What do you see in this image? A man beating or threatening another man? One could imagine the headline for such a picture to be “Police Brutality!” But what if the picture instead bore the caption “Brave off-duty policeman snatches club from dangerous thug.” This video posted by a friend of mine on Facebook recently [...] Read more »
I recently got my hands on an original copy of this book, self-published by the author in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1901. Fascinating reading for anyone with an interest in Hypnosis/Metaphysics. This post shows an old newspaper advertisement for the book from 1902 as well as the cover and a couple of pages from the book. Here [...] Read more »
I hope you’ve enjoyed this short series of blog entries on Hypnosis in Popular Culture. I’ll conclude by saying: Once you start looking, you’ll find representations of Hypnosis everywhere! Unfortunately, negative or inaccurate imagery of Hypnosis in Popular Culture isn’t only limited to cartoons like these. Some might say some of the worst offenders [...] Read more »
Another image of Hypnosis from popular culture. This one reinforces the common concern that you can “get stuck” in Hypnosis at the same time as using the old “bark like a dog” cliche. Needless to say, providing the Hypnosis is properly managed, there really isn’t much chance of getting stuck, and if your Hypnotist makes you bark [...] Read more »
I’ve often said we all hold within our minds an idea of what Hypnosis is. Our own personal version of what it means to be Hypnotized. So, where does it come from? I firmly believe there’s an anthropologically based, deeply held subconscious ability to trance, meditate or engage in prayer prevalent in every human culture, [...] Read more »
The more observant among you will notice I’ve just added a new page to the site: FAQ This series of videos answers all the usual questions I’m asked about Hypnosis. The videos are aimed at those who might be interested in a Hypnosis show or Hypnotherapy or are just curious. For those interested in learning [...] Read more »
One Antipodean treat(?) I’ve never developed a liking for is Scorched Almonds. In fact, before I moved to New Zealand 10 years ago, I’d never even heard of them. Now, let’s get one thing clear. They are not, as the name suggests, a little bit burnt. However, maybe their unfortunate name is one of the [...] Read more »
I get asked all the time to analyse a beginner Hypnotist’s pre-talk or the exact mechanics of an induction they have worked out, usually with a “Will this work?” question tagged on. The truth is nobody can tell you exactly what will work for you and your subject at any given time. Hypnosis happens, quite [...] Read more »
Hypnosis without trance, waking Hypnosis, phenomena without formal induction. Whatever you choose to call it, it all comes down to suggestion. I have gone on record several times as saying that the whole closed eyes/sleep/deepener elements of Hypnosis are all about management: Setting a frame complete with appropriate cues for the Hypnotic session. It just so [...] Read more »
My friend the English Hypnotist Ben White recently posted this: http://www.benwhite.me/2009/11/ben-white-boulevard/ Coincidentally last week, when my mother was visiting from England, I took her to see this: Nowhere near as grand as Ben’s Boulevard, Blackwood Lane is in the popular Lichfield Lanes district of Christchurch, New Zealand. Home to The Vespa Room, The Twisted Hop, Goodbye [...] Read more »
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