Book Report: Hypnosis (How to Unleash The Power of Your Mind WITHOUT DRUGS!) by H. D. Birns (c) 1968

Hypnosis (How to Unleash The Power of Your Mind WITHOUT DRUGS!) by H. D. Birns (c) 1968

This is a very competent introduction to the subject, with good, basic instructions in self hypnosis. As with most other books of this type, it discusses a bit of the history of hypnosis, common conceptions of hypnosis versus actual facts, and a few "case histories" to illustrate how individuals were affected by the use of hypnosis. At the time of writing this book, Hypnosis was practiced primarily by psychologists, and it was one of the possible treatment modalities that they might apply. One interesting historical note is that hypnosis, he says, became popular after WW2 to assist soldiers when there just weren't enough psychologists to go around, and Freudian Analysis (the common approach at the time) took too long.

The title itself is interesting and timely for the '60s when both psychiatric as well as psychedelic/recreational drugs were a hot topic.

The "payload" of this book is a straightforward, basic method of self-hypnosis that readers can use for themselves to create changes in their own habits. He distinguishes three levels of trance to help experimenters get to the levels that are best suited for the changes they want to make, visualization, and post-hypnotic suggestion.. He includes basic instructions for "glove anesthesia" an hypnotic method for pain control, and entire chapters discussing weight control, smoking, drinking anxiety, and general self-improvement. 

Further chapters discuss the spookier, more questionable applications of hypnosis that were particularly hot topics in those Cold War years, including commission of crimes, brainwashing, and subliminal advertising. Hypnotists are generally divided over whether a person can be hypnotized to do things they wouldn't normally do. This author feels that it is possible, and offers cases to back himself up, including legal cases, and the kind  of brainwashing done by Nazis and by the Communist Chinese. His discussion about "Subliminal Perception" (subliminal advertising) was also a hot topic at the time, and he has great faith in the power of it. Finally, he touches on hypnosis for ESP, and introduces Charles Richet's term "cryptesthesia" for telepathy, and feels hypnosis can enhance it. 

Overall, it's a really good, thorough introduction to the subject with enough practical information on self-hypnosis to get a curious beginner started, but without being overwhelming. He addresses a lot of hot-button issues of the time, which are still timely today, and for all the stories and studies he discusses, he includes the authors and sources, which is often not done.I'm actually surprised I wasn't able to find out more information about the author on line.

Book Report: The Magic of Psychic Power by David Schwartz (c)1968

The Magic of Psychic Power by David Schwartz (c)1968

If this book were written today, it would be called something like "The Secrets of the World's Most Successful People and How to Become One Yourself," or something like that, and it would be displayed prominently in the business section of the bookstore. Having been written in the 60s, it's called what it is. Interestingly, one of his earlier books, "The Magic of Thinking Big" has done precisely that, and is an all-time best seller, with a number of well known people citing it as the motivation for their success.

There's very little "magic" of the Halloween variety, and most of the "psychic power" has to do with psychological practices that can motivate you towards success in the things you want to do.

Starting with Schwartz' First Law: "80% of everything good is owned by 20% of the people," he encourages the reader to stop giving up his power to others and start going after what you really want. 

This is pop-psychology at it's finest, and when it comes to motivation, not a bad book at all. The author has evidently done a great deal of research and thought, and worked with many, many clients, the result of which is that he's thoroughly mapped our lists of all the things that hold most people back (his Seven Deadly Sins that Produce Failure, and Six forms of Psychological Slavery, for example), and explores each in detail. He then offers a number of ways to be3come successful at your chosen area, with advice taken from Disraeli, Steve McQueen, Lyndon Johnson, Churchill and others, as well as his own practical strategies to motivate people, develop leadership qualities, avoid worry and overcome fears, and more. 

There's a series of "Psychic Conditioners" which are reframes and affirmations designed to fire up your motivation and change the way you look at things. 

This book won't tell you how to move things with you mind, but it may do more. It had a lot of practical ways to overcome your limiting beliefs and behaviors. If you're a Practitioner of changework, some of these techniques would be very good for your clients.