UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUL
Not Hypnotism But Suggestion: A Lesson In Soul Culture – Henry Harrison Brown
What a promising title, and especially as this book is 120 years old. But unfortunately, as you’ll probably imagine, the focus is on a different angle to the one I had hoped for. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, I thought, if someone had written a book in 1902 that claimed that the hypnotic state is a myth and, actually, all you really need are suggestions? But no, the author here is keenly impressing upon his readers that it’s the hypnotee who does all the work, and not the hypnotist.
Given its age, it’s actually quite interesting that the book expresses this sentiment. The world had already moved on from animal magnetism, but I wasn’t really expecting that the world had reached the conclusion that hypnosis and suggestion happen solely in the minds of the recipients.
It feels a bit like a campaign to make hypnotism appear safe, clearly stating that people could choose to accept or reject suggestions, and that, therefore, crime through hypnotism would be impossible.
It’s mostly a very dry, preachy read, saying the same thing over and over again from a variety of different perspectives, and as such isn’t anywhere near as amusing as many of the other books on this blog.
I mean, if you’re not going to be challenging the existence of the trance, could you at least be funny or outlandish in your claims?
It’s not without its silliness, however. Telepathy – and specifically telepathic hypnotic suggestions – gets a good look in. Also, the ability to locate hidden objects via post-hypnotic suggestions; but these stories are scant on details or theatrics.
The most amusing parts are the auto-suggestions at the end, simply because of the novel phrasing:
“For Nervous Conditions:–
Now, sir, sit down in that chair and relax. Let go! Let go, sir, of old thoughts! Let go of your body. Forget you have one. Imitate the baby, the cat and the dog when they rest. There now, you feel better already. There, sir, how much relaxed you are. Your are rested already. Now keep peace in your mind and go to work. You are Peace.”
“For Discontent:–
Now, sir, you have everything you desire. Life is yours and Life contains all. You are Contentment.”
I can hear one of Doug Stanhope’s bits in my head when I read, “Now, sir”, and I’m not sure that comedy voice helps the suggestions feel plausible. But, even without that, these are just dire! “You are Contentment” – what a revelation. Just tell yourself you don’t have any issues, and “go to work”!
Amy would love the liberal use of Title Casing throughout, as a visual marker that something Is A Thing. But otherwise, this book has very little else going for it. Aside from filling up our shelves and advancing us ever so closer to owning every hypnosis book pre-1980s, there are absolutely no redeeming features. Not even funny ones.
