Richard Bandler's Guide to Trance-formations
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Richard Bandler's Guide to Trance-formations provides not only a complete over view of the process of hypnosis, but also comprehensive coverage of its numerous applications. The bookGuide to Trance-formations helps clarify the relationship between NLP and hypnosis. Richard Bandler, who has often been called the world's greatest hypnotist, believes that trance is the foundational human experience, in which we move from trance to trance depending on what we believe, think, and do. For this reason, learning to take control and choose the most appropriate trance at any given time is a critical life skill.
Bandler's approach to hypnosis is quick and natural. He rightly says that standard approaches, such as those saying "you are getting sleepy, sleepy, sleepy" in a monotone or having the subject descend a staircase going "deeper" with each step are slow and often ineffective. Everyone, he points out, is capable of going into a trance and that hypnotists simply need sufficient flexibility to adapt their approach to individual clients.
The book does an admirable job of clarifying the kinds of trances that often result in problems for people and provides numerous examples of hypnotic language patterns that will help them learn to alter their state for the better. The book also includes excellent coverage of using metaphors to stack realities and for creating nested loops to effect positive change.
The book also provides annotated transcripts (trance-scripts) of Bandler at work, detailing language patterns and the process of trance work.
This is a must read book for those interested in hypnosis and NLP. The same can be said for Bandler's other recent books (reviewed below). The overarching theme of the three books is enhancing individual, personal freedom through increased awareness. By using your conscious mind to program your unconscious in the most appropriate ways, you expand freedom not only for yourself, but also for others in your life. It is a great way to make a positive contribution to life on earth (and beyond).
Fairly decent
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Generally this is a good book. It is easy to read and it contains most things you need to know about inducing hypnosis.
There are certain chapters, such as language patterns, which are written well. If you practise the exercises then you should become a reasonable hypnotist.
There are irritating points: Bandler continues to tell us about when he wrote books such as "Tranceformations". I have had this book for over ten years and it was (and still is) co written by John Grinder.
It is hard to take the author seriously when he never ever admits when things do not go right. This style of story telling had produced so many "NLPers" who have lost all grip on reality and convince themselves that a technique is working when it is clearly not.
Thankfully the editor has done a good job of separating the garbage from the good stuff and this book does contain 4 transcripts (annoyingly called "trance - Scripts" in that NLP way) of sessions where you can analyse the language patterns used.
There is lots of repetition in the book - if you have read his other stuff or ever gone to a seminar. I can't remember how many times I've heard about the guy who imagines people coming out of the TV show he's watching and bothering him. Richard tells him to watch the Playboy Channel.
In truth this is a re-hash of "Tranceformations" which is now out of print. (That book had a bit on self-hypnosis which is sadly lacking from this newer book).
Have a go - it's worth ten bucks at least.
