Lots of web buzz these days about covert hypnosis. Is covert hypnosis possible? What is it? How do we protect ourselves from it? Can you use covert hypnosis to influence others? Sell more cars? Get more dates? Become a more powerful leader? President Obama’s speeches have been called covert hypnosis. Are hypnotic language patterns the force behind his political success?
What is Covert Hypnosis?
Covert hypnosis refers to the practice of using hypnotic language patterns to bypass a listener’s conscious filters. The theory suggests (no pun intended) that the sly covert hypnosis practitioner can gain undue influence over a listener’s mind. This is accomplished by casually inducing a trance – no formal hypnotic induction necessary. In other words, if I am practicing covert hypnosis, I am putting you in a trance by merely engaging in conversation with you. As you succumb, I can plant suggestions in your mind at will.
Is this possible?
Yes and no. Milton Erickson, MD was arguably the most talented hypnotherapist the world has ever known. If you dig deep into Milton’s case histories, you’ll find that toward the end of his career, Dr. Erickson wasn’t doing a lot of formal trance inductions. In fact, he could lead his patients into trance by merely matching their breathing and rate of blinking with his own. Establishing this “physiological mirror” of the patient forms a significant non-verbal connection. To get the patient into trance, Milton would put himself into trance, deeply relaxing his mind and body. Given the high level of non-verbal rapport, the patient would follow him right down the rabbit hole. This is covert hypnosis of the most sophisticated kind. It’s possible.
Yet, did Milton Erickson gain undue influence over the minds of his patients? No. These were willing subjects coming to him for help. They were expecting to go into a trance and, in fact, would be disappointed if they didn’t. They wanted Milton to give them suggestions and facilitate strategies that would help them. This is what they were paying for. Is this something to fear? Of course not.
Can you learn Covert Hypnosis?
So few people can actually achieve these skills that it is nearly pointless to discuss it. If you take the most well-trained hypnotherapists in the world, say 100,000 of them, perhaps one or two at most actually have the skill level to practice at a similar level of sophistication as Milton Erickson. The skill set just isn’t that common. It requires an extraordinary level of sensory awareness, self-awareness and self-control.
Even the one or two that do have such an unusual skill set don’t possess the ability to override free will – to get you to do something that you don’t really want to do or wouldn’t do otherwise. Consider the stage hypnotist who gets people to cluck like chickens. Don’t you think the people he chooses would cluck like chickens anyway? Of course they would! A stage hypnotist would never choose a subject who doesn’t show signs of willingness and cooperation – who would rather ruin the show than act silly for a few minutes.
Coming down to earth. What is possible?
If you’d like the ability to have greater influence with people, then learn NLP. NLP language patterns teach hypnotic language patterns that you can use to influence, inspire and motivate. You’ll learn how to develop greater rapport and connection with people by establishing non-verbal rapport. Most of the skills you will learn are currently outside the realm of your conscious awareness. You’ll be delving into a new world. It’s fun.
Will you learn to induce a trance-like state in other people and get them to do as you please? Will you override their free will? Not even God does that, my friends. Let’s get real. Focus on developing a sophisticated set of communication skills and you will likely get a lot more of what you want. Total domination of other people isn’t on the list, however.
For those of you worried about being manipulated by the covert hypnosis operatives of the world. Relax. Your free will is in tact. It is your birthright that cannot be taken away. If someone else ends up controlling you, it is because you allow it. I’d gladly sit down with most powerful hypnotist on earth and challenge him to make me do things that I wouldn’t do if he merely asked. Of course, that hypnotist wouldn’t take me up on the offer.
Finally, a Presidential candidate hijacking millions of minds covertly in order to squeeze out their vote? If this is the world you want to believe in, then you have other issues as well.
If you would like to learn NLP for the sake of controlling and manipulating others, please don’t take our courses. However, if you would like to learn how to understand yourself and others better to help yourself and others lead better lives with more insight, we offer a few options:
1. Personal Development Courses
2. Online NLP Practitioner Training & Certification
3. One-to-One NLP Practitioner Training & Certification
4. Skill-Based Life Coaching
