You may know more about the secrets of a deep hypnotic trance than you realize. It’s the backbone of Western organized religion. If you belong to one of these religions, you have been subjecting yourself to the power of religious self-hypnosis for years but just didn’t realize it. Here’s how it works and how to avoid its influence.
Here’s the good news and the bad news. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. The good news is that all hypnotism requires some degree of willing participation. The bad news is your willingness can be passive acceptance. You accept the hypnotic script either by prolonged exposure or by being in a heightened emotional state.
The good news is that you can avoid these scripts by not taking part in events where these tactics are in use. The bad news is that hypnotism is often disguised and slippery. To stop suggestive scripting, you must recognize it and break it early on. Otherwise, you may be under its influence and not realize it.
All Hypnosis is Self-Hypnosis
Hypnosis is a term from the Greek word hypos, which means to sleep; to sleep while awake is a hypnotic state. The hypnotic state makes the mind pliable and susceptible to suggestions. It’s a way of circumventing our natural ability to think and reason; you are awake but unaware, and it turns off the critical thinking centers of the prefrontal cortex. Nice trick.
Hypnosis is a state of consciousness that focuses a person’s attention, placing them in a highly suggestible state. In this state, a person is more receptive to suggestions and better able to tap into their subconscious mind. It’s as simple as that.
Every hypnotist knows some people are more susceptible than others. A good hypnotist can use the power of the group to induce those who are less likely. This is the phenomenon known as groupthink manipulation or mob mentality. When people around you respond to stimuli in a certain way, it will influence you to join in.
The hypnosis process, used on stage to get people to do outrageous things, is virtually the same tactic in organized religion. It’s easy to hypnotize someone, especially if they are a willing subject.
Remember, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis. A good hypnotist can make the process look easy. The more you practice it, the better at it you become. It’s the same for being hypnotized. The subconscious mind becomes more susceptible the more often it allows someone else to take control.
If this sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the strategy of organized religion. Organized religions use a continual system of indoctrination with stages of hypnosis based on belief and faith. Religious belief is self-hypnosis. It is the acceptance of myths for facts. Are you subjecting yourself to this programming?
The Secrets of Deep Hypnotic Trance
It’s important to understand there are varying degrees of hypnotic trances. Hypnosis can be a subtle technique that takes you through the process without you realizing it.
You don’t need to be in a catatonic state to be controlled by hypnotic suggestion. It is often possible to be fully conscious when the hypnotist inserts the suggestion. You can be aware of the suggestion but still respond to the stimuli without conscious control. There are three stages of hypnosis.
1. Light hypnotic state: is when you are relaxed but still aware of your surroundings. You have some critical thinking ability but are open to suggestions.
2. Medium stage of hypnosis: In this level, you are in a deeply relaxed state and may feel a sense of heaviness or numbness in your body. You may still be aware of your surroundings, but your attention is being controlled by the hypnotist.
3. Deep hypnotic state: In this degree of hypnosis, you are in a highly suggestible state and are not aware of your surroundings. You may experience feelings of time distortion or altered perception, and your subconscious mind is fully accessible to the hypnotist.
The secrets of deep hypnotic trance induction are learning to build upon successive levels of indoctrination. In the first session, you only bring the subject to a light level, but in each successive session, you deepen the trance state, your control, and the probable success of the suggestion programmed.
The Power of Religious Self-Hypnosis
Hypnotic suggestion is a technique used to plant ideas or beliefs in a person’s subconscious mind. The more deeply hypnotized a person is, the more receptive they may be to hypnotic suggestions. The more you expose a person to the technique, the more the hypnotist can shape the values and beliefs of their subject.
This is why hypnosis is a component of group hypnosis, or groupthink manipulation, used in Western organized religion. If you allow yourself to be put through the different stages of hypnosis, these techniques override free will, common sense, and our moral compass. (1)
Hypnotists use the terms subject or participants to refer to those they hypnotize. Parishioners or believers are what religions call the people under the hypnotic power of faith. The con-man refers to those they use these techniques on, a mark.
The state of hypnosis provides a false light of “belief” that enables the believer to treat belief as knowledge. With this foundation, you can program almost any idea.
“You believe in a book that has talking animals, wizards, witches, demons, sticks turning into snakes, burning bushes, food falling from the sky, people walking on water, and all sorts of magical, absurd and primitive stories, and you say that we are the ones that need help?” ― Mark Twain
Even if you have never been on stage as a volunteer, you may have been subject to these techniques as an unsuspecting subject, parishioner, or mark. Review the following steps or stages to see if this feels familiar. If you’re a member of the Abrahamic religion, you’ll see the similarities between the stage hypnotist. They both understand and use the secrets of a deep, hypnotic trance. (2)
The Five Stages of Hypnosis Trance Induction
Hypnotic suggestion is a process divided into three to seven steps or stages. Understanding these stages is the key to spotting them. This will prevent someone from using them without our knowledge, and it will also help us use hypnosis for personal development or therapeutic purposes.
Stage 1 — The Induction, Get Permission
The Hypynotists gets permission to address to their subconscious. The hypnotist will ask them to agree with being hypnotized in so many words. Giving in is a way for them to take authority.
They can do it directly by asking do I have permission to start. However, the hypnotist can get permission indirectly. For example, one way it’s done covertly, without you knowing, is through phrases like, you agree that we’re all here tonight to learn something important. Or a more familiar term like, we are gathered here together. This phrase is a common permission tactic that opens the subconscious mind to the hypnotic power of religious self-hypnosis suggestion.
These are passive but effective ways to get permission; they use subtle agreements, such as nodding their head. A tactic is to make eye contact and nod your head; most people will nod back in response. They have you in control. The five stages of hypnosis trance induction depend on getting permission from the participant.
Here you galvanize the attention of the person or group. Use a series of emotionally charged questions to hold their attention. They can use positive statements. For example, the hypnotist will say, you want to stop smoking. Or they can use negative comments like, we know XYZ is behind the loss of your jobs.
You may not want to quit smoking. You like it, but your spouse wants you to stop. So, you agree to the programming even though you are not entirely in agreement. Get them to focus on the positive result instead of fulfilling the immediate desire to smoke.
Another tactic is to blame someone or something. Let’s say you lost your job because of downsizing. There may be no evidence that someone or something is behind the loss of your job. But if you have someone or something to blame, this provides an outlet for your anger.
Powerful emotions like hate are useful anchors for the hypnotist. Belief is self-hypnosis, which phrases or gestures can trigger a response. The Nazi salute is an example of a gesture that can trigger a subconscious response.
Stage 2 — Access The Subconscious Mind
Because the hypnotist has been given permission, they can bypass the candidate’s critical thinking faculties. This access is based on the secrets of a deep hypnotic trance. They often direct the candidate to concentrate on a focal point, such as a candle flame, the swinging of a pendulum, or a pocket watch. The hypnotist can access the subconscious when the conscious mind is focused and occupied. The hypnotist can insert suggestions into the subconscious. It’s a crucial stage where the hypnotist will verify access to your subconscious mind.
They will use phrases to block out distractions. They will say, all you hear is the sound of my voice. A common tactic in group situations is to get people to follow simple directions. They may say, let’s close our eyes and pray. At this point, the mind is pliable and susceptible to suggestion. Belief is self-hypnosis when it overrides our common sense.
The hypnotist will often test to ensure the subject or subjects are ready to accept a subliminal suggestion. They will ask for a response like, tell me, do you feel rested? Or, can we agree that this or that is bad?
Once the hypnotist confirms the rational mind is asleep, they can begin programming a subconscious response.
When the hypnotist works with one person or a small group, they will ask for agreement and say things like, ” You are now asleep, isn’t that right? They will look for subtle responses like nodding their head, etc.
The hypnotist will often use catchphrases to illicit group responses in larger groups. The phrase may not be accurate. It does not matter. The catchphrase does several things.
First, a focal point unites the group. When others around you agree, you are likely to go along. It is a proven response to group hypnosis or groupthink manipulation. Even those on the fringe who disagree can get caught up in shouting a slogan or catchphrase.
Second, when people have a powerful emotional attachment to the issue, they are more vulnerable to suggestions. If the subconscious programming is strong enough, emotionally charged people will act in ways that violate their moral compass and perpetuate violent acts. They have no conscience.
Third, those affected believe that the suggested outcome is their idea. Those under hypnosis will not realize the programming is causing actions and may not even think they are doing it. It’s as if you are watching someone else do it.
Stage 3 — Insert Post-Hypnotic Suggestion
Program the unconscious response. Subliminal programming can take many forms. We can see how people react to it when someone does something on stage, like barking like a dog. We don’t see the subliminal suggestion of someone who decides they don’t like the taste of smoking.
A typical post-hypnotic suggestion to stop smoking could be when the desire to smoke arises; it will make you feel ill. The taste of tobacco that used to be pleasurable is now distasteful. This kind of suggestion doesn’t have a failsafe to end the program. The intent is for it to run continually to break the chain of addiction.
The tools of religious groupthink manipulation integrate “hypnotic suggestion” into their tactics. They prove their effectiveness whenever you hear about a religious extremist committing violence. We also see how some politicians use it to drive extremist ideologies and laws. We should not underestimate the hypnotic power of religious self-hypnosis indoctrination. Religion uses less subtle scripts such as “vote for Trump.” Once you hear this phrase 50 times an hour for two hours, the suggestion is set.
Most people stop their list of the different stages of hypnosis with this fourth step, but there are two more that are just as important. When you see people justify their hate, you see how belief is self-hypnosis without a failsafe.
Don’t forget a failsafe to remove the post-hypnotic suggestion. Even temporary hypnotic suggestions should include a failsafe to remove the hypnotic response. Adding a false is the responsibility of the hypnotist. If they don’t program a way for the post-hypnotic suggestion to stop, someone could end up barking like a dog at inappropriate times for the rest of their lives.
We see this effect in those with deeply held hatred and bias. All this person knows on the conscious level is that they hate someone or some group. They don’t realize this response was programmed, and the rationale for their hatred is irrational and baseless.
Step 4 — Test and Activate the Post-Hypnotic Response
Test the pre-conditioned response. It is a step in the hypnosis process to reinforce the programmed response. It makes it harder for the subject to resist the programmed stimuli. If the hypnotist sees resistance or doesn’t get a proper response, they may go back to the beginning and make sure they follow the voice or visual cues. Then, re-install the programming and test again.
For example, the programmed response is for the subject to hand over their wallet when you say a keyword. You say the keyword, and the person will automatically reach into their pocket and pull out their wallet. But then their natural self-preservation instinct signals that something isn’t right.
If the subject hesitates, they have their wallet in their hand but are unsure they want to give it away. An experienced hypnotist will recover by returning to step 1. They will ask questions like, aren’t you supposed to do something after you take out your wallet?
Stage 5 — The Emergence
The final stage of hypnotic suggestion is emergence. This occurs when the individual is brought out of their hypnotic state and back into their normal waking state. During this stage, the hypnotist will often provide positive affirmations to reinforce the suggestions made during the suggestion stage.
The hypnotist activates the program by bringing the subject back from hypnosis. However, the process isn’t over. The hypnotist asks several questions to ensure the subject or mark is ready. They ask how they feel and what they remember. The person hypnotized should not feel disoriented or sick. Ideally, they will have no memory of the session or the post-hypnotic suggestion installed.
Post-hypnotic programming is successful when the subject tells the hypnotist they are ready to be hypnotized. They do not realize the process has already taken place; they are under the control of “hypnotic suggestion.”
A good con man is a good hypnotist. They use these same steps to condition their mark to gain their confidence. Narcissists are natural hypnotists; they learn by trial and error how to manipulate.
If Belief is Self-Hypnosis, What Can Go Wrong?
As we just mentioned, a con man uses these same techniques subtly. It starts by permitting them, even when you don’t realize it.
A good conman will use fundamental emotional drivers like fear, anger, or greed. They will ask questions to get you to say yes, and before you know it, they will have your confidence and trust.
The next thing you know, you are driving home in a used car you didn’t set out to buy. Or you realize you’ve joined a Church and given them your life savings. But in both cases, you think it’s a good thing, and you don’t know why you feel good about it.
Removing a Post-Hypnotic Suggestion
Let’s say you realize you’ve bought a car you didn’t want. The five stages of hypnosis trance are hard to overcome. Perhaps your bank account is empty because you gave the church all your money. You can’t take back the vehicle, but you can stop yourself from buying another. You can’t get your money back from the church, but you can stop yourself from giving them your used car.
The process of removing an unwanted post-hypnotic suggestion is used to reinstall untainted programming. If you have a friend, they can lead you through it, or you can do it on your own.
Sorry to tell you, but you will need to do this several times to remove the original suggestion. You’ll need to break it with repetition if the hypnotist or preacher fails to add a failsafe. For the best results, do it daily. The average time to break subliminal programming scripts is 20 to 30 days; after this time. The programming script still exists, but you have more control over the urge to follow through.
It could take more than a few months if you’ve been exposed to additional programming to reinforce the post-hypnotic suggestion, like going to church. We urge caution with the use of self-hypnosis scripts.
In Conclusion
We don’t recommend exposure to religious gatherings where hypnosis techniques are utilized. These are powerful techniques that install scripts in the subconscious mind. Only use this technique with a trusted and qualified hypnotist. Now, you understand the tactics behind the five stages of hypnosis trance. So, beware of your exposure to these hypnosis techniques at group gatherings.
References
(1) What is hypnosis, and how might it work? National Library of Medicine.
(2) Mechanisms of Hypnosis, National Library of Medicine.