somnambulistic state, you will be able to
do so in a relatively short period of time. Unfortunately, this is by no
means the case. Many of the principles of learning and conditioning can
be applied to hypnosis, but with many subjects these laws do not seem
applicable. Let us assume you wanted to learn to become an excellent
typist. This is a reasonable goal and all that is necessary is to
continue practicing until you have reached the proficiency you set out
to achieve. This proficiency would, as a rule, follow application of the
laws of learning and conditioning.

This isn't always so in a subject's attempt to become somnambulistic.
When the subject progresses from one stage to another in a classical
manner, the theory works admirably, but what happens when a subject
cannot seem to progress any further? He has reached a plateau and is
unable to climb higher. He seems to have reached a psychological
impasse or stalemate. It is easy to say that the subject is thwarted by
a subconscious block and let it go at that. This, however, doesn't help
him in his dilemma. It's like telling the stranded motorist that the
reason his car has stalled is because the motor isn't running. The
following information will be helpful to those who haven't been able to
reach the first stages of hypnosis, as well as those who apparently can
go only so far. Actually, the same principles are involved.

If the subject doesn't respond or responds to a limited degree, there
evidently is a cause or reason for this poor response. In order to
continue this discussion, it will be necessary for us to agree that the
resistance can be either conscious or unconscious. If the subject
insists that he is trying to "let go," has nothing to hide, is not
afraid of hypnosis, understands what is involved and has strong
motivation, we can only assume that the resistance must be unconscious.
Usually, it will be necessary to work through this unconscious
resistance before the subject responds. If the subject is conditioning
himself, this will involve a great deal of introspection, and even then
it is an extremely difficult job. One doesn't usually have proper
insight into one's own emotional make-up. The end result is that one can
only rationalize about his behavior.

Let us explore some interesting aspects of hypnosis with a view toward
helping you if you are having difficulty responding the way you desire.
I have had the following paradoxical situation happen many