A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis

Powers, Melvin, 1922-Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 233K words
Chapters: 24

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis by Melvin PowersAuthor: Powers, Melvin, 1922-,Language: English, Class: BF: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Psychology, Philosophy, Psychoanalysis, Release Date: Sep 30, 2007

Editor's review

This is a practical guide to self-hypnosis for general readers, focused on method rather than theoretical exposition. Author Bowers explains the basic process of relaxation, suggestion, and self-guidance in clear steps, with direct language and strong practical applicability, suitable for readers who want to use hypnotic techniques for stress reduction, focus, or habit adjustment on their own. The book falls within the self-help psychology category, emphasizing gradual progress and self-observation, but readers should understand that it cannot replace professional psychological or medical diagnosis. As a public-domain e-book, it is easy to obtain and suitable as an introductory practice manual for repeated reference. While reading, it is recommended to take notes as you go, writing down your practice responses and feelings, then adjusting intensity according to your own pace. Readers who hold mystical expectations of hypnosis or hope for quick results should first adjust their expectations and use this book as a skill guide requiring sustained practice.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers who want to learn self-relaxation and suggestion techniques and can practice on their own
People curious about hypnosis but lacking a foundation, who need clear step-by-step introductory material
Readers who hope to use self-help methods to relieve tension and improve focus
People who organize self-help psychology content, who can use it as a methodological reference

Not a good fit for

People who expect hypnosis to replace professional treatment; this book cannot serve a diagnostic or therapeutic function
Readers seeking deep psychological theory; the book emphasizes practice over doctrine
Readers who want quick results and are unwilling to practice consistently, who may give up halfway

Reading tips

Read through once to understand the overall process, then start with the most basic relaxation exercises
After each practice, briefly record your feelings and responses; review them after a few days and adjust your pace
Do not skip steps in pursuit of deep suggestion; proceeding step by step in the book's order is more reliable
If you experience emotional discomfort or persistent distress, pause practice and consider seeking professional help

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is self-hypnosis safe? Will I be unable to wake up?

The self-hypnosis described in this book is a relaxation and attention-guidance exercise and typically will not result in being "unable to wake up." However, individual responses vary; during practice, choose a quiet, safe environment and avoid doing it before driving or operating machinery. If marked discomfort occurs, stop and consult a professional.

Can this book be used to treat insomnia or anxiety?

This book provides self-help exercises that can serve as relaxation aids, but they cannot replace professional diagnosis and treatment. If you have persistent insomnia, anxiety, or other psychological distress, first seek evaluation from a doctor or psychological counselor, then use the book's exercises as a supplementary means, not the only solution.

Can people with no hypnosis background practice directly from the book?

Yes. The book explains in a step-by-step manner and assumes no prior background, starting with relaxation and concentration. It is recommended to practice in order without skipping steps, first becoming familiar with the basic process before attempting deeper suggestion content, and to maintain observation of your own responses.

Do I need audio or guidance from others while reading?

This book is designed as a guide that can be read and practiced independently, without relying on audio or guidance from others. Readers can complete the process on their own according to the text prompts in the book; if the written guidance does not feel intuitive enough, you may also record your own prompts to assist practice after becoming familiar with the steps, but the book's methods should remain the standard.

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About the author

Powers, Melvin, 1922- Author · American · 1922

Melvin Powers (born 1922) was an American publisher best known as the founder of Wilshire Book Company. Publicly available information about his life and career is limited, and only one of his works is held in this collection, A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis. That book suggests his interests lay in introductory, practical guidance on self-hypnosis, written for general readers and emphasizing usable methods rather than abstruse theory. Such self-help titles were popular in the American publishing market of the mid-to-late twentieth century, and this short work has retained a measure of readability and reference value in its field.