I was hypnotized to quit smoking on two seperate occasions...in those seminars where they hypnotize the entire audience all at once.

The first time...I knew I was under when I realized I was crying about something that the orator suggested we think about. After I realized I was aware that I was hypnotized I couldn't keep my mind off of the accent the woman had who was putting us under. It started to get more annoying than not and then I couldn't concentrate on what she was saying, but instead kept trying to figure out where she might be from. I tried, in all earnest, to take her suggestions to NOT SMOKE. When hubby and I "woke", we bought the tape to help us stay quit and layed in bed each night, for 3 nights in a row, listening to THAT voice tell us to relax...etc. On the 3rd night I jumped from bed and went down and opened a pack of cigs I still had laying around...and as I walked back upstairs, I found myself saying..."If you shut up and let me smoke this cigarette...I'll relax just fine!" Mr. Lixy asked me for a cig and he turned off the tape...never to listen to it again!

The second time, I learned from the first experience...so even before we payed for the seminar I went to talk to the orator. He had an American accent (not that I'm opposed to accents...but that I couldn't concentrate fore it the first time). It came time to "go under" and as relaxed as I was...I couldn't be hypnotized! We got our money back after the seminar (guaranteed) and went outside and lit up!

I keep thinking that I might do better at a one-on-one...over several visits...hypnotist, but haven't made that plunge to date! One bitten (twice in my case), twice shy I guess!

__________________
Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open.

~Thomas Dewar~