More Hypnosis Cards

Question 1

I’m wondering if…

Answer 1

I’m wondering if you will stop smoking this afternoon. I’m
wondering if that comfortable feeling if your feet will spread
up into the rest of your body. I’m wondering if you can
pretend you’ve never smoked in your life, and imagine what
it is like to go through a typical day. I never told you to do
anything, I was just wondering…

Question 2

Maybe you’ll _____.

Answer 2

Maybe you’ll direct some unusual embedded commands to
your friends while you play Zebu. Maybe you’ll dream of
new ways to say things tonight. Maybe you’ll spot the
embedded commands in these sentences

Question 3

You probably already know…

Answer 3

You probably already know many ways to feel good without
smoking. And what do you do in response to this
statement? You might try to think of the things that I say
you know, and of course, you are likely to find them if you
think long enough! If I wanted you to really search for those
answers I could say: On a deep level, you probably already
know how useful indirect communication can be.

Question 4

Don’t _____ too quickly

Answer 4

This phrase has the implication that what I suggest will
definitely happen anyway, and all I really care about is
when it happens. And if you are resisting me, your internal
response may well be: “Oh yeah, who says I can’t do this
quickly! I’ll show you!” isn’t that great? Don’t stop smoking
too quickly. Don’t go into a deep trance too quickly, just
relax and listen to my voice for a while.

Question 5

Can you imagine…?

Answer 5

You probably already know that people are more likely to
do what they are more familiar with, and that imagining
something is a great way to create familiarity. Can you
imagine what you would do on an airplane if you really
enjoyed flying? Can you imagine all the situations where
you would use this language pattern if you practiced it and
really knew it?

Question 6

One can, , _____.

Answer 6

By adding the person’s name at the beginning of the
embedded command, you will make it much more powerful.
One can, Eve, feel good for no reason at all. One can,
Greta, enjoy the experience of hypnosis without knowing
exactly what is going to happen. One can, Joe, let the eyes
close just because it feels good. Who can? … One can.
We’re not talking about you Joe.

Question 7

You might notice the feelings … as you …

Answer 7

You might notice the feelings directs attention to internal
body sensations, which is good for hypnotic inductions. As
you provides another opportunity for an indirect suggestion.
You might notice the feelings in your feet, as you relax
them completely. You might notice the feelings of comfort
as you begin to relax your whole body.

Question 8

A person might, , _____.

Answer 8

Say the name close to the second half of the sentence, and
it becomes a personal embedded command. A person
might, Sarah, take the lessons from that situation and let go
of the old emotions. A person might, Allen, find some good
reasons that make losing weight compelling.

Question 9

One could _____, because …

Answer 9

Because is the magic word, because it lends emotional
credibility to whatever goes before it. One could use the
word ‘because’ after important suggestions, because you
enjoy trying new things. One could let this learning go to a
very deep place inside, because you may not be
completely aware of how important it is yet.

Question 10

You can _____, because …

Answer 10

Here’s that because word again. You can just use it and
discover how powerful it is, because you can pretty much
say anything you want after it. You can believe it works,
because it is such a nice way to keep talking and keep the
suggestions coming. you can even use it in everyday
conversations, because people love to hear reasons for
things.

Question 11

You can _____, can you not?

Answer 11

Can you not is such a great way to end a statement. It
turns it into a question which is les threatening, and it’s so
confusing to try to disagree with. You can appreciate my
point, can you not? You can relax into that chair, can you
not? You can allow new answers to come to you, can you
not?

Question 12

I don’t know if _____.

Answer 12

I don’t know if you’re going to like this game better than any
other learning game you’ve ever played. I don’t know what
things in particular you will enjoy the most. I really don’t
know if this experience is going to change your life. Don’t
ask me, I don’t know.

Question 13

You might notice how good … feels, when you …

Answer 13

The hidden assumption is that what I’m suggesting feels
good, and the when you part further assumes that you are
going to do it! You might notice how good your eyes feel
when you close them and they stay closed. You might
notice how good your arms feel when you relax them as
they rest n that chair.

Question 14

One doesn’t have to, , _____.

Answer 14

One doesn’t really have to, does one. It seems so formal
and detached and impersonal, (your name here), or does
it? One doesn’t have to, Betty, close your eyes as we
begin. One doesn’t have to, Josef relax deeper and deeper
with each breath

Question 15

People don’t have to, , _____.

Answer 15

People don’t have to, but they do anyway, doesn’t it seem
like that? And when I use your name, it makes it so
personal. People don’t have to respond favourably when
you use their names, but you know (your name here), they
sure do. People don’t have to, Marilyn, listen carefully to
everything I say.

Question 16

You may not know if _____.

Answer 16

When I wonder whether you know something, I presuppose
that something exist and is true. You may not know if this is
going to be fun. You may not know if you’re going to enjoy
this SO much that you’ll have to write me and tell me about
it.

Question 17

It’s easy to _____, is it not?

Answer 17

Is it not is another one of those endings that softens a
statement into a question. And it’s a bit confusing to
disagree with, is it not? It’s easy to go into a trance, is it
not? It’s easy to discover something special deep inside, is
it not? And if I say that something is easy, you will probably
try doing it to see if I’m right.

Question 18

A person may not know if _____.

Answer 18

For added fun a person can change the subject of the
sentence halfway through to you, it’s mildly confusing, and
it underline that you aren’t really talking about a person in
the abstract anyway. A person may not know if you’re
going to have a meaningful experience. A person may not
know if your arm will slowly raise up automatically.

Question 19

You are able to _____.

Answer 19

You are able to enjoy being at your work, because you
have a great sense of humour. You are able to relax your
hands completely. It’s another truism, I’m just observing the
obvious. You are able to re-read this to make sure you get
it.

Question 20

, , , and _____.

Answer 20

When you start off saying a string of facts, the other person
internally is thinking yes, yes, yes … yes, and they get into
the habit of agreeing with you, then you hit them with your
suggestion. You’ve made yourself comfortable in that chair,
I’m going to talk for a while, you can listen to the words I
say, and drift off into a deep state of relaxation.

Question 21

A person is able to _____.

Answer 21

What do you do when I comment on what other people are
able to do? You probably check to see if you can do it too.
A person is able to eat less food, and enjoy it even more,
when you can savour each mouthful of food and chew it
slowly.

Question 22

… once told me, “_____”

Answer 22

Quote someone else and put your message in the quote.
The nice thing is that they said it, you didn’t. My babysitter
once told me, “Close your eyes and go to sleep or I’ll
whack you in the head!”

Question 23

… said, “_____”

Answer 23

Quote somebody else and put your message in the quote.
Through the years again and again my students have said,
“Quotes are one of the most fun way to deliver indirect
messages.” In fact, one of them once said’ “If you can’t use
quotes to deliver a message, you must be brain dead!” But
that was him, I wouldn’t say such a thing.

Question 24

If you _____, then …

Answer 24

This is a cause and effect statement, but it doesn’t have to
make too much sense. In order to verify that the then part
is true, the person has to do the if part, which is what you
want. If you imagine yourself in your favourite place, then
you will feel feelings of comfort in your body, If you rest
your hands on the chair like this, then you’ll be ready to
begin.

Question 25

When you _____, then …

Answer 25

I say when X, then Y, and you have to do X and then
search for Y in order to understand what I’m saying. Pretty
tricky huh? When you get in touch with that loving and
forgiving part of yourself, then an opportunity will open up
for a deep transformation. Check it out.

Question 26

Will you _____ now, or will you _____?

Answer 26

Will you do it now, or will you do it later. It sound like you’re
getting lots of choices. Will you close your eyes and relax
now, or will you try to keep your eyes open a little longer
while other parts of your body relax first?

Question 27

You don’t have to _____.

Answer 27

This is called a truism. On the surface, the statement is
true, and can’t be argued with. Beneath the surface lies an
embedded command. You don’t have to understand how
this works, in order to use it. You don’t have to help me
with the dishes. Really.

Question 28

A person may _____, because …

Answer 28

A person may get permission to do what I’m suggesting,
because I’m giving it to them. Who said my because has to
make any logical sense? And besides, the because clause
is an opportunity for another suggestion. A person may just
stop drinking, because you can remember all of your
reasons for not drinking each time you feel an urge to take
a drink.

Question 29

One may, , _____.

Answer 29

One may, Sara, feel comfortable imagining standing on that
balcony. One may, Jerry, forgive someone even if you don’t
think you want to. One may, Jane, be excused from the
room AFTER you raise your hand.

Question 30

You may _____.

Answer 30

You may find this experience very valuable. You may get
confused about what used to bother you. You may want to
relax. You may like what you se here. You may, go ahead,
I give you permission.

Question 31

A person could, , _____.

Answer 31

A person could, Bob, go to work tomorrow with a new
outlook. A person could, Susie, develop a sense of
perspective on this situation. A person could, (your name
here), write a big check to that fun loving Zebu team. Heck,
it’s a free world!

Question 32

You might _____.

Answer 32

You might, and whatever you might do might be even more
likely after having it suggested like this. You might want to
make this change more than anything. You might discover
that your eyes don’t want to open.

Question 33

You could _____.

Answer 33

You could, of course you could, you have free will. You
could sleep on it tonight, and call me in the morning. You
could let this process of transformation take place without
even knowing how it was happening. Huh? You could just
let go and relax. OK? OK.

Question 34

You might want to _____, … now.

Answer 34

This now is the trickiest part. If you slur it together with the
rest of the sentence it just adds an imperative quality to the
embedded command. If you pause and then say it, it
becomes a powerful command all on its own. You might
want to close your eyes now. You might want to let that
feeling of comfort move up your arm, … now.

Question 35

One might, you know, _____.

Answer 35

One might, and then again one might not, who knows? …
you know! One might, you know, just relax and let the
learning take place on a deep level. One might, you know,
understand how to use this at just the right times.

Question 36

Maybe you haven’t …, yet.

Answer 36

Maybe you haven’t, maybe you have, I’m just making an
observation, but when that yet comes along, there’s a
strong implication that sooner or later you’re going to!
Maybe you haven’t decided to buy copies of Zebu for all of
your friends… yet. Who knows? … There’s still time… It’s
just an observation.

Question 37

People can, you know, _____.

Answer 37

I’m just talking about what other people can do, I’m not
talking about you! You know, that you know clause, it
seems to imply in an ambiguous fashion that you knew this
already. People can, you know, find ways to make these
changes easily and comfortably.

Question 38

I’m wondering if you’ll _____, … or not.

Answer 38

This or not ending is the greatest way to dodge resistance.
If you see the other person smiling and nodding their head,
then don’t bother to add the or not, who needs it? I’m
wondering if you’ll use this language pattern constantly,
(pause, what, no enthusiastic agreement?) … or not.

Question 39

You may or may not _____.

Answer 39

You may or may not notice the comfortable sensation in
your hands. So you think about the comfortable sensation
in your hands, and if you feel them you think, “Of course I
notice them.” If you don’t feel them you think, “Maybe I’m
just not noticing them”, so you think about it a little more
and pretty soon you’re feeling comfortable sensations that
you’re feeling comfortable sensations that I said were there
all along.

Question 40

You might notice the sensation in … while you …

Answer 40

You can induce hypnosis by directing attention to various
parts of the body, You might notice the sensations of your
shoes on your feet, the sensation of the chair beneath you,
the feeling of the card in your hand. You might notice the
sensations in your hands while you relax and pretend that
you can’t move them.

Question 41

What happens when you _____?

Answer 41

In order to answer this question you must imagine what I
am suggesting, which is the reason I ask. Remember: in
the area of emotions and feelings, people learn just as well
by vividly imagining experiences as by physically having
them. What happens when you just decide you aren’t going
to let him bother you anymore?

Question 42

Can you really enjoy …?

Answer 42

Can you really enjoy having your eyes get heavy and start
to shut? Can you really enjoy taking a deep breath and
relaxing deeply? The question isn’t if you can do it, or if you
will do it, the question is how much will you enjoy doing it.
Of course, the only way to answer the question is to do it.

Question 43

Some people …

Answer 43

Who are those some people? The first thing a person does
is to check inside to see if they are one of those people, so
give them something you want them to check for. Some
people get feelings of comfort in this office and want to go
into trance right away. Some people have hidden strengths
that they discover can help them in situation very much like
yours.

Question 44

You might not have noticed …

Answer 44

You might not have noticed how often you direct other
people’s awareness while you are talking to them. Directing
awareness to various parts of the body generally creates
relaxation and confusion, both induce hypnosis, You might
not have notice the comfortable sensations of your socks
on your feet. You might not have noticed the way the chair
supports you… beneath your legs… beneath your arms…
behind your shoulders…

Question 45

Try to resist …

Answer 45

Try to resist implies that you will try, but you won’t be able
to do it. You can use your voice inflection to strengthen this
implication. Try to resist the sensation that your hands are
becoming so relaxed that they just won’t move. Try to
resist, a deepening sensation of relaxation as you breath

Question 46

Eventually…

Answer 46

Eventually everything comes to pass. Eventually what I
want to direct your attention to will probably come to pass
as well. Eventually you will develop a deep understanding
of these difficult events in your life, and you will find some
hidden value in them. Eventually, indirect language
patterns will become second nature to you. Imagine that.

Question 47

Sometime …

Answer 47

Sometime, somewhere, there will be a person in a situation
very much like yours who will take a deep breath and just
let it go. Sometime, you’re going to feel better about this.
Sometime you are going to understand this from a
viewpoint where it all make sense. Sometime you might
indirectly get a person to imagine a time when they have
the resources you want them to feel.

Question 48

Sooner or later …

Answer 48

Sooner or later you’ll resolve this present difficulty, and
begin to enjoy the simple things in life again. Sooner or
later, you’ll want to close your eyes. Sooner or later, you’re
going to be able to look back on this and laugh about it.
Jeepers, just about everything happens sooner or later.

Question 49

I could tell you that … but …

Answer 49

I could tell you that …, but I won’t, so you have no reason
to resist or take offense at whatever I just didn’t tell you. I
could tell you that this experience will give you more
confidence and self-assurance, but I would rather let you
discover that for yourself. I could tell you this is a great way
to avoid resistance, but you probably understand that
already.

Question 50

How would you feel if you … ?

Answer 50

In order to answer this question, you have to imagine what
I propose, which is the whole purpose for asking the
question. How would you feel if you felt comfortable around
dogs, and you could just go up and pet one. How would it
feel if you had already made this change?

Question 51

I wouldn’t tell you to _____, because …

Answer 51

I wouldn’t tell (here I am telling you anyway), and you can’t
disagree with me, because I said upfront I wouldn’t tell you.
And I use the magic word because to make another
comment, because it lends authority to what I just said, and
it carries attention away from the embedded command
before you consciously recognize it.

Question 52

Will you …, or …, or …

Answer 52

This is the form of infinite choice, and I’ll cover all the
possibilities so you can’t help but do what I say. And if you
get into the habit of doing what I say, sometime I may begin
to actually lead you. Will your hand begin to lift up
automatically, or will it relax just where it is, or will you
notice certain sensations in your hand that you can enjoy.