Rating: 
Summary: "You are NOT getting sleepy..."
Review: Doctor Steven Heller has written a fascinating book based on something that looks to be a passion. It's not that he is completely skeptical of any form of hypnosis, but he takes a hard look at the ritual and unnecessary dramatics of the professional "hypnotist." The word is in quotes, because you will see it that way all through the book. He was a clinical hypnotist for years. You should know that this title is not "Reader's Digest-level reading," it is intense and academic in approach. Steven Heller does believe in hypnosis, but under a different definition than most are used to. Monsters and Magical Sticks is filled with metaphors, imagery, and amazing success stories of his own case sessions. Learn about the "magic" behind Ericksonian techniques and Neuro-Linguistic Programming. This book will show you how hypnotism really works.
Rating: 
Summary: Hypnotism?! This book is about communication on a deep level
Review: Monsters and Magical Sticks is about hypnotism. The authors, Steven
Heller and Terry Steele, reject the notion that hypnosis is just the
'you are getting sleepy . . .' event familiar from movies and TV
shows. The way they look at it, 'Hypnosis is a form of education. Ideas, beliefs, possibilities, fantasies, and much more, may be
'suggested' and, if accepted, and acted upon several times, they may
become a conditioned part of your behavior.' This could include
patterns of success ('I believe I am good at tennis, therefore I am')
or failure ('Mother always said I could never be as good as father,
so I fail whenever that seems imminent') that are reinforced through
repetition. 'I believe that all learning follows the principles of
hypnosis or that all hypnosis follows the principles of learning.'
Two-thirds of the way through Monsters and Magical Sticks, I was
compelled to put down the book and construct a template that visually
depicted the concepts Wilson is discussing. Can you tell I am a
visual person? Here is how to construct your own:
At the top of the page is Sensory Input (of any kind). Draw an arrow
downward and then draw a face. Label the face the Unconscious Input
System. Now superimpose a cross over the face, centered on the eyes.
The upper left is the Constructing Visual quadrant, where an
individual places their eyes when they are 'making a new picture' as
they are talking or receiving input. Upper right is the Past Visual
quadrant, where the individual is 'seeing their history, their past,
finding the picture in their memory banks'. The lower left quadrant
represents Past Kinesthetic experiences. Lower right is the Auditory
System, representing an internal dialogue. As you look at an
individual's face, their eyes will tend to look toward the quadrant
that represents how they are receiving input. Just to make it more
complicated, a left-handed person will tend to reverse the quadrants,
but not always.
OK. Sensory input now has passed through the Unconscious Input
System and then moves through the individual's Belief Map as a sort
of filter. I draw the Belief Map as a landscape, because for an
individual it represents ' . . . what he has learned to believe is
significant. However, what he has left out may be more important
than what he continues to see. . . We respond to and operate upon
reality based on our metaphors, which become our individual and
personal reality. . . To every interaction between individuals, . . .
each person brings with him/her a set of belief systems, or inner
maps. I believe that most of these belief systems are effective and
enable individuals to obtain their desired goals. However, some of
these belief systems may be less than effective, and may lead to
painful destinations.'
Now the input, through the Belief Map filter and Unconscious Input
System, enters the individual's actual mind. I draw the mind as a
triangle split in two by a vertical line, thus divided into Left Mind
and Right Mind. Then I cross the triangle with a horizontal line not
far from its top. Above the line is the Conscious Mind and below it
the Unconscious Mind. Left Mind controls verbal skills, numbers,
analytical thinking, and linear digital recording. Right Mind has
spatiality, visual imagery, imagination, color, rhythm, creativity
and kinesthetic experiences. According to Wilson, the Left and Right
Minds increase or decline in relative control every 90 minutes or so,
sort of like sine waves that offset each other.
Now when that mind wants to communicate, or produce output, that
communication comes out through the Conscious Output System. I draw
this as a line going off to the side, passing through three
interlocking rings. This is the combination of Visual, Kinesthetic
and Auditory metaphors we use in our speech. Generally, people use
all three, though one is preferred. For example, if you asked a
neutral question such as 'What did you enjoy most on your vacation?',
the answers received generally depend on the preferred system:
Auditory - 'I love the sound of waves on the beach and
seagulls calling.'
Kinesthetic - 'It really felt good to get away. I could feel
the everyday stress fall away.'
Visual - 'Wow! The scenery was great. There was so much to see.'
It is possible to not be aware of and able to use one of these three
types of communication styles. Someone who says they cannot
visualize is really saying that they cannot become consciously aware
of the images their mind is producing at this point is time. That is
called the Out of Conscious/Unconscious system, and I represent it
with a line that bypasses my three rings.
Whew! No wonder it is so hard to communicate with people! Individuals have different ways of taking in information and their
own personal belief maps about the world interfacing with minds that
work differently from each other transmitting back to you by varying
means. The point of the book, however, is that if you understand
that these systems exist and use them, you can communicate in a much
more powerful way. The essence of Monsters and Magical Sticks (the title refers to the
author's son, who was afraid of monsters and the device used to deal
with that fear) is about human communications systems and how to deal
with them more effectively. Though it appears to be about hypnosis,
there is powerful magic inside for the layman, too
You don't think things change all that much over time, and that people will always be people? I came across this quote recently: 'We tried hard . . . but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized . . . I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress, while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization . . .' I was struck at how the author had hit exactly on the way modern organizations conduct themselves until I discovered who wrote it. Petronius Arbiter, Roman general, @200 BC.
chip.saltsman@ey.com
Rating:
Summary: LOVE THIS BOOK
Review: Not only did I find this book instructive, but very entertaining to read. I highly appreciate the fact that this book treats hypnosis as a natural aspect of daily life and yes it can be used intentionally and covertly as in this story from the book:"One evening, a group of friends and I were having dinner at a local restaurant. Our waiter was very distracted and he appeared to be agitated and depressed. He was abrupt, slow and unfriendly. As a result, our service left a great deal to be desired. Since I wanted to have an enjoyable evening, I decided to "talk funny" to him in order to help him feel better. As he walked by our table holding a coffee pot, I touched his arm and said, "I'm sorry that you forgot that special night ... with that special person ... those exciting things that happened ... those very warm feelings that would embarrass you to talk about ... since we are all strangers." For a moment his face went blank; he looked up to his left; his face then lift up and he said, "How do you know about that?" He then smiled and began to laugh, and his whole attitude changed as if by magic. He said, "Wow. that was some night. I don't know how you know about it." The next time he came to our table, I said to him, "Wasn't it simply amazing that when you remember those happy, warm feelings, your attitude continues to change, and you continue to feel even better?" We received a delightful service throughout the rest of the evening. What was even nicer, was that as we left he told us that we were one of the nicest parties he had ever waited on. He also asked us to be sure and ask for him whenever we returned. Now, I have absolutely no idea as to what he hallucinated, but my communication resulted in his going back into his own history. He then found an experience that filled in the blanks, and that memory helped him to change his whole attitude in a matter of seconds. Of course, there's no such thing as hypnosis, and if there is, he should have gone deeper and deeper into a trance."
Rating:
Summary: LOVE THIS BOOK
Review: Not only did I find this book instructive, but very entertaining to read. I highly appreciate the fact that this book treats hypnosis as a natural aspect of daily life and yes it can be used intentionally and covertly as in this story from the book: "One evening, a group of friends and I were having dinner at a local restaurant. Our waiter was very distracted and he appeared to be agitated and depressed. He was abrupt, slow and unfriendly. As a result, our service left a great deal to be desired. Since I wanted to have an enjoyable evening, I decided to "talk funny" to him in order to help him feel better. As he walked by our table holding a coffee pot, I touched his arm and said, "I'm sorry that you forgot that special night ... with that special person ... those exciting things that happened ... those very warm feelings that would embarrass you to talk about ... since we are all strangers." For a moment his face went blank; he looked up to his left; his face then lift up and he said, "How do you know about that?" He then smiled and began to laugh, and his whole attitude changed as if by magic. He said, "Wow. that was some night. I don't know how you know about it." The next time he came to our table, I said to him, "Wasn't it simply amazing that when you remember those happy, warm feelings, your attitude continues to change, and you continue to feel even better?" We received a delightful service throughout the rest of the evening. What was even nicer, was that as we left he told us that we were one of the nicest parties he had ever waited on. He also asked us to be sure and ask for him whenever we returned. Now, I have absolutely no idea as to what he hallucinated, but my communication resulted in his going back into his own history. He then found an experience that filled in the blanks, and that memory helped him to change his whole attitude in a matter of seconds. Of course, there's no such thing as hypnosis, and if there is, he should have gone deeper and deeper into a trance."
Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Review: OK, let's start with the flaws: 1. Neuroscientist Michael S. Gazzaniga is mentioned about half a dozen times, and almost every time, even in the Bibliography, his name is spelt "Gazzaneza". That's it. End of flaws.
Everything else is just terrific and for anyone interested in hypnosis, or NLP, or both, this is one of those rare books You simply Must Have. At the time of writing Amazon.com were pairing this book with "Training Trances" - which is a pretty powerful combination. But the books aren't just two stabs at the same material, they are significantly different views of much of the stuff that NLP is based on, and in particular the work of Milton Erickson. The difference between the two books, and I say this with respect to all the authors, is that where "Training Trances" tells you what to DO, "Monsters and Magical Sticks" shows you how to LIVE "it".
(And in case you were thinking that "it" is Ericksonian-style hypnosis, as the book's subtitle says: "There's No Such Thing As Hypnosis?") Just like "Training Trances", and despite its apparent simplicity this is a book that can be read over and over again. And each time you read it you'll find something that you didn't get before. If this book is anything to go by, Dr Steven Heller seems to have been very much in the same mould as Milton Erickson, gentle, tolerant, humorous, caring, etc., etc.
At the end of the Epilogue, Nicholas Tharcher has included a brief obituary that includes these words: "Though his work and his legacy endures, his presence, his sense of humor, and his enormous energy are gone. As one of his many friends I miss him." By the time you finish reading this book, the only book by Heller now in print, I wouldn't be at all surprised if you feel much the same way. A great book. Do yourself a BIG FAVOUR and get it.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Review: OK, let's start with the flaws: 1. Neuroscientist Michael S. Gazzaniga is mentioned about half a dozen times, and almost every time, even in the Bibliography, his name is spelt "Gazzaneza". That's it. End of flaws.
Everything else is just terrific and for anyone interested in hypnosis, or NLP, or both, this is one of those rare books You simply Must Have. At the time of writing Amazon.com were pairing this book with "Training Trances" - which is a pretty powerful combination. But the books aren't just two stabs at the same material, they are significantly different views of much of the stuff that NLP is based on, and in particular the work of Milton Erickson. The difference between the two books, and I say this with respect to all the authors, is that where "Training Trances" tells you what to DO, "Monsters and Magical Sticks" shows you how to LIVE "it".
(And in case you were thinking that "it" is Ericksonian-style hypnosis, as the book's subtitle says: "There's No Such Thing As Hypnosis?") Just like "Training Trances", and despite its apparent simplicity this is a book that can be read over and over again. And each time you read it you'll find something that you didn't get before. If this book is anything to go by, Dr Steven Heller seems to have been very much in the same mould as Milton Erickson, gentle, tolerant, humorous, caring, etc., etc.
At the end of the Epilogue, Nicholas Tharcher has included a brief obituary that includes these words: "Though his work and his legacy endures, his presence, his sense of humor, and his enormous energy are gone. As one of his many friends I miss him." By the time you finish reading this book, the only book by Heller now in print, I wouldn't be at all surprised if you feel much the same way. A great book. Do yourself a BIG FAVOUR and get it.
Rating:
Summary: Monsters and Magical Sticks
Review: Several years ago a friend loaned me his copy of Monsters and Magical Sticks. Within a few pages I knew that I was reading the work of geniuses. For months after I searched for a copy to call my own. Finally I found one. Both my training and therapeutic style have been fantastically improved! I am thrilled that this jewel is now more readily accessible. IT'S A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE WHO CONDUCTS TRAININGS AND/OR THERAPY. My hope is to one day talk with Dr. Heller or Ms. Steele and/or to attend one of their trainings. ...
Rating:
Summary: Monsters and Magical Sticks
Review: Several years ago a friend loaned me his copy of Monsters and Magical Sticks. Within a few pages I knew that I was reading the work of geniuses. For months after I searched for a copy to call my own. Finally I found one. Both my training and therapeutic style have been fantastically improved! I am thrilled that this jewel is now more readily accessible. IT'S A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE WHO CONDUCTS TRAININGS AND/OR THERAPY. My hope is to one day talk with Dr. Heller or Ms. Steele and/or to attend one of their trainings. ...
Rating:
Summary: Release Your Latent Hypnotic Abilities
Review: There is no such thing as hypnosis, and this sentence proves that! If you dont believe me, just ask your self. Steven Heller and Terry Stele pulled off what magicians and heretics and witches have tried to do for centuries and were burned at the stake for. The accounts described in this book are simple, yet needs attention, care and awareness. There are some great exercises and practices in which you are not doing hypnosis. Heller and Stele both laid their cards on the table and explained that human nature cannot possibly be considered manipulation, brainwashing, hypnosis, or anything of the sort. It is language, bodily and linguil.
Rating:
Summary: An Explanation can't get better than this
Review: There is not a better book on the market to explain what hypnotism is or isn't. This small and powerful book will give you the ammunition to successfully explain hypnosis to a layman/client and allay all of their fears that hypnosis is going to put them into Hollywood's version of Trance where they become mindless zombies at your beck and call. I have literally read dozens of hypnosis books. This is the first book to entirely change my perspective. The author has done a phenomenal job explaining how all learning is hypnosis ... or ... heh heh ... maybe there is NO SUCH thing as HYPNOSIS after all!
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