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Senior Living

2010-09-01 13:38:00

How it got started

How did you become a hypnotist?

Answer: Honestly I was practicing simple hypnosis before I ever knew what it was. As a brash, arrogant young reporter for the Capital-Journal, in Topeka, smelling an expose’, I got involved with a metaphysical group who did meditation as part of their meetings. In 1973, meditation was written in quotes and people who did it were only one step removed from the “hippie” label. Getting bored one night when it was my time to keep the time for the meditation, I started making suggestions for good experiences the participants would have during the next week. At the next meeting, they all reported back on the good things that had happened to them during the week – just like in meditation. And they wanted me to be the timekeeper/suggestor again. Of course, the results were hit-or-miss because I really didn’t know what I was doing, or how to actually formulate effective suggestions. A few years later, while attending a national conference of the Association for Past Life Regression Therapies , I decided to take a beginning course in hypnosis. The course was taught by a member of The Rose Institute in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I was totally shocked to be “learning” techniques that I had stumbled upon and was using in my “Guided Meditations” I’ll admit, when I see some one advertising they do “guided meditation” I chuckle a little bit, realizing that they, like I was, probably are not really very well trained in the art and science of hypnosis, which is what they are really doing. At the time I took The Rose Institute course, it was owned by Dr. Brian Weiss, MD, Chief of Psycho-pharmacology at Cedars of Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach, FL. Dr. Weiss was the darling of the conference in that he, a devoted scientist, had just “come out” about the efficacy of past life regression therapy and the evidence for the credibility of past life memories. Dr. Weiss’s new book, detailing his first experiences with past life therapy, “Many Lives, Many Masters” was on sale at the conference. Hypnosis is such an evolving art and science, that one who aspires to be one of the best in hypnosis must constantly study to stay up with the latest developments, and progress on his own I have studied hypnosis since the very first experience with The Rose Institute. There were times that I tried other interesting careers – and enjoyed them all. However, hypnosis has never lost it’s luster of attractiveness for me. After years of education and study with some of the great masters of hypnotism like Donald Kahl, Steven LaVelle, Ormond MacGill, Allen Chips and Gerald Kein I have learned some very powerful techniques. However, there was one common thread that I learned from all the greats. Each of them said, “ If you don’t try to do it better than what you have been taught, don’t call yourself a hypnotist. You’re just a robot.” With years of hypnosis practice and years of education, I have been lucky enough to be able to combine those wonderful techniques and distill from them an even more powerful form which we call “Energy Hypnosis” As you read this, I will have just concluded teaching my first class of Energy Hypnosis, giving to others, this wonderful way of helping others, quickly and permanently to change their lives for the better. If one wants to become a hypnotist, I would recommend getting a course from someone who has the experience to be able to teach from. There are a lot of schools out there which claim to teach “Hypnotism.” Honestly, they all do. The only concern is, the quality and effectiveness of the techniques they teach, as well as who is actually doing the teaching. A few years ago, I referred a protégé to a school that I had attended earlier, thinking she was going to get an excellent hypnosis education. However, the man who owned the school, had turned most of the teaching over to a student of his, due to health issues. The protégé returned with a minimal amount of the education I had expected her to receive. That experience was one of the things that told me, I had to start teaching new hypnotists and new techniques. One thing I would caution anyone interested in learning hypnotism about. Beware of the weekend hypnotism school. Yes you can become a certified hypnotist, but I can guarantee you, you won’t be very good. You will have only gotten your feet wet. Hypnotism degrees are also a warning sign. They just aren’t real yet. However, with the academic community beginning to recognize the efficacy of this profession, I have hopes that a school will soon give courses leading to a degree in hypnotism. Right now, most schools have degrees in psychology with minor courses in hypnotism, and many of those are so old-fashioned as to be ludicrous. I split my school in two sets of two weekends each. Then we teach single technique courses on a continuing basis so those people have completed our Beginner to Intermediate and Intermediate to Advanced classes, can continue to hone their skills. Hypnotism is a hands-on technique and can’t be learned only from books or lecturers. It must be practiced. Students along with their certifications, at whatever level, also receive homework in the form of practical assignments. That is the only way they can possibly reach the levels of expertise that are needed. How did I become a hypnotist? I studied in many schools and with many masters. And also with many people who obviously weren’t masters. However, it is a labor of love. I’m always available to talk about hypnosis and/or learning it. It’s been one of my favorite subjects for many years.