Life of Brian

BRIAN DAVID PHILLIPS WAKING DREAMS HYPNOSIS . . .

Singularity Convergence
Maya Baktun 13 : Timewave Zero : Singularity
Sunrise, Dec. 21, 2012, 7:14

Brian David Phillips Waking Dreams Hypnosis for all your hypnotic needs . . . entertainment, therapy, training, workshop, video, CD, MP3 . . . welcome to Life of Brian, the blog . . . continuing entries on all manner of materials that catch my eye or strike my fancy . . . past the schedules below . . . breathe in, breathe out, relax, read on, and enjoy . . .

UPCOMING HYPNOSIS PERFORMANCES

• August 15, 2008 . . . SEANCE HYPNOTIC: Ghost Festival Supernatural Hypnosis Show (Discover the Magick of the Mind as You Enter into the World of the Paranormal) . . . Live COMEDY CLUB Taipei (Bilingual performance, Chinese and English), 10:30pm, Taipei, Taiwan.

UPCOMING COURSES (see http://www.briandavidphillips.com)

• July 13, 2008 . . . UNDERSTANDING TAROT, Taipei, Taiwan (one day).
• July 19-20, 2008 . . . METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS, Taipei, Taiwan (two days).
• Aug. 9-10, 2008 . . . RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS, Taipei, Taiwan (two days).
• Aug. 30-31, 2008 . . . SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES, New Delhi, India (two days).
• Sept. 3-4, 2008 . . . SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES, Mumbai, India (two days).
• Sept. 6-7, 2008 . . . SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES, Bangalore, India (two days).
• Sept. 22, 2008 . . . HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING, Taipei, Taiwan (one day).
• Oct. 19-20, 2008 . . . LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS, Taipei, Taiwan (two days).

Our Comedy HYPNOSIS Show is appearing regularly at a number of venues in Taipei (English with Chinese interpretation).  For other free workshop announcements, course information, and more see the schedules posted here or on the workshop email list here.  For more details, videos, photos, and much more see " the webpages at http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com.

Haunted Taiwan . . .

After watching some ghost hunting type programs and discussing critical approaches to such material, students in one of the courses I teach at National Chengchi University in Taipei this past semester created their own videos related to haunted locations in Taiwan. They were to demonstrate some degree of critical thinking in their videos about actual locations and events (although some dramatization would be allowed).

You can judge their success . . . here are their projects . . .

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted University

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted Elevator

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted Pavilion

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted Apartments

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted Dorm

HAUNTED TAIWAN: Haunted Time Loop

Keep in mind that this is not a television production course so these were in no way expected to be broadcast quality.

All the best,
Brian

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Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
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 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
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See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Magician . . . could you fake it?

Think about all the skills needed for your profession.  Really think about the bare bones of what's really needed, not all the years you took perfecting it and studying.  Now, could you take an absolute novice, someone with no previous experience or knowledge at all in your profession and teach 'em enough within one month so that that person could stand before a panel of experts to be judged along side folks who are experience professionals in which the panel of judges must pick the fake, the one who isn't experienced, and fool the judges?

That's the premise for the British television series Faking It and that's exactly what this young man did . . . a doctoral students in physics with no experience in magic and absolutely no real presentational or performance or even raw communication skills and he stood before some rather well known magicians and fooled 'em into thinking he was an experienced performer.  Notice the incredible transformation in the young man as well . . . it wasn't just learning a few tricks but learning the confidence and the presence.

Part One . . .

If you're reading a feed, go here.

Part Two . . .

If you're reading a feed, go here.

Now that is really well done and quite a transformation.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!: UNDERSTANDING TAROT 
Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (9-10 August 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
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 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Mass Hysteria Fun?

I know it's not really hypnosis . . . but it definitely has a great deal to do with how the mind can be subject to suggestion, influence, and odd thinking passing from one person to another as an infection, a mind virus . . . The Weirdest Examples of Mass Hysteria . . . (web) . . . has some interesting examples but it actually isn't particularly comprehensive.  I have been familiar with all the examples given for years (most of them have been researched by my graduate students for various courses at the university at various times over the past decade or so) and the really weird thing is that such cases are still occurring - for instance the disease from a couple years ago that passed around junior high schools based upon a fictional illness from a television show or other oddness that continues.  Reality is very fluid.

All the best,
Brian

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Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
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SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
Taipei, Taiwan (22 Sept. 2008)
 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Cool Ki Tricks

Body Mind and Modem has some nice Cool Ki Tricks you can try.  They are nice demonstrations of how the mind can affect the body in interesting ways.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!: UNDERSTANDING TAROT 
Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (9-10 August 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
Taipei, Taiwan (22 Sept. 2008)
 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Sticky Hypnosis . . . Heidelberg Style

Dirk Treusch (web) has taken the sticky hypnosis challenge (web) to heart and ventured to the streets of Heidelberg where he put the concept of stickiness and hypnosis to the test . . .

For those viewing via the rss, the video can be seen at http://youtube.com/watch?v=5wiYIyGj2IY . . . as a response to one of my pieces too.

Nice going, Dirk, it's a lot of fun.  Thanks for sharing!

My sticky submissions to the challenge are here and here.  We are looking forward to more.  So, those of you who are hypnotists . . . feel free to get out there and stick folks to things!

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!: UNDERSTANDING TAROT 
Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (9-10 August 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
Taipei, Taiwan (22 Sept. 2008)
 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Derren Brown versus Richard Bandler

Derren Brown has had to back down from some of his very critical statements about Neruolinguistic Programming (NLP) and - more specifically - about Richard Bandler, one of the founders of NLP.  In his book, Trick of the Mind, Brown called NLP a bit of a pyramid scheme rather than a legitimate approach to the mind and therapeutic change.  He also took a swipe at Bandler, equating him to a con man.

Bandler and friends took umbrage and hit Brown with a suit. Brown has backed down and his publishers now say the passages will be edited out of future editions of the book . . . Derren Backs Down in Battle of the Mind Games . . .

Channel 4's entertaining "psychological illusionist" Derren Brown is also under the cosh over his last tome Tricks of the Mind.

Brown has recently been forced to delete text from future editions of the work in which he makes unflattering references to Dr Richard Bandler, the noted American psychologist who pioneers a treatment called Neuro Linguistic Programming (NPL), and who is close associate of the TV hypnotist Paul McKenna.

In the book, which was released last October, he describes NLP as "resembling something of a pyramid scheme, with Bandler sat cheerily at the top", and took a further personal swipe in the book at Bandler himself, stating that it's "hard to tell whether he's hugely effective or a great, brilliant, captivating con".

Brown's publishers at Channel 4 weren't available to comment last night, but are understood to have agreed not to repeat the comments in the future

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Bandler, said he was happy to now put the matter behind him.

"Dr Bambler was quite prepared to sue over the comments, but we're satisfied they now won't be repeated in future editions," I'm told.

"He's also expecting a grovelling apology from Brown to personally apologise for any unintended offence caused, otherwise it's case closed as far as we're concerned."

Yes, the horrid spelling is in the original story.

I don't think Bandler should hold his breath waiting for that apology.  Bandler is a close associate to Paul McKenna so it's very interesting to see the following video with a young Derren Brown attending a training by Paul McKenna and Michael Breen . . . check at the 34 sec. mark . . .

That's a bit of interest.  For those of you getting this via a stream without the videos, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkpQkLFDvi8 and take a look.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!: UNDERSTANDING TAROT 
Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (9-10 August 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
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 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Hypnotherapy Comes of Age in Alternative Care

Christine Phelan gives some strong examples of why Hypnotherapy is Finding its Place in Alternative Care . . . http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1456403/hypnotherapy_finding_its_place_in_alternative_care . . . just the example of an open-heart surgery patient standing and moving around comfortably washing her hair should be enough to show that something very powerful is going on!  However her piece has a lot more food for thought.  There may be some who are still locked in the nineteenth century who see hypnosis colored by the attitudes and misconceptions of that century, but more and more in the medical profession and elsewhere are discovering the peer reviewed journal papers and more that prove hypnosis is not merely makebelieve or roleplay or worse . . . it's a genuine state of mind that can be extremely powerful and beneficial.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!: UNDERSTANDING TAROT 
Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (9-10 August 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
Taipei, Taiwan (22 Sept. 2008)
 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Hypnosis goes to the Olympics

Two-time Olympic silver medal winner, U.S. shotputter Adam Nelson has begun using hypnosis as a means to prepare himself for the gold this time around . . .

Diane Pucin of the Los Angeles Times features Nelson's work with hypnotist Pete Siegel using sports enhancement and peak performance techniques (similar to some of the methods I employ for the same sort of work with performing artists and athletes, albeit I emphasize modeling rather than shouting and I tend to use all process-based interactive methods rather than script-based work).  Her feature is well done in terms of describing some of the resistance Nelson had to the idea from friends and family and how he feels it has helped him achieve a number of his goals . . . Nelson tries to wrap his mind around the gold (web) . . . in addition to the video, the feature is well worth taking a look at.

Hypnosis is wonderful for helping folks achieve their goals and for athletes and performers, it can be excellent.

I've done quite a bit of work in this area - particularly with actors, dancers, and athletes - and it is so gratifying to experience the satisfaction and joy in the work.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!: UNDERSTANDING TAROT 
Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS
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SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
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 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Hypnosis is the Future of Surgery

Danny Penman writes an extensive look at how hypnosis is being used in surgery - particular coverage on recent dental surgery with hypnosis - and it is well worth the looksee . . . Could Hypnotism be the Future of Surgery? This Dental Patient Certainly Thinks So (web) . . . the image is not the prettiest in the world but that really is rather the point.  Recently, hypnosis has been seeing a lot more coverage in the aspects of pain control and surgery . . . as well it should . . . as more and more doctors, dentists, and care givers are discovering the power of the mind that has been there all along.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!: UNDERSTANDING TAROT 
Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (9-10 August 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
Taipei, Taiwan (22 Sept. 2008)
 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

$10,000-a-Month Psychic . . .. . . intuitionists go corporate

Step into the world of the metaphysical but keep your feet firmly grounded in the practical . . . well, sort of.

Some intuitionist psychics are making some very strong inroads into the world of the corporate decision maker with a few charging heft fees as they become much sought after resources that are embraced by forwardthinking companies that are looking for creative outside-the-box solutions to ever-increasingly complex contexts.

Many of you know that in addition to my work with straight ol' run of the mill vanilla hypnosis and hypnotherapy, I push boundaries and endeavor to find ways to take what in the distant past might be considered occult or supernatural and find ways to ground it for today.  In fact, my upcoming Metaphysical Hypnosis seminar (web) does just that.

In addition to this sort of deconstruction of metaphysical constructs with a practical twist, I also do quite a bit of work on the other side of the aisle, while keeping my critical faculties at least partially active . . . my upcoming workshop in Understanding Tarot (web) will be exploring systematic and intuitive approaches to that particularly fascinating tool for introspective understanding.

Despite boyhood experiences that imprinted my beliefs and my values that go well beyond the pale for what most folks would probably consider normal, I would not characterize myself as a psychic - there's way too much circular reasoning and way too much lack of critical thought in that crowd for my taste, too many charlatans who are so obviously using trickery and influence to bilk those who are a desperate for an inkling of hope mixed in with some honestly wonderful people that a confusion takes place and a contamination by association, too strong a negative stigma, and the like.  Besides, I prefer the accuracy of the term "intuitionist" which was coined years ago by psychics who didn't want to be called psychics for the reasons above and by those who wished to step away from the bell, book, and candle, and enter the boardroom.  Of course, most intuitionists know we're still walking a line.

Well, some intuitionists have gone corporate . . . and I don't mean the shills on television raking in the big bucks through their psychic call in programs . . . I mean folks who offer their intuitional services to corporations either in an advisory capacity or who teach workshops in opening decision makers to developing their own intuition . . . many of these workshops are exactly the same as the some of the traditional psychic workshops but with a different vocabulary for what goes on there.  I even offer workshops and programs in intuition and the like for groups from private parties to corporate trainings.

The June 30, 2008, issue of Newsweek has a profile of just one of those successful corporate intuitionists . . . The $10,000-a-Month Psychic (web) . . . with both text and video (see the original webpage for the video). The article profiles Laura Day (web), author of the highly successful Practical Intuition (amazon) and the followups Practical Intuition in Love (amazon), Practical Intuition for Success (amazon), and The Circle (amazon).  Day has taken an approach in which she gains clients by word of mouth and only takes five each month for a heavy fee.  She will only take on one corporate client in any industry so she isn't dealing with competitors.  It's an interesting profile on her work.

The article at Newsweek is well worth the read . . . http://www.newsweek.com/id/142632 . . . with some nice bits on what she does and her approach to the work.

If you haven't emailed Lorraine for final registration for our upcoming courses, be sure to do it now.  The contact information is on the webpages at http://www.briandavidphillips.com so do it now.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!: UNDERSTANDING TAROT 
Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (9-10 August 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
Taipei, Taiwan (22 Sept. 2008)
 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Drinking Finger Fun

Here's a fun video demonstrating the infamous "drinking finger" . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXCpxx8XgnA . . . watch it in high quality on the youtube page. This is more from the session we did that yielded the Sticky Stick Hypnosis Fun video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN8tyMb3tp4 which I posted a few days ago.  I've used the ol' drinking finger before . . . many of you remember it from this session at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEEzv99u898 which was loads of fun.  It's a playful gag but can go very far in therapeutic contexts as well.

I've finished quite a few new demonstrational videos for our upcoming instructional DVD set.  I will be doing quite a be of talking head shots over the next few weeks as we put on the finishing touches and expect it to be finished in time for our trip to India.  It's a comprehensive set so there's quite a bit of tweaking to be done but it will definitely be worth it.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!: UNDERSTANDING TAROT 
Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (9-10 August 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
Taipei, Taiwan (22 Sept. 2008)
 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Hypnosis may ease Inflammation in Colitis

A new study suggests that hypnosis may help ease some of the bowel inflammation seen in ulcerative colitis:

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes chronic inflammation in the lining of the colon and rectum, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. There a number of medications for the disorder, but there is some research to suggest that hypnosis could serve as an additional therapy.

For example, "hypnotherapy" has been shown to aid irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers -- conditions that, like colitis, involve inflammation and can be worsened by psychological stress.

For the current study, UK researchers had 17 patients with active ulcerative colitis undergo a 50-minute session of "gut-focused" hypnotherapy aimed at relaxation and relief of inflammation. Another eight patients, who acted as a "control" group, listened to their choice of music for 50 minutes.

Afterward, the researchers found, blood levels of IL-6 -- a marker of inflammation in the body -- fell by 53 percent in the hypnosis group, whereas music listeners showed no substantial change.

Similarly, certain other chemical markers of inflammation declined in the hypnosis group, but not in the control group, the investigators report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

"This work shows that a single short session of hypnosis can return some of the chemical changes in the bowel associated with inflammation back towards normal in patients with ulcerative colitis," senior researcher Dr. David S. Rampton, of Barts and the London, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry, told Reuters Health.

Exactly why hypnosis might ease inflammation is not clear. According to Rampton's team, the therapy might have direct effects on colon activity or it might affect people's pain tolerance or perceptions of their symptoms.

The current findings, Rampton said, provide "a scientific basis for a properly designed clinical trial" to see whether hypnotherapy, given over weeks or months, might benefit people with ulcerative colitis.

He noted that it could also be worthwhile to study hypnosis for people with Crohn's disease, another form of inflammatory bowel disease.

The study is reported in the June 2008 issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology and will hopefully lead to more work on this and other issues that hypnosis has been shown to be beneficial for.

Note that the protocol used in this study seems to have been relaxation-based rather than process-based.  When I work with medical issues (with a doctor's referral), I use relaxation and imagery but quite a bit of the time in a session will using interactive processes that deal with the individual rather than generic procedures.

All the best,
Brian

Sign Up NOW!: UNDERSTANDING TAROT 
Taipei, Taiwan (13 July 2008)
METAPHYSICAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 July 2008)
RECREATIONAL HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (9-10 August 2008)
SPEED HYPNOSIS TECHNIQUES
India (August 30-31, Sept. 3-4, 6-7 2008)
HYPNOTIC SCRIPTWRITING FOR RECORDING 
Taipei, Taiwan (22 Sept. 2008)
 LEARNING ENHANCEMENT HYPNOSIS
Taipei, Taiwan (19-20 October 2008):Hypnosis Shows, Sessions, Training . . . and MORE!
See http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com for details!

Brian David Phillips, PhD, CH [brian@briandavidphillips.com]
Hypnotist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

Hypnosis Gains Ground for Stop Smoking

This is an interesting "medical minute" as some of the facts are right and others are obviously not as well researched as a news presentation should be . . .

The numbers on smoking are pretty grim: Around 50 million Americans smoke. That habit claims more than 400,000 lives annually.

But one hopeful statistic stands out: Each year, about 1.3 million Americans successfully quit smoking.

Smokers often try many different methods to kick the habit: Nicotine patches, gum, antidepressants and even hypnosis.

However, until now, there hasn't been much evidence to suggest that hypnosis really works. In a new study, researchers from the University of California at San Francisco randomly assigned 125 smokers to receive hypnosis and a similar number of smokers to receive behavioral counseling.

After one year, 22 percent of those who had hypnosis had quit smoking compared to 15 percent of those who had traditional counseling.

Researchers say hypnosis appeared more effective in patients who had a history of depression.

Experts say it often takes several tries to stop smoking for good; so if one attempt fails, pick a new quit date and a new tactic and start again.

Actually, there is amble evidence that smoking is effective for stop-smoking, much more effective than the twenty-two percent being reported here.  For modalities that include interactive process-based in person hypnosis rather than just audio CDs, the success rate is typically much higher (depending upon the study and methodology, often as high as sixty percent).  Bear in mind that the success rate for hypnosis to help stop smoking is higher than any other method so the comparative success in the USC at SF study is not surprising.

Take a look at the video for the story above at http://www.ktka.com/news/2008/jun/23/hypnosis_gains_ground_smoking_cessation_tactic/

When I work with smokers, I do make it clear that the hypnosis is most effective if the motivation to quit is self-directed and genuine.  If you're only making an appointment with me because your spouse or someone else has forced you to against your will, then save yourself the money and wait until YOU want to quit.

See other items in the Hypnosis in the News section of my blog for more studies and information.

All the best,
Brian

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Hypnocast Goes HYPNOBYEBYE

Folks, I am canceling the HYPNOCAST account at http://briandavidphillips.libsyn.com.  I haven't been adding new podcasts for awhile and prefer to use my videocast instead when I do.  So . . . if you haven't got all the mp3s you want to download, get them now as they will be GONE within the month.

See http://www.briandavidphillips.com for the latest news and information as I make more changes to our online offerings.

All the best,
Brian

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8 Rules For Surviving The Apocalypse . . .. . . what every parent should teach their children

My daughter and I have what some (okay most) would consider a rather odd pastime, I will sometimes quiz her about various survival strategies for surviving the coming zombie apocalypse . . . you know, simple questions like "what's the most effective weapons for dealing with zombies?" and the like (answer, if you have access to guns, go for head shots, otherwise get yourself a nice solid baseball bat and practice crushing watermelons . . . always aim for the head or sever the spinal cord).  We've come to conclusion that the folks in the US will have it so much easier to get guns while we'll be forced to use the baseball bats and swords (yes, we have swords in our home so we're kind of okay on that front) but we'll probably have to send a scouting party - most likely I get stuck with that job, so that sucks - to go to the local police station and see if we can scare up some shotguns.  Yes, it's harmless fun given the sort of films we watch . . . but, it can seem a bit on the disturbing side in public restaurants as nearby patrons hear us discussing the various intricate details of how best to dismember a marauding zombie with a CD collection and the like.

Well . . . now you too can survive the coming zombie or other apocalypse or doomsday . . . Eight Rules for Surviving the Apocalypse (http://io9.com/397140/8-rules-for-surviving-the-apocalypse) has some clear and direct things to do or not do that will increase your survival of zed-day or other coming end of the world scenarios.

All the best,
Brian

Sticky Stick Hypnosis Fun

I'm jumping the gun on this by a few days . . . but . . . Lorraine and I were shooting some waking suggestion and suggestibility video yesterday working with a lovely young woman and couldn't resist myself . . . more sticky fun . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN8tyMb3tp4 . . . hot off the presses so to speak. There was no formal induction, it's as presented and wholly based upon suggestibility effect used as waking hypnosis.

Yes, I keep drumsticks and a practice pad in my offices both at the university and at home . . . although, rather than drumsticks, I like to think of them as my Harry Dresden Style Magick Wands (although, I do pound the skins every once in awhile, albeit rather ineptly as I've forgotten so much since my youth as a drummer).

This video is being submitted to go with the Sticky Hypnosis Hypnotic Video Challenge for July (web), although we were actually shooting some demonstrational footage for our upcoming DVD course in basic hypnosis with a twist.  And . . . speaking of twsits . . . YES, for those of you who would like to learn hypnosis with a playful twist, we will be teaching these effects and how to play with them for fun and light entertainment in the upcoming Recreational Hypnosis seminar set for 9-10 August (http://www.briandavidphillips.com/training/recreationalhyp.html).

All the best,
Brian

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Sometimes being NICE sucks . . .

So . . . evidently, bad boys do get the babes . . . at least in the short term.

A study reported on in issue 2661 of New Scientist magazine, 18 June 2008, page 12 (web) shows that the "bad boys" really do have more sexual partners.

NICE guys knew it, now two studies have confirmed it: bad boys get the most girls. The finding may help explain why a nasty suite of antisocial personality traits known as the "dark triad" persists in the human population, despite their potentially grave cultural costs. The traits are the self-obsession of narcissism; the impulsive, thrill-seeking and callous behaviour of psychopaths; and the deceitful and exploitative nature of Machiavellianism. At their extreme, these traits would be highly detrimental for life in traditional human societies. People with these personalities risk being shunned by others and shut out of relationships, leaving them without a mate, hungry and vulnerable to predators . . . . . . says Peter Jonason at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. "We have some evidence that the three traits are really the same thing and may represent a successful evolutionary strategy."

Now, this doesn't mean these guys are happier, they just have more sex partners . . . they have shorter term relationships.

The write up gives the impression that this is a benefit to the "bad boys" - especially as they also say they prefer short term relationships.  However, while the indicator is this may be a successful evolutionary strategy on their part (at least insofar as spreading the ol' DNA around goes), it is only a successful strategy for males who untether from females . . . can you say deadbeat dad and the like?

The study found that those who scored higher on the dark triad personality traits tended to have more partners and more desire for short-term relationships, Jonason reported at the Human Behavior and Evolution Society meeting in Kyoto, Japan, earlier this month. But the correlation only held in males.

While this may seem to be a successful individual trait, culturally it is not worthwhile in the longrun . . . I would suspect that in the wild pre-civilization context it was likely unsuccessful as well in that women with children need group support.  Even a polygamous male who has many sexual partners would provide far more support to a woman - who would also have groupbonding females in her community - than would a short term "fuck 'em and ditch 'em" dark triad male.  Now, today, it may be a successful strategy in part because a single working mother does not have as much stigma attached to her and she has alternative means of support . . . the guy comes off as a complete tool but given his dysfunctional dark triad personality traits, he's okay with that.

The summary of the results are interesting but the spin needs to be re-evaluated.  Unfortunately, these trait don't just mean success with getting more sexual partners . . . they seem to also increase one's success in capitalism, politics, and power constructs . . . albeit, I definitely would NOT recommend anyone start a modeling project for these traits (although, I am aware of a number of trainers in the seduction industry/community who seem to be doing just that).

All the best,
Brian

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Psychic Kids . . .

Sometimes, it just sucks to not live in the US . . . othertimes not so much.  However, it sure would be nice if we had some of those kool networks you folks back in the "beautiful country" (hint, America in Mandarin is Meiguo which literally is the words beautiful and country together).

The Family Phillips has been watching old episodes of Ghost Whisperer of late - we just finished season two from DVD and plan on tackling Medium . . . Kaye really enjoyed Most Haunted and Ghost Hunters . . . think you can figure out at least some of our ol' television programming tastes?

Well, I just saw the link to the new A&E show in the US that would be perfect for my daughter . . . Psychic Kids: Paranormal Children . . . http://www.aetv.com/psychic-kids . . . unfortunately, we don't have A&E here and since it's a brandspanking new show, we won't be able to see it for some time, if at all since non-major channels don't usually distribute too well on this side of the planet.

The show really does look perfect for my daughter Kaye though as it has psychic phenomena (heck, we even faux nightvision cam women running around screaming at themselves bumping in the dark from Most Haunted entertaining) and the principle subjects are young people, a number of them the right age range for Kaye who is fourteen.

Anyone out there see this show?  How is it?

All the best,
Brian

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Mind Control Made Easy

I know I've posted this before . . . actually, some time ago . . . but it's making the rounds again and it's good enough to give another go.  The Mind Control Made Easy video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnNSe5XYp6E is both parody and manual:

The Boing Boing reference that's making the rounds at http://www.boingboing.net/2008/06/23/mind-control-made-ea.html states:

Carey Burtt’s superb “Mind Control Made Easy or How to Become a Cult Leader” (2000). It may be fun, but this is no comedy, it’s more like a documentary. Cults thrive on our vulnerabilities, and a good demonstration of just how vulnerable we all are was given in a series of experiments conducted by social psychologist Solomon Asch in the 1950s.

Creepy yet entertaining yet scary.

All the best,
Brian

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Shhhh . . .

Okay . . . some of my readers may find this offensive, especially the ones who love THE SECRET . . . however, I thought it was pretty funny.  The parody is dead on.  Shhhh . . . http://guruyouu.com

All the best,
Brian

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Hypnotist, Certified Hypnotherapist, Trance Wizard, Intuitionist
President, Society of Experiential Trance
Associate Professor, NCCU, Taipei, Taiwan
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com