Introduction

The Direct Gaze induction is a traditional and – when performed well – effective induction. However, given the stereotype of Hypnotists and hypnosis (for example Little Britain’s stage hypnotist Kenny Craig), this induction may have reached the end of its shelf-life. Before using it, it will be necessary to discern whether the client’s response to such stereotypes means that this induction (and props like fob-watches, etc) will be extra-effective, or an amusing distraction.

Transcript

[Pointing at your right eye, say:] Look here.

Keep looking into my eyes. Don’t look away but you can blink when you need to.

Keep your eyes totally and completely focused on my eyes. And if you follow these very simple instructions, there is nothing in this world that can keep you from entering into a very deep and pleasant state of hypnosis.

So, take a deep breath and fill up your lungs.”

[The hypnotist should lead by taking a deep breath and take your right hand and move it in an upward motion in the air]

Now exhale. [Bring hand down as they exhale]

That’s fine.

And a second and deeper breath. [Bring hand up]

Exhale. [Bring hand down]

Relax. With a third deep breath. [Bring hand up]

Now, exhale. [Bring hand down]

And soon, very soon you’ll notice your eyelids becoming heavy as they begin to blink… more …and more. At first they may begin to feel a little strained, a little tired, but soon they will become so heavy that you can barely keep them open, but I want you to try to keep them open. Just try and keep those heavy eyes open…

…blinking more and more [wait for the beginning of their next blink…] now… eyes so heavy you can barely keep them open. They just want to close, beginning to blink more and more, so heavy…

And you can feel those tiny muscles around the eyes relaxing, weak and tired [wait for their next blink…] now. Your eyes are getting heavier and heavier, but try to keep them open, just for a bit longer. Soon they’re going to close all by themselves, but not until your subconscious mind is ready for you to just sink right down into that comfortable feeling deep inside you.

Feeling heavier and heavier, [wait for very beginning of next blink…] nowww. Good.

Take a deep breath.

[Here you need to be observing the client closely. They may be ready to go straight to the eye-closure and sleep command below. Or, you may have to count down, as in the next paragraph.]

I’m going to count from five down to one. As I do, your eyelids grow heavy, droopy, drowsy and sleepy. By the time I reach the count of one, they close right down and you go deep into hypnosis. Deeper than ever before.

All right, Five [Start moving finger down] — Eyelids heavy, droopy, drowsy and sleepy.

Four [Moving finger down] — Those heavy lids feel ready to close.

Three [Moving finger down] — The next time you blink that is hypnosis coming on you then.

Two [Moving finger down] — They begin closing, closing, closing, closing, closing, closing, closing, closing them, close them, close them.

They’re closing, closing, closing, closing .. One!

[If needed, place two fingers of one hand just above the client’s eye-brows and lower them, as you say, on their exhalation:]

And sleep, now.

[Proceed to Deepener]