Unpublished facts - How hypnotic power is developed - Focusing the mind - Forcing subjection - Expelling thoughts - Overcoming the subject's resistance - Practicing on dummies - Useless efforts - Practicing self-control - Increasing hypnotic power - Realizing individual influence - Overcoming Individual habits - Curing personal disorders - Making friends - Overpowering enemies - Forestalling events - Sphere of hypnotic Influence.

There are important facts in connection with hypnotism that have never yet been published. These are usually considered the secrets of hypnotists that must be taught by the teacher to his pupil or learned by experience. That a knowledge of them is absolutely necessary for the successful production of the various degrees of hypnosis will be realized by all who undertake the practice of hypnotism.

The most important knowledge to be obtained in this connection is how to develop hypnotic power. The student may realize that he possesses this power in a dormant state and may experience a sensation as though he were being restrained by some invisible force from exercising this hypnotic power, which seems to be confined within him like a mental prisoner. When such feelings are experienced it is indisputable evidence of hypnotic ability which should be developed. After reading the chapters on "Qualifications of a Hypnotist" and "How to Hypnotize," the student should train himself by the following method while experimenting with a subject:

Focusing The Mind

Conceive the mind to be an accumulation of nerve force in the brain and the eyes to be the exit. In imagination realize a mythical lens before the eyes through which the nerve force must pass and endeavor to so adjust the imaginary lens that the "rays" of nerve force shall focus in the mind of the subject. All thoughts must be banished from the mind except the one thought of influencing the subject. Let this thought go out in a direct line to penetrate his mind. This method of focusing the mind can be practiced in seclusion without the presence of a subject. It calls for the exercise of imagination, but without imagination hypnotism is difficult to master.

Forcing Subjection

Constantly endeavor to exert an influence over others by your will power. Learn to control by thought and desire and. not by words. It is surprising to realize how well you can make your wishes known by simply "throwing out thoughts." Do this upon all occasions. When you wish to attract the attention of someone in the room with you, will that he shall, turn about and look at you. When you desire anything at the table, mentally ask for it and you will soon be asked if you desire it. Practice will show you remarkable instances of others feeling your mental demands.

When you have a subject before you, devote all your mental energy to compelling his subjection to your influence. Do not only desire that he shall obey you or hope that you may be able to influence him, but entertain no shadow of doubt of your ability to control him. Mentally force him to obey your suggestions with as much confidence as you would feet in verbally commanding a child.

Expelling Thoughts

A passive mind is the first requisite of a good subject, and a good operator must likewise be able to make his own mind passive before he can concentrate his thoughts sufficiently to control others. Continually practice making the mind passive in the same manner that you would employ in driving thoughts from your mind when endeavoring to get to sleep at night when inclined to stay awake. Simply entertain no thought. It is a good plan to seat yourself in a comfortable position and stare vacantly into space for several minutes at a time. Looking at a blank wall or a mirror too high to show your own reflection, will often aid the expulsion of thought. Make your mind a blank very frequently. This is one of the best methods of gaining complete control over your mental powers.

Overcoming Resistances

At times your subject will seemingly resist your most arduous efforts to control him. It may seem to you that your nerve force, thrown out from your mind, is striking against a stone wall. In such a case, do not abandon your effort if you have ever before hypnotized the subject. Make your mind passive as possible for a short time while the subject is before you. This will mentally throw him off his guard. Then suddenly concentrate your thoughts upon the one idea of overcoming his resistance, focus your mind, and make the attack successfully.

Dummies

A large bolster or pillow, propped up in a chair, will serve as a dummy upon which to practice position and other hypnotic efforts. This may seem to be absurd, but it can be done with great benefit. Of course it takes considerable exercise of imagination; but the imagination must be frequently exercised in the practice of hypnotism.

Useful Efforts

There are times when every effort of a beginner to hypnotize a subject meets with failure, even under the most favorable extraneous conditions, on account of mental or physical peculiarities of the subject practiced upon. The expert hypnotist quickly detects such peculiarities almost by intuition. It is important to realize the probability of failure in time to avoid useless effort, for arduous endeavors to hypnotize a subject, followed by failure, always weakens the operator and diminishes his ability to quickly hypnotize others.

To maintain confidence in your own hypnotic ability is of vital importance, and for that reason never concede defeat, even to yourself. If you entertain any feelings of doubt concerning your ability to hypnotize any particular subject, do not attempt to do so. If, after commencing the sitting you become conscious of timidity upon your part or realize the subject's stubborn resistance, quickly make your mind passive, as mentioned in the paragraph on overcoming resistance, and then make one short effort. If you realize your timidity has disappeared and that the subject is weakening, proceed and you will be successful. If you do not realize these things, abandon the attempt with the statement to the subject that you must postpone the sitting until he is in another frame of mind.