Hypnotists used to dangle a pocket watch in order to hypnotize people.
The website Findcounseling.com likens the hypnotic state to building an accessible bridge between the sub-conscious and conscious mind. The website explains that when hypnotized, "You are 'experiencing' without questioning, without critical judgment or analysis... and the hypnotherapist can make suggestions that are very likely to 'stick.'" These suggestions stick because your conscious mind is not there to evaluate them, judging their worth or validity. You can hypnotize others for fun in a perfectly safe way, as long as avoid deep emotional or behavioral issues, which only a certified hypnotist should do.
Instructions
1. Arrange the room. Make sure that the room where the hypnotism will take place is completely soothing and serene and that the lighting is neither too light nor too dark. Turn on a soundtrack to the sound of ocean waves on the beach. The repetitive sound will help you with induction. Position a clock on the table next to the couch. Make sure that you can see that clock, but that the subject cannot. This way you can inconspicuously monitor the time and how long it takes the subject to become hypnotized.
2. Ask the subject to lie down on the couch with his feet up. Make sure that he is completely comfortable and that there are extra pillows or blankets if he wishes.
3. Tell the subject to close her eyes. Tell her that she is walking down the beach on a warm sunny day at dusk and that the warm water is hitting her toes very pleasantly. Tell her that she bends down to write the capital letter "A" on the sand, and that a wave comes and washes it away. Tell her to picture this as vividly as she can.
4. Tell the subject that he continues to walk on the beach and bends down to write the capital letter "B" on the sand and that he watches a wave come and wash it away. Continue describing each letter of the alphabet in this manner. This exercise should greatly tire the subject's subconscious mind. Many people will be ready for a suggestion at this point. Others may take much longer. For some people, you may need to go through the alphabet twice, the second time asking the subject to picture drawing lowercase letters out on the sand.
5. Give the subject a hypnotic suggestion. Make it something fun like "Eat some ice cream" or "Bark like a dog" or "Sing me a song." The sub-conscious mind is like a child who enjoys playing, so these will sound like fun suggestions to try. If you suggest anything that the subject is morally opposed to, they will not do it, and will most likely snap out of hypnosis.
6. Take the subject out of hypnosis. Tell the subject that he did a good job and will now feel fully awake and refreshed. As you say these words, make your voice progressively louder. Then tell the subject, "When I snap my fingers," or "When I clap my hands," "You will emerge from the hypnotic state."
