Book Report: Hypnotism by George Estabrooks (c) 1959

Hypnotism by George Estabrooks (c) 1959

Background Information: There are a few Hypnotists who are considered the most influential of the 20th century. Dave Elman and Milton Erickson are usually named, but there's good reason to include a George Estabrooks as a third. He isn't known for his technique, but rather his application--he pursued applications for hypnosis far beyond what most people were able, or at any rate, willing, to go, and he did extensive work for the military and with the notorious MKULTRA project.

It's a real pity that this little book is so rare and difficult to find, since it's a excellent addition to any hypnotist's bookshelf. It's not a how-to book (sorry!) but rather an attempt by an expert to fully explain hypnotism to the lay public, and because of Estabrooks rather, uh, unique character and experiences, he can include observations that few other books do. 

If Elman was the master of "Authoritative" hypnosis, and Erickson was the impish master of "Permissive" hypnosis, Estabrooks comes across as an Evil Scientist of hypnosis, right out of a 60s spy movie. Well, maybe not quite "evil." He fully explains his position: he feels that, as a scientist, his job is to pursue the truth wherever it leads, without regard to social mores or even morality. In many way he's not wrong. This attitude allowed him to really examine Hitler's techniques for mob control scientifically and dispassionately, and he even makes the statement that he felt Hitler was the greatest (albeit evilest) hypnotist of all time. On the other hand, Esterbrooks also worked enthusiastically with the military and the CIA on various secret mind control projects, including the notorious MKUltra.
(Interestingly, it was probably not known at the time, but Hitler actually was coached in dealing with crowds by an Austrian-Jewish friend --Erik Jan Hanussen-- who was a theatrical hypnotist and mentalist, famous throughout Europe for his incredible and elaborate presentations that seemed to entrance the entire theater. It is very likely that the infamous Nuremberg Rallies were choreographed based on Hanussen's teachings).

Throughout the book, it seems the author takes a certain glee at his own amorality, such as when he jubilantly describes the way he felt hypnosis could be used to embed secrets in the memory of a spy and no matter how much he was tortured, he'd never reveal the secret, or even know he had it in his head. I don't know how true that is, but his claims that it could be done, as well as his claim that he could turn someone into a "Manchurian candidate"-style assassin certainly captured the imagination of many conspiracy theory fans. To me it seems more like the work of a professor who just enjoys shocking his audience, but who knows?

Nevertheless, Estabrooks' book is primarily written to inform the public about the hypnotic nature of the mind and what hypnosis is from a scientific point of view--not a magic power to be feared, but a psychological function that operates by certain rules of it's own, and one that can be harnessed by others, accidentally or deliberately. 

In one of the more important passages of the book, he specifies that the public has no reason to feat a scientist in a lab, since they will never have any interaction with the public, but rather that the ordinary person should be wary when they hear a seemingly ordinary speaker or  politician on TV who's speech is so stirring that the listener feels compelled to get up and do something. 

If you can get your hands on a copy, do read it. I was lucky enough to have found a copy of the paperback for about five bucks, with the stylish cover designed by the well known designer Milton Glaser (who would go on to redefine graphic design of the 60s and 70s), but foolishly gave it away to a friend. If you're interested in the design, here's a link to other M. Glaser book cover designs: https://archives.sva.edu/blog/post/milton-glasers-early-book-covers

Here's a very interesting article by a British hypnotist, Dan Jones, based on Estabrooks analysis of how Hitler turned a civilized country into a rabid, bloodthirsty mob: https://pressroom.journolink.com/dan-jones/release/the_components_of_mass_mind_control__inciting_mobs_uncovered_for_new_educational_video_by_hypnothera_8199

Book Report: Hypnotherapy by Dave Elman (c) 1970

Hypnotherapy by Dave Elman (c) 1970

Background Information:  Dave Elman is one of the two or three "big names" in 20th century hypnosis (the others being Milton Erickson and George Estabrooks). Regardless what style of hypnosis you do or are interested in, you will have encountered some "Elman" elements. Elman was a radio personality and amateur hypnotist, but his technique was so reliable that it was embraced by scientists and medical people.
https://daveelmanhypnosisinstitute.com/DaveElman-pg2.html

If you're interested in practicing hypnosis, or you just want a better understanding of the nuts-and-bolts of the hypnotizing process, this book is a must have. Elman is considered the main figure of "Authoritarian" or "Prestige" hypnosis, which simply means that it's a more formal process, when the practitioner gives the subject formal suggestions to follow. The well known "Elman Induction" is a series of mental imageries ("deepeners") and exercises that a hypnotist can present to his subject that reliably bring that person into a state of hypnotic trance (an induction is the verbal patter that the hypnotist uses to guide the subject into an hypnotic trance). With a little bit of basic knowledge, you could probably read an Elman Induction off a sheet of paper and reliably talk someone into an hypnotic state. This book describes how each single element of the Elman Induction came about, and what it does (Personally, I don't think they're quite as cut-and-dried in real life as they are in the book, but you'll have to be the judge of that). At the time he was writing this book, he was teaching his technique to a lot of dentists for painless extractions, so you can imagine that's a tough sell if the techniques didn't work! 

So if you want to demystify The Staircase, The Lost Numbers and other hypnotic goodies, you have to read this book. It's a cornerstone of modern hypnosis.

What's an induction? For that matter, where's hypnosis fit into all of this?

Once upon a time, hypnosis was easy. Even Bugs Bunny could do it! You know.. "You are getting sleepy... SLEEEPPPYY..." and pretty soon someone was unconscious.

Nowadays you've got prestige inductions, permissive inductions, speed inductions, conversational hypnosis and covert hypnosis. And trance-- what's a trance these days? It used to be so easy. They guy snoring was the guy in trance. But now, there's hypnotic trance, conversational trance, runner's trance, dance trance...

I guess I come up with a new definition every month, and I convince myself my understanding is ever-deepening, but I'm especially pleased with what I came up with (this month). It's a definition of "induction" that applies to all of the different styles of hypnosis (even the ones that don't officially use inductions) and it kind of clarifies a hypnotist's relation to the state they're creating in their client. Here goes:

The induction is whatever stimulates response potential.

Cool huh? So whether you're Bugs Bunny with a pocketwatch or Milton Erickson confusing the crap out of some hapless guy on a street corner, or even an actor doing a monologue, whatever you're doing to capture your audience's attention, get 'em hooked, or even just get em wondering "what is he talking about?" you're working to stimulate their response potential.

It's also a good definition because it focuses on what's happening to the client, and not hung up with what your doing, and that's a problem that a lot of beginner hypnotists have when they're studying different techniques, namely, focusing more on the induction than on what's happening to the client. And no matter how good you are, you're no good if your client isn't experiencing a change.

OK, if the induction is whatever stimulates response potential, then what's hypnosis?

Hmm.. Maybe I'll let you answer that one.