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2. Reduction of Conscious Control: To achieve this, it is necessary to distract the client from analyzing what is happening, so they cannot resist the information. They should be attuned to its perception but not to its reflection. Reducing conscious control for suggestion can be accomplished through various techniques designed to diminish critical thinking and increase receptivity. These include hypnosis and suggestive techniques that help deepen relaxation and activate internal resources. Meditation and relaxation practices also aid in reducing stress and enhancing openness to suggestions. The use of music and sound effects creates a calming atmosphere, while establishing a trusting relationship between the suggestor and the recipient increases the effectiveness of the impact.

In my practice, I like to distract people from critically perceiving information by engaging them in pleasant conversations. I ask them about their desires, dreams, and positive memories from their lives, as well as what they can take pride in. I also praise them for certain qualities, actions, abilities, and achievements. I share some of my own ideas that align with their interests. I reassure them that they will succeed, that everything will be fine, and that they will achieve many things. People notice that I am well-disposed toward them, that I respect and recognize them, and that I genuinely want to help. As a result, they relax and begin to trust me. It is important to be honest and have pure intentions to appear sincere. When people sense this sincerity, they become more willing to accept any information.

3. Suggestion formulation: Clearly articulating commands or instructions for the subject is the next step. You can’t put complex things, complex words, or complex verbal constructions in the subconscious mind. Commands and instructions should be simple. Like the choruses of songs, like memes, like proverbs and sayings, even a child should understand them. And they must be clear, affirmative, without a shadow of doubt, without any reservations or other things that can interfere with their perception and following them. No “maybe”, “probably”, “partially”, just a complete, unambiguous, uncompromising statement. We tell peopleуthat, for example, they will recover tomorrow or that they will do something, say, pass an exam, lift the right weight at a competition, or go and meet a girl/guy, we say without any assumptions. That is, without any, doubt, you will probably do it, most likely you will recover. Or you will recover in the near future, without specifying a time frame. That is, we leave no room for doubt and interpretation of our messages. Otherwise, their strength will decrease.

Of course, those familiar with the technique of Ericksonian hypnosis will say that doubts can also play a role in this process, allowing for negotiation with a person’s subconscious rather than simply imposing something on them. This is indeed true and can be effectively utilized. Everything can be used. Our main goal is to create in a person’s mind the reality they need – comfortable, motivating, calming, and happy, depending on the situation. So if the Ericksonian approach helps us achieve this, then we should embrace it. In higher psychology, we are creators, not just researchers. We use everything at our disposal to shape the reality we desire in people’s minds, as well as in our own. Anything that is available can be beneficial. Ericksonian hypnosis, of course, is also suitable for higher psychology.

Unlike traditional hypnosis, which often involves directive commands – commands or orders issued by the authority figure, in this case, the specialist, that are expected to be followed by the subordinate, or client – Ericksonian hypnosis employs a more gentle and unobtrusive interaction. It uses indirect commands and metaphors to engage with the subconscious mind, allowing the client to interpret and accept the proposed ideas independently. Instead of direct instructions, as seen in traditional hypnosis, a more subtle and unobtrusive approach is utilized.

For example, instead of saying, “You’re relaxing, “the hypnotherapist might phrase it as,“I wonder how your body might start to relax when you listen to my voice.” This formulation allows the client to decide for themselves how they will respond to the suggestion, which creates a sense of control and security. Or you can say, “when you decide to relax,” we will continue to work with you. In this case, a person is not forced, is not encouraged, he is led to the right decision, action.

Another example might include the use of metaphors. A hypnotherapist can tell a story about how a person overcomes obstacles on the way to their goal. In the process of telling a story, they may say, “Imagine going down this path and finding new strength in yourself to eventually achieve your goal.” This indirect suggestion directs the client’s attention to their internal resources and capabilities, without requiring them to act directly.

These examples show how Ericksonian hypnosis uses language and metaphors to achieve changes in the client’s subconscious mind, allowing them to find their own solutions and adapt to new conditions. Let’s go back to this method later and discuss it in more detail. In higher psychology, it can be very useful in cases where traditional suggestion commands with people do not work. In the meantime, we will consider the next stage of the suggestion process.

4. Latent period: The time during which the distraction of consciousness continues for the successful implementation of suggestion. At this stage, the suggestion object’s attention is focused on the proposed information, which is achieved by reducing the criticality of perception and analysis. An important aspect of the latent period is that during this time, the level of conscious control decreases, which allows information to enter the psyche unhindered. The latent stage in the process of suggestion can be recognized by several key features. First, during this period, there is a decrease in the criticality of perception, when a person is less inclined to analyze and doubt the information received. If we see that a person does not ask questions, does not think, his mood does not worsen, then we can continue to upload the necessary information to him, programming his subconscious. In general, this state is often accompanied by changes in breathing and muscle tone, which may indicate relaxation and immersion in a deeper state of perception. The person seems to be quite soft at this moment, reacts to words with passive consent, showing a minimum of emotions and not nodding very actively, as journalists do when actively listening, but only calmly doing it from time to time, making it clear that they agree with the specialist. At such a moment, you can calmly and confidently give the necessary settings to this person. For example, telling him that he is able to solve all his problems, he has enough abilities for this, so he will do everything in the near future, everything that is necessary. And he will.

If you communicate with someone remotely, in writing – as I do – this state [the latent period] is reflected in calm, laconic messages. The person responds with short, emotionally neutral sentences, indicating a relaxed state where they aren’t actively processing things deeply. They don’t overthink what they’re reading or feel compelled to engage further – they simply take in the information without dwelling on it.

Secondly, the latent stage is characterized by an increase in the latent period of conscious response. This means that the person may not immediately respond to the suggestion, allowing the information to be gradually absorbed. Therefore, we do our job-we load the person’s subconscious mind with the necessary information, thus sowing the seed, and then we will need time for it to germinate and eventually blossom. This requires patience. Don’t jump to conclusions about whether our suggestion worked or not. It will work when the time comes. I had the feeling that after about a month, people told me what I told them a month earlier. At first, they did not take it, did not agree with it, could criticize my message, and then they themselves began to adhere to this point of view. And even imperceptibly. They’d forgotten I’d told them that. Moreover, it was not always just such an ideal suggestion, which we are considering here. People at that time were critical of the information I sent them, and it still worked. By observing the behavior and reactions of the subject of suggestion, you’ll notice they become more receptive to external cues and less critical of the content. Once we see that the person offers no resistance – doesn’t overthink, ask questions, argue, or express doubt – we should seize this opportunity to reinforce the desired suggestions, rephrasing them in different ways.

This transitional state creates ideal conditions for successfully implanting ideas or attitudes, as the mind is particularly open to influence during such periods.

However, the latent stage must conclude smoothly to reinforce the suggested content and reduce the chance of resistance. To achieve this, end with something pleasant – a statement the person will unquestionably accept, a universal truth that shifts their focus away from your suggestions.

The key is to leave the suggestions untouched by critical thought. The final impression should be a positive, external idea – something that feels satisfying yet doesn’t trigger recall of the implanted material. This way, the person remembers only the agreeable parting thought, not the process itself.

This stage is pivotal in suggestion, ensuring seamless interaction between the influencer and the recipient. The outcome? The person feels uplifted, appreciative of the interaction, and their mind remains occupied with anything but the suggestions.

5. End of Exposure: So, we will emphasize this in a separate paragraph, reiterating that at the end of the suggestion process, there should be a transition to another topic or a complete conclusion of communication after implementation. A person does not need to dwell on what we have suggested to them; therefore, it is important to shift from discussing what was said or written to conversations on other topics, or to interrupt communication altogether so that the person can switch their focus to something else. This way, our suggestions will be embedded in the person’s subconscious without interference.

Psychological mechanisms

Let us also pay attention to the fact that temptation is based on the interaction of various mental processes. This is not as important as understanding the principles of suggestion itself, but… let them be. And here we are talking about such mechanisms as:

– Neurophysiological mechanisms: Suggestion is associated with the formation of a dominant in the cerebral cortex, which leads to changes in behavior and perception. This is so that you understand that we are not talking about some esoteric things that have not been proven by any science, but about quite scientific ones. It is clear that science does not know everything, but it knows this much. So, suggestions are really something that works from the point of view of science, which really affects the work of the brain.

– Critical perception: The effectiveness of suggestion depends on the level of criticality of the object to the received information. The less critical you are, the more susceptible you are to suggestion. Well, this is, in fact, what we are generally considering suggestions for. There are people who do not want to talk about anything at all, but they swallow any suggestions with pleasure, without any deliberation. They do not want они to design their inner world together with or without a specialist in such a way that it is convenient and useful for them, and that it helps them to strive for their goals and achieve them in the external world. Well, they are not inclined to think, they do not like such an occupation, such work. But suggestions suit them. Then they need to provide these suggestions. At the level of criticality, it is just reduced for those who do not want, do not like to reason, read think. So, for them, suggestions are what they need.

The methodology of suggestion is not so much a complex process as it is one that requires a certain level of confidence from the specialist to make their words impactful, as well as patience to persistently reinforce all the necessary thoughts in people’s minds. As you can see, this process involves many psychological factors and stages, or, you might say, different approaches. However, the goal remains the same: to instill the right belief in the client’s subconscious in order to shape their worldview in such a way that their psychological problem is resolved. To achieve this, a person must stop perceiving it as a problem. They need to find meaning in what is happening to them, recognize the benefits, and understand where their life is leading, in order to think practically.

Let’s now take a closer look at the Erickson hypnosis method, as a way to inspire people with the right thoughts. This is a special technique that, in my opinion, deserves special attention. In higher psychology, it can be used to inspire people with high ideas.

Erickson’s hypnosis

So, this type of hypnosis, developed by the American psychiatrist Milton Erickson, differs from classical hypnosis in a more gentle and non-directive approach [the interlocutor himself searches for answers to his questions and makes decisions himself], based on establishing contact with the client’s unconscious and using his own resources to solve problems. We do not impose anything, but suggest that a person should look for solutions in a certain area. In our case, we talk about the plan of the higher forces and offer people different ideas to accept, which reflect the will of the higher forces, reflect the highest meaning in what happens to people.

Basic principles of Erickson’s hypnosis:

Non-directive: Instead of direct suggestions, the hypnotherapist uses indirect suggestions, metaphors, stories, and other techniques that allow the client to independently come to the necessary conclusions and changes. In the context of higher psychology, we simply offer people ideas related to the influence of higher forces on our lives, with their plan, with the meaning that is in everything that happens to us. And the person just looks at what to accept from this, what to agree with.

Using client resources: Ericksonian hypnosis assumes that each person has all the necessary resources to solve their problems. And this is the absolute truth. Life will not create problems for a person that he cannot solve. Problems are sent to us for growth and development, not to break us, so they cannot be too much for us. You can consider this an axiom [a statement of a theory that is accepted as true within the framework of this theory without the requirement of proof and is used to prove its other provisions]. So, the goal of the therapist, in our case, is a specialist in higher psychology – to help the client gain access to their resources and activate them. To do this, it is necessary to instill in a person faith in his own capabilities. This is what we do when we say that he himself can understand everything, feel everything, in relation to the higher forces that are trying to realize their plan through him. He just needs to listen to himself. We inspire a person to believe in the influence of higher forces [of the system] on his life, encouraging him to find evidence of this in himself – in his thoughts and feelings.

Individual approach: Также This technique also teaches you to adapt to a person, which is also what we need in higher psychology. The therapist adapts techniques and techniques, in this case Ericksonian hypnosis, to the individual characteristics of each client, taking into account their personality, experience and needs. Well, I wrote about this in the beginning when I said that we adapt the idea of higher powers to the beliefs that a particular person adheres to. What is true for him, we will use as a demonstration of the manifestation of higher forces.

Rapport and collaboration: An important aspect is to establish a trusting relationship between the therapist and the client, based on mutual understanding and cooperation. Here the Erickson method is no different from our approach, and in general, to be honest, any psychological method requires trust, cooperation, otherwise you will not convey anything to a person.

Trance as a natural state: Erickson believed that trance is a natural state that we experience in everyday life, for example, when we are thinking, dreaming, or watching an interesting movie, forgetting about what is happening around us. Yes, we all experience this state from time to time, when, let’s say, we start flying in the clouds. Here, in Erickson’s hypnosis, the therapist helps the client to deepen this state and use it for therapeutic purposes. In our higher psychology, this is also necessary. Therefore, it is important that the client is relaxed and ready to accept our information about the role of higher forces in their life.

Ericksonian hypnosis techniques:

Trance Induction: The therapist uses various techniques to help the client enter a trance state, such as gaze fixation, relaxing suggestions, monotonous speech, and others. I will not describe them now, so as not to repeat what you can already find on the web. But we will further consider them in concrete examples of solving various psychological problems with the help of higher psychology, and in particular, with the help of suggestions, and specifically using the technique of Eric basic hypnosis.

Indirect suggestions: Instead of direct instructions about what to do or feel, the therapist uses indirect suggestions that imply the desired result, but do not impose it. That’s why we began to consider the Erickson approach separately. It is important for us to be able to indirectly inspire people with our idea of higher forces, about the influence of the system on their lives. You will see this in the examples.

Metaphors and Stories: Telling stories and metaphors that reflect the client’s situation and offer possible solutions helps bypass conscious resistance and address the unconscious directly. Any stories that show that nothing in a person’s life just happens, there is a higher meaning behind everything, they will suit us.

Using the client’s language: The therapist tries to use language and expressions that are familiar and understandable to the client, which helps establish rapport and deepen trance. This seems to be the third time we have repeated this. Because it’s important.

The “binding” technique: The therapist associates the desired behavior or condition with the client’s existing experience or habits, which makes it easier to achieve. That is, in this case, using this method in higher psychology, we make it clear to the client that some of his skills, abilities, and experience are a good start for achieving certain goals that are relevant to him. We set these goals either together, or if the client doesn’t want to think about it, we decide for ourselves how good their life should be. And we show them what can bring them closer to it. How he should coordinate his actions with the plan of the higher powers, so that everything will be fine for him.

How does an Erickson hypnosis session work:

Let’s take a look at the practice and think about how to apply it to higher psychology. СеансAn Ericksonian hypnosis session usually begins with a conversation in which the therapist learns about the client’s problem and goals. That is, a person’s vision of their situation and their desires are revealed. The therapist then helps the client enter the trance state using various techniques, which we have described and will see later in the examples with suggestions. During trance, the therapist uses indirect suggestions, metaphors, and other techniques to help the client access their resources and solve the problem. After the session, the client returns to his normal state, feeling relaxed and rested. Everything is simple. You just need to play everything properly.

Advantages of Erickson’s hypnosis:

Soft and safe: The non-directive approach makes this method of hypnosis milder and safer than classical hypnosis. Therefore, we considered it for ourselves, as a separate method of suggestion.

Effectiveness: Erickson’s hypnosis can be effective in solving a wide range of problems, such as anxiety, depression, phobias, addictions, psychosomatic disorders, and other similar mental illnesses. But in our case, in the case of higher psychology, we need to take only methods of suggestion from this method – not direct, not rude, not directive.

Individual approach: The method takes into account the individual characteristics of each client, which increases its effectiveness. Here we can say that in general, any individual approach to something will be more effective than something mass, averaged, generalized.

More about suggestions

I also want to say the following about suggestions: they occur with any more or less intense communication between people and even with the usual consumption of content. Something always penetrates the subconscious mind, even without any effort on the part of both receiving and transmitting information. The topic is only important. You need to choose a topic so that the brain is tuned not to everything in a row, but to what will be important for it. What we will make important to him. And then suggestion will occur only due to the very process of consuming information. Even now, when reading this book, the reader perceives some of the information through his consciousness, through logic, some passes into the subconscious without any processing-critical, logical, analytical, but something can fly by without settling in the head at all, being, for example, noticed. Although, I think, the subconscious mind absorbs everything. What has passed the conscious sphere will still settle in the subconscious. But we don’t know for sure. These are my guesses.

Be that as it may, the point is to surround yourself with some idea, so that it is constantly discussed, to read about it, watch it, listen to it, think about it, then it will firmly take root in your head. If пyou constantly think about it, read about it, and tell your brain to always be loaded with it, then both on a conscious and subconscious level, it will do its job. In our case, this is the idea of the influence of higher forces on a person’s life, the plan of higher forces, the highest meaning, so that we can decide for ourselves why certain events occur in our lives. I repeat, the goal of higher psychology is not to study, not to discover, not to find out, but to form. Form the truth, come up with meaning, decide what will be the cause of a particular problem from the point of view of the entire system, read Genesis. And also to think out and decide how to influence it, how to change it, or how to adapt to it. We do not delve into childhood, do not identify patterns in the work of the human psyche, we decide for ourselves why something happened to a person, why he feels something, why he does something, and decide for ourselves how to influence it. We completely program the brain – our own, someone else’s, depending on who works with whom. This is the creator’s approach to psychological problems, not the researcher’s.

And this idea, this idea, must be constantly replayed in your head. We need to convince ourselves that everything depends on our decision, on our interpretation of the highest meaning, on our reasoning on this topic. And the point is not to go against any objective laws of life, the point is to allow yourself to discover them by your own decisions. Let the system, the higher forces, manifest their laws through us, through our will, through our desire to see them as they are in our understanding. When we create, we also discover new things, as well as when we just open them. And so, in order for something at the subconscious level to feed this idea, something at the level of logic to develop it, you need to constantly think about why the system has arranged everything like this, why such and such events occur, why are we the way we are? And where to get the answer? That’s right, in my head. Come up with it. Giving free rein to your imagination. We are part of the creator, so why should we act from the bottom up, understand something, study some life stories, if we can program the brain the way we want, saying that such and such a psychological problem has arisen due to… say, the wrong arrangement of things on the desktop. And then we just take them and rearrange them in a different way, telling ourselves that this way the problem will be solved. And she will decide. Because that’s what we wanted! We are talking about psychological problems that arise due to the fact that the thoughts in your head are not built up the right picture.

Therefore, we reason and make statements so that suggestion occurs when it is necessary and all this in the context of the influence of higher forces on our lives. We decide for ourselves why they affect it in this way and what we should do to live a good life. Higher forces influence us, we influence higher forces because we are a part of them. The main thing is to look at all the problems globally, presenting yourself as the creator of this world and all the rules and laws that exist in it. And make bold decisions about how to live, act, and solve problems.

Well, now that we have understood the essence and principles of higher psychology, we will proceed to consider examples that will clearly show how to use it.