Hypnotic Language: Its Structure and Use
by John Burton, EdD and Bob G., Bodenhamer, DMin
‘All communication invites the receiver into a hypnotic trance.'
This statement, made at the beginning of Burton and Bodenhamer's new book, may seem a bit excessive. Can all communication really send us into a trance, and wouldn't this contradict the 'active' nature of communicating? Yet as you progress through this extensive study, you realise the true hypnotic power of a key component of communication: language, and, more poignantly, that using language inherently involves moving from an objective to a subjective state - an essential, trance-entering action.
Language lives at the very heart of hypnosis. It provides the route to the unconscious mind because of its ability to transport us from the present (in time and space) to the imaginary, and because it is itself a complex mental process capable of generating multiple meanings. What Burton and Bodenhamer set out to demonstrate is exactly how the structure of hypnotic language invokes the more sophisticated capacities of the cortex, as they identify the very cognitive dimensions that allow hypnotic language to be effective, and those principles of perception that cause the perceiver to automatically enter a state of trance.
The authors pose three key questions in the first section of the book. Examining the characteristics of hypnotic language, they ask: what features make some communication more effective than other communication for inducing a trance?; what makes the receiver of linguistic communication respond to the invitation and go into trance?; what takes place while a person is in trance that makes this form of communication produce change in that person? In the course of answering these questions, Burton and Bodenhamer consider a whole range of linguistic and cognitive factors in communication, and also the many common flaws, such as either/or thinking, irreversibility, over-generalizing, egocentrism, and animism.
The result is an investigation that is as fascinating as it is rigorous. By concentrating upon the functions of language and communication, Hypnotic Language provides a truly elucidating description of the conscious/ unconscious mind split, and a unique view of the structure of the hypnotic sentence. Chapters 2 and 3 prove to be particularly valuable. The former concentrates upon the cognitive factors in hypnotic language and reaches some interesting conclusions about centreing; the latter identifies Gestalt principles in hypnotic language, providing a highly original 'anatomy' of hypnotic language. We learn of the perceptual components that affect the efficacy of hypnotic language (namely the elements of figure-ground, likeness, closure, simplicity, dissonance reduction and continuation), and realise the need to organize what we sense in a way that allows us to fully understand the information.
The second section of the book is the practical part, offering dozens of hypnotic language scripts with explanations of the cognitive principles at work. Containing language patterns for beliefs, time orientation, perception and spirituality, Hypnotic Language demonstrates how such patterns work to promote change in cognition and even perceived reality, while also providing numerous case examples. The most significant revelations address the beliefs of a client. Altering beliefs results in a change in behaviour precisely because we behave in ways consistent with them. We find that the foundation of a belief can change 'from the inside out', as we choose new beliefs and behave accordingly, or 'from the outside in', as we behave differently in order to 'create' new information and change the foundation of our beliefs. Also of interest here is the time work. I was intrigued by Burton and Bodenhamer's suggestion that one can only fear something in the future or past, and found this an excellent principle to live by to enjoy life in the present.
The insights into the structure and uses of hypnotic language will make this book an invaluable reference for cognitive psychologists, counsellors and NLP practitioners, but it is to the hypnotherapist that the book is most indispensible - exploring, as it does, the dynamics of hypnotic language, and how to exploit these features in creating more effective hypnotic language patterns. Everyone will benefit from the reader-friendly format of the book, and from the wealth of scripts provided. I would, however, warn the more traditionally-grounded practitioners to be wary, as parts of the text do have an NLP 'flavour'! But should you wish to gain a deeper understanding of how hypnosis works, or would like to become more aware of the language you use during hypnotherapy sessions, this is the book you've been waiting for.
Peter Mabbutt
Magazine
For Hypnosis and 