Dr. Theodore Xenophon Barber has conducted extensive research into the phenomena of hypnosis, both
when he was associated with the psychology department of American University in Washington, D.C, and also after becoming associated with the Laboratory of Social Relations at Harvard. Writing in Science Digest recently he said:
"We found that hypnotic subjects are able to do surprising things only when convinced that the hypnotist's words are true statements... When the hypnotist's has guided the subject to the point where he is convinced that the hypnotist's words are true statements, the subject then behave differently because he thinks and believes differently.
"The phenomena of hypnosis have always seemed mysterious because it has always been difficult to understand how belief can bring about such unusual behavior. It always seemed as if there must be something more some unfathomable force or power, at work.
"However, the plain truth is that when a subject is convinced that he is deaf, he behaves as if he is deaf; when is convinced that he is insensitive to pain, he can undergo surgery without anesthesia. The mysterious force or power does not exist."
A little reflection will show why it is a very good thing for us that we do feel and act according to what we believe or imagine to be true.
