Natural talent and special adaptability - Hypnotic power unknowingly possessed by many - Bodily health and strength - A sound mind in a sound body - Self-confidence - Determination to succeed - Exercise of will power - Fearlessness - Concentration of thought - Quick perceptive powers - Self-possession.

All healthy persons possessing intelligence and self-confidence can, by practice, exercise hypnotic power over others to a greater or less degree, according to their natural ability. Still, comparatively few become expert hypnotists. In this art, as in all others, special adaptability is a prominent requisite to success. For instance, anyone can learn to play the piano and by practice may become mechanically and technically proficient in music; but only a few are true musicians with souls filled with harmony. The same may be said of the art of painting, which is taught everywhere, but in which the most arduous study and practice cannot give the soul-inspiring results which follow the touch of the true artist'* brush.

The world ever remembers such geniuses as Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Wagner, Michael Angelo, Rembrant, Raphael, Sir Joshua Reynolds, West, Rosa Bonheur and others of similar natures. That all cannot become like them is no reason why others should not try to beautify the world by art and make it more joyful by music, rendered to the best of their abilities.

Hypnotism, taking its rank with the other arts and sciences, should be similarly considered. It has its men of note, who have mastered its mysteries and accomplished wonders by its powers. Most of them were endowed by nature with special hypnotic ability. Others are equally well endowed who are not yet conscious of the fact. All may succeed in learning it to the best of their abilities and through it accomplish much good for themselves and those about them.

The successful hypnotist should possess Good Health. Bodily ailments usually diminish mental power and always lower vitality. A strong and vigorous physique exerts a great influence upon those of less favored bodily condition. Still, mere physical development does not signify that a person is a good hypnotist; for the mental characteristics must be equally developed. A sound mind in a sound body constitutes the basis of hypnotic ability.

Self Confidence is the hypnotist's most necessary qualification; without it he can accomplish nothing. If he possess no faith in his own power, he cannot induce others to yield to him. In practicing the art of hypnotism let him above all things cultivate self-confidence. But let that self-confidence be backed by manifest ability. One must actually possess power before he is able to exercise it.

Determination to succeed in whatever is undertaken will greatly aid the student of hypnotism. Many failures may possibly be experienced at the start, but they should be only incentives to try again. Let the failures and their surroundings be carefully analyzed and let the causes be ascertained and avoided in the next experiments. Success must follow when all precautions are observed and the necessary manipulations and mental influences employed. As a rule, those who make their first attempts to hypnotize others become embarrassed and discouraged, for the reason that they are too ready to "give up." It is practice that is required in this art as in every other, and unless an operator is naturally endowed with marvelous hypnotic powers he can reach perfection only through practice.

Will Poweb is a most fortunate possession for the hypnotist, and if he does not possess it by nature he should cultivate it. Some persons easily control others merely by the force of their will. They make excellent hypnotists. It is this power which raises a volunteer from the ranks to the generalship of an army. He is born to command. We notice such persons in all walks of life, under all conditions and at all ages. Even among boys at play there will be some one who will control the others by his will power, and his fellows will obey him without hesitation. There is also the same trait through the whole world of living creatures. By seemingly common consent flocks of birds follow their leaders and herds of animals follow their leaders.

To persons capable of exerting this will power, hypnotizing others will be a comparatively easy task. To those who cannot easily exert it, the practice of the art may at first be difficult. But will power, like every other mental attribute, is developed by exercise, and may be acquired by even those most lacking it in their natures.

Fearlessness or the willingness to dare without hesitation, will be found most serviceable to the hypnotist. If he should be afraid to experiment upon his subject, or afraid he cannot awaken or control those whom he hypnotizes, he should never undertake such work.

Fear unnerves anyone, and persons willing to submit themselves to the operator, to be placed under his power, are quick to discern the least manifestation of timidity, and that is fatal to the successful production of hypnosis. The operator must at all times make the subject realize - not by words, but by manner - that he is absolutely devoid of fear.