The “Statements You Know To Be True” Technique

There is a basic principle of human nature that can help someone who wants to experience trance to do so. If you tell a person several things they know to be true, they will have a tendency to accept the next thing you say to be true. Let’s use that principle in this induction.

Simply state 4 things you know to be true in your subject’s experience. Stay away from interpretation; focus on things you are sure are happening. “And you’re feeling wonderful” is an interpretation, whereas “your arms are resting at your sides” is a statement you can verify with your senses. Then state one thing you wish to happen. State it in a permissive way (preface the statement by the phrase “you can” or “you may”).

Here’s an example…

“As you sit in that chair, with your feet on the ground, breathing in and out, hearing the sound of my voice, you can relax more deeply.”

You can see them sitting in a chair (statement 1) see them with their feet on the ground (statement 2), see them breathing in and out (statement 3), know that they can hear the sound of your voice (statement 4) – then you state the thing you want to have happen (relax more deeply).

Then state 3 things you know to be true in your subject’s experience and follow with a fourth statement about what you want to have happen (still permissively).

“As you continue to breathe, and you feel the weight of your clothing on your body, you can become aware of the sounds of the cars passing by, and you can go ahead and close your eyes.” (Naturally, you would only do this if the subject can hear the sounds of cars passing by).

As you see or hear signs of trance in your subject you can be more directive. “As you continue to listen to my voice, allow yourself to go deeper into relaxation…”

Continue on like this for several minutes. As your subject/client shows more of the signs of trance you need less and less of the “statements you know to be true” and you can request your subject do things more directly.

It takes a bit of practice to get used to the idea of verifying someone’s internal experience. After a few times through this induction you’ll notice that it’s easier and easier to think of things that you know your subject or client must be experiencing. Here are some ideas to get you started…

Things you can verify * feel the temperature of the air * feel the weight of clothing on your body * hear the sound of my voice * feel the weight of your body in the chair (or on the couch – wherever they are) * breathe in and out * think things * experience things * experience time passing * make images in the mind’s eye

Things you might want your subject to do * close your eyes * relax deeply * breathe slowly and easily * go into hypnosis * relax your face (neck, arm etc.) * remain still * feel comfortable * go deeper * really relax

Simply state a few things you can verify and then add something you want your subject to do. Like this…

“As you feel the temperature of the air on your skin, feel the weight of clothing on your body, and hear the sound of my voice you can relax deeply.” Get the idea?

Exercise: Statements You Know To Be True

State several things you know to be true in your subject’s experience, then state one thing that leads toward hypnosis in a permissive way.

State several more things you know to be true in your subject’s experience and follow with a statement about what you want to have happen (still permissively).

Continue verbally pacing the subject’s experience for several minutes, gradually becoming more direct in your suggestions.

That’s it for this Hypnosis Tip. Until next time…

Sincerely,
Keith Livingston