hey were
baffled because of their inability to pass certain tests which they felt
were a prerequisite to the success of constructive suggestions they gave
themselves.

It is commonly felt that the deeper the state of hypnosis, the better
the results. In actual practice, I have not found this to be so. I have
had excellent results in a relatively short period of time with subjects
who only achieved a light state, and it has been necessary to work with
others who achieved a deep state of hypnosis for a longer period before
lasting results were in evidence. Naturally, each individual presents a
different set of needs and even though the symptoms may be basically the
same, each will respond favorably when his requirements are met. This
happens on a conscious as well as unconscious level. For example, the
mere assurance by a physician that the patient is all right and has
nothing to worry about is often sufficient to bring about desirable
results. Another example is the mother who stops the sobbing of her hurt
child by a loving kiss. A logical approach, pointing out to the child
that he really didn't hurt himself, would never have worked. We have all
heard stories of primitive tribesmen who have died because they knew
they were the objects of "death wishes" by another member of the tribe.

The key to achieving a greater depth of self-hypnosis lies in the use of
the visual-imagery technique. You "see" yourself going into the hypnotic
state deeper and deeper. You even picture yourself, using this
technique, passing various progressive hypnotic tests. The second part
of the key lies in giving yourself a posthypnotic suggestion that each
succeeding attempt will put you into a deeper state as a result of a
given stimulus--such as the count of three.

The following instructions should not be attempted usually unless you
have been successful in achieving the two basic tests--the eye closure
as well as the uncontrollable urge to swallow followed by the physical
act of swallowing at a specific count. If the conditioning process works
for these two tests, you have achieved the lethargic state of hypnosis.
This is the first state of hypnosis and is generally referred to as the
"light" state. Therapeutic suggestions can work admirably in this state.
The next stage of hypnosis is known as the cataleptic state and is
referred to as the "medium" state. Generally, hypnosis is divided into
three states: the lethargic (light state); the cat