I was just about to do my best to figure out if hypnosis was worth studying and how.
I trust the judgment around here pretty well. Am I wasting my time, or is this something worth pursuing? If so, what for, and do you have any recommended sources?
Hrm. Do you mean "emotional self control" as in "able to control what emotional signals you send via tone of voice or body language" or "you can decide what emotions you feel at to what extent"? I think I have the former, the latter is much harder for me.
What makes someone decently hypnotizeable? Is it something you can deduce from observation/measurement, or do you have to try and hypnotize someone and see whether it works or not?
Given two people with experience in hypnotism have recommended the same book, I'll be reading it and seeing for myself soon enough I suppose :) Any important advice you'd give or pitfalls to avoid?
Having control over your tone of voice and body language is not enough. If you are in a good trance with another person the breathing rate is synced and when you are anxious your breathing rate is going to chance and the other person breathing rate is also going to change accordingly.
The ability to let go of control is useful. Unfortunately, the average rationalist is bad at letting go of mental control. Ability to visualize well inside one's own mind indicates good suggestibility.
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