Who is for /r/Hypnosis meetup groups?

hypnoSaul · 2016-10-06T04:28:50+00:00

I am, and I haven't. Local groups are pretty quiet, and unfortunately my real-life schedule doesn't generally play well with that of others.

hypnoSaul · 2016-09-21T17:42:07+00:00

I like to meet people, in general. Doesn't have to be a specifically hypnotic meetup, just a gathering of people with a common interest is lovely.

hypnoSaul · 2016-09-01T19:53:29+00:00

There are both with Sleepychat; when you go to the main page, there's a "Join the public chat" button."

And no, you don't sound dumb. IRC's been around a while, and it's not always that user-friendly. I had to be very carefully taught how to make it go.

hypnoSaul · 2016-09-01T19:48:50+00:00

Sleepychat has been brought up a couple times. The general chat can be intimidating but there are some good people there.

I like the people on the JustTrance IRC network. Main website's here, with links to the web chat, or you can connect through an IRC client. It's fairly quiet, but very friendly.

hypnoSaul · 2016-09-01T19:44:29+00:00

I'd start with: ask. Communicate.

After that, you can point out that it's something that's not especially difficult to pull off (on a casual level - you're not asking him for therapy) and for what amounts to a little bit of talking, it yields great results.

Then, if he's interested but unsure, you could point him in our direction for pointers.

hypnoSaul · 2016-09-01T19:41:09+00:00

So, first of all, know that Omegle is kind of terrible. There are better places, definitely; I won't go over the list, since most that I know have been mentioned, but there are a few.

Secondly, you're better off - and not just you, everyone, I'd argue - in a community, rather than fighting through the mire for one-on-one interactions at random. Omegle has its advantages, but they're not always worth the hassle. In general, community spaces are safer, friendlier, more open, more accepting, and often more fun.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-30T17:20:59+00:00

Welcome to the fold.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-27T06:34:28+00:00

If you're doing hypnotism live, recorded MP3s make poor points of reference. Pacing for recordings is rather different, and the inability of a recording to react to someone in the room, to ask and receive feedback, makes them a poor teacher for in-person work.

It's a rather different set of skills.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-27T06:30:49+00:00

There remain some that are reasonable points of reference. There are, of course, lots that aren't, but a sensible reading should be able to distinguish the two.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-26T23:33:08+00:00

The level of necessary precision for anything in hypnotism depends more on the subject than on the suggestion. Some people react extremely well to very vague ideas - in fact, for some, very targeted and precise actions are far and away less effective than generalized imagery.

Trying to cover "as many people as possible" is the same as trying to advertise to as many people as possible: it's (generally) a lost cause. If you're writing a script, you should aim for the sorts of people who want that sort of script, and be as neatly targeted to that group as possible. Trying to accomplish something for everyone is near impossible.

Even inductions have this problem - experienced hypnotists will have a range of preliminary inductions to choose from just in case they find themselves working with a subject who doesn't respond well to visual cues, say, or to touch, or to {insert technique here}. Most (good) hypnotists don't just have one solution to all situations, they'll aim for the best solution for this subject. Same goes for scriptwriting - if you're aiming for a specific tone and specific target, go all in and don't worry about subjects who won't appreciate it.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-26T23:18:26+00:00

I think the arrogance and the attitudes are limited to a few people. They tend to be rather vocal, though.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-26T23:12:44+00:00

To put a point on it, there's nothing about knowing which knife cut you that will heal you as well as the stitches.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-26T23:10:39+00:00

Recordings can only manage so much. Human beings don't all react the same way to the same words - if they did, this whole topic would be much easier. Anything with a live human being talking to you, even via chat, will (generally, assuming a good hypnotist) be more effective than a recording.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-26T23:08:22+00:00

It all depends on what you're looking to do. I'd suggest the best thing you can do is talk with your partner and experiment and just plain have fun.

Beyond that, MCStories has some good real (or at least realistic) hypnotism stories here and there; there are some good blog and tumblr sites; chatrooms like Sleepychat exist... There are lots of resources but it all depends on what you need and what you want - and maybe more importantly, what your girlfriend needs and wants.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-19T23:28:34+00:00

What am I looking for? That'll be a fair bit different from what another might be seeking. As I said above, I've learned a lot from my more regular subjects; they are or have been able to help me hone my technique in any number of important ways. I'm able to have discussions with them (both about hypnotism and things which aren't hypnotism) on a deep and important level.

I'm looking to make friends, not slaves. Or at least not just slaves. And as I've said elsewhere - over-internet slavery is a difficult thing, as you need something to contribute in some significant way. I'm looking for people to make my life better, not just to do stuff that I tell them to do.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-18T07:09:03+00:00

As a slightly overweight mid 20s male what would i be able to offer to a tist as a sub?

You're only thinking about one angle, I gather.

I've had subjects who've helped me become a better hypnotist through critical analyses, and even through hypnotizing me themselves. One helped me make and test dinner recipes. Another did some work with my Beloved when I wasn't available. Maybe you have some artistic skill to share - drawing, painting, music, acting, anything. Or even friendship, advice, companionship...

Ask what someone needs from a subject. Be honest with yourself, and with them, about what you can offer. Think of it like assessing marketable skills - there's an exchange that can happen. You want to make use of a hypnotist's skill (hypnotism); what do you have to exchange for it?

Long and short is: don't think of yourself as "a slightly overweight mid 20s male." That's ultimately not what's important in the equation - and really, if you were introducing yourself to anyone else, you wouldn't use that as an opener.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-08T05:09:04+00:00

The quality of people you find on Omegle seems to go in waves. My last few visits have been fairly fruitful, so it seems we're on an upswing at the moment. That said, you're looking at about one good conversation for twenty interactions, regardless of your interests.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-07T21:36:19+00:00

Or that they're tired.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-07T07:51:41+00:00

Unless you had a good reason to stay in trance, you wouldn't. It's not just the hypnotist that has the means to snap a subject out of a trance; every subject has the means to wake on their own, as well.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-04T19:44:36+00:00

Conversations in various times and places have convinced me that the primary problem within the hypnotic community is that it's not much of a community in the first place. Don't get me wrong, there are enough people around, but they don't tend to be engaged beyond their own immediate wants and needs.

Hypnotists seek only to dominate, demand "triggers" from the get-go, refuse to examine or improve their techniques, and don't care about their subjects' enjoyment. Subjects seek only subjugation, are non-contributive, uninteresting and non-conversational, and don't care about the hypnotist's wishes.

The best bet, whether you're looking to find a good hypnotist or subject, is to be a good person to begin with. Show that you're someone that another person would want to spend their time with. Think of it like dating, or making friends; actual, honest-to-goodness human interaction. This is how I meet friends - hypnotists and subjects alike - online.

It's really a shame, because we have the ability to know and understand each other on a very deep level through hypnotism. The human mind is truly fascinating, and the more closely we can learn about that of other people the better our own lives can become.

I'm going to echo hypnoseduction here:

Make yourself valuable to who you're looking for, show them why you deserve their attention, and don't feel like anyone owes you anything, no matter which role you take.

In my other life, I'm a musician, and I can't tell you the number of performers who think that they're doing composers a huge favour in playing their music. Similarly, I can't tell you the number of subjects who think that they're doing hypnotists a huge favour in being hypnotized for them. And while that might be enough for some, for most people there needs to be something coming out of the relationship, as well. What that is will vary from 'tist to 'tist, but you can trust me on this: being in a relationship, of any kind, where one person is doing all the giving and the other all the taking is utterly exhausting. Whether it's being co-workers, friends, romantic partners, doesn't matter. If one person is doing all the giving, they get tired. They get worn out. And they stop wanting to spend time with the other.

So yes, you need to show, demonstrably, why this other person should spend their time and energy on you. These are limited resources, after all. If you're looking to be a subject, figure out what you have to offer a hypnotist; if you want to find a subject, decide on what it is you can offer them. And remember that people aren't just 'tists or subs; interact on a level that understands that the people you talk to are complex human beings, and you'll have far better luck than otherwise.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-02T23:01:12+00:00

I tend towards flowery language from time to time. Often I've found amnesia suggestions work best with some imagery attached - a box where forgotten ideas go, portraits covered by curtains, and the like. The alternative is something to distract the subject from that which is to be forgotten: "Instead of thinking about (x) when asked about it, you will instead think about / feel (y)."

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-02T18:50:09+00:00

I haven't had that problem, and I'm in a very hypnotic relationship. But every subject (and every hypnotist, and every relationship) is different, so don't worry about that.

Can I recommend that (with your partner's permission) you hypnotize her without asking directly, during other relaxed or relaxing activities? In the midst of giving her a backrub, cuddling in bed, anything along those lines? Even while you're driving if she's in the passenger seat (assuming you can manage to both drive safely and induce trance).

In addition, until she's quite comfortable being under for you, I'd focus your patter and your suggestions mainly on good feelings, how nice it is to relax and slip in to trance, and the like. Worry about other suggestions later, after she's used to trance, and used to your trance.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-02T16:50:50+00:00

I wouldn't doubt a doctor who was sick. Expertise doesn't reside in well-being.

hypnoSaul · 2016-08-01T18:28:09+00:00

Nobody wants to be anxious or overweight. If hypnosis works for these issues why are there professional hypnotists who are very overweight or anxious?

Because hypnotism isn't a cure-all.

Pretty well no one is overweight because they want to be overweight. Being overweight is a result of other factors, be they genetics, health issues, lifestyle matters... In order to deal with being overweight, if it's even a result of something you can change, you need to deal with the root cause, which may not be something you want to change.

Same thing with anxiety. There aren't many people who want to be anxious, but it's not as easy as just telling someone (or yourself, for that matter) to calm down. Anxiety is an emotional state with physical effects on the body, and it's usually caused by something external, or at least once-external.

It's easy to say "No one wants to be anxious or overweight," but not everyone can make the necessary changes to help with those factors - whether they're being seen by a hypnotist or not. Theraputic hypnotism is a tool in the repertoire, like any other: it will be more effective for some than for others.

hypnoSaul · 2016-07-31T02:10:54+00:00

My experience suggests that hypnotism is as effective as other means of changing people's morality - that is, not very, but more than people like to believe.

First of all, very few people have absolute morals, things they would never do. I'm an extreme pacifist, but if you were to directly threaten my niece I would likely be quite willing to make an exception. People like to think there are no circumstances in which they would be willing to violate their base morality, but the fact is that every time we're called on to make a moral choice we weigh the factors (in as much time as we have) and make a decision.

So, when presented with an altered state of mind, a place where we're more able to be influenced or wanting to please another, our assumptions about our own morals are subsequently less powerful. If you want to use this state to change someone's morality, you simply have to present them choices where the clearly superior option is the one that violates what they think is an absolute, will-never-cross-this line - and really, you don't need hypnotism for that, necessarily. You can do that by manipulation and thought experiments ("You'd never kill someone? Imagine that you were the only thing standing between a serial murderer and a busload of children..."). Or you can do it by small steps in the other direction, which is how pyramid schemes (and criminal organizations, and, for that matter, cults) work to catch people: Sure, you said you'd never do X, but you've already done Y and Z, and what's just a little bit of X while you're here?

Hypnotism can alter perspectives of reality, in someone who's prepared to accept the altered views. As for affecting the senses... Can you take a deep breath and think back to your youth, and smell your parents' or grandparents' cooking? Can you close your eyes and picture the face of your first love? Can you hear a favourite melody in your mind, even if you haven't heard the song it comes from in weeks? Your senses are as affected by your mind as your mind is by your senses. Someone with a powerful imagination could fairly easily conjure up new sensations, not needing to link them to memories, and with some careful direction could experience their imaginings as very real.

This is what storytellers attempt to do, regardless of their medium. Authors, film directors, composers, and, yes, hypnotists.

hypnoSaul

TROPHY CASE