Monsters and Magical Sticks: There's No Such Thing as Hypnosis?

by Steven Heller, Terry Steele, Robert Anton Wilson (Introduction)

If you want to know how hypnosis really works (and, no, it has nothing to do with waving of hands or other similar nonsense), you will want to read this book. If you want to know the "magic" behind Ericksonian techniques and Neuro-Linguistic Programming, you have to read this book. From one of the true masters of hypnotherapy, this is one book that can really change your life!!

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Magick

230 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Tushar Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I consider myself a fairly logical person who tries to find reason behind everything that's presented to me. So when I came to know about this book (it's rated pretty well on amazon), and that it deals with the subject of Hypnosis (or not), I had to read it. I have so many other books in my to-read list and with so little time, reading this was a make or break deal for me. If I found the whole system of hypnosis working (or logical and reasonable), I'd add similar books on my to-read list; if not, then I'd close this subject for a long long time, maybe forever.

Turns out the ratings on amazon are not fluke, neither is hypnosis; depending on how we define the latter. If we go by what we've been seeing in movies and other media, then actual hypnosis isn't much like that. The author goes out of his way -- I believe he had to, for similar reasons -- to declare that hypnosis isn't like what we've been hearing and reading. It can be something as simple as you wandering off in your head while talking to someone. And it can be something much more complex that can change the lives of people around the hypnotist, like sowing the seed of confidence in someone's heart or turning them from being gloomy and dejected to cheerful and full of life.

The first few chapters include author's ramblings (that's what I thought). But since I had to read the whole book, I kept going forward and turning pages. These chapters included a chapter on metaphors (called Meta4 here; that, apparently, would hypnotize the reader or something to that effect), a few chapters about his patients and one on belief system and/or self image. In these chapters, I was trying to find something that would hold my interest. Test cases are all right, but I wanted something that worked in real world.

Then the interesting portion of the book started. I didn't turn a hypnotist after reading the next few chapters, but I did find that the external and internal communication systems defined in these chapters work well in real life. Immediately after reading these chapters, I went to my first test subjects: my roommates. Turns out that the way a person fetches some information in his/her mind, and how he/she deals with visual, kinesthetics or auditory experiences can be figured out by reading the eye movements of that person. I also tested the theory on some other people. Though these movements are quite subtle, you can learn to read them like a pro if you're chatty and can hold the conversation long enough. And once you learn how to communicate in the same system as that of the other person, holding conversation for longer periods shouldn't be a problem. I've not become a pro in this as of now, since I'm not that chatty, but on those people whose eye movements I really noticed, this turned out to be true. Looking into other people's eyes and trying to find something can become creepy pretty fast, so I only use this on people I know until I have some more experience with this.

Following these are a few chapters about the brain's structure and working. There's not much related to actual hypnosis in these chapters, but the author has now created so much rapport with the reader that everything turns out to be interesting here as well. Either that, or author hypnotized me. ;)

At the end, the reader is introduced to anchors. This is a pro thing wherein you can evoke a negative or positive response from the other person just by touching him or her (not that simple). Though I could try and test the techniques outlined in previous chapters, anchoring is something I've yet to test. Though given the correctness of internal and external communication systems, I think this might work too.

So overall, this is a entertaining and informative read, not a deal-breaker in any situation. If you want to have *some* understanding of how people communicate and are ready to put in efforts for the same, this book can be a good place to start. And, as the author pointed out, your creativity can help you in finding out new and interesting ways of using hypnosis (if there's such a thing).

I picked up this book because, in recent months, I've developed an interest in body language and communication, and I must say this book didn't let me down. While again stating the fact that I'm still not a really great at this stuff, since I've not had a whole lot of practice, the kind of pleasure this understanding provides is really great. I am now turning my boat of self improvement and continuous learning towards the waters of Body language and NLP. While there's enough proof about Body language, Wikipedia says that there's some mixed evidence if NLP works or not, but that's something they said about hypnosis, isn't it.

Happy reading.

[Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not just about hypnosis.
The best psychology book I've read so far.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books on Trance induction and hypnosis.
But more than that .. this book will give a novice trance technician insights into how an experienced hypnotist can speak to another person at a higher/lower meta level and slip in understandings under the radar of conscious thought.

Experienced hypnotists will also benefit from reading his insights into pain management, working with children, and how to slip in suggestions in ordinary conversations.


Because everyone is always in some trance state, so why work to put them into trance. Join their current trance and then shift their consciousness covertly or overtly - It doesn't matter.

[Arlo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Steven Heller brings all his hypnotic skills to bear in writing this thought altering book, which shatters common misconceptions about what "Hypnosis" is, or is not, proving, once and for all, that "There's no such Thing as Hypnosis?"

There is much within to delight anyone with an intellectual interest in how the human mind works, or anyone with any curiosity or interest in not only hypnosis, but persuasion or philosophy, or indeed humanity in general.

With a focus on how this knowledge can be used to help people, this book can help you, in more ways than you might assume, as the skillful use of words by Heller opens your mind to new learnings.

[Polina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could not really hold my interest although the subject matter is the one I have studied and like to learn more about. I found the concepts presented were either too familiar or irrelevant (case studies and suggestions for hypnotherapists to try with their clients). I could not make myself read it from cover to cover, but by simply skimming picked up a few useful ideas but nothing ground breaking. Good one to read for either hypnotherapists or those with limited knowledge in the nlp/hypnosis fields.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy read that talks about the different trance states in hypnotherapy in a simple and practical way. Many 'aha' moments in this book for me

[Collin Reeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to find a technical manual on clinical hypnosis that's this much fun to read. In classic Heller style he uses experiential learning

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm quite impressed by most of this book, outside of the Christian Science related introduction as well as the Epilogue, neither of which were written by Dr Heller who has since passed away.

I'm not sure if I like it enough to recommend it to the specific classes when I teach this because of the intros, but this is a much better written book than many of the others I have read lately. It is much more Ericksonian style hypnosis by someone with a PhD in clinical psychology.

I appreciate how everything is described in enough detail to make it informative and the story lengths are just right. Definitely one (despite the Christian Science introduction) to consider having on your bookshelf.

[Darrell Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful in expanding the understanding and function of hypnosis. Helped to start seeing hypnosis as 2 things. 1. Any belief is hypnosis. 2. hypnosis is the act of changing beliefs. He includes a collection of examples of how he used hypnosis to effectively help others change beliefs in simple and dynamic ways. I started practicing some on my own with immediate success.

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heller directed this book toward therapists and mental health practitioners. I read it as background and adjunct material for learning basic NLP/EFT techniques for my own use.

I came away with the understanding that hypnosis is not a rare state; we go in and out of hypnosis all day long. Why not use that knowledge to be happier, less-stuck people?

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn’t have picked this up myself but someone gave it to me to read. I gave it a shot and can’t say I am disappointed. I believe in hypnosis so I wasn’t looking to be convinced but I did find a lot of usual information in just communicating with individuals. Lots of quality content on being more in tune with body language.

[Melissa Dawdaughter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after seeing it recommended in "Prometheus Rising".

It is short and easy to approach, and filled with lots of practical examples of how fall in and out of different states of consciousness throughout our lives.

I really enjoyed reading it, and am going back for a second reading straight away, to pick up any points I missed.

[Valerie Grullon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monsters and Magical Sticks is one of those rare books on hypnosis that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. It’s funny, easy to read, and packed with practical, factual insights—without ever feeling heavy or overly technical. Heller’s writing is sharp and witty, making complex concepts feel simple, and the humor keeps you turning the pages. If you’re curious about hypnosis, the mind, or just want a genuinely enjoyable read that sticks with you, this is a gem.

[Omar M. Khateeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert) is who originally got me turned on to hypnotism. This is an entertaining book with cases studies but also captivating in teaching someone how to apply hypnotism techniques. For me, I gained a lot of insight on applying these principles to marketing and sales.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely useful book to all hypnotists.

The writing is to the point and comfortable. It feels like you have a caring and very honest teacher sitting with and instructing you. Makes you think and expand your own techniques. A must own book!

[Linda Heinsohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating approach to how easily and often our everyday activities and responses to life have been conditioned by past experiences and beliefs. Worth reading again and again.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for hypnosis.

[Majid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally learned what is NLP.

[Tahseen · Rating 2 out of 5]

very nice!

[Else · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated, but good frameworks to think about hypnosis and change

[Largercircle]

Monsters and Magical Sticks: Or There's No Such Thing As Hypnosis? was a really fun read. The author was clearly a smart alec and enjoyed himself being one! I also learned a lot about how we learn. I'd like to check out some of the specifics about brain science with my brother the brain scientist, but it was a fascinating book anyway.

Some of the techniques seemed like I'd have to do a LOT of practice to be able to use them effectively. Some seemed much more intuitive.

I feel much better prepared to deal with it if I am ever again asked if my Birthing From Within classes use hypnosis (which I was, once, by someone who clearly saw hypnosis as a tool of the devil.) The answer is clearly no, if you are thinking of hypnosis as something someone does to someone else that could make them behave in ways against their will or character. But another way to understand hypnosis is a kind of self-induced meditative state; and we do help people learn how this kind of lightly altered consciousness can help them cope with pain and enhance their ability to connect with their sources of spiritual strength.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the mystical look and the use of the word magical! on the front cover, this isn't a stare at a crystal ball and see some magical witches come zooming out of a billowy fog through aload of angelic stardust kind of thing. Its really practical, and compares the hypnotic process to what we already do with the symbols and experiences we encounter.

There's loads of case examples where the author gets people(who are often skeptics of the process)into hypnotic states in about 2 seconds. Like a big potato, I found this a little hard to swallow, but his definition of the hypnotic trance is mercifully broad, and leaves out the dancing guy in a cape, swishing about, clicking his fingers and turning everyone in the room into barking dogs.

Good!

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hypnotic read for those who believe hypnosis exists, otherwise, an interesting and experiential read where author Steven Heller guides the reader into internal processes of learning, unlearning, and relearning. I like that Heller describes the subtleties of his work, many found in case studies in the Therapeutic Applications section. This is a book for practising hypnotists, or people who interact with other people and with themselves on a daily basis. Humorous read. Recommended alongside another NLP or Milton Erickson book.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is something I learned...

Good, you are are a very logical person but in the past you have been illogical in your attempts to solve your problem. After all if logic were the answer, you would have logically solved the problem. Since Logic has failed you it's illogical to do more of the same.

(pg 152)

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hypnosis is everywhere; we're all bring hypnotized on a daily basis. This book provides amazing insight on this truth. You don't have to go see a hypnotist, or magician... If your curiosity is peaked, read this! Super quick and simple read, too!

[Piera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read if you are interested in learning how we all live in a deep trance and illusion most of our waking life. Amazing for practitioners who work with unconscious mental programs, reprinting, reframing, and EFT. WOW! So very useful!

[D.J. Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A total classic and essential reading for anyone interested in trance and communication. Easy to read and engaging, this is my number 1 recommendation to anyone looking to learn more about hypnosis - like, REAL hypnosis

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a great book! I learned so much from this book. I just finished it and want to reread it already.

[Stefan Rhyner]

Great book about how to know how people work...more or less. interesting ways of thinking

[Aletheia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read, and thank goodness was not hard to follow. Beautiful case examples and practical information. Finely executed .