.

It should be emphasized that it is vital to adopt the right frame of
mind in your attempt to achieve self-hypnosis, particularly a deep
state. If you approach hypnosis with a "prove-it-to-me" attitude,
nothing is going to happen. Self-hypnosis requires practicing a set of
mental exercises or mental gymnastics. To acquire the ultimate from this
training requires systematic conditioning. The word "training" is used
quite extensively in hypnotic literature. The use of the word implies
that hypnosis can be attained by a training period. The literature
speaks frequently of a subject being trained to respond in a certain
way. Obviously, this means over a certain period of time. It also means
you train yourself to become a good hypnotic subject. It is a skill that
all can acquire.

There are four books dealing specifically with self-hypnosis that I
would recommend to you for further reading. They are: _What is Hypnosis_
by Andrew Salter, _Hypnosis and Self-Hypnosis_ by Bernard Hollander,
M.D., _Autogenic Training_ by Johannes H. Schultz, M.D., and
_Self-Hypnosis--Its Theory, Technique and Application_ by Melvin
Powers.

Chapter 9

Techniques for Reaching the Somnambulistic State

As indicated in the last chapter, the attainment of the somnambulistic
stage of hypnosis can represent an extremely intricate procedure.
Because of certain inherent characteristics of this stage, it is easier
to attain by hetero-hypnosis. However, this does not preclude the fact
that it can be reached without the aid of a hypnotist. More important
than the testing and deepening procedures that I shall outline for you
in this chapter are an _understanding_ and an _awareness_ of some of the
complexities involved, first in achieving the hypnotic state, then
deepening, and, finally, reaching somnambulism. There are no absolute or
final answers to many of the problems that can arise. You can become
entangled with rationalization so easily when you want the facts to fit
a particular theory. I point this out to the reader because, as the
subject goes deeper, the procedure can become more complicated.

There are many interesting phenomena which can be elicited in the
somnambulistic state. They are of interest for the most part, to
students of abnormal behavior and are pertinent from an academic
viewpoint. They do not fall within the province of this book or of
hypnosis for therapeutic purposes and might lead the reader astray.
Should reader