# Seth Practice: Hypnotic Suggestion Keywords: #seth #hypnosis Created: 2022-02-14 Next Card: #EndCard Prev Card: [[Point of Power Practice]] --- ## Overview This content comes from chapter 16 of [[library/The Nature of Personal Reality]]. This is perhaps the most direct set of instructions Seth has given in the book. I don't have as much cross reference material here as I have not studied hypnosis a great deal. The closest would be [[library/Influence]] by [[Robert B. Cialdini PhD]], or [[library/The Honest Truth About Dishonesty]] by [[Dan Ariely]]. Both of those books dive into the suggestions that shape how we see and act in the world. I'm pretty sure [[David McRaney]] probably also has something to say about this in his books on psychology. ## Content > Many people assign great power to a hypnotist, yet **whenever you have the undivided attention of another, you act as a hypnotist to a large degree**. **Whenever you have your own undivided attention you act as hypnotist and subject simultaneously.** > > You give yourselves post-hypnotic suggestions all the time, particularly when you project present conditions into the future. Seth says that contrary to the popular view, hypnotism is actually a demonstration in the power of _belief_. The conscious mind is not helpless, but entirely focused and interference has been cut away. > For five or ten minutes a day at the most, then, use natural hypnosis as a method of accepting desired new beliefs. During that period concentrate your attention as vividly as possible upon one simple statement. Repeat it over and over while focusing upon it for this time. Try to feel the statement in whatever way is possible — that is, do not allow distractions, but if your mind insists upon running about then channel its images in line with your declaration. > The repetition, verbally or mentally, is important because it activates biological patterns and reflects them. Do not strain. > > This exercise should not be done along with the point of power exercise given earlier. One should not run into the other, but should be carried out on separate occasions during the day. > > During the period, however, do remember that you are using the present as a moment of power to insert new beliefs, and that these will indeed be materialized. > > When the exercise is finished do not dwell upon it. Put it from your mind. You will have utilized natural hypnosis in a concentrated form. > > You may have to experiment some for the proper wording of your message, but three days at the very least are necessary before you can tell, through results, how effective it has been. > > A change of wording may be in order. When you feel right about the statement, then continue it. Your attention should be completely relaxed otherwise, for time is needed. > > You may experience spectacular results at once. But continue the exercise even if this happens. Inner channels must become repatterned. There will be a feel to this that will serve as your own individual guideline. > > There is no need to continue the practice over ten minutes. In fact, many will find that difficult to do. Spending a longer period of time simply reinforces the idea of problems involved. About the process Seth says: > Natural hypnosis is the acquiescence of the unconscious to conscious belief. In periods of concentrated focus, with all distractions cut out, the desired ideas are then implanted (in formal hypnosis). The same processes occur in normal life, however; areas of primary concentration then regulate your experience both biologically and mentally, and generate similar conditions. > **The unconscious accepts those orders given to it by the conscious mind.** In each person’s experience, there are areas with which he or she is pleased. When you find yourself dissatisfied, however, question the orders you are giving in that particular arena of experience. The results do not seem, now, to follow your conscious desires. But you will find that they do follow your conscious beliefs, which may be quite different. Let me restate that more simply: **Our desires do not always match our conscious beliefs**. He gives this example: > **When you set your longing against a present belief there is always conflict.** Your belief will generate the proper feelings and imaginative endeavors characteristic of it. If you want to be healthy and continually contrast what you want with the present conviction in your poor health, then the belief itself, set up against the desire, will cause added difficulties. In such a case you seem to want the impossible. Desire and belief are not united but apart. To the point that the conscious mind is _not_ asleep, Seth says: > it is thought that the conscious mind is lulled and its activity suspended. Quite the contrary. It is focused, intensified, narrowed to a specific area, and all other stimuli are cut out. This intensity of conscious concentration cuts down barriers and allows the messages to go directly to the unconscious, where they are acted upon. Then he says: > What does all of this mean to you in your daily life, and how can you utilize natural hypnosis to better your experience? In those areas in which you are dissatisfied, you feel that you are powerless, or that your will is paralyzed, or that conditions continue despite what you think of as your intent. Basically Seth goes on to point out that when life is going well for us, we don't question the mechanism. When we are satisfied with the system, we do not question it. However, in other facets, where we are dissatisfied, the very same mechanism is at play. What we are utterly convinced of results, easily and effortlessly. What should you do? First, realize _you_ are the hypnotist (no other). You must sieze the initiative here, as you have in the other areas of your life that go well. Then you must say: > **For a certain amount of time I will momentarily suspend what I believe in this area, and willfully accept the belief I want. I will pretend that I am under hypnosis, with myself as hypnotist and subject. For that time desire and belief will be one. There will be no conflict because I do this willingly. For this period I will completely alter my old beliefs. Even though I sit quietly, in my mind I will act as if the belief I want were mine completely.** **Note**: This is one of the first times I have seen Seth give actual instructions on what to say and think like this. >**At this point do not think of the future, but only of the present**. If you are overweight, insert the weight that you think is ideal for you while you are following this exercise. Imagine that you are healthy if you have the belief that you are not. If you are lonely, believe that you are filled with the feeling of companionship instead. > Realize that you are exerting your initiative to imagine such situations. > Here there can be no comparison with your normal situation. > Use visual data, or words — whatever is most natural to you. And again, no more than ten minutes is required. > If you do this faithfully, within a month you will find the new conditions materializing in your experience. Your neurological structure will respond automatically. The unconscious will be aroused, bringing its great powers to bear, bringing you the new results. Do not try to overdo this, to go through the entire day worrying about beliefs, for example. This can only cause you to contrast what you have with what you want. Forget the exercise when it is completed. You will find yourself with impulses that arrive in line with these newly inserted beliefs, and then it is up to you to act on these and not ignore them. (Pause.) The initiative must be yours. You will never know unless you try the exercise. Now, this is one of the most concise and clear directions Seth has given in the book. I can only add my own personal experience. ## My Personal Experience with Hypnotism. I have been "hypnotized" twice by the same performer at the Tempe Comedy Club. I have excellent concentration and a pretty good imagination. I was never "out", just very relaxed and able to focus intently on what the hypnotist told me. I felt like I was able to "pretend" with extreme ease, I had no fear of being on stage and I could flow with what ever idea he gave me. I remember the audience laughing at my responses to his prompts, and I enjoyed that, but it was easy to just stay in the "play". Physically the one thing that shocked me was when he asked me to smell a disgusting smell. I _immediately_ remembered the smelliest poop cookie had ever unloaded. It was disgusting and my body acted like it was right there in front of me again. I mean could _smell_ how bad it was and I nearly wanted to vomit. The other one that got everyone's attention was when he made my hand some kind of puppet with a mind of its own. I was visibly shocked when I saw my puppet hand. Again, I knew it was my hand, but it was just so easy to pretend. Like when I was a little kid. I share that because everyone around me was so shocked at what I was doing, and how I was acting but I was NEVER once **unconscious**. I was always alert and aware. I think, as Seth said, it was easy to _believe_ what we were doing so it was fun. ## The First Practice: Self Hypnosis Your goal is to use "hypnosis" or auto-suggestion to implant new beliefs into your conscious mind. 1. For 5 or 10 minutes a day (at most) concentrate your entire attention as vividly as possible upon one simple statement. 2. Repeat it over and over while focusing up int for this time. 3. Do not strain. 4. Try to _feel_ (emphasis mine) the statement in whatever way is possible. 5. Do not allow distraction, but if your mind insists upon running about, then channel its images in line with your declaration. 6. Remember, while this is not the Power of the Present Practice, the present moment is the moment of power to effect change. 7. You can stop after 5 minutes and should not need (or try) to go more than 10. 8. When you are done, put it out of your mind. Do not dwell on it. Some time is required. ### Notes: - The repetition is important because it activates biological patterns. - You can repeat the phrase out-loud, or simply mentally. - Do not run this with the previous exercise, The Present Moment Power. Allow some time during the day between them. - You may begin to see results right away (unlikely) or within 3 days. However, regardless of what you do, keep going and practicing. This is a concentrated form of self-hypnosis. - You may need to change the word order until it feels right. - Your attention should be completely relaxed, time is needed. ## The Second Practice: Bargaining 1. Say: For a certain amount of time I will momentarily suspend what I believe in this area, and willfully accept the belief I want. I will pretend that I am under hypnosis, with myself as hypnotist and subject. For that time desire and belief will be one. There will be no conflict because I do this willingly. For this period I will completely alter my old beliefs. Even though I sit quietly, in my mind I will act as if the belief I want were mine completely. 2. Only think of the present moment. 3. Insert the ideal you want in your life (weight, love, health, income) 4. _Believe_ in the new situation, feel it. 5. Realize you are exerting your initiative to imagine such situations. 6. Do not compare this new situation to your "normal" life situation. 7. Use visual data, or words, what ever is most natural. 8. Stop after 5 and no more than 10 minutes. 9. Forget the exercise after it is completed. **Note**: * If you do this faithfully, within a month you should see changes manifest. * _Do not_ try to overdo this. * Do Not go through the entire day worrying about beliefs. This can only cause you to contrast what you _have_ with what you want. - **You will find yourself with impulses that arrive in line with these newly inserted beliefs, and then it us up to you to act on these and not ignore them.** - The initiative to act must be yours. You will never know unless you try the exercise. ## Closing Paraphrased for clarity: > The natural hypnosis exercises allows you greater effectiveness in directing and focusing your own energy (that you feel in the point of power). p477 ## References 1. Roberts, Jane. The Nature of Personal Reality: Specific, Practical Techniques for Solving Everyday Problems and Enriching the Life You Know (A Seth Book) (p. 431). Amber-Allen Publishing. Kindle Edition.