> So how do you defend yourself against this tactic?
An excellent question that would be easy to over-simplify in answering. But here's an extract from the .pdf file that puts it nicely into a nutshell:
“The only thing you need to do to break a negative hypnotic spell that has been cast on you is begin to think rationally, to begin to think critically. And if you decide that you choose this message as one that’s good for you, by all means sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. But, if you decide that this is not something you want to have in your life, just simply analyze it, criticise it, ridicule it, and say “Hey, that’s not how the world works.” And you’ll have protected your mind from taking on board something which you really dont need.” The Power of Conversational Hypnosis, Clifford Mee and Igor Ledochowski, re the section entitled “The Dark Side of Hypnosis.”
Funny that schools seemed to have stopped teaching critical thinking shortly after I graduated and LOOK at what is happening now!
I don't know if there is a relation there but there is no such thing as coincidence.
Many years ago, as a teen, I needed to have my wisdom teeth pulled. The oral surgeon ‘used’ hypnosis in addition to anesthesia for the inoffice extractions.
The doc ‘tried’ to put me under; (visual, I was sitting in a dentists chair, in his office, bright light). I remember him saying ‘feel the warmth of the sun’ but I just kept thinking... I am in a Dentist’s office...its a stoopid light’ Anywho...he said my thougthts were ‘cluttered’ and not a good hypno candidate.
And THAT is why I never bought into the ‘hopey/changey’ mantra...too much ‘thinking’ aboout what The One was saying...