n a restaurant, I’d be forced to sit in the back with all the other social misfits. I felt guilty making my wife join me in exile. She would complain about someone blowing their smoke at her and I’d switch seats with her. At work I had to walk downstairs, through the lobby, and outside into the parking lot to have my precious cigarette. I’d stand outside like a fool in the pouring rain while my non-smoking co-workers sat in the air conditioned cafeteria and enjoyed coffee and snacks. I would always opt for the cigarette because I didn’t have time to do both.Finally I had enough. After hearing of a co-worker’s success with hypnosis, I decided to make an appointment for hypnotherapy. She was so convinced and gave such a glowing report of the whole process that I was too intrigued not to go. I arrived for my appointment at 1pm sharp and spent about an hour talking with the hypnotherapist about the different rules of hypnosis. He wanted me to fully understand what was going to happen, and more importantly, what couldn’t happen. He explained to me how hypnosis was just a way of communicating with the sub conscious mind. We talked about being truthful about what I wanted to accomplish, and the fact that I had to truly want to stop smoking forever. Once he was convinced that I was serious about wanting to quit, we went ahead with the hypnosis. We talked about Smith, 3.how a person’s moral and ethical values won’t let them do anything while under hypnosis that they wouldn’t do normally. This was quite a relief, as I have seen many stage hypnotist shows and didn’t want to bark like a dog every time a bell rang. Once we had determined that I was ready, the therapist proceeded with the hypnosis. For me, hypnosis was very peaceful, like waves of warm water flowing over me. I was aware of everything going on around me, but I stayed relaxed and very “fluid” in my ...
