In this method of inducing hypnosis, the subject is told to stretch out on a couch with his eyes closed. The operator then gives the suggestions for sleep, which were explained a moment ago in the Candle method. The suggestions are given until the subject seems to be asleep. Then the operator should place his thumb between the eyes of the patient, and press downwards quite hard, saying, "You cannot open your eyes—Try— Never mind—Sleep." Should the subject succeed in opening his eyes, the sleep suggestions must be resumed. If the subject does not open his eyes, the operator then gently lifts up the right arm, also explained in the Candle method, and tells the subject that his arm is rigid, etc. The subject, after trying unsuccessfully to bend his arm, is told now that he can do so, and then the suggestions desired by the operator are given.Hypnotic the reclining method
Suggestion is the heart and soul of hypnosis. You hypnotize people to give them suggestions - period. But much hypnosis education spends a lot of time teaching you how to induce trance and not much on how to give suggestions. That's like teaching you how to drive and spending most of the lesson on how to start the engine!
In this method the subject is either seated in a chair or reclines on a couch. He is told by the operator to take slow deep breaths, and as the operator counts out loud, the subject is instructed to open his eyes on the count of one, close them on the count of two, open them on the count of three, and so on. In between the counting, the operator gives the suggestions of sleep, as described in the previous methods, until the subject is asleep. There are many variations of these methods I have just explained. Many of them are cumbersome and labored. When the simple and direct methods can achieve the same results, it seems unreasonable to make the operation difficult and complicated. I wish to stress that whatever method is employed, its success depends upon the receptivity of the subject, and the confidence of the operator that he will succeed!
As indicated in the first lesson, Dr. Braid, who gave hypnotism its name, used the method of focusing the attention of the subject on some mechanical object, held a few inches above the eyes; so as to create an optical strain, which would aid in making the eyelids heavy, and in inducing the hypnotic sleep. This method is still used by some practitioners. The main objection is that it requires considerable time, usually from six to twelve minutes, and the strain on the eyes might possibly give the subject a slight headache. The direct suggestive method seems equally effective, and is much quicker. I have demonstrated in my radio programmers, and in many public and private demonstrations, that it is possible to hypnotize an individual in a matter of a few seconds, without resorting to any mechanical means whatsoever. With the Braid method, in addition to the focusing of the eyes on a bright object, suggestions to induce sleep, which will be explained a little later in this lesson, are also given.
Many physicians and psychiatrists use special drugs to put their patients to sleep, and to explore the subconscious mind with a view to locating early experiences which may have caused mental and emotional disturbances. These include sodium pentothal, sodium amatol and the barbiturates. As certain dangers are involved, these drugs must be used only by a qualified medical practitioner.