be able
to picture yourself the way you want. _You use the visual-imagery
technique whether you think you are under hypnosis or not._ These images
become clear as you constantly hammer home these suggestions. This is
the exact procedure necessary, and you needn't complicate it.

Let us suppose that you are getting your eyelids to close at the count
of three and have achieved a good state of relaxation. With these
prerequisites, you can anticipate going deeper into the hypnotic state.
Actually, being able to get the eyes to close at a specific count is the
first test in determining if the subject has gone under hypnosis. If you
have conditioned yourself this far, then you can go to the next step.
The next test is called the "swallowing" test. You mentally give
yourself suggestions that as you slowly, to yourself, count to 10, you
will get an irresistible urge to swallow one time. You further suggest
that this will happen even before you reach the count of 10. You then
begin the count. "One ... My throat is parched, and I feel an
irresistible urge to swallow one time. Two ... My lips are becoming very
dry, and I feel an irresistible urge to swallow. Three ... My throat
feels very dry, and I feel an irresistible urge to swallow one time.
Four ... Before I reach the count of 10, the urge to swallow one time
will become irresistible because my lips and throat are so dry. Five ...
Once I swallow, I shall no longer have the urge to swallow again, and as
I swallow one time, I shall fall into a deeper and sounder state of
hypnosis." Continue with similar suggestions, repeating and affirming
the suggestions about swallowing. Once you actually swallow, you
discontinue the suggestions and, instead, give yourself suggestions that
you are falling deeper and deeper into a sound hypnotic state and that
the constructive suggestions you now give yourself will work for you.
Once again you practice visual-imagery, seeing yourself the way you want
to be, while fortifying this image with forceful, positive suggestions.
You close by giving yourself suggestions that you will enter the
hypnotic state whenever you relax for five minutes and count to three.

The suggestions are just as effective whether given aloud or mentally.
Many subjects report that they are reluctant when it comes to giving
suggestions to themselves. I can only say that as you continue to work
with yourself, you will develop confidence in giving yourself
suggestions. In or