Why Books Hypnotize Us
As a (non-practicing) clinical hypnotherapist, I have come to see books as powerful hypnotic agents that can transport us into a state of trance. That helps me both when reading and when writing a book.
What is Hypnosis?
Hypnosis is a heightened state of focus. It is characterized by extreme suggestibility, relaxation, and heightened imagination. When guided by a hypnotist, you are focused on the words he uses and the sound of his voice. It's not like sleep because you are alert and fully conscious, but you tune out most of the stimuli around you and focus intently on the subject, to the near exclusion of any other thought.
So when you get immersed in a book and focus on the words, the story becomes your primary object, and the room around you is forgotten; you are in a state of trance in which you can really enjoy what you are reading. Reading is not the only example of everyday hypnosis; you can be hypnotized, for instance, by the water running in the shower, watching a movie, and, most dangerously, driving.
Which Book Will Hypnotize You?
For a story to hypnotize you, its plot must be enthralling because you can't go into a trance if you are bored. That is entirely subjective because if you are not into alien body snatchers, for example, you will not get lost in a book that focuses on them.
But now comes the objective part. While in a "reading hypnotic trance," much of your activity is essentially "daydreaming." To allow you to really enjoy the story, the book must be written so that you can visualize the characters, the surroundings, and the events that are needed for you to daydream your own evolution of the plot. In other words, the book must have a flow that takes you along. Long and tedious descriptions will cause your attention to wander and take you out of your trance.
Books to Remember
You surely have read books that stayed with you for quite a while after reading, and perhaps you are reminded of them now and then. Why does that happen only with a few books? The simple explanation is, of course, that those are "good books." But what does that say about their hypnotic power? To understand it, we must take a quick look at what a "post-hypnotic" suggestion is.
Broadly speaking, a post-hypnotic suggestion is one given to the subject while in the hypnotic state (or trance), which will cause him to behave in a certain way while in his normal, non-hypnotic state. For instance, a post-hypnotic suggestion given to a person wishing to lose weight could be that seeing a cheesecake will trigger a feeling of fullness (or disgust).
When we are hypnotized by a book, passages we read are sometimes etched in our minds, much like a post-hypnotic suggestion. For instance, I can't see a can of spray of any kind without being reminded of Philip K. Dick's "Ubik" (if you haven't read it, go grab a copy, you will thank me!), simply because a can of spray plays a significant role in that great book.
When We Can't Be Hypnotized
Of course, external factors can also prevent us from going into a trance, but those depend on your concentration power. I can easily get lost in a book pretty much everywhere, but some people may find it challenging to go into a "reading trance" on the subway or on a noisy beach. That's not too bad if you are reading escapist literature, which is purely recreational and requires little or no emotional participation, but I would not recommend it for books that require a reader's involvement.
So, next time you read a good book, allow yourself to drift into that pleasant, blurry state in which you are fully immersed in the story. You may even want to try setting the stage for your trance, reading in a pleasant, quiet environment free from distractions. The Internet is full of useful tips on how to promote a trance. And if you find that these suggestions heightened your reading pleasure, please drop me a line.
