The Mentalist

The Covert Hypnosis Secret

2009-01-26T11:40:00.001-08:00

Covert hypnosis is a powerful, under-the-radar form of hypnosis. Unlike traditional clinical hypnosis, where the subject is intentionally put under a trance, covert hypnosis works by affecting the subjects subconscious mind, without them being consciously aware of it.

These subconscious suggestions can be made throughout normal, everyday conversation without the subject ever knowing about it.

Although very few people know the covert hypnosis secret, there are many different uses for this skill. For example, a salesperson can use this skill to influence his clients to buy more products. A bachelor can use these skills to build rapport and attract members of the opposite sex that hes attracted to.

The power behind covert hypnosis is from the fact that it bypasses conscious awareness. Normally, when given any kind of suggestion, thought, or command, the conscious mind will resist with objections. For example, if the hypnotherapist suggests that chocolate just doesnt seem appealing anymore, the conscious mind might say yeah right I still want that bar of chocolate. Or the salesman may say something about the client feeling totally safe and at ease driving his new car Again, the client may say or think But product X was better.

By going under the conscious mind, the subject never gets a chance to object and the suggestion goes straight to his subconscious mind. This way, the suggestion is taken in and affects its influence without ever being blocked by the e subconscious.

When applied, covert hypnosis secrets can be used in many different ways. They may be verbal Suggestions weaved into normal conversation, through word intonations, trance stories, and hypnotic patterns. They may be nonverbal Pacing someones body language and emotional state and changing it by leading them in another direction.

To learn more about covert hypnosis secrets, visit http://find-out-inside.com/conversational-hypnosis/

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Waking State Trance

2009-01-23T06:29:00.001-08:00

What is a 'waking state trance'? First, lets explore what direct overt hypnosis and indirect covert hypnosis are...

Direct authoritarian hypnosis is the kind of hypnosis that stage performers use. It is the type of Hypnosis that a hypnotist uses when they direct a person into trance. The fanciful swinging of a watch that is seen in the films is about 'fixation' of the attention. A stage hypnotist or practitioner performing overt direct hypnosis will have a person fixate their attention on an object and then continue to direct the person with suggestions to close their eyes, relax their body, walk down a set of stairs etc.

Covert conversational hypnosis is where a person is lead into a trance without overt suggestions. This could be in the telling of a story about a holiday, a massage or a relaxing experience and obtain eye closure in a covert fashion.

Waking state trance is when the suggestions of the hypnotist are given and accepted without the formal trance.

Has anyone ever told you something and you believed them? Well of course they have and of course you did. They offered a suggestion and you accepted that suggestion. A hypnotist will offer a suggestion that smoking is bad, the suggestion is accepted and the person stops smoking. There is no difference between somebody telling you that a film is good and you believing that suggestion, or a hypnotist suggesting to you that feeling confident is good and you accepting that suggestion and acting upon on it. A competent hypnotist will know how to pitch the suggestion just right so that it is accepted; so for that matter will a salesman. A close friend of yours can tell you something he or she has learnt and believes and the resistance of your conscious mind maybe bypassed resulting in your unconscious mind accepting the suggestion. We are all using hypnosis on each other all the time, whether we realise it or not. Even when we do not verbally respond we are still communicating volumes.

There are various techniques that can be used to ensure that the suggestions are accepted more readily. The gaining of Rapport is paramount (see my article: Rapport Magic, for an overview of Rapport) and the use of Embedded Commands (Analogue marking can be used to make the embedded commands more powerful). The use of ambiguous words and words that sound similar, marked out and embedded as commands, will go unnoticed and unchallenged by the conscious mind allowing ideas and concepts to be fed direct to the unconscious mind. Metaphor is a method of giving the mind a concept without directly referring to the specific example you wish to suggest. The more you direct a person towards a point of view the more the unconscious portion of the mind will become familiar with the new opinion. If pleasant emotions are associated with this new point of view it will seem appealing.

To covertly elicit a 'state of mind' from someone, a state of interest for example, and then place your product or service into the thoughts of that person or group of people, will associate the feelings of interest with the product. This is something advertisers do all the time, the major brand names continue to spend hundreds of millions, billions even, on global advertising because it works!

The more you can influence the unconscious portion of the mind the more you will see those influences manifested as actions and behaviours in the person or group of people.

John has assisted Paul McKenna P.h.D and Dr Richard Bandler to teach N.L.P and Hypnosis to thousands of people from all over the world.

A professional Magician John has carved a niche as one of the UK's top close-up Magicians and Mind Readers, working for Blue Chip companies, celebrities and on TV. http://www.howtoreadminds.co.uk Contact info@john-vincent.co.uk

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The Covert Hypnosis Secret

2009-01-22T02:39:00.001-08:00

These subconscious suggestions can be made throughout normal, everyday conversation without the subject ever knowing about it.

To learn more about covert hypnosis secrets, visit http://find-out-inside.com/conversational-hypnosis/

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Instant Memory Power - Part I

2009-01-21T08:07:00.001-08:00

We all know that most memory training techniques involve exercises to improve linking objects to certain items or using numbering systems to stay on top of being forgetful. However, oftentimes the only thing that is needed to keep your mind on track is to get organized and to stay that way! Below are a few good tips that will help you:

Deploying a filing system effectively: Take the time to think through your filing system. Figure out what organization will work best for you - client files versus project files, color coding, and so on. Once youve worked out your system, make sure to use it. File all pertinent information in the appropriate file (not a desk pile). Its also helpful to attach blank sheets of paper to the inside right back flap of file folders. Then, you can take notes on relevant conversations, memos, and meetings right where you need them. And make sure you put your files away in an organized system.

Employ a task list for projects: Overwhelmed by a complex project? Think through the project concretely, step by step. Then, make a list for all these steps, or tasks, to help you get them done. Heres another suggestion: Keep your task list stapled to the inside front cover of your project file. That way you can refer to the task list whenever you work on that project.

Shun paper piles like the plague: Are you surrounded by a sea of papers at work? Is your dining-room table so covered with mail that youre not even sure its still there? There are generally two things that happen to information buried in a paper pile - either it is forgotten or it cant be found when you need it. Paper piles are like the plague - they should be avoided at all costs. When you get a piece of paper, you should do one of three things: file it, write the information down elsewhere (such as in your scheduler) and toss it, or simply toss it.

Avoid constantly putting information on sticky notes and other small pieces of paper: If you need to write something down, put it on your Master Plan or on your to-do list. While its okay to use a reminder such as a sticky note every once in a while, using such notes all the time will make them less noticeable andas a resultless useful.

Organize your day according to your energy level: Most of us are at our best in the morning. Therefore, set aside time in the morning to work on projects that require your full focus and ability. Schedule less important meetings and other tasks for later in the day.

Joseph Plazo is a killer success coach who teaches how to rapidly win love and attract women through leadership executive coaching.

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Some Enchanted Autumn

2009-01-20T07:01:00.001-08:00

Some Enchanted Autumn by Linda Andrews is an excellent gift idea for the Halloween season. Vampires, skeletons, spiders, witches... they are all here - but this is definitely not a children's book.

One town, founded by the same wagon train during the pioneering days of the North American continent, holds a secret that could destroy them all. Divided by a bitter and ancient rift, it becomes two rival towns - Pumpkin and Holly. These folks take their holidays seriously, but none more so than Pumpkin's residents do.

Lonnie, who is running both from herself and from facing her pompous and boring boyfriend, returns to Pumpkin - her hometown. There she meets Nicholas who is both more wonderful than her wildest dreams and as frightening as her childhood nightmares. Together they are assigned the difficult task of discovering the "Prankster's" identity and the reason's why that person is set on keeping the ancient rift between the towns alive.

Nicholas and Lonnie harbor a steamy and slightly erotic passion for one another, which they do their best to keep in check. Their family ancestors, after all, were the main players in the rift that continues to tear the towns apart.

I would classify Some Enchanted Autumn as a fantasy-fiction, paranormal-romance novel with comedic elements. Although it begins with a bit of confusion, the story rises in pace until I felt unwilling to put the book aside. This 238-page book is not the author's first endeavor. In fact, Linda has written two other books, The Christmas Village and Ghost of a Chance.

ISBN#: 1-55410-287-1
Author: Linda Andrews
Publisher: Zumaya Publication

~ Lillian Brummet: co-author of the books Trash Talk and Purple Snowflake Marketing, author of Towards Understanding; host of the Conscious Discussions radio show (http://www.brummet.ca)

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Five Reasons For Confidence Hypnotherapy

2009-01-19T06:58:00.001-08:00

Confidence hypnotherapy was first developed in the 1960's and is now being used the world over by people struggling with issues of low self confidence and poor self esteem.

It as long been accepted that people who need to kick the smoking habit or lose weight can turn to a hypnotist to help break the habit, now people are finding that hypnosis can bring fast results in tackling long held fears and insecurities.

Why choose Confidence hypnotherapy to improve self assurance as opposed to the many medicines, books and DVDs on the market? There are many reasons, here are just a few.

1. Confidence hypnotherapy has been proven to be fast and effective at treating self-esteem issues and has one major plus over using anti-depressant medicine;
There are none of the unpleasant side effects experienced by people using over the counter drugs, and no dependency issues.

2. Hypnotherapy for inner self confidence is a speedier and more private way than sharing issues with a counselor, where things you are not comfortable sharing with another person will go untreated, often making you self even less confident than before.

3. Confidence hypnotherapy is done by a licensed practitioner and can be helpful in more than just self confidence issues. As people progress though a course of confidence hypnotherapy, other issues such as weight control and are resolved as a direct result of your improved self assuredness and emotional well being.

4. People often have issues that a naturally very private and personal to them, Confidence hypnotherapy is practiced by people who are subject to the HIPPA laws and therefore cannot share your information with anyone who is not on your approved list.

5. Confidence hypnotherapy is proven to be faster and more effective than the "how to build your self esteem and confidence" books and DVDs on the market today. People often struggle to integrate the helpful information from a leads to failure which in turn re-enforces the lack of confidence. The hypnotherapy for inner self confidence has little chance of failure and that can boost one's confidence instantly.

Many amazing things can happen to those people who are confident in themselves and their work. Such as person can create opportunities rather than wait for them to come along. . They are confident and you can be too with confidence hypnotherapy.

Find out how Hypnotherapy can change your life:

http://confidencehypnotherapy.blogspot.com/

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Hypnotic Submission - Dispel the Myths About Hypnotic Submission

2009-01-18T06:03:00.001-08:00

There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to hypnotic submission. Honestly, such wrong notions can't be helped as they are fueled even more by media. However, once you do your research, you'll be surprised to learn that you are slightly off the mark about this one.

Below are some of the most popular myths about hypnotic submission. You might find one that has crossed your mind at some point or another. Prepare yourself for an enlightening read.

You'll turn into a zombie.

This is probably the most popular image in people's minds when they come across the words "hypnotic submission."

It's the cartoons and the horror programs that conjured up such a connection. While they were probably trying their best to explain the concept to the audience, zombie doesn't quite define it.

On the contrary, hypnotic submission allows you to retain your free will.

It will never happen to me.

Well, you'll probably never turn into a zombie, but hypnotic submission is a different thing altogether. Many experts agree that this is simply a heightened state of concentration.

For example, sometimes you find your attention locked to a certain person in a room. You find yourself ignoring everything around you except for that person.

You might even say you're hypnotized by that person's beauty. Well, that's exactly the word we're looking for here. You can be in a hypnotized state doing the most random of things. It could be a football game on TV or your laundry!

Hypnotic submission is not as frightening as what other people make it out to be. You'll find many more misconceptions as you do more research on the net. Believe me, it's a liberating experience to be able to tear yourself away from such pre-conceived notions.

Discover how to hypnotically persuade anyone to eagerly do anything you want, using breakthrough conversational hypnosis techniques Grab a FREE course that reveals 10 groundbreaking persuasion secrets at: http://www.20daypersuasion.com/secrets.htm

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Darwinism is the Religion of the Antichrist-1

2009-01-17T10:22:00.001-08:00

The hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), mention that, during the end times, a devilish power will emerge, one of whose most important attributes will be that he disrupts the peace and order of mankind. Many people, though, attach little importance to that power, known as the antichrist (Dajjal). From the hadiths, one would ordinarily think of the antichrist as an individual. However, as well as an individual, it can also be an ideology that tends towards violence and savagery, possesses devilish characteristics, and inflicts suffering on mankind.

The antichrist is the ideological infrastructure which causes that chaos and instability, that encourages people to immorality and evil, condemns whole communities to denial and rebellion, and is the ultimate root of terrorism and violence. The antichrist spreads immorality by portraying good as evil, and evil as good. One of the hadiths on the subject reads:

When Al-Dajjal appears, he will have fire and water along with him. What the people will consider as cold water, will be fire that will burn (things). So, if anyone of you comes across this, he should fall in the thing which will appear to him as fire, for in reality, it will be fresh cold water. (Sahih Al-Bukhari.)

As we've been foretold by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), this period will be one when people fail to live by the morality condoned by religion, when the existence of God is openly denied, when immorality, chaos, war and conflict are everywhere, and when terrorism, murder and violence become a part of normal, everyday life. Although there have been times all throughout history that have witnessed anarchy and chaos, the state of chaos and confusion that will be created by the Antichrist will be on an unprecedented scale.

The characteristics described by many of the hadiths discussing the Antichrist become much clearer when it is considered as ideology. All ideas and systems of thought, therefore, that encourage people to deny the existence of God, turn them away from religious morality and encourage strife and chaos between them actually represent the antichrist.

Today, materialism, and the various ideologies and movements that it gives birth to, are the primary components contributing to corruption in the world. All such movements, in effect, received their so-called scientific justification from the same source, and share the same fundamental foundation: Darwinism. Ever since Darwinism was first put forward, it has been the principle justification for materialist and anti-religious ideologies and movements, and even itself been elevated to the status of a religion by those who support such ideologies.

Darwinism is a teaching that attributes an independent power to nature, claims that life was not created, but emerged as a result of chance, and tries to distance mankind from belief in God. Blind chance is the central premise employed in Darwinism for maintaining that life came about out of inanimate matter and developed by means of evolutionary process. In this deceptive ideology, all living species began from one single cell that came about by chance, in other words from one common ancestor, and then evolved from one another over time by means of minute changes, again by pure coincidence. The theory lacks any scientific or rational basis, is nothing but a fantasy, and was widely accepted in Darwin's day on account of the primitive level of science and the sociological conditions at the time.

When those who believe in this superstition are asked how life might have first come about, they reply; "Living things came about by chance." In actual fact, however, chance is an uncontrolled, unreasoning and aimless force. God, however, creates everything according to a plan, in an ordered, intelligent and specific manner. When someone enters a room he knows that when he sees a chair, table, clock and a television, that they were made by someone and placed in that room according to a specific order. He would certainly never consider that they had come into being by themselves, or had placed themselves of their own doing. If anyone were to believe that such a thing were possible, his sanity would have to be questioned.

In the same way, someone who believes in such a senseless notion as Darwinism is in effect claiming that all the myriad species in the world, and everyone in the world had come about of their own accord as the result of chance. That means that "chance" is that person's god. Yet on careful inspection, that so-called god is one with no power of reason at all, and thus the most unintelligent god imaginable. That "god" is unaware of even its own existence as well of that of what it has brought into being.

In one hadith regarding the Antichrist, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, "Ad-Dajjal is blind." Some Islamic scholars have interpreted that hadith to mean "The eye of the Antichrist's heart is blind." That interpretation helps us to better understand the facts we just mentioned. In the same way, the eye of the heart of someone who makes a god out of blind chance is also blind, as is the eye of his reason. Such people immediately object when it is suggested that; "God created the whole universe with superior intelligence, order and design." Yet when it is suggested that; "Everything is the result of blind chance," they find that completely logical. Instead of an intelligent and conscious creator, they prefer the totally unreasonable idea that blind chance, lacking all intelligence and creative ability, created everything out of anarchy and chaos. Therefore, Darwinism is the most illogical and superstitious religion in the history of the world. Another surprising fact is the way in which a number of highly educated people adopt it as their religion, even though it is clearly false. This shows to what extent the ideas of the Antichrist entrance people like a magic spell.

So, just what is it that leads certain people to believe such an irrational and illogical claim, and to even fiercely defend it?

This actually is an intensive propaganda campaign aimed at spreading the ideological system of the Antichrist in the time before the last days. In order to render this campaign as effective as possible, people are bombarded with indoctrination throughout their lives, and thus over time are coerced into adopting that twisted religion. This indoctrination, which people are exposed to even from childhood, consists of various phases, during each one of which people take a further step in the direction of the dark world of the Antichrist. The most effective way of protecting oneself from that bombardment is to listen to only the voice of one's conscience. Because, by the grace of God, our conscience is a guide that ensures our adherence to the true path.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, HARUN YAHYA
Born in Ankara in 1956, Adnan Oktar writes his books under the pen name of Harun Yahya. The works of Harun Yahya have been translated into 41 languages. To date, his books have been purchased by 8 million people, and an equal number have been provided free to readers by various newspapers and magazines. You can read, free of charge, 250 books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya, watch 180 documentary films and visit 94 web pages on this websites: http://www.harunyahya.com

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The Holiday Diet - 6 Ways To Manage Weight During Vacations

2009-01-16T09:57:00.001-08:00

A vacation is the only time when we are finally free from our usual routine. It is a break from everything that we are accustomed to. We are eager to enjoy and release the bonds of stress and worries.

Taking a holiday is an excellent thing and it is recommended by many leading health practitioners but they do not encourage overeating.

Indulging in the foods that were earlier a big no- no soon become our staple diet. The fried foods, cream filled desserts and the calories galore soon become our holiday buddies.

The end result, we gain weight and fitting back into work clothes become difficult. Loosing that gained weight during holidays is the added stress that we strain ourselves with after a good vacation.

The following six tips will help you manage your weight during your next vacations:

1) You do not have to be on a very strict diet that you feel deprived of all the things in life. There should be no food frustrations but an acceptance that you will enjoy everything but within limitations.

2) Plan your meal. When you see the menu, start with light soups and whole wheat bread. Order a salad without dressing and fresh juices.

3) You can try the exotic dishes of the city you are visiting but do ask what are the main ingredients of the dish that you find enticing? If the extra cheese topping can be avoided then do so. Instead of deep fried vegetables, ask if you could get the vegetables steamed.

4) Try out the specialty foods grown in the region whether they are the fruits or herbs. Once you know this then you can order the meals with the herbs. This will be fresh and also add a variety to your taste buds.

5) Drink a lot of water and keep the body hydrated. Sometimes you maybe thirsty and mistake it for hunger and overeat. So keep the fluids in the system up.

6) Explore your new destination walking. Take in the scenery, the culture and the popular shopping areas on foot. The benefits of walking are tremendous. (Read the article on walking posted in the fitness section of my blog. It will be a real eye opener)

Dieting on a holiday is a nightmare. But it doesnt have to be so. The key is to follow the simple six pointers that will help you maintain your current weight and shape even on a holiday.

Learn More On The Benefits Of Walking.

Nayna Chakrabarty, 2007

An abyss of imagination is a portal of creative ideas. It challenges its readers to think beyond the mundane world and explore a new dimension. Its vast content deals with the mystical religion of Hinduism, highlights adventurous travel hotpots with a touch of humor. The daily tips on fitness and wellness provide a new approach to healthy living. It integrates the dark side of the paranormal research with an on-going thriller mini series. Besides entertaining it also provides a helping hand to all the creative writers and nudges them to explore their potential. So take a leap and drown into the abyss of imagination http://www.nayna.in/blog

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10 Reasons The Donut Diet is One You Can Stick To!

2009-01-13T09:42:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, I had a nourishing lunch at a Japanese buffet.

It offered all the sushi I could eat, along with delicious shrimp, noodles, soup, and the tiniest high-cal desserts Ive ever seen, flanked by tons of fruit.

Thats the high-protein part of the day, which I sandwiched between satisfying servings of my favorite chocolate donuts.

I had one donut for breakfast with a few cups of home brewed Starbucks coffee, and two more for dinner, accompanied by a glass of cabernet sauvignon, as I sat riveted to a Stephen King thriller on DVD.

Between meals, without fanfare or whining, I took a refreshing two-mile stroll at Venice Beach.

And I expect to drop some pounds, firm-up and feel satisfied eating more or less this way for as long as I wish.

Admittedly, this is an odd way to get fit, dont you think?

But it has a great chance of accomplishing its goal for ten reasons:

(1) Im eating my favorite foods, and feeling that Im denying myself nothing.

(2) Im not counting calories, which is a horrible way to pass the time.

(3) Im not obsessed with any deadline for accomplishing my goals.

(4) I dont perceive certain foods as good or bad, welcomed or forbidden.

(5) I suffer from zero food-guilt from my indulgences.

(6) I dont binge because I dont have any dammed-up feelings of self-sacrifice or self-pity.

(7) I dont think of myself as fat or overweight.

(8) I expect success to come gradually, not suddenly.

(9) I dont discuss my diet with anyone, and I dont talk about or obsess about food.

(10) I appreciate that eating is essential, but its not the high point of my day.

Im dieting with donuts but feel free to use a tempting and tasty item of your choice.

If your diet can satisfy the ten point checklist above, it will probably serve you well, while serving you enough of what you really want to eat.

Now, thats a plan nearly anyone can stick to!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman is a top trainer, conference and convention speaker, and sales, service, and negotiation consultant. A frequent expert commentator on radio and TV, he is also the best-selling author of 12 books, more than a thousand articles. and several popular audio and video training programs. His seminars are sponsored internationally and he is a top-rated faculty member at more than 40 universities, including UC Berkeley and UCLA. Gary brings over two decades of sales, management and consulting experience to the table, with some of the best academic credentials in the speaking and training industry. A Ph.D. from the Annenberg School For Communication at USC, an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management, and a J.D. degree from Loyola Law School, his clients include several Fortune 1000 companies and successful family owned and operated firms.

His web site is: http://www.customersatisfaction.com and he can be seen on CNBC at: http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=417455932# and reached at: gary@customersatisfaction.com

The Shattered Identity

2009-01-12T07:15:00.001-08:00

I. Exposition

In the movie "Shattered" (1991), Dan Merrick survives an accident and develops total amnesia regarding his past. His battered face is reconstructed by plastic surgeons and, with the help of his loving wife, he gradually recovers his will to live. But he never develops a proper sense of identity. It is as though he is constantly ill at ease in his own body. As the plot unravels, Dan is led to believe that he may have murdered his wife's lover, Jack. This thriller offers additional twists and turns but, throughout it all, we face this question:

Dan has no recollection of being Dan. Dan does not remember murdering Jack. It seems as though Dan's very identity has been erased. Yet, Dan is in sound mind and can tell right from wrong. Should Dan be held (morally and, as a result, perhaps legally as well) accountable for Jack's murder?

Would the answer to this question still be the same had Dan erased from his memory ONLY the crime -but recalled everything else (in an act of selective dissociation)? Do our moral and legal accountability and responsibility spring from the integrity of our memories? If Dan were to be punished for a crime he doesn't have the faintest recollection of committing - wouldn't he feel horribly wronged? Wouldn't he be justified in feeling so?

There are many states of consciousness that involve dissociation and selective amnesia: hypnosis, trance and possession, hallucination, illusion, memory disorders (like organic, or functional amnesia), depersonalization disorder, dissociative fugue, dreaming, psychosis, post traumatic stress disorder, and drug-induced psychotomimetic states.

Consider this, for instance:

What if Dan were the victim of a Multiple Personality Disorder (now known as "Dissociative Identity Disorder")? What if one of his "alters" (i.e., one of the multitude of "identities" sharing Dan's mind and body) committed the crime? Should Dan still be held responsible? What if the alter "John" committed the crime and then "vanished", leaving behind another alter (let us say, "Joseph") in control? Should "Joseph" be held responsible for the crime "John" committed? What if "John" were to reappear 10 years after he "vanished"? What if he were to reappear 50 years after he "vanished"? What if he were to reappear for a period of 90 days - only to "vanish" again? And what is Dan's role in all this? Who, exactly, then, is Dan?

II. Who is Dan?

Buddhism compares Man to a river. Both retain their identity despite the fact that their individual composition is different at different moments. The possession of a body as the foundation of a self-identity is a dubious proposition. Bodies change drastically in time (consider a baby compared to an adult). Almost all the cells in a human body are replaced every few years. Changing one's brain (by transplantation) - also changes one's identity, even if the rest of the body remains the same.

Thus, the only thing that binds a "person" together (i.e., gives him a self and an identity) is time, or, more precisely, memory. By "memory" I also mean: personality, skills, habits, retrospected emotions - in short: all long term imprints and behavioural patterns. The body is not an accidental and insignificant container, of course. It constitutes an important part of one's self-image, self-esteem, sense of self-worth, and sense of existence (spatial, temporal, and social). But one can easily imagine a brain in vitro as having the same identity as when it resided in a body. One cannot imagine a body without a brain (or with a different brain) as having the same identity it had before the brain was removed or replaced.

What if the brain in vitro (in the above example) could not communicate with us at all? Would we still think it is possessed of a self? The biological functions of people in coma are maintained. But do they have an identity, a self? If yes, why do we "pull the plug" on them so often?

It would seem (as it did to Locke) that we accept that someone has a self-identity if: (a) He has the same hardware as we do (notably, a brain) and (b) He communicates his humanly recognizable and comprehensible inner world to us and manipulates his environment. We accept that he has a given (i.e., the same continuous) self-identity if (c) He shows consistent intentional (i.e., willed) patterns ("memory") in doing (b) for a long period of time.

It seems that we accept that we have a self-identity (i.e., we are self-conscious) if (a) We discern (usually through introspection) long term consistent intentional (i.e., willed) patterns ("memory") in our manipulation ("relating to") of our environment and (b) Others accept that we have a self-identity (Herbert Mead, Feuerbach).

Dan (probably) has the same hardware as we do (a brain). He communicates his (humanly recognizable and comprehensible) inner world to us (which is how he manipulates us and his environment). Thus, Dan clearly has a self-identity. But he is inconsistent. His intentional (willed) patterns, his memory, are incompatible with those demonstrated by Dan before the accident. Though he clearly is possessed of a self-identity, we cannot say that he has the SAME self-identity he possessed before the crash. In other words, we cannot say that he, indeed, is Dan.

Dan himself does not feel that he has a self-identity at all. He discerns intentional (willed) patterns in his manipulation of his environment but, due to his amnesia, he cannot tell if these are consistent, or long term. In other words, Dan has no memory. Moreover, others do not accept him as Dan (or have their doubts) because they have no memory of Dan as he is now.

Interim conclusion:

Having a memory is a necessary and sufficient condition for possessing a self-identity.

III. Repression

Yet, resorting to memory to define identity may appear to be a circular (even tautological) argument. When we postulate memory - don't we already presuppose the existence of a "remembering agent" with an established self-identity?

Moreover, we keep talking about "discerning", "intentional", or "willed" patterns. But isn't a big part of our self (in the form of the unconscious, full of repressed memories) unavailable to us? Don't we develop defence mechanisms against repressed memories and fantasies, against unconscious content incongruent with our self-image? Even worse, this hidden, inaccessible, dynamically active part of our self is thought responsible for our recurrent discernible patterns of behaviour. The phenomenon of posthypnotic suggestion seems to indicate that this may be the case. The existence of a self-identity is, therefore, determined through introspection (by oneself) and observation (by others) of merely the conscious part of the self.

But the unconscious is as much a part of one's self-identity as one's conscious. What if, due to a mishap, the roles were reversed? What if Dan's conscious part were to become his unconscious and his unconscious part - his conscious? What if all his conscious memories, drives, fears, wishes, fantasies, and hopes - were to become unconscious while his repressed memories, drives, etc. - were to become conscious? Would we still say that it is "the same" Dan and that he retains his self-identity? Not very likely. And yet, one's (unremembered) unconscious - for instance, the conflict between id and ego - determines one's personality and self-identity.

The main contribution of psychoanalysis and later psychodynamic schools is the understanding that self-identity is a dynamic, evolving, ever-changing construct - and not a static, inertial, and passive entity. It casts doubt over the meaningfulness of the question with which we ended the exposition: "Who, exactly, then, is Dan?" Dan is different at different stages of his life (Erikson) and he constantly evolves in accordance with his innate nature (Jung), past history (Adler), drives (Freud), cultural milieu (Horney), upbringing (Klein, Winnicott), needs (Murray), or the interplay with his genetic makeup. Dan is not a thing - he is a process. Even Dan's personality traits and cognitive style, which may well be stable, are often influenced by Dan's social setting and by his social interactions.

It would seem that having a memory is a necessary but insufficient condition for possessing a self-identity. One cannot remember one's unconscious states (though one can remember their outcomes). One often forgets events, names, and other information even if it was conscious at a given time in one's past. Yet, one's (unremembered) unconscious is an integral and important part of one's identity and one's self. The remembered as well as the unremembered constitute one's self-identity.

IV. The Memory Link

Hume said that to be considered in possession of a mind, a creature needs to have a few states of consciousness linked by memory in a kind of narrative or personal mythology. Can this conjecture be equally applied to unconscious mental states (e.g. subliminal perceptions, beliefs, drives, emotions, desires, etc.)?

In other words, can we rephrase Hume and say that to be considered in possession of a mind, a creature needs to have a few states of consciousness and a few states of the unconscious - all linked by memory into a personal narrative? Isn't it a contradiction in terms to remember the unconscious?

The unconscious and the subliminal are instance of the general category of mental phenomena which are not states of consciousness (i.e., are not conscious). Sleep and hypnosis are two others. But so are "background mental phenomena" - e.g., one holds onto one's beliefs and knowledge even when one is not aware (conscious) of them at every given moment. We know that an apple will fall towards the earth, we know how to drive a car ("automatically"), and we believe that the sun will rise tomorrow, even though we do not spend every second of our waking life consciously thinking about falling apples, driving cars, or the position of the sun.

Yet, the fact that knowledge and beliefs and other background mental phenomena are not constantly conscious - does not mean that they cannot be remembered. They can be remembered either by an act of will, or in (sometimes an involuntary) response to changes in the environment. The same applies to all other unconscious content. Unconscious content can be recalled. Psychoanalysis, for instance, is about re-introducing repressed unconscious content to the patient's conscious memory and thus making it "remembered".

In fact, one's self-identity may be such a background mental phenomenon (always there, not always conscious, not always remembered). The acts of will which bring it to the surface are what we call "memory" and "introspection".

This would seem to imply that having a self-identity is independent of having a memory (or the ability to introspect). Memory is just the mechanism by which one becomes aware of one's background, "always-on", and omnipresent (all-pervasive) self-identity. Self-identity is the object and predicate of memory and introspection. It is as though self-identity were an emergent extensive parameter of the complex human system - measurable by the dual techniques of memory and introspection.

We, therefore, have to modify our previous conclusions:

Having a memory is not a necessary nor a sufficient condition for possessing a self-identity.

We are back to square one. The poor souls in Oliver Sacks' tome, "The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat" are unable to create and retain memories. They occupy an eternal present, with no past. They are thus unable to access (or invoke) their self-identity by remembering it. Their self-identity is unavailable to them (though it is available to those who observe them over many years) - but it exists for sure. Therapy often succeeds in restoring pre-amnesiac memories and self-identity.

V. The Incorrigible Self

Self-identity is not only always-on and all-pervasive - but also incorrigible. In other words, no one - neither an observer, nor the person himself - can "disprove" the existence of his self-identity. No one can prove that a report about the existence of his (or another's) self-identity is mistaken.

Is it equally safe to say that no one - neither an observer, nor the person himself - can prove (or disprove) the non-existence of his self-identity? Would it be correct to say that no one can prove that a report about the non-existence of his (or another's) self-identity is true or false?

Dan's criminal responsibility crucially depends on the answers to these questions. Dan cannot be held responsible for Jack's murder if he can prove that he is ignorant of the facts of his action (i.e., if he can prove the non-existence of his self-identity). If he has no access to his (former) self-identity - he can hardly be expected to be aware and cognizant of these facts.

What is in question is not Dan's mens rea, nor the application of the McNaghten tests (did Dan know the nature and quality of his act or could he tell right from wrong) to determine whether Dan was insane when he committed the crime. A much broader issue is at stake: is it the same person? Is the murderous Dan the same person as the current Dan? Even though Dan seems to own the same body and brain and is manifestly sane - he patently has no access to his (former) self-identity. He has changed so drastically that it is arguable whether he is still the same person - he has been "replaced".

Finally, we can try to unite all the strands of our discourse into this double definition:

It would seem that we accept that someone has a self-identity if: (a) He has the same hardware as we do (notably, a brain) and, by implication, the same software as we do (an all-pervasive, omnipresent self-identity) and (b) He communicates his humanly recognizable and comprehensible inner world to us and manipulates his environment. We accept that he has a specific (i.e., the same continuous) self-identity if (c) He shows consistent intentional (i.e., willed) patterns ("memory") in doing (b) for a long period of time.

It seems that we accept that we have a specific self-identity (i.e., we are self-conscious of a specific identity) if (a) We discern (usually through memory and introspection) long term consistent intentional (i.e., willed) patterns ("memory") in our manipulation ("relating to") of our environment and (b) Others accept that we have a specific self-identity.

In conclusion: Dan undoubtedly has a self-identity (being human and, thus, endowed with a brain). Equally undoubtedly, this self-identity is not Dan's (but a new, unfamiliar, one).

Such is the stuff of our nightmares - body snatching, demonic possession, waking up in a strange place, not knowing who we are. Without a continuous personal history - we are not. It is what binds our various bodies, states of mind, memories, skills, emotions, and cognitions - into a coherent bundle of identity. Dan speaks, drinks, dances, talks, and makes love - but throughout that time, he is not present because he does not remember Dan and how it is to be Dan. He may have murdered Jake - but, by all philosophical and ethical criteria, it was most definitely not his fault.

About The Author

Sam Vaknin is the author of Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited and After the Rain - How the West Lost the East. He is a columnist for Central Europe Review, PopMatters, and eBookWeb , a United Press International (UPI) Senior Business Correspondent, and the editor of mental health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory Bellaonline, and Suite101 .

Until recently, he served as the Economic Advisor to the Government of Macedonia.

Visit Sam's Web site at http://samvak.tripod.com

palma@unet.com.mk

Terror From Space - The Top Alien Movies of All Time

2009-01-11T02:28:00.001-08:00

The world is full of mysteries and mankind isn't even close to unraveling all of them. And it's what makes this such an amazing place to live in. When even seemingly unbreakable rules like that of science seem to be revised and questioned everyday, then there truly is a lot of room for mystery left in this world. And one of the biggest mysteries of this world and beyond would definitely be aliens.

The legacy of alien visitations and abductions has left quite a legacy on this world, especially in our pop culture. You see them everyday from TV series like 'Roswell' to action figures of a variety of aliens that range from the familiar Greys to some very weird draconian-looking ones. This legacy goes beyond the small screen and the shopping mall however. One of the biggest adopters of aliens to their cause would definitely be the movie industry.

Here are some of the best alien movies that are sure to fire up your weekends. From sheer terror to heartwarming moments, aliens have been used by the most talented directors to inspire in us a whole range of emotions. Some of the best would be:

- 'Signs': This M. Night Shyamalan thriller is one of the best alien movies ever made because of its interesting storyline and the signature Shyamalan twists at the end. Most everything about this Mel Gibson starrer is unique from your usual popcorn fare, as Shyamalan is a master of evoking terror and suspicion from his audience in the most unconventional ways. Watch out for this one if you're sick of all the gun-toting madness of your standard alien flicks.
- 'Dreamcatcher': This movie is scary in an altogether different way, which isn't surprising since it was based on a book by the immortal Stephen King. This movie confronts us with the reality not just of alien life on earth but of he possibility of them taking over a human body and taking complete control of it. This is definitely one for the Halloween season!
- Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: There are just some movies that are so iconic they can't be knocked off any list. And this is one of them. Based literally in a galaxy far, far away, aliens both humanoid and otherwise abound in the movie that features the final battle between Luke Skywalker and his evil father, the Sith Lord Darth Vader.

These are only a few of the movies that feature terror and delight that are literally from the stars. If you want more of these kinds of movies to get you through your alien obsession, then just visit: http://crunkish.com/top-10-alien-movies/ for the greatest alien movie of all time!

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Righteous Kill - Vengeance As Lifestyle

2009-01-09T16:32:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the world of justice and order - NYPD! While we wait for the movie featuring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino and scheduled to be released on September 12, we have a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the hidden object game based on the film. Righteous Kill will take you to the very centre of a psychological thriller with you as the main heroine.

What is human life worth? Who has the right to decide who lives and who dies?

As Erica Dean, a police officer in the Vigilante Unit of New York Police Department, you are assigned to investigate a homicide case. The Unit deals with cases when citizens decide to take justice and law in their own hands. This time Terry Collins, a young husband and father who lost his beloved family in a convenience store robbery, is the main suspect in the murder of the person responsible for the death of his wife and daughter. The man was not convicted because of a legal technicality, and now he was found dead. Your mission is to look for evidence and build a strong case against the avenger.

So you start to search for evidence and investigate the case. You will visit 16 locations in your work. On each stage you have several locations to explore. The game play is nothing unexpected - you look for items hidden in a screen. I would say the complexity level is rather adequate as you don't have to get your eyes out of your head in order to find something, but you are quite limited in time and this balances the game perfectly. For instance, in the first stage you have to find 30 clues in 10 minutes - and that's absolutely possible!

If you encounter a problem finding some tricky item, you can use your UV Flashlight as a hint. Unlike in most hidden object, you are not limited in number of hints, but once you use your flashlight it requires some time to be recharged, so be careful using it.

After you have finished a stage you'll be offered to play a mini-game examining the found evidence and trying to find its connection to the suspect. The mini-games include jigsaw puzzles, tasks where you have to find differences between pictures, looking for fingerprints and more.

On the whole the game is distinguished by the realistic atmosphere created due to the sounds making you feel like you are in a park or laundromat and the pleasant visuals.

Quite a worthy hidden object game, I would say.

Gamemile.com is a resource for casual game news and reviews. Each day we release a game review and focus on the best titles for such computer platforms as WindowsPC, Mac, Palm, PocketPC.

Our mission is to provide our visitors with accurate information on top quality shareware and online games lately released to the market as well as keep them informed of the latest trends and events in the casual gaming world. Our N1 target is to provide the comprehensive information to our customers rather than just advertise games (game play basics, feature set, tips and tricks).

Why That Book How Do Readers Decide To Try A New Author

2009-01-07T06:04:00.001-08:00

Fans of bestselling authors make a beeline for their favorite writers at the bookstore, hardly pausing on the way from tables stacked high with the latest and greatest to the cash register. But sometimes another John Grisham, Nora Roberts, or Danielle Steel isnt quite what youre in the mood for.

When browsing through the stacks of novels at the local bookstore, how does a customer choose a new author? Marketing research firms spend thousands of dollars trying to determine consumer behavior and ways to manipulate that behavior.

Have you ever watched customers meandering through the aisles, picking up one book, perusing the cover, then selecting another? Why do they select any one particular book?

We conducted an unscientific survey to see if we could find out. Most readers, even when selecting a new author, will stay within their favorite genre, whether romance, mystery or thriller.

Word of mouth,or recommended by a friend was the factor most often mentioned as the number one factor. Some books are simply so memorable that readers become anxious to tell their friends about them. Publishers spend millions of dollars on advertising, book tours, etc., but one of the most powerful forces driving a books success is basic grass roots, one-on-one word of mouth.

Readers told us:

Someone tells me about a book they really like, so I try it. If I like it too, then I pass on the information as well as looking for other books by the same author.

I buy a lot of books based on comments made on one or two online book groups where we post our reads for the month. Again, I particularly note comments from people whose tastes I know are similar to mine.

How do I select to read books by a new-to-me author? Almost totally from recommendations from people I know. In this case word of mouth sells. If I hear enough people raving about a new author...I will get the book.

The cover either entices or detracts. Cover art was most often mentioned in the number one or number two spot. The importance of the cover is reflected in the enormous amount of time and effort publishers and authors devote to designing the cover, often going through dozens of variations before deciding which one is perfect (they think).

Another interesting aspect of covers is how successful ones are imitated. Just look at how many recent chick lit novels feature bright colors, highly stylized lettering and cartoon type characters.

Dont judge a book by its cover doesnt ring true with most readers.

They told us:

First, I look at the cover. If it has a half-naked woman, I put it back.

I take my books with me to read while I'm waiting and I'd rather have a nice scene on the cover.

If I'm just looking through the shelves, the cover catches my eye first.

It's the cover that will attract me pick up the book.

But not every reader feels this way.

For me, the cover has no effect on choosing a book.

I do most of my book shopping online. I rarely buy in the store. Having said that, the cover does not sway me at all.

The infamous back cover blurb overwhelmingly had the most votes, but in second or third place, not in first. The back cover blurb wasnt the key deciding factor for many readers. Perusing a sample chapter either clinched the sale or resulted in the reader deciding not to buy.

Readers said:

The description on the back cover is the first test. Then, I read the first couple of pages. If I'm not hooked, I keep looking.

I pick the book up and flip it over to read the back cover.

Then I read the blurb and a sample chapter if they provide one. If not, I look for the authors website and see if they have a sample chapter up.

While many authors valiantly struggle to get reviews and endorsements from well known celebrities and authors, it really doesnt hold much sway over the majority of readers. Reviews increase the visibility of an author and their books, but it isnt the deciding factor of whether to read that particular book.

Readers told us:

I don't go by recommendations generally...such as the pages and pages of book recommendations by newspapers, magazines, people I never heard of.

I only take notice of reviews from reviewers I respect, and who I've been reading regularly for some time.

I don't even look at the endorsements on the cover/inside the book by other authors. I once bought a book based on an endorsement by an author that I liked, and I hated the book. It left me wondering if these authors actually even read the book.

Of course being selected by Kelly Ripa in Reading with Ripa, or by Oprah Winfrey is the exception to the rule. Carly Philips The Bachelor went to number one on amazon.com in a matter of hours after being selected by Kelly.

So it would seem that the main factors in the buy decision are:

Personal recommendations
Cover art,
Back cover blurb,
The writing itself

But there were some interesting comments that really dont fit in any of those categories.

Readers mentioned:

I also like to attend local author presentations my library to show support for fellow writers.

I rarely will even look at a book with less than 375 pages long-- unless it's a beloved author or the subject matter has influence upon something I'm writing.

One of the authors in the anthology had such enthusiasm in her postings about her first published novel, that I wanted to show her that at least one stranger in the whole world cares enough to buy her book. I felt good doing it, and now I find it was a darn good purchase. I love that.

If it is by a new author I have met online or at the book fair at I felt was nice towards me I'll buy a book from them. I know this sounds vain but I refuse to support a person who is rude to me.

Receive their report, Perils and Pitfalls of Publishing: Whom Can The Beginning Author Trust? Just join their newsletter Words for Writers and Readers Send an email to subscribe@(nospam)brianhillanddeepower.com with the subject as subscribe. Remove the (nospam) from the email address

About The Authors Brian Hill and Dee Power have written several nonfiction books including Your Ebook: From Cyberspace to the Bookstore Shelves, and The Making of a Bestseller: Success Stories from Authors and the Editors, Agents and Booksellers Behind Them,. They are also the authors of a novel, Over Time - Love, Money and Football: All the Important things in life.

Avoid Rejection!

2009-01-03T10:54:00.001-08:00

Writers often look at their work and believe, "This is really good. I'm sending it off." I won't say in most cases but quite a few, these submissions often come back stamped 'REJECTED'. Why? The reason is simple- these writers didn't step back to look at the piece objectively wearing a reader's hat but looked at it wearing a 'mommy's' hat. These are two different hats to be wearing when it comes to really looking over your manuscript. Another reason is they submitted a first draft they believed was fully fleshed out, their characters were realistic and not stick people, and subbed it to various publishers they happened to come across while researching various markets.

What is wrong with this scenario?

First Draft

I will admit I've read quite a few first drafts that were tight but haven't come across any first draft that read complete in any which way you looked at it. Something always needed changing: characters needed more dimension, setting needed more presence, dialogue had to be spruced up and taglines removed, or more of the five senses had to be written in to bring the scene to the reader's mind with more clarity and vividness.

Characters

Are your characters flat, lifeless, no personality to set them apart from your secondary characters? Not sure? Well, that's why it's a good idea to get your story critiqued by another pair of eyes other than your own. These critiquers will be able to pinpoint areas they feel, as readers, need more fleshing out. Remember that you can't please all of the readers all the time but if you can offer a character that is three dimensional from the start, then perhaps you will please most of your readers.

The one biggest flaw I find in some writers is the fact they do not accept any comments where their work is concerned. Writers are always learning, always open to suggestions in order to guide and help them enhance their talent. The more they understand the areas they are weak in, the quicker these flaws disappear.

Publishers

Publishers know who their readers are. This is an area a writer also needs to understand. When you research a publisher, make sure to take the time and read one or two of their books to see if your genre fits in with their 'style'. If you wrote a young adult novel, and you Googled 'Children's Publishers', don't send your manuscript to them UNLESS you check their guidelines. There you will see if they accept young adult manuscripts, their preferred word count, and other information needed in order to process your submission.

Do not be one of the writers who eagerly wait for months for a response only to discover the rejection letter states, "We are sorry but at this time we are not accepting any Young Adult manuscripts." Waste of time.

Be smart, after all, you worked long and hard on your book, it deserves a chance to reach the right publisher.

By Lea Schizas

Lea Schizas is the author of the award-winning young adult novel, The Rock of Realm, and the paranormal suspense/thriller, Doorman's Creek. She will have four more new children's books out in 2008 and 2009: The Robbie and Katie Adventure Series, a picture book series for young children, and Bubba and Giganto, a middle grade chapter book.

For more information on Lea Schizas, link here: http://leaschizaseditor.com

Focus and Agreement- Hypnosis for Business

2009-01-02T17:33:00.001-08:00

If I were to argue here that the heart of business communication is hypnotic, you would probably be alarmed. Most professionals have little understanding of hypnosis and less interest in something they see as either manipulative or nonsense. Those professionals have never encountered hypnosis as it was practiced by Milton Erickson.

There are many and varied accounts of the practice of Erickson and his remarkably effective techniques for communicating in ways that elicited positive, productive behaviours. Common to all of them are two essentials: the ability to use respect and rapport to build agreement and the ability to build focus within that agreement. Understood in this way, Ericksons communication should be required study for all business people.

Erickson began with the premise that no one can or should be forced to change. All influence springs from agreement based on respect and rapport. The would-be influencer must first study and replicate the thinking and experience of the person to be influenced. This involves a disciplined, structured approach to observing and communicating experience.

Imagine for a moment, that you enroll in a course in Ericksonian Hypnosis. You will learn to communicate with one person at a time. As you do, you will build the skills necessary to influence decision makers without putting anyone in trance. You may find the same strategies useful as you work with groups or write.

One of the first steps in your study will be to become more skilled in calibration: the ability to notice physiological difference and assign meaning to that difference. You will begin to learn to read people as experts might read a blueprint or a piece of art.

Another word for the willingness to engage with the details of anothers experience is respect: you will practice respect when you notice and accept the particular elements of thoughts and feelings that characterize a colleague or client.
Rapport means demonstrating respect by replicating some aspects of the experience of the person with whom you are agreeing. Rapport comes naturally with people with whom we have lots in common; it is the first thing to go when we put what we want to say ahead of building agreement.

Agreement that is based on talking in the same tone of voice or sitting in similar postures is general and easy to achieve. It is not normally useful in itself; it is an excellent starting point for building the more focused agreement that will allow you to accomplish what you need to accomplish.

You can build on rapport when you use agreement as a structuring principle for speaking or writing. Instead of ordering what you have to say by logic, chronology or importance, you can move through material in order of agreement. In other words, it is possible to start with obvious agreement (as you did when you read the statements in the opening paragraph) and gradually come to more focused agreement.

Focus involves moving from the imprecise to the increasingly precise. Focused agreement means first of all focusing on agreement. By selecting words, points and arguments that are general enough to gain agreement, you can practice a communication strategy that is guaranteed to be influential.

As agreement is formed, it gains momentum. It requires less attention - and therefore fewer resources - to stay in agreement than it does to notice and assert difference. By remaining focused on choosing the words and arguments most agreeable to the receiver, you can learn to focus the agreement using more detail and more precise language.

Ericksonian communication rewards study and practice. Maintaining focused agreement requires increasingly fine calibrations of the receivers state and presuppositions. You can learn to continually pay attention to the state (or predicted state) of the receiver and adjust your words and strategies to match it.

Influence in an Ericksonian model begins with a focus on agreement and results in an agreement with focus.

Linda Ferguson, Ph.D. is a senior partner at NLP Canada Training Inc. in Toronto, Canada. With her partner, Chris Keeler, Linda develops training that allows people to experience stronger integrity and better results. Clients experience rapid, sustainable change and long-term learning about how their thinking drives success. Drawing on fields from the arts to business to neuroscience, NLP Canada Training Inc. provides spring-training for the mind: clients sharpen their perceptions, focus their efforts, and become better at knowing what they want and communicating to get it. Read more from Linda at http://www.nlpcanada.com or http://www.squidoo.com/integratedthinking or http://www.nlpcanadatraining.blogspot.com

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Can Hypnosis MP3's Help You?

2009-01-01T05:01:00.001-08:00

The short answer is, yes, probably. Hypnosis has been used in psychotherapy for a long time and is proven very effective in changing behaviors and habits, and hypnosis mp3's are just a way of using modern technology to make hypnosis more available.

Most people have an understanding of hypnosis to be a type of deep sleep or state of unconsciousness, where you are in a highly suggestible state and can be made to do almost anything. This is not an accurate description of hypnosis. According to the University of California San Diego, hypnosis is best described as a state of focused concentration in which a person is "more likely to accept suggestions". A person can be hypnotized by a professional or trained to do self hypnosis from a book or from a hypnotherapist. In recent years, there is also a lot of good material available online, like hypnosis mp3's. Also according to UCSD, hypnosis has been recognizes by the American Medical Association since 1958.

When under hypnosis, you are in a kind of trance that can make it more likely for you to accept suggestions. A hypnotherapist or a tape can not "fix" you, but it can help you help yourself. It seems that under hypnosis, people accept ideas more easily, and this can help them deal with their issues differently.

Contrary to popular belief, you can not be hypnotized against your will, and you can not be made to do something you don't want when you are hypnotized. You are not unconscious when you are under hypnosis so you are still able to focus on external sensations and you are still aware of what is going on.

Some people prefer self-hypnosis or hypnosis mp3's over working with another person because they are not comfortable with someone else controlling what suggestions are given to them. Self hypnosis usually includes learning to write a script for yourself and then recording it onto a tape to play back. Hypnosis mp3's are usually ready made, and can cover almost any issue. In some cases you can also order hypnosis mp3's custom made for your purposes.

Some of the most common issues that can be helped with hypnosis are pain, anxiety and depression, smoking and weight problems, but there are hypnosis mp3's available online for hundreds of other topics. You can get hypnosis mp3's to help with anything from tinnitus to picking at your zits.

Going to see a therapist specialized in hypnosis can be very expensive and is not always covered by your health insurance company. You usually need to come back several times and this can end up costing you thousands of dollars. You also need to start over with each new issue you want help with. In some areas you can also have difficulty finding a good therapist.

Buying hypnosis mp3's online is much cheaper and easier than a therapist, and you can buy several mp3's dealing with different needs at the same time. Using hypnosis mp3's also allows you to deal with your problems without anyone else needing to know what you are dealing with.

The Power to Change! Breakthrough Hypnosis MP3s You CAN change! Certified Hypnotherapist-Designed Hypnosis Downloads.

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Relief From IBS - How Self Hypnosis Gives IBS Relief

2008-12-22T23:14:00.001-08:00

You can get relief from IBS by using self-hypnosis. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a physical problem that affects the intestines, causing pain and discomfort. The symptoms are unpleasant and they can be a great source of anxiety. This anxiousness makes the condition worse but there is help available.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The symptoms of IBS are not pleasant. Pain is one of the most troublesome problems for people with this condition. Your lower intestine is uncomfortable and the pain is distracting and disturbing. The other symptoms are very problematic as well.

Gas and bloating add to the discomfort that you already feel. You may have bouts of nausea that make it difficult for you to function. Diarrhea and constipation are very troublesome. You may have either one of these unpleasant symptoms at any given time.

The symptoms can cause great anxiety and they may keep you from doing the things that you love. You may avoid going out to lunch with your friends and family. Social events can be completely unbearable when these symptoms are looming.

Self-Hypnosis for Relief from IBS

It may surprise you that IBS can be treated with self-hypnosis considering the physical symptoms involved with this condition. This approach is recognized by the American Medical Association as a real treatment for medical conditions, and it has been since 1958.

This is a complementary approach that should be used in conjunction with interventions recommended by your physician. The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be indicators of other serious problems so it is essential that you consult your physician about your condition. Combining your doctor's intervention with the right self hypnosis CD can help you get relief from IBS.

Benefits of a Hypnosis CD

You can find relief from IBS by using a hypnosis CD. Self-hypnosis is a viable option to help you use your mind to overcome this troublesome condition. There are many benefits to taking this approach. You can find the relief that you need, which can lead to better health and a better state of mind.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is thought to be caused by brain-gut dysfunction. The mind and the body are connected. Many people tend to separate mental functioning from bodily functioning but the two are intertwined. When you use a hypnosis CD, you are addressing the mental aspect of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Relaxation is very important. Anxiety can make the condition worse and seeing that the symptoms cause anxiety, you become aware that your emotional state can make the condition worse. Self-hypnosis helps you relax and focus on getting better.

Your privacy is important and your time is very valuable. A hypnosis CD is a wonderful approach that allows you to address the condition in the privacy of your own home. There is no need to schedule an appointment with a hypnotherapist. The CD brings the therapist to you.

You can listen to the hypnosis CD at your leisure. Your therapy is on your terms and you are in control of the session. This approach allows you to get relief from IBS in a relaxing, comfortable way.

Conventional medication might not be sufficient for an individual seeking relief from IBS. Hypnosis is an appropriate alternative form of treatment for the condition. Duncan McColl brings to you 'Relief from IBS', an effective hypnosis CD, based on decades of experience in powerful and classical clinical hypnotherapy. This particular recording is just one of the vast series created by this hypnotherapist and is also backed by an impressive sixty-day money back guarantee.

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Hypnotic Submission - Dispel the Myths About Hypnotic Submission

2008-12-22T04:38:00.001-08:00

Below are some of the most popular myths about hypnotic submission. You might find one that has crossed your mind at some point or another. Prepare yourself for an enlightening read.

You'll turn into a zombie.

This is probably the most popular image in people's minds when they come across the words "hypnotic submission."

It's the cartoons and the horror programs that conjured up such a connection. While they were probably trying their best to explain the concept to the audience, zombie doesn't quite define it.

On the contrary, hypnotic submission allows you to retain your free will.

It will never happen to me.

Well, you'll probably never turn into a zombie, but hypnotic submission is a different thing altogether. Many experts agree that this is simply a heightened state of concentration.

For example, sometimes you find your attention locked to a certain person in a room. You find yourself ignoring everything around you except for that person.

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