Conversational Hypnosis Induction

Conversational Hypnosis Milton Model NLP

The indirect suggestions used in conversational hypnosis are designed to mislead
or confuse, and force you to think about what the indirect suggestion might mea
n, what the different possibilities are, and how it applies to you personally.
The Milton Model suggests that indirect suggestion embedded in conversational hy
pnosis is more effective than direct suggestion. The Milton Model is a series of
techniques used in conversational hypnosis, a way of putting someone into tranc
e unnoticed as part of a normal conversation. This form of 'secret' indirect sug
gestion technique is known as the Milton Model. Conversational hypnosis often co
mbines Milton Model hypnotic wording with Analogical Marking.

ADVANTAGES OF CONVERSATIONAL HYPNOSIS
When doing conversational hypnosis the Milton Model is used to put hypnotic word
s into an indirect suggestion.
A direct hypnotic suggestion is a specific instruction such as 'You will now go
into a deep trance' or 'You are now a non-smoker'. An example of an indirect sug
gestion is: 'Sooner or later you'll find yourself wondering about going into a d
eep trance. And you may do that suddenly or gradually' - is it the 'wondering' o
r the 'going into trance' that you 'may do'? And while you are considering which
it is, you mind is actually going into trance.
Because hypnotic words are not exactly defined, during conversational hypnosis t
he client must stop and consider the meaning of those hypnotic words. This cause
s the client to search their subconscious mind to fill in the missing bits, or t
o decide how to apply the words to their own personal experience (known as a tra
nsderivational search). Because the subconscious mind has to spend time thinking
about many different possible meanings, it is much more likely that the client
will find something in their past that fits, and will be more effective than a d
irect suggestion.
In conversational hypnosis the Milton Model suggestions need a bit more work to
prepare but have the advantage of avoiding resistance. Some people have such low
self esteem that they will not accept direct suggestions such as 'You deserve t
o be loved, you are respected and admired' but will accept an indirect suggestio
n in conversational hypnosis such as 'I wonder how aware you are that many peopl
e respect you, and admire you... and there are other people, many of them... who
love you for who you are'.


CONVERSATIONAL HYPNOSIS SUGGESTIONS
The following examples of indirect hypnotic words and phrasing used in conversat
ional hypnosis illustrate how the Milton Model of hypnotic suggestion is carried
out. Each heading describes how conversational hypnosis works, and gives exampl
es of that form of hypnotic wording as used in conversational hypnosis scripts.


Cause and Effect implied
The therapist makes a statement that implies that one thing causes another, or s
tates that one thing is true, therefore the next thing must be true. The stateme
nt may be untrue, or there may be no direct link between the one thing and the o
ther.
'And knowing that you can stop gives you the right to change.'
'Snapping that tape means you are choosing a different life '
'You don't need to smoke any more because so many people love you and ne
ed you '.
You can identify an implied cause and effect statement by asking 'Does A really
lead to B?'.

Complex Equivalence
This is where a Milton Model suggestion is given that one thing is the same as o
r equivalent to some other thing. It isn't that one thing causes another, but th
e implication that because one thing is true the other thing must be true.
'Seeing yourself on that bridge demonstrates that you have made a decisi
on today'.
'snapping that tape means you are choosing a different life '
'because you have control... you have choice in everything you do... '.
You can identify a complex equivalence by substituting 'is the same as' for the
linking verb, whereas the word 'causes' does not fit.

Conversational Postulate
A conversational postulate is a question which, on the face of it, requires a Ye
s or No answer, but which is really demanding a specific behavior. 'Could you pa
ss me the cream?' is a request for action, not an enquiry about ability. 'Do you
really have to stand there?' is a request for someone to move. Similarly, quest
ions can be posed in hypnosis that are really instructions.
'I wonder if you can recall a time when you were really relaxed?'.
'Can you imagine some peaceful, restful place? '
'I wonder if you could imagine a big old house somewhere....? '
'Could you begin to relax while counting backwards from ten?'
Conversational questions can be tested by trying a 'yes/no' answer to see if it
fits.

Embedded Commands
Direct commands can be embedded within ordinary conversation. This is the essenc
e of a conversational induction, or covert hypnosis induction. For example the t
herapist could begin a conversation with
'I can see that you are comfortable lying there, relaxing in that chair, quietly
confident, looking so comfortable as if you are ready to just let things go and
relax while I talk about this and that and you know, you don't have to think, y
ou don't have to listen to me or do anything really except relax and allow you m
ind to drift away like a small child snuggling comfortably down in a warm quiet
place, slowing down, more at ease and more relaxed...' and so on.
Embedded commands are usually indicated by some form of analogical marking, for
example by speaking louder or looking directly at the client while using a parti
cular tone of voice.

Extended Quotation
If you attribute a suggestion to someone else this can avoid a lot of resistance
from the client. By using one or more levels of quotation you can say almost an
ything to the client, and will probably confuse the unconscious mind in the proc
ess, making the suggestion more likely to be accepted.
Milton Erickson once told the story about how he told a man 'you can lea
rn to relax instantly' and the man found he could relax immediately and said "yo
u know 'Everyone can relax faster than they think.'".
I met a man from Bombay who said the secret of confidence is 'Fake it ti
ll you make it'.
And as you circulate around that party you overhear someone saying 'I am
so proud of her. She is best daughter I could ever have wished for. She has bec
ome everything hoped for.' And the other person replies 'Yes, maybe we didn't sa
y it often enough, maybe we thought she would just know it'.

Lost Performative
A suggestion is presented to the subconscious stating that some opinion is true,
but does not say how it known to be true, or who is saying it. The therapist in
tends that the subconscious will accept the statement as being self evident and
not ask for proof. Examples include
"Your subconscious mind will find the correct answer."
"You are never going to have a problem with your nails again."
"No habit can stand up to the power of the mind."
You can always test for a lost performative statement by asking 'Says Who?'.

Mind Reading
The Milton Model designs the suggestion as if knowing what the client is thinkin
g or feeling, when the reality is that the therapist has no way of knowing what
the client is thinking. Examples include
'Part of your mind is wondering how fast you are going into trance right
now...'
'You are becoming more curious about how that change is occurring'
'Your mind is now becoming more open to the idea of change...'.
You can identify a mind reading statement by asking 'How can you know that?'.

Modal Operator
These are phrases that use words that imply things could happen or must happen.
Typical Milton Model operators include words such as 'can, should, must, might,
could, would, will'. Modal operators might be the most commonly used hypnotic fo
rm.

'And each gentle breath out can lead to more relaxation.'
'And you could be surprised at how quickly you go into trance.'
'you might notice your left hand getting heavy....'.
A modal operator can usually be recognized if it makes sense to add ...'or maybe
not' to the end of the statement.

Negative Suggestions
Negative suggestions are similar to conversational postulates in that they ask f
or one thing but really expect a different behaviour. The Milton Model works bec
ause the unconscious mind does not deal with negatives well, and tends to ignore
the words 'don't and not' and instead focuses on the object of the sentence. Th
e sentence 'Don't think of a kangaroo' must bring out a memory of a kangaroo bef
ore it can be not thought of, so negative questions can be used to give positive
commands.
'and I don't want you to feel that you are going into trance now'.
'you should not be too curious about how you feel yourself going into tr
ance. '
'You don't have to think about a really relaxing experience to call it t
o mind again'.

Nominalizations
The Milton Model is all about using words in an 'artfully vague' way. A nominali
sation is a word formed from a process. For example the verb 'to restrict' can b
e nominalised into the noun 'restriction'. The word restriction is then treated
as if it is a 'thing' and the fact that it refers to a ongoing process is forgot
ten. By using the nominalisation the thing is treated as if it is over and done
with, when in fact the process may still be going on. Nouns ending in '-ship', '
-ment', '-ion' or '-ings' are often nominalisations, for example 'relationship',
'annulment', 'learnings', 'decision'. By treating the word as a noun, the fact
that you are asking the person to go through a process is hidden.
'Your relaxation is increasing as you listen to my voice '.
'By moving your finger your confirm your irrevocable decision. '
'...you may wonder which part of your achievement you will enjoy most'.
You can test for a nominalisation by asking of a noun, 'could it be put in a bag
?' Nominalisations are abstractions and have no physical form so cannot be bagge
d.

Non Sequitur
A Milton Model non sequitur is a statement presented in the form of 'cause leads
to effect', A > B, but where there is in fact no logical connection between A a
nd B. The structure of the statement fools the listener by starting with a state
ment of something that is true and then specifying an outcome that does not logi
cally follow. Getting the client to focus on their breathing has nothing to do w
ith relaxation, but by stating something that is true, that they are focusing on
their breathing, the mind is distracted into accepting the second part, that th
ey can relax, without examining the causal link between them.
'... paying attention to your breathing can make you relax even more. '
'You will be returning to the present, and bringing with you everything
have learned today.'
'as I count down the steps you will go deeper into trance'.
These can be identified by testing 'Oh, really? And how does that work?'

Presuppositions
A Milton Model presupposition talks about the consequences of something and deli
berately avoids mentioning the underlying concept. The suggestion starts from an
assumption that thing is true and then discusses the consequences of that thing
being true. By focusing on the consequences whether the thing is true or not is
ignored and never tested.

Adverbial And now as you relax more deeply you feel something different.
Alternatives I don't know whether you will go into hypnosis before relaxation
is fully completed or begin right away.
Awareness The little things you notice remind you of how you have relaxed.
Causality Because your eyes are closed, your mind will open to the idea of
deep relaxation.
Equivalence Coming here today means you have made a decision to relax.
Ordinal It may not be until the third breath that you notice relaxing.
Possibility And you may find that each breath relaxes you more.
Time You may not feel you are at the right level of relaxation yet.
Existence It might be interesting to consider the level of your relaxation
.
A supposition may be present if the statement makes more sense when you add "I s
uppose" at the end of it.

Inanimations
These are Milton Model statements that assign feelings or actions to things that
cannot have any. Technically these are called Selectional Restriction Violation
s. A sofa cannot think, a plant cannot talk, but sentences can be constructed th
at sound that way and because our minds are specially tuned to metaphor, this ty
pe of suggestion will be accepted by the unconscious.
'That chair knows the secrets of many clients'.
'The part of you that makes you smoke is ashamed and wants to change.'
'Listen to the wind in the trees and absorb its wisdom'.
Selectional restrictions are always a form of metaphor .

Tag Question
These are Milton Model questions that encourage the client to confirm the truth
of the words immediately preceding, aren't they? If you read that question again
, its almost impossible not to say 'Yes', isn't it? It's always good to get the
client into a positive frame of mind, I'm sure you would agree? If the tag quest
ion is delivered with a descending tone of voice, it reinforces the statement an
d discourages dissension.
'Relaxing can be very enjoyable, isn't it?'.
'Some people really enjoy relaxing, don't you? '
You might wonder what you will enjoy most, won't you? '.
Tag questions are self evident, don't you think?

Truism sets
A Truism is a statement of the obvious. In the Milton Model truisms are used in
sets to produce a spurious cause and effect. The client listens to the first tru
ism statement, and agrees with it. The client listens to the next truism, and ag
rees with that too. The next suggestion is then made while the agreement with th
e truism is still in mind, so it too will be accepted as true, even if it has no
thing to do with the first statements. An example of a truism set might be
'People are happiest when they feel loved and needed''
'There are times when everyone underestimates their own talent'
'Everyone wants to be liked, and everyone needs to be loved, and you are
learning to listen to your emotions'.
You can identify a truism set by asking 'Yes, A is true, and B is true, but how
does that make C true?'.

Universal Quantifier
The Milton Model uses statements with words such as 'all, every, always, never,
any, everybody, nobody, no one' that act to generalize a particular statement. U
niversal quantifiers always have an element of exaggeration.
'All that has gone before is a resource for you.'
'Every word you hear can be a signal to your unconscious '
'No one can fail once they really decide to change'.
You can identify a universal quantifier by querying the quantifier, e.g. 'Every
word, absolutely every word?'.

Unspecific Comparison
A typical Milton Model statement will use words to imply something, and relies o
n the mind being to busy listening to the next words to really question the trut
h or logic of the what was just heard. In a classic Milton Model statement, a co
mparison is made, but does not specify what is being compared with.
'You will find yourself changing faster '.
'and you may find you are much more relaxed'.
'Every day in every way, you are getting better and better.'
An unspecified comparison can be identified by asking '----er than what?'.

Unspecific Object
These are words that sound good but are actually quite vague. Milton Model words
such as 'learnings, outcomes, resources, findings, consideration' etc., can be
used to ground almost anything, which makes the suggestion bullet proof. By usin
g inclusive words the client finds closure from their own resources. If you agre
ed with the previous sentence you might want to re-read it, and consider whether
it means anything at all.
And then come back to the present with all the learnings you need.
Your understanding will help make the changes clear'.
'You can open your mind to full consideration of everything that matters
'.

Listen carefully to any politician avoiding a sticky issue for a lesson in how t
o say nothing using unspecified verbs, nominalisations and unspecified objects.

Unspecific Verb
Like the Milton Model unspecific objects, Milton Model verbs sound good but are
hard to pin down. The unconscious mind accepts the word in context and supplies
its own meaning. Words such as 'wonder, change, understand, think, feel' etc., a
re non-specific and can apply to anything.
'and you may be wondering about how best to go into trance'.
'and soon the time will come when you grasp all this.'
'your unconscious mind will understand everything it needs'.


Analogical Marking
Analogical marking is one way of applying the Milton Model. Analogical Marking d
elivers hypnotic commands hidden inside normal speech as part of a conversationa
l induction. Milton Erickson discovered that he could mix hypnotic commands into
an ordinary conversation and have someone act on them provided the command word
s were subtly different in some way. This insight is the basis of the Milton Mod
el and of NLP anchoring. In normal conversation a hypnotic induction can be done
covertly by using a deeper voice tone for the command words, or pausing briefly
before and after the words, or touching the client while the command words were
being said. The client subconsciously registers that these analogically marked
words were somehow different and while the conscious part of the mind is listeni
ng to the ongoing conversation the subconscious part of their mind is still thin
king about the analogically marked words and phrases. The following section show
s how to do a conversational induction based on Milton Model techniques.

A Conversational Induction
This style of hypnosis is called conversational hypnosis, or covert hypnosis, an
d is normally used to avoid resistance in clients who will not accept formal hyp
nosis. It is seldom used in therapy because standard methods are faster and easi
er. However it is promoted aggressively on the Internet by people claiming to be
able to reveal the secret of 'covert hypnosis' and 'how to get other people to
do whatever you want' or to 'secretly hypnotize women'. In fact, there is nothin
g mysterious or secret about the process of analogical marking. Anyone can learn
it. All it needs is a bit of planning and a bit of practice.

In order for a command to go unnoticed in a normal conversation the command must
be short, and not stand out as something strange or odd in the normal speech it
is embedded in. It needs to be subtle and not overused. The commands can be mix
ed in with any topic at all, although the hypnotist would usually choose a topic
that the client was familiar with, but choose to talk about it in a slightly am
biguous or unusual way, so as to engage the client's attention.

Basic Procedure for analogical marking
The first thing to do is decide what words and phrases you want to put into the
other person's mind using analogical marking.
Then write these out in the order that you want to deliver them.
Then select a topic that will engage the client's interest.
Create a narrative using the topic. The story should be intriguing, ambiguous an
d little 'off beat' in order to get the client thinking and wondering where it m
ight be going, or the analogical marking might stick out. The script can go off
into sub stories (see Multiple Embedded Metaphor Therapy) and use any of the hyp
notic wording techniques that are part of normal hypnotic induction language. An
alogical marking does not need to be grammatical, logical or even complete, beca
use the client will be in trance by the time the story is part way through.
The script below shows how analogical marking commands can be embedded into anyt
hing. In this case the story is an unlikely and unpromising topic just to demons
trate how it can be done. The text can be read in two ways. The first version sh
ows the text as delivered: there is nothing to signal that it is actually aimed
at inducing trance. Reading the second version shows that the embedded commands
for analogical marking make up a complete induction, and the words surrounding t
hem are just to distract the mind.

Conversational induction Script
without analogical marking

I wonder if you have ever thought about motor racing and therapy? You know what
a race track is like.... high tech cars whizzing round a race track at great spe
ed might not seem to have a lot to do with how to... make yourself relax, ... bu
t great racing drivers have an amazing ability, even in all that noise and speed
they can.... get comfortable.... in any situation. Good drivers have learned to
... let go of any tension ....before the race, they prepare themselves mentally.
.. so that they are ready before it all begins.... and then during the race they
can get so focused they... forget about everything else ... around them, they c
limb into the car.... buckle the harness... and then they visualize how it will
be... going round that track.... in their mind.... then they allow the mind to e
mpty.... become one with the car and the surroundings.... not noticing.... focus
ing internally.... becoming aware of the feeling under their fingertips.... head
back and eyes closed for a moment... focusing on each breath out....they settle
down... becoming aware of their body's weight... arms and legs... sinking down
into that comfortable seat, and as it gets going, things seem to happen in slow
motion, as if everything has slowed down completely.... it seems as if they are
just drifting slowly round the corners, then down the straights, and as they sit
there, in control of things... in control of the car....so relaxed and focused,
and then down... further down through the gears, smoothly and steadily... and t
hen comfortably into the straight, relaxed and breathing gently ... part of the
driver's mind considers what it has to consider, and another part thinks about f
orgetting things it doesn't have to .... and they say the best way is to just le
t go.... let go of all thoughts, to really enjoy the feeling... of being in cont
rol, of going inward, focus on that feeling of inner calm that comes when... not
hing matters... there is nothing to do.... all the preparation is done... runnin
g smoothly down... on track towards the reward... everything is going the way it
is supposed to.... and as the minutes pass gently away.... and the race winds d
own... and things get slower and slower as the cars reach the finish... totally
at rest...

With analogical marking

I wonder if you have ever thought about motor racing and therapy? You know what
a race track is like....high tech cars whizzing round a race track at great spee
d might not seem to have a lot to do with how to... make yourself relax, ...but
great racing drivers have an amazing ability, even in all that noise and speed t
hey can.... get comfortable.... in any situation. Good drivers have learned to..
. let go of any tension ....before the race, they prepare themselves mentally...
so that they are ready before it all begins.... and then during the race they c
an get so focused they... forget about everything else ... around them, they cli
mb into the car.... buckle the harness... and then they visualize how it will be
... going round that track.... in their mind.... then they allow the mind to emp
ty.... become one with the car and the surroundings.... not noticing.... focusin
g internally.... becoming aware of the feeling under their fingertips.... head b
ack and eyes closed for a moment... focusing on each breath out....they settle d
own... becoming aware of their body's weight... arms and legs... sinking down in
to a comfortable seat, and as it gets going, things seem to happen in slow motio
n, as if everything has slowed down completely.... it seems as if they are just
drifting slowly round the corners, then down the straights, and as they sit ther
e, in control of things... in control of the car....so relaxed and focused, and
then down... further down through the gears, smoothly and steadily... and then c
omfortably into the straight, relaxed and breathing gently ... part of the drive
r's mind considers what it has to consider, and another part thinks about forget
ting things it doesn't have to .... and they say the best way is to just let go.
... let go of all thoughts, to really enjoy the feeling... of being in control,
of going inward, focus on that feeling of inner calm that comes when... nothing
matters... there is nothing to do.... all the preparation is done... running smo
othly down... on track towards the reward... everything is going the way it is s
upposed to.... and as the minutes pass gently away.... and the race winds down..
. and things get slower and slower as the cars reach the finish ... totally at r
est...

How to mark embedded commands
The embedded commands to use with analogical marking can be marked in various wa
ys. There is no right or wrong way to do a conversational induction, as long as
the analogical marking is consistent and non-obvious
Voice tone
Voice tone is the most useful way of marking out specific words. Humans recogniz
e that the tone of voice implies something over and above the actual words used.
Saying a word with a descending, deepening tone of voice turns it into a comman
d, or at least something you should be paying attention to. On the other hand, s
aying a word with the voice rising at the end turns it into a question.
When talking to a client to perform a conversational induction, the hypnotist ca
n speak the command words more loudly, or with a particular stress, or in a diff
erent accent, or by turning their head either towards or away from the client. A
ll of these forms of analogical marking are easy to do and many people already d
o it naturally and unconsciously. Politicians are trained to 'lean forward and s
mile' while delivering their core message to the interviewer.

For more details see: Anchoring

Caution
Analogical marking has to be done with some care. If it is done in a clumsy way
then the listener will realize that they are being manipulated. They will immedi
ately reject what the speaker says from then on. After that, any kind of trust h
as been lost forever.
Similarly, as with all unconscious suggestions, the unconscious mind will not do
anything that is against that person's moral or ethical codes. In sales, clever
ly done analogical marking can be used to plant ideas such as 'good value' or 'd
ecide today' or similar because these are part of the normal buying and selling
process. However, no matter how a suggestion is delivered, you cannot get anyone
to do things that they would not ordinarily do. Any suggestion or command, even
if it has been introduced subtly and progressively, will be rejected if it clas
hes with that person's inner values.