In the Experiential Hypnosis and Beyond group on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/groups/experientialtrance/), a question was asked about mastering the hypnotic gaze as a means of becoming a good hypnotist: “I had done a basic course in India and we were told to do Trataka Eye Gazing Exercise, Gazing on black spot, Gazing on Flame of candle this two exercise were told. We were told after getting success in this both Exercise one can become good Hypnotherapist.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve come across an association of the yogic exercise of Trataka Eye Gazing with hypnotic powers. There is a strong association by many of hypnosis with the hypnotic stare or the domination of one person’s psychic will over another’s. What follows is my response in the thread (edited for clarity and expanded for completeness).
First off, I would strongly suggest you consider a different approach to learning to become a hypnotherapist than this sort of exercise. Reputable teachers who teach the Trataka Eye Gazing do not typically associate it with psychic, supernatural, mesmeric, or hypnotic powers. Yes, there are those who do . . . some citing mythic stories as their proof of such abilities. Mythic tales don’t always present the whole truth and many are metaphoric in nature.
Trataka Eye Gazing is often used as a vision exercise and has yogic methods associated with it. This is not typically part of genuine hypnotic practice.
Some people consider hypnosis to be a psychic or supernatural power, in more modern models of hypnosis, it is not. The hypnotist does not insert his will upon the trance partner in a psychic manner as some encouraging the Trataka Eye Gazing exercise would suggest. Yes, there is a “hypnotic gaze” but its mechanism is NOT supernatural or psychic in effect nor is it genuinely the hypnotist asserting his will upon a subject despite appearances.
Since this is the Society of Experiential Trance group, my first recommendation is that you consider solid training from one of the instructors associated with the Society (see the about page for this group for appropriate links). There are others out there who are not with the SET who are also quite good.
I have an online basic course which is currently being given away to five participants as part of a holiday contest – scroll down this group to the Holiday Giveaway posts – which has solid core instruction.
If you wish to continue engaging in Trataka Eye Gazing for its other benefits please keep in mind that it must not be over-done. Some people are susceptible to extreme eye fatigue and others have eye issues that can damage the eyes if done for too long. Make sure your eyes are lubricated with natural lubrication before and after and do not stare so long you are hurting the eyes. Your “shaking” issue can be from a lack of focus but it can also be a neurological or medical issue . . . or simply a lack of relaxation into the moment of the exercise (a trip to an informed medical practitioner or guru might be wise). Keep in mind that there are some folks for whom the Trataka is not advised . . . but, also keep in mind that since it has nothing to do with being a good hypnotist, that’s okay.
Others may disagree with me and they certainly are welcome to their opinions. Please please understand that I am not ragging on the Trataka Eye Gazing exercise here. It can be a worthwhile spiritual exercise in the right context and many have found it to be useful for vision improvement. However, I strongly disagree with the supposition that it is necessary to become a good hypnotherapist. It has nothing to do with performing genuine hypnosis.
Some hypnotists will use the Hypnotic Stare and imply that the technique requires practice of methods similar to the Trataka Eye Gazing exercise or psychic expression or some sort. While the Hypnotic Stare may indeed appear to utilize these operators, that is most definitely NOT what’s going on in actuality. For instance, in my own demonstration of Stare Hypnosis in the video that follows it appears as if the young woman is overcome very quickly by the power of my hypnotic gaze (this video clip is from her very first ever hypnosis session), in actuality the gaze is used as a MacGuffin, it’s not the main operator of hypnotic success . . . rather this is an example of an expectancy induction that employs social influence and social psychology toward the intensification of imaginative involvement that bypasses the critical factor of the mind. The gaze is not the mechanism, it’s the bell or whistle; the gaze is not the major ingredient of the cake, it is the icing or sprinkles.
As you can see, she responds very quickly and while she seems to be submitting hypnotically to my powerful hypnotic gaze, this is only part of the mechanism. Folks unfamiliar with expectancy inductions are encouraged to learn more (my core hypnosis skills course – both the online and home video versions – covers this sort of material fully with explanations and instructions on how to set the context for success with this sort of approach).
If you can’t attend an in-person course with a competent hypnotist instructor, you might also consider an online option such as my core course mentioned earlier or the very comprehensive full course in hypnotherapy from the Hypnosis Practitioner Training Institute at http://www.hpti.org . . . if you can’t take their full year program they do have extension classes available. There are also folks who have video courses available (there are a number on my webpages at http://www.briandavidphillips.net – including a number that are videos of seminars I taught in India).
Speaking of hypnosis, you can learn a whole slew of new techniques by checking out our video training programs in hypnosis which are in general release.
If you’re in Taipei and interested in hypnosis, check the services page linked to in the top left sidebar. Not in Taipei? Check the store for recordings in the same menu area as well as links to lots and lots of info and goodies. Of course, browsing this site will bring you to a digital ton of positive resources on a wide variety of topics as well.
Brian
www.BrianDavidPhillips.net
