e the stream of
consciousness. Automaticism, of course, is inherently part of this view,
and is presumed to negate volition. Activity of the cerebrum, which
controls the conscious and voluntary system, is rendered
non-operational.

My own thoughts on the matter are that hypnosis results from, first of
all, a good transference; secondly, from a conditioned reflex; thirdly,
from the person acting as a hypnotized person (role playing), and,
fourthly, from a suspension of the critical faculties. Along the
last-named line, I believe that hypnotic suggestions have an autonomy of
their own which supersede all else in the hypnotic situation. There are
many more theories I believe are partially correct, but the ones named
will do for the purposes of this volume. Incidentally, all the hypnosis
theories presented are equally applicable to self-hypnosis except where,
as in transference, it is obvious a therapist is needed.

In conclusion, the author would like to take issue with those who
believe that it is the monotonous intonations of the therapist that
cause the subject to lapse from the deeply relaxed state into true
sleep. I have observed many times, by comparing verbalization with
silence, that the former gives the subject's mind a focal point of
attention which prevents him from entering a sleep state where
hypnotherapy is impossible. Like the man who cannot sleep because of an
active mind, sleep and myriad thoughts and suggestions are incompatible,
and I believe, once a hypnotic state has been attained, that the subject
is kept awake (unless definite sleep suggestions are given) by the
therapist's series of suggestions. We have discussed the effect of the
experiential background at length, and surely nothing connotates sleep
more than closing one's eyes--test No. 1. And so, in my view, you are
doing two things when you talk to the subject; you are giving him
helpful suggestions, but you are also keeping him awake and hyperacute
so that these suggestions will sink in.

Chapter 13

Practical Applications of Self-Hypnosis

With hypnosis on the march, there is practically no limit to its uses in
the field of medicine, and new applications are being discovered every
day. It should not be necessary to add, however, that some of these uses
should remain as they are--in the hands of professionals with years of
experience in the area. One of the themes of this book has been that
laymen should use hypnosis discriminatel