Conversational hypnosis is very indirect or maternal . Whereas a stage hypnotist might be highly directive ; even commanding , conversational hypnosis is much more laid back . We say the stage hypnotist typically uses a paternal approach , whereas the conversational hypnotist is much more maternal .
And this is true no matter whether the hypnotist is male or female . It ’ s the approach we are talking about , not the gender of the hypnotist .
A paternal approach often involves using a loud voice and an authoritarian demeanour . This type of hypnosis might involve commanding the subject to attempt to open his eyes - only to find it to be impossible .
Dave Elman was famous for this style of hypnosis . Also , any style of hypnosis that involves formal
suggestibility tests , is following the direct model . On the other hand , a more maternal approach may involve the hypnotist simply wondering …
Are you still able to open your eyes ... or will they remain closed ...? In either case , the expected end result is a subject who cannot open his eyes , which have become stuck shut .
You must understand something though . Very few methods of hypnosis are exclusively maternal or paternal . Some stage hypnotists gently lull subjects into trance , in a way that can only be called maternal . The highly directive commands of the paternal style may come much later in the show .
That ’ s because maternal , or indirect hypnosis is all about offering artfully vague language full of possibility . There is nothing to resist . Similarly , conversational hypnosis must be done in a way that gives your subject nothing to fight against … nothing to resist . In reality , permissive maternal hypnosis and directive paternal hypnosis are not opposite sides of a coin . They are actually on a continuum , and a skilled hypnotist can lean toward either end of the scale as needed . Hidden Hypnotic Commands that Slip Past the Doorman of the Mind One of the most amazing techniques used in conversational hypnosis , is the use of embedded commands . Embedded commands are a covert way of getting suggestions into the mind of your subject .