Jose Silva Method

You have probably noticed that lots of this hypnosis stuff has been around by the different names. One of the early systems of self-improvement (I guess we can call it that) is known as Jose Silva method. You can check out the book from the public library.

I must say it is a very good introduction to the subject (that is to say, part 1 is), much better than oversimplified Shakti Gavain’s Creative Visualization The latter one is not bad by all means but it lacks in-depth explanation of things. Silva method is the system that promotes the use of imaginary mental screen and visualizing the situation the way you want it to be. The book is rather old but it is better written than all these new-age books with their almost always present religious overtones of varying degree and simplistic instructions.

Here is the example from the book that describes how to put yourself in an alpha state. Alpha state is the state that you reach in meditation. It is not too deep but it is deeper that out everyday beta state. This technique claims to put you in alpha on your very first try. So here goes.

Sit in a comfortable posture (yoga asana if you can), relax. Start counting from 100 to 1. That’s it! By the time you reach 1 you should be in alpha. If you don’t feel any different (like I didn’t) it means that you’ve been in alpha state before. What did you expect, anyway? It’s not Samadhi we are talking about, just an alpha state that is being calmer than usual. And yes, I’ll bet you a dollar that you have been in alpha before. Repeat for 10 days. Then count from 50 to 1 for another 10 days. Then from 10 to one and finally from 5 to 1.

From NLP point of view you have created an anchor: now every time you count from 5 to 1 you are in alpha. You have also engaged you conscious mind in some meaningless activity: enough to keep it busy and “release” you unconscious mind from its tight grip. Give it a try.