Mind Control, Hypnosis and the Human Will

I got in an email conversation with a hypnotist about the question "Can you use hypnosis to make someone do something their will?"

I proposed, what Jeff Stephens has said, "No, I just change their will."

To this he wrote and made a good distinction:

>  Mr. Jones
>  Making a person do something against
>   thier will under hypnosis and changing
>  thier will are two totaly different
>   things requiring two seperate an
>   totally different mechanics it also tests
>  how well a hypnotist skills really
>   are, by making a person change their
>  will the hypnotist is simply just
>   giving in to the subject will vs making
>  a person do something against thier
>  will the hypnotist must over come the
>  subject objectiveness an influence the
>  subject into believing its okay by
>  showing the subject the hypnotist
>   is in control of the situation.

The distinction he is making is the difference between changing their beliefs and desires and changing their ability.

I agree, you CAN make someone in hypnosis do something against their will without changing their will. Example: make a smoker unable to touch a cigarette to his lips yet still want to smoke.

In that case the hypnotic instruction and the so-called "will" are in opposition and you raise the possibility of the persons will winning the fight. It may take some time and a good hypnotist can make sure it won't happen in his presence but when the subject is left alone ....

There are some tricks to make the hypnotic instruction stronger, things like setting environmental anchors.

Best to leave THAT type of hypnosis to stage shows and hypnosis parties, IMO.

If you're using hypnosis to help people it's just a lot easier (some will say more 'ecological') if you alter their emotions and beliefs first and leave the party tricks for later.

What are your thoughts?

BTW, I'm planning to go into this in more detail at the up coming hypnosis seminar in San Francisco... You'd better hurry if you want the cheap seats!

http://www.TheHypnosisSeminar.com

Dantalion Jones