnosis (very evident in the audiobook at least), but never actually comes out and calls it that.

Total Money Makeover
Dave Ramsey understands that personal financial success is 80% attitude and behavior (the subconscious mind), not about math or interest rates (the rational/analytical). Check out the podcast of his radio show, where people call in with nightmare stories of getting into debt. Highly motivating and frightening at the same time. I like how Ramsey gets people totally fired up and fed up with the debtor mentality that is constantly being sold to us: car leases, student loans, credit cards, debt consolidation, etc. He’s a powerful speaker; sometimes it almost seems like he is hypnotizing people so that they can’t stand the idea of being in debt.

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind
(Not to be confused with the dry but otherwise excellent “Millionaire Mind” by Thomas Stanley) This book is about the differences in self-image and self-talk between people who have a poor vs. rich mentality (regardless of raw income). When Eker talks about the programming we allow ourselves to live by, and how Thoughts–>Feelings–>Action–>Results determines our lives, I think it has a lot of relevance to the work we do together in hypnosis.


Live Hypnosis Demo on Comcast Morning Show

Monday, August 6th, 2007

I was recently asked to perform a live hypnosis demo on CN8 Comcast Network’s “Your Morning” show. The induction was performed on a volunteer from the Comcast staff; she was a bit nervous about being on live TV as well as being hypnotized. Still, even with no pre-interview or rehearsal, and in a fairly unrelaxing studio environment (the program is broadcast from the lobby/restaurant area of a large hotel in Philadelphia), she was able to achieve a demonstrable level of hypnosis in the very limited time we had available.

Being on the program was a great experience, the staff of the show was very professional and made sure everything ran smoothly. I only wish I had some more time to help dispel some of the myths regarding hypnosis, such as:

  • Hypnosis is not sleep. You are awake and aware while in the state.
  • At this point, there is no question that hypnosis is a real phenomenon based on medical and scientific research. But there is a lot of debate about exactly how and why it works. And also if it is really effective for some of the things that people claim.
  • You cannot be forced to do anything against your will or morals, and you cannot be forced to reveal secrets you do not want to share. At all times you retain self-control.
  • PS. The Comcast “Your Morning” show is broadcast live every morning into 9 million homes along the East Coast. Did I mention I help many people who have a fear of public speaking, or who would like to gain self-confidence?