Handshake ‘Induction’ – Bandler, Erickson and Elman Versions

The legendary ‘handshake interrupt’ induction… There seems to be much interest in this in the worlds of Hypnosis and NLP, but what many people don’t realise is that what is most often shown as Milton Erickson’s handshake interrupt, is actually NLP co-founder Richard Bandler’s version (Derren Brown often uses a variation on the Bandler version that is a little more abrupt ๐Ÿ˜ฎ than the handlings shown here). In addition to that, almost nobody realises that Hypnosis legend Dave Elman also had a handshake induction all of his own!

This video – taken from the forthcoming release Rapid ‘Induction’ Rituals – discusses the difference between the three, and also demonstrates the handling for the Erickson and Bandler versions.

httpv://youtu.be/zN1wxIXr7fI

ADDENDUM: ย Just to be absolutely clear, this is Rapid ‘Induction’ RITUALS we are talking about here. This is still hypnosis WITHOUT trance!

Confused? The following video should help!

httpv://youtu.be/YuXw3OgkJHs

ย P.S. There are only a few places now left on the Hypno-Tricks and Mentalism workshop. If you already know you want one of those places, you will need to move fast to secure it!

About The Author

James Tripp

Hypnotist and Transformative Facilitator. Creator of Hypnosis Without Trance.

21 Comments

  • Tommy G

    February 12, 2013

    Thanks for sharing this.

    Found your tips on the approach, speed and tone of voice especially useful.

    Regards,
    Tommy

    • admin

      February 12, 2013

      You’re most welcome Tommy! ๐Ÿ™‚

      All the very best

      James

  • Holmes

    February 12, 2013

    James I still don’t see how this works. When you “interupt” most people instictivly resist and that should break said connection and cause them to be more aware of what’s going on. That being said I find your videos most helpful and if you ever make it to Minnesota I’ll be the first to jump on stage for a demonstration.-Holmes

    • admin

      February 12, 2013

      Hi Holmes

      It is not my experience that most people resist… In fact, I have not once experienced that with a smooth interrupt (although I have with ‘shock’ approaches). By interrupting the pattern, the person loses their frame around the moment, leaving them open to new interpretations of what is happening. These are provided by the hypnotist.

      Also, notice in the video that I talk about the importance of framing for this type of work.

      Hope that clarifies!

      All the very best

      James

  • Laura

    February 12, 2013

    Thank you, James, for reminding us of the classics! In the case of Erickson, his reputation for being able to create a hypnotic state was such that he had a ready-made frame wherever he went, especially amongst his colleagues, some of whom refused to shake his hand for this reason.

    • admin

      February 12, 2013

      Hi Laura

      That is an excellent point about Erickson. People often think that framing is what happens in the ‘pre-talk’ but their are many factors that can contribute… Reputation being a significant one!

      All the very best

      James

  • Antonio

    February 12, 2013

    I really like your version of the Bandler handshake. Its a very gradual interrupt of the pattern. I think I’ll just stick with look at your hand “SLEEP!!” and watch them crap themselves ๐Ÿ˜€

    Antonio

  • janet

    February 12, 2013

    Thanks James, it looks so easy but I just can’t bring myself to do it yet so have to do a short induction which I know is very boring.

    • admin

      February 13, 2013

      Hi Janet

      What would need to happen for you to bring yourself to experiment with it?

      All the very best

      James

  • Ken

    February 13, 2013

    Nice description James yet I have found that just a snap of the fingers near the ear is just as effective if not a better and smarter way to induce the state you want. ‘And each time I touch you on the knee, you’ll go one hundred times deeper, you’ll double your relaxation with each touch, each and every time.’ Also works well.

    • admin

      February 14, 2013

      Thanks Ken. Indeed, there are many ways to get to many states. And remember, this is Hypnosis Without Trance!

      Personally speaking, I am not a fan of all that 100 times deeper stuff. Unnecessary risk of mismatch, IMO, for very little functional reward… But to each their own I say! ๐Ÿ™‚

      All the vey best

      James

      P.S. Just to make things as clear as can be about what the aim is here, I have added another video to the post which outlines the function of ‘induction’ rituals within the HWT context.

  • janet

    February 15, 2013

    Yes James I know that I need to have the confidence to try it out. It looks so easy when you do it. I have watched the video so many times now I think I am ready.
    Thanks
    JANET

  • Ed

    February 26, 2013

    Hi James
    When I learned this induction from Bandler, he taught it as step to the side, lifting the subject’s hand (gently) with one hand under their wrist and saying something like “look at your hand and notice the changing colours (and allow yourself to relax)” I don’t have the actual “script” handy at the moment so not sure of the exact wording he used.

  • Tuelis

    May 3, 2013

    I’ve noticed that some stage hypnotists/mentalists such as Derren Brown use a variant of the Bandler handshake induction. Exactly how realistic are these variants? The way some of them portray it, it seems like anyone with a third of an interest in hypnosis could walk up to someone in the street without establishing any rapport and initiate an induction. Is this the case, or has it likely been edited for TV purposes?

    • admin

      May 4, 2013

      One thing to remember about TV shows is that they can film something on the streets 30 times and show you only the one time it worked. Stage hypnosis (including Bandler’s NLP dems) are a little different because everyone is primed ahead of time by one means or another… they an’t going to go for it unless they know it is going to happen.

      All the very best

      James

      • Tuelis

        August 2, 2013

        Thank you, that clarifies a lot. Say for example that one wished to use a handshake induction for whatever reason mid-way through conversation without having mentioned hypnosis to the hypnotee. Would they go into hypnosis and accept suggestions (providing o course that they were comfortable with said suggestions) or would they simply be thinking “what’s wrong with this guy” and have no change in behaviour besides being a little startled? Don’t worry, I’m aware that this is ethically and morally wrong and unfair on the hypnotee, I’m merely curious as to the lengths hypnosis can go to. ๐Ÿ˜›

        • admin

          August 4, 2013

          The answer to that is “it depends”.

          There are a lot of variables, such as…

          * The background attitude and beliefs of the subject.
          * What has already been laid out (either explicitly or implicitly) in terms of framing.
          * The nature of the relationship between the hypnotist and hypnotee.
          * The current focus/mood of the hypnotee

          In reality, depending on how much and in what way you break down the big picture, there are not only more variables than you can think, there are more variables than to can think. This is why hypnotism is an art… you learn it and develop yourself, then you just go with the flow and follow how it plays out.

          In this way, it’s much like playing a sport – whatever techniques you master, and whatever your level of skill you can really know how it is going to play out on the day. You just get in state an play full out to win… and maybe you do and maybe you don’t!

          All the very best

          James

  • FialSamSagui

    August 6, 2013

    Is it really that easy? I mean, I see the process and it seems way too easy. It cant be that easy, can it? Id like to learn more.

    • admin

      August 7, 2013

      It’s simple… which is not the same as easy!

      Whilst there isn’t a lot of complexity, there is a lot of skill and artistry in doing it smoothly and fluidly with clarity of intent, clear awareness and good timing.

      Once you have practised through thoroughly (on a range of different people), bedded it in and have the ability to roll with the variables in real time all laid down at the level of unconscious competence, it’s easy too! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Start at the beginning though… if you are willing to study, practise and make mistakes, you will develop a high level of skill and it will be easy.

      All the very best

      James

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