Bill O’Connell’s

Indirect Hypnosis
Flash Cards
Each of These Delightful Cards Contains Word-For-Word Phrases for Learning,
Practicing and Utilizing Indirect Suggestions.
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 Disclaimer and Legal Notice:

This product is sold as information only. The purchaser or user of this information is
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 Tips for Learning Indirect Hypnosis:

• Practice one phrase at a time

• Make it fun! Intersperse indirect hypnotic phrases into everyday conversation.
• Print your Indirect Hypnosis Flash Cards and have them 3-hole punched so
that they can be kept in a binder. Some students have had each card
laminated, and you may want to consider doing the same.
• Carry your set of indirect hypnosis flash cards with you so that you can review
them throughout your day.
 Pre-Supposing The Positive:

“I’m wondering how quickly you will want to _________________.”

(Clean your room…say “yes” to my proposal…go out with me on a date, etc. You
are not wondering if they will want to, only how quickly they will want to. This pre-
supposed they will say yes…the only question is how quickly?)
 Pre-Supposing The Positive:

“How surprised will you be when you realize you have _____ next week?”

(Lost the desire to smoke…developed an irresistible urge to exercise each

day…discovered a wonderful new interest or hobby? It’s not in question if you will
make the realization, only how surprised you will be when you make the realization
next week. This pre-supposed that you will be surprised, and that you will realize
the desired change.)
 Pre-Supposing the Positive Combined with an
Embedded Command:

“A person can, you know, become intensely curious about learning something new.”

(The underlined portion of the sentence is the embedded command, delivered with a
slightly altered voice tone or voice inflection.)
 Using Surprise to Interrupt a
Negative Pattern:

“LOOK! OVER THERE! (At anything…it doesn’t matter. Then abruptly change
the subject, “Oh, never mind, it wasn’t important. By the way…I’ve been meaning
to ask you about something…”

(Ask them about a favorite hobby or past time, one that they have a natural
propensity to become absorbed with for hours. The idea here is to break the
habitual, negative pattern and then link the interruption to a positive state. Do this
often enough and the interruption and new link become an automatic part of the
pattern.)
 Mirror Their Breathing Rate:

If you will adjust the rate at which you speak to the rate of your subject’s breathing,
this will often induce a powerful rapport (a state of liking and trust). This is
especially true if you combine this with other rapport-inducing behaviors, such as
mirroring their body posture (sitting like they sit, for example), key hand gestures,
key ideas, phrases etc. The more you become “like them” the more they will tend to
“like you”. Be subtle. You want to gracefully mirror them, not mimic them.
 Induce Altered States Naturally:

“Can you remember a time when you found yourself deeply absorbed in thought?
When you were so engrossed in your own thoughts that you became temporarily
unaware of what was going on around you? Can you think back to a time when this
occurred? A specific time? And while you are remembering that time, I’m
wondering if you can fully remember exactly what it looked like…and you may be
able to recall certain sounds…perhaps voices…and I don’t really know…you may
start to become aware…now…of how you felt back then. A person can, you know,
become completely absorbed in a pleasant time from your past…that’s right…”
 Induce Altered States Naturally (Continued):

“…and as you continue to fully experience that time, as if it were happening right
now…there’s no need to pay attention to anything except the sound of my
voice…that’s right…and you may find the sound of my voice to be very
sooooothing…and sometimes a person is surprised to find they can…let yourself
just relax completely…that’s right…allowing all of the stress, and all of the tension
to just f-l-o-w out of your body…so relaxed…so calm…really enjoying the
experience…and wondering…really wondering…how a person can begin to think
about how good it feels…to just allow yourself to enjoy the experience…n-o-w…”
 Time Binds:

“As you practice and study _____ you may begin to feel more comfortable and
confident over the next few week, or it may begin to happen much sooner.”

(It may happen now…or it may happen later. It doesn’t matter when it happens.
And when it happens is not in question. It is going to happen…it’s just a matter of
when…)
 Double-Binds:

Double-binds are also called “the illusion of choice”. You offer two choices (or
more) giving the appearance that the person has free choice. But in reality, either
choice leads to the result desired (a positive change in thought or behavior, a new
insight, compliance with a request, etc.)

Example: the physician asks, “Would you like me to give you the injection in your
left arm or your right? (Either way, you are getting the injection.)

Example: the salesperson asks, “Would you like your payments on the 1st of the
month or the 15th? (Either way, assuming you are going to move forward with the
purchase. What sales trainers call the “assumptive close” which means the sales
person does not ask if you are going to make the purchase; they assume you are
going to make the purchase.)
 Double-Binds:

“You may discover that taking a brisk walk each morning is a wonderful way to
exercise and start your day off right. Or you may actually be surprised to find that
a relaxing walk each evening is more to your liking.”
(Either way pre-supposing, and indirectly suggesting, that you are going for a walk
each day.)
 Process Instructions:

Process instructions guide the thoughts of others without offering specific content.
They offer generalized suggestions that a person may be more receptive to because
the are suggested indirectly, allowing the subject to fill in the content that is
meaningful to them.

“I once had a client who was delightfully surprised to learn that she could elicit the
types of positive changes she wanted from her husband by rewarding him with her
attention…only when he behaved in ways that were pleasing to her.”

(Note there are no specifics in the wording in this example, only generalized
instructions. This allows the client or subject to fill in the content that best suits
them.)
 Tell A Series of Long Wandering Tales:

Within these tales, intersperse “lessons” learned by other people, at other times.
You can have the tales blend into one another. This is a wonderful way to indirectly
offer suggestions.

This “seamless blending” of stories has a way of confusing and distracting the
subconscious mind so that suggestions can be offered, indirectly, to the unconscious
mind.”
 Tell A Series of Long Wandering Tales – Example:

“I had a friend once who loved to read books. She would read novels and find
herself deeply absorbed in these stories…sometimes for hours at a time…going
inside and forgetting about everything that is around you…and a person can really
enjoy doing this…now…if you want to…and how she loved to read about the
characters, and the twisting, turning plots…and the surprises that come up from
time to time…and a person can easily go inside your own mind now and pay
attention to nothing but the sound of my voice…and her best friend had a hobby
too…and she could find herself lost in the experience of doing something she
loved…paying no attention to what was around her…just relaxing now…and
noticing how much a person can really enjoy the experience…
 In No Particular Order

Theses cards are sequenced in no particular order. The wonderful thing about
indirect communication patterns is there is no “correct” order or “wrong” way to
use a specific pattern. By reviewing the cards from time to time, you may begin to
notice that you feel comfortable now interspersing some of these patterns in your
everyday conversations with those around you.
And you might begin to find that people are more receptive to your communications
because you are meeting them at their model of the world. Using indirect hypnosis
is a way to “speak their language” while offering new choices in a manner that is
very enjoyable and non-threatening to others.
 Enter Their Model of The World:

One of the first things Milton Erickson would do was meet each client at their model
of the world. He accepted them just as they presented themselves, with all of their
unique, individual traits and complexities. He accepted their problems. He
accepted their stories. He listened to their pain and paid attention with deep
interest. He did not argue, judge or resist.
You can do the same by using phrases such as, “Yes, that’s right.” “I understand.”
And “Tell me more.” And you may want to use facial expressions and body
language to gently encourage them to keep talking, always being very warm and
receptive as they tell their story. Simply patiently and calmly listening to his clients
was one way Milton Erickson began to build a strong sense of trust.
 Enter Their Model of The World:

Sit like your client sits. Stand like they stand. If they speak slowly, slow down your
rate of speech to match theirs. If they speak fast, pick up your rate of speech to
match theirs. If they speak loudly, adjust your voice volume to match theirs. If they
speak softly, you speak softly. You get the idea, don’t you?
The key principle is: “People like people who are like them”. By becoming “like”
the other person (subtly mirroring their posture and voice qualities) you
unconsciously induce rapport, a sense of trust and liking.
 Metaphor:

Metaphor is a wonderful way to offer suggestions indirectly. Rather than tell a

person what they ought to do, you can suggest the idea through metaphor.
For example, if a client is somewhat timid and you want to encourage them to be
more assertive, you may offer the following metaphor:
“I had a client once who told me that when she really wanted something she heard a
little voice inside her head that said, ‘always remember that it’s the squeaky wheel
that gets oiled’, and she found this to be most useful.”
 Story Telling:

Stories can be entertaining and enlightening. Told by a master storyteller, a story

can be a powerfully moving experience. In your life you have probably come across
people who tell sorties very dramatically, with great enthusiasm, energy, conviction
and emotion. The words they use and the amount of detail they provide has a
tendency to capture the imagination of the listener. This can make the story seem
very real. Study masterful story tellers, record them in action if you can, and begin
developing your own ability to tell persuasive stories in rich, vivid detail. There is a
reason why brilliant story tellers are often referred to as “hypnotic”.
 What is Indirect Hypnosis?

Indirect hypnosis is the art of inducing and utilizing altered states of consciousness
in others through the use of indirect suggestion, also known as conversational or
covert hypnosis.
The primary reason for using indirect hypnosis versus traditional direct hypnosis is
that people ten to be less resistant to indirect methods.
Every suggestion that can be given directly, using traditional hypnotic methods, can
also be given indirectly through the use of stories, metaphors, analogies, embedded
commands, interspersal, and other forms of indirect suggestion.
 Pre-Supposition – Example:

“How delighted will you be when you realize how good you can feel while doing
__________?”
This question pre-supposes, or assumes in advance, that you will be delighted and
feel good about something. It also assumes that you will do this something. Pre-
supposing the positive has a way of creating a context where what is being suggested
will occur naturally.
 Pre-Supposition With Time Bind – Example:

“It may be later today, perhaps it might be tomorrow, or maybe it will be later this
week when you really begin to think about ________________.”
This suggestion assumes in advance that you will think about ________, it’s only a
question of when. This sets the unconscious expectation that the listener will think
about what is suggested, and provides three options for when the experience will
occur.
 Pre-Supposition – Example One:

“How delighted will you be when you realize how very much I love you?”
This suggestion stack three pre-suppositions: 1.) that you do in fact love the person,
2.) that they will be delighted, and 3.) they will realize you do love them. The only
thing in question is the degree of the delight they will experience when they realize
these things.
 Pre-Supposition – Example Two:

“How surprised will you be next week when you suddenly discover that you are
naturally and automatically drawn to eating healthy, low fat foods?”
This suggestion pre-supposes that you will be surprised, you will discover that, and
you will be naturally and automatically be drawn towards eating healthy low fat
foods. The only thing in question is the degree to which you will be surprised.
 Pre-Supposition – Example Three:

“How much fun can you and I have when we _____________ this Saturday?”
This suggestion assumes in advance that you and the other person are going to do
something together on Saturday (go fishing, see a movie, go out to dinner, etc) and
that you will have fun doing it. It’s only a question of how much fun you will have!
 Creating Your Own Pre-Suppositions:

Use the following models to create pre-suppositions of your own:

“How quickly will you realize that ___________________?”
“I am wondering when you will discover __________________?”
“How delighted will you be when you find yourself ___________________ next
Tuesday?”
“Will you choose to stop _____________ because you want to end the pain of this
limiting behavior, or will you stop because you are drawn towards living a more
positive, healthy live?”
“Do you want to clean your room before dinner, or would you rather do it right
after dinner?”
 Embedded Commands:

How to create Embedded Commands:

• Take any direct statement or command and encase it within a question, story,
or analogy.
• Visually, vocally or tactically “mark out: the command portion.
Example:
“How delighted will you be when you take the time necessary to master giving
embedded commands?”
The underlined and italicized portion of the sentence is giving special emphasis
either by slightly altering the tone of your voice, making a unique hand or facial
gesture, or by touching or gently squeezing the other person’s hand or shoulder
when you speak the embedded command. For audio examples of how to do this,
please reference the two audio CD set program Disguised Hypnosis by Bill
O’Connell.
 Create Your Own Embedded Commands:

“A person can now begin to ___________.”

“How quickly will you discover that ________________?”
“I’m wondering how delighted you will be when you find yourself ___________.”
 Embedded Commands – Example One:

“You may discover that your unconscious mind will automatically let you know when
your body is full, or you may discover that your unconscious mind will surprise you
by naturally reducing your desire for foods high in sugar or fat or your subconscious
mind may choose to do both, I really don’t know which of these it will be.”
 Embedded Commands – Example Two:

“I had a client once who wanted to lose weight. And she struggled, consciously to do
so. Only when she decided to let your subconscious mind take over did she begin to
make the changes she desired, finding that your subconscious mind NOW can
increase your desire to exercise for thirty minutes daily. And it was the most amazing
thing that a person could really make that change now without even having to think
about it consciously.”
 Embedded Commands – Example Three:

“A man once came to me with the desire to lose weight. I listened as he told me his
story. When he was finished, I told him, ‘Do not develop now the unconscious and
automatic desire to go for long, wonderful one-hour walks every day.”
 Embedded Commands – Example Four:

“The unconscious mind is more powerful than the conscious mind, you know. It’s a
funny thing how, without even thinking about it consciously, a person can make the
positive changes you desire right NOW without any conscious effort whatsoever. And
I’m wondering how surprised you will be when you discover that the change is
already starting to happen…NOW.”
 Embedded Commands – Example Five:

“Quitting smoking is a very hard thing to do – consciously. The key is to ask your
unconscious mind to discover a delightful new urge to take the place of the urge to
smoke. And a person can, you know, suddenly find yourself with an irresistible urge
to do something new, fresh and deliciously healthy. And I’m not sure just what it
might be, but your unconscious mind will let you know when the time is right.”
 Embedded Commands – Example Six:

“I’m wondering, really wondering, if you will make this change you desire this week
or if it will take until next week, or if will actually happen sooner. And it doesn’t
really matter as long as the change will occur naturally and be complete.”
 Embedded Commands – Example Seven:

“I had a client once who told me the most interesting thing. She said, ‘At any
moment in your life you can now choose to fill your mind with a new idea you are
incredibly excited about’. Then she added, ‘a person can spend hours in delightful
anticipation thinking about how you are going to make that idea come true.”
 Embedded Commands – Example Eight:

“In thinking through what you really want to achieve in your life, you may now get
so excited about your big goal that you feel totally compelled to write down that goal
and create a step-by-step action plan for making it come true.”
 Embedded Commands – Example Nine:

“A wise woman once shared with me the secret of her success in finding happiness.
She told me, ‘Almost anything in life is possible with proper planning.’ And I
wouldn’t want you to think about that over and over just yet.”
 Recommended Resources For Further Study:

1. Monsters and Magical Sticks: There’s No Such Thing As Hypnosis by Steven

Heller
2. Trance-Formations by Richard Bandler and John Grinder
3. C.O.V.E.R.T. Hypnosis by Bill O’Connell
4. Disguised Hypnosis Two Audio CD set by Bill O’Connell
Monsters and Magical Sticks and Trance-Formations can be found on Amazon.com.
C.O.V.E.R.T. Hypnosis is available in e-book format and can be purchased by
sending a Paypal payment in the amount of $19.95 to hypnosissecrets@aol.com.
Disguised Hypnosis is a digitally recorded two audio CD set that can be purchased
by sending a Paypal payment in the amount of $49 to hypnosissecrets@aol.com.
If you are interested in what may be the world’s best hypnosis training and
certification home study course, a person can, you know, develop a sudden and
irresistible desire to visit www.hypnosissecrets.com