Hypnotic Principles of the Mind

The Awareness Continuum

Total attention To:
Inner Reality_____________Outer Reality

Most of the time, people move backwards and forwards along the continuum which connects the two extremes. Orientation and adaptation is assisted by being mindful of both aspects as appropriate.


The Rules of the Mind are as follows:

1. Every thought or idea causes a physical reaction.

2. What the mind expects tends to happen.

3. Imagination is far more powerful than reason.

4. Conflicting ideas cannot be held simultaneously (without anxiety).

5. An idea fixed in the subconscious remains forever, or until replaced. The longer the idea is held, the harder it is to change it.

6. Established, emotionally induced symptoms tend to cause organic changes.

7. Suggestions acted upon reduce the resistance to further suggestions.

8. Conscious mind activity reduces the subconscious response.

Suggestion is at the heart of hypnosis and, if understood, that is sufficient knowledge of hypnotic induction theory. “There is a rule in hypnotism that everything we get in trance can also be obtained by means of the post-hypnotic suggestion. Also, anything that we find in either can be found in auto-suggestion; and finally, that everything we obtain in any of the three will also be encountered in everyday life” (G. Estabrooke, 1943). One of the reasons why Erickson was so successful, relative to some of his contemporaries, was simply because he took ANYTHING he considered to be an unconscious response as an indication of trance development.

The dominant Laws of Suggestion are as follows:

1. The law of reversed effect – the harder one consciously endeavours to do something, the more difficult it becomes to succeed.

2. The law of concentrated attention/repetition of suggestion – repeated concentration of attention on a goal or idea tends to make it realised.

3. The law of dominant effect – stronger emotions tend to take precedence over weaker ones, regardless of reason.

4. The law of delayed action – once a suggestion is inferred, the mind will be predisposed to react to it whenever a condition or situation used in the original suggestive idea presents itself.

5. The law of association – whenever someone repeatedly responds to one particular stimulus in the presence of another stimulus, both stimuli become associated so that each recalls the response in the future.

6. The law of self approval – success is much more likely when the person’s inner desires and motivations match the suggestions.

7. The law of anticipated judgement – concerned with formulating realistic goals which are achievable in a time frame consistent with a person’s objectives.

The real secret of success is observation as to what can excite the creative imagination.

People have the resources within themselves to solve any problem. They have either seen the solution, experienced the solution or can be guided to piece the proper solution together, as the subconscious is wise and benevolent when future orientated and met flexibly at its frame of reference. Temporary trance can be evoked by reminding of everyday such experiences e.g. daydreaming. Truisms build acceptance of whatever emerges. The use of negatives such as ‘are you not, doesn’t it” discharge minor inhibitions and resistances. Reframing allows stuck negative attitudes, or anything that is encountered – doubt, perfectionism - to be utilised and transformed into opportunities.

Permission for diversity of response, and validation, which can be attribution of any response, are vital, while prediction nudges openness and alternatives in the mind. Splitting pits interfering conscious against emerging healing unconscious; linking bridges emotions, experiences, etc as do analogies, while matching can do so by verbal and physical mirroring. A basis of trustful rapport is fundamental for encouraging and eliciting growth and development. The idea is that everything is good if learning for life can follow.

Related story here about the science bit - Comment: Hypnosis is good for more than stage tricks - science-in-society - 15 October 2008 - New Scientist