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International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/nhyp20
A “Magic” Aid for Hypnosis and Suggestion in Crisis Management: A Brief Communication a
Walter Hartmann & Gail A. Golden a
b
Hammond, Indiana
b
London, Ontario, Canada Published online: 31 Jan 2008.
To cite this article: Walter Hartmann & Gail A. Golden (1990) A “Magic” Aid for Hypnosis and Suggestion in Crisis Management: A Brief Communication , International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 38:3, 157-161, DOI: 10.1080/00207149008414514 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207149008414514
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions
The In&rMtwul]ournd of Clinical and LrprinunhlH y p ~ s i r 1980. Vol. LXXVIII. No. 3. 157-161
A “MAGIC” AID FOR HYPNOSIS AND SUGGESTION IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT: A Brief Communication’ WALTER HARTMANN
Downloaded by [University of Toronto Libraries] at 02:06 26 December 2014
Hammond, Indiana AND
GAIL A. GOLDEN^
London, Ontario. Canado
Abstract: Within the context of crisis management, in certain cases the transfer of a small object from therapist to patient has had positive outcomes. Examples of the use of this “magic“aid are provided with some background and a tentative rationale. Caution regarding its use is suggested. in the context of suggestions for relaxation, stress management, and pain control, the present authors have found it useful to give small, smooth or textured stones to certain patients. Positive reactions and results were obtained as described in the cases that follow. The authors are not aware of any previous description in the literature of this particular procedure. The transfer of this type of object is, of course, not a therapeutic treatment in and by itself, but it can be meaningful to the patient when it occurs in the context of an appropriate therapeutic relationship. While the technique may be related to the hypnotic process, it does not necessarily require formal hypnotic induction procedures.
EXAMPLES FROM Cmsrs MANAGEMENTCASES In a school, which the first author (W. H.) happened to be visiting as a parent, an 8-year-old-girl fell and broke her ankle. The author was permitted to see the girl, who lay in an empty room while she was waiting for the ambulance. Naturally, she was in panic and in pain. To initiate the interaction, she was given a pebble and invited to “really feel it,” to “rub the pain into the stone.“ These suggestions were successful: the youngster calmed and talked quietly. She was carried off to the ambulance clutching the stone. It was reported later that she continued making use of the pebble in the hospital, with marked effect on her tolerance of procedures. The first author witnessed a car crash, and found a mother and child in one auto, both unhurt but, of course, upset. The child, a girl about 6 years old, was in real distress. Again, quiet suggestions that “everything is all right,” yyou and Mommy are fine,” were coupled with giving the child a pebble, “to rub the pain and fear into”; the childs panic subsided as the stone was clutched and rubbed. The first author teaches a number of his clients relaxation techniques and stress management using hypnotic procedures. In some cases, posthypnotic suggestion or self-hypnosis is not completely effective. Indeed, some clients have asked if Manuscript submitted December 23,1986; find revision received November 11, 1989. ‘An earlier version of this paper was presented to the Indiana Psychological Association, Indianapolis. Indiana, Fall Conference, 1986. ‘Reprint requests should be addressed to Professor Walter Hartmann, 7844 Chestnut Avenue, Hammond. IN 46324.
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there is an extra aid they could have. When such clienb were provided with a pebble to aid them, the suggestions dmost always became more effective. In instances of helping clients to cope with the pain and discomfort of surgery (e.g., abdominal, dental, and ortho@c), the h t author has used stones as a means to help the patient focus on knign stimuli and to distract the patient from noxious ones. In most instances. this proved effective as judged by the clients' demeanor, pre- and postoperative, and the clients' reports on the perception of pain and discodort. In one of the second author's (G.A.C.) cases, a crisis occurred after about eight sessions of therapy. At a quickly scheduled emergency session, the patient appeared depressed, hopeIess, and self-accusatory;she hinted at suicide. In the context of this patient's history, the second author decided against recommending hospitalization, in order to avoid the patient's interpretation that she was indeed "crazy" and a hopeless case. The author handed her own personal stone to the patient and explained that it might help her to remain calm and to handle tense situations, as it had done for the therapist. The author asked that the stone be returned at the next scheduled session, 2 days hence. The patient walked out, clutching the stone as if it were a lifeline. When she returned, the crisis had passed. The patient gave the pebble back. saying, "It really was magic." The emotional tone of this postcrisis session was much deeper than in previous ones. While clearly the "success" here cannot be ascribed entirely to the "magic" stone, making the stone available offered a focus to the patient to help herself over the crisis. Another of the second authori patients was an elderly woman who had undergone a mastectomy, and who was terrified of her annual check-up at the cancer clinic. The patient was taught relaxation; but in her terror, she needed an extra "boost." The author lent the patient a stone, and she was able to get through the clinic check-up with very little Wculty. In the clinical setting, the present authors introduce the "magic" tool in various ways. A typical form is the one below as used by the second author: I have a special gimmick h t I have used sometimes when I'm going to Eace a situation that makes me especially nervous. Interested? [The client invariably is. 1 This is a "magic" stone [smiling, ironically]. You can use it to help you relax. Take it in your hand and feel it. [The pebble is handed over.] You a n feel it's smooth and feels n h . If you hold the stone and rub it, you d find it w i l l help you rehr. .b you concentrate on the stone. on how it kek in your haad, on the weight and the texture. YOU will fecl your muscles relaxing;and as you get more relaxed, youll feel more able to cope. T k r e ir really nothing special about this stone you can 3ef I have awholejar of them [thenpist points]. It's just a nice,
-
smooth stone. But you a n use it to help you relax. I don't know if it will work for you, but I have used it a number of times, and it's been a big help. Want to keep it and see if you can make it work for you? [In =me cases, the therapist asks for the stone to be returned.]
No client has ever refuJed; rather, clients have appeared to be impressed, delighted, unused, and relieved. Any smooth or interestingly textured pebble is used, such as can be obtained fbm a very acidic river in Japan that polishes stones until they are very smooth (they can be found in many Oriental gift stores), or interesting pebbles can be picked up at a lake or seashore. Other small, manipulable objects would as0 be appropriate. ~CKGROUND
The present authors recently asked themselves how they had arrived at this technique; they had not been taught it, read about it, or heard of any reference to it. The first author had taken it for granted, and the second author had picked
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it up from him. A number of ideas and experiencesseemed to make this technique an obvious part of certain hypnotic-suggestive situations. Objects have, of course. shown UP in the history of hypnosis -from Mesmer's rods (d'Eslon, 1784/1965),to de Puydgur's tree (Shor, 1979. p. z),to the venerable swinging watches and proverbial crystal balls, etc. None of these, however, were carried away by the subject. In addition, there is a lengthy history of the magic amulet, to ward off evil, to concentrate powers, etc. The rabbis fought with indifferent success against the use as amulet of the mauzah (the capsule containing Scriptural passages, which is f i x e d to the doorposts of jewish homes) (see Singer, 1904,Vol. viii, p. 532). The Name or Names of God are used as powerful magic in popular Jewish tradition, as in the legend of the Golem of Prague (see Singer, 1904, Vol. vi, p. 37). In other religions, holy water, saints' images, the Cross, etc.. have been used in a similar manner. In addition, "primitive" religions abound with magic and magic objects (Wedeck, 1956. e.g., p. 186). The rabbit's foot, the beloveds scarf, and others are "magic" objects in many stories and in real life. R e d , for instance, the war movies in which the heroic pilot lost or mislaid his lucky charm, took off without it, and invariably crashed. In an example from real life, about 45 years ago, the first author gave a little pendant to a friend. Almost immediately she was rushed OR to the hospital with serious pneumonia, and she held the pendant tightly. It turned out that the little trinket had meant quite a lot to her, and she had made use of it during the crisis of her hospitalization. She has the pendant to this day and has a special kind of attachment to it. The worry beads of the Middle Eat, or, in a popular way, the "touchstones" rather solemnly advertized a, a kind of tranquilizer, are other examples of this sort. These instances are among the ideas and events which made the "magic" tool obvious to the present authors as a technique to aid with suggestions. We view our "magic" pebble as a kind of talisman. RATIONALE This "magic" tool, then, is an aid to carrying out suggestions. It obviously does not do anything in and by itself. The pebble is always a supplement to suggestion - a tool to focus attention, to distract from n o h u s perceptions, and to enhance 'belief and tnrst" (see e.g., Kroger, 1963,p. 8; Munro, 1908. pp. %TI). The tool and its transfer appear to help meet the commonly observed need for something tangible in complex situations the need for ritual to symbolize and embody our perceptions and understandings of d l c u l t and abstract promses. It may be said that by suggestion, with or without f o r d hypnotic procedure, we invite or teach or persuade our patients to use their potentias in fuller, more effective,but also in novel and surprisingways. Suggestionssuch as, 'feel your arm becoming heavy," or instructions to lower sympatheticnervous system activity. or to focus away from pain, or to counter the flightor-fight reaction, and others. are at times helped and enhanced by the suggestionsto 'rub your pain into the stone," and "as you feel the weight and texture of the pebble, you will L d younelf feeling easier and easier." be conceptualized as enlisting primary process thinking and feeling, This in the sense that ';nagic" can be referred to the intantile stage of development, in which the entire universe seems under the magic control of the infant. It may perhaps be said that here is a concrete example of *regression in the service of the ego" (Gill& Brenman, lW, His, 1952). Thit vpect may be P p r t i h l y & e v e in the peculiar hypnotherapist-clientrelationship,where hypnosis Mitates both transference and countertransference(Orne, l ~ % ) ~ .
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' ~ r n e ,M.T.Persona communication, October 22,1986.
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A further mnceptualization also suggests itself. For better or for worse, there is a kind of power in and of the therapist. The therapist's presenting a tangible
object in the manner of the "magic" tool. as used by the present authors, suggests a b n d of transfer of such power. Recall the "badge of office" (e.g.. the scepter, m, robe, etc.) with which power is conferred and transferred in different settings. Interestingly, a Biblical term indicates a transfer of power, as in Exodus 28:41. It is variously translated as "to ordain" (Good News Bible, 1976; The Torah, 1976); w "to invest" Uenuolem Bible, 1971); or "to consecrate" (Holy Scriptures, 1952; Tht Hob Bible, c. 1935); or "to install" (Wohlgemut und Bleichrode. 1936 "in Amt einsetzen"). The original Hebrew, however, is translated literally as "to 611 the hands" (as in Luther, 1936 ' H h d e fiillen"). Thus, the idea of symbolizing a h s f e r of power by transferring a concrete object is not new. The "magic" object as described by the present authors seems to have something in common with the "transitional object," as discussed for example by Fromm (see Brown dr Fromm, 1986, pp. 3o0301). The "transitional object," however, is created by the infant to represent the power and protection of the mother, and it is used to eventually develop the childs own sense of power (Stevenson, 1954). The 'magic" object as described in the present paper is created by the therapist to represent the patient's power, and it is not a developmental tool. In summary, the "magic" tool is conceptualized parsimoniously as the symbol of a kind of power transfer in the context of a therapeutic relationship where primary process feelings are utilized.
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A WORDOF CAUTION
The present authors do not use the "magic" aid frequently or enthusiastically and see three inter-related factors as militating against indiscriminate use: 1. As discussed, the therapist-client relationship is subtle and requires special care. Especially with hypnosis and suggestion, feelings and perceptions of power and power relations, and of dependency, as between therapist and patient, need careful handling. The present authors suggest that the "dangers of hypnosis," so widely discussed, are in fact the dangers inherent in many human relationships, which always take place in a context of expectations, goals, assumptions, needs, and perceptions, often not conscious. In situations involving hypnosis and suggestion, in particular, dangers can arise from a "power trip" the therapist may mnsciously or unconsciously be engaged in. and/or be pemived as engaged in (Hartmann, 1986; O r e , 1965). The "magic" pebble may lend itself to a therapist's engaging in "one-upmanship"; the ritualistic presentation of the "magic" tool can arouse counterproductive feelings in relation to power and dependency. In view of the considerable emotional load potentially inherent in the transfer of the "magic" tool. the present authors make light of the tool, and stress that we, too, have used it. Thus, it is implied, first, that when the patient uses the pebble and makes it work, hdshe 'has power"; and, second, that the "powerful" therapist also can be anxious, fearful, and troubled. Asking for the stone to be returned will add to its "power" in some cases; in others, the outright gift will add to the ambience. It is thus communicated that the therapist is-powerful and helpful, but aim subject to tensions and problems; and so, the client potentially is, and will become, powerful, too. 2. The "magic" stone procedure could lend itself to the irresponsible, "lazy" use of attempting to produce therapeutic effectswith the stone alone, rather than providing the kind of evaluation and support needed. Interpersonal, therapeutic skills and attitudes are vital. and they cannot be replaced by some gadgetry however helpful it may be as an occasional supplementary tool.
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3. Even with all precautions taken, the patient may ascribe effects of hypnosis and suggestion to the stone, probably subconsciously;thus, an undesirable dependency on the tool may be created; and loss, or possible experienced ineffectiveness, may obviate any therapeutic effects to be achieved. The present authors use the procedure described here in three types of situation: (a) in crisis situations when there is no time to teach relaxation conventionally (as in the above examples involving accidents); (b) for medical or surgical procedures when the therapist cannot be present during a traumatic stress situation; and (c) as an extra “boost” in certain cases, to help the therapist’s instructions to be effective (as in the second author’s examples above). Finally, it should be remembered that the aim of all therapeutic efforts - including transfer of a concrete object - is to potentiate, to empower the patient, and to increase the patient’s ability to cope.
REFERENCES BROWN,D. P.. & FROMM,E. Hypnotherapy and hypnoanalysis. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum, 1986. D’ESLON,C. Observations on the two reports of the commissioners named by the king to investigate animal magnetism. (Orig. Publ. in French, Obsercatbns sur les dnrr rapports & M M . bs Commirsains nomnu5s par Sa MajestL, pour l‘examm du MagnLtirme animal. Paris:Clousier, 1784.)(Translated by D.Chval. edited and abridged by R. E. Shor.) In R. E. Shor Q M. T. Orne (Eds.), The nature of hypnosis. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1965. Pp. 8-20. GILL, M. M., & B F I E N ~ M , . Hypnosis and related states: Psychoano&c studies in regression. New York: International Universities Press, 1959. Good News Bibk. New York: American Bible Society, 1976. HARTMA”,W. A note on dangers in hypnosis. Paper presented at the 102nd Annual Meeting of the Indiana Academy of Science, Indianapolis, Indiana, November 1986. Holy Sctiptures. Philadelphk Jewish Publication Society, 1952. Jenuakm S i b . Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1971. KRIS, E. Psychoanalytic Sxpbrationr in art. New York: International Universities F’ress, 1952. KROGER, W.S. Clinical and ezprimmtal hypnosis. Philadelphk Lippincott. 1W. LUTHER,M. (after). Die Heilige Schrift. [The Holy Scripture.] Berlin: Britische und A u s l h dische BibelgeselLchaft, 1936. MUNRO,H. S. Suggestive therapeutics, applied hypnotism, psychic science. St. Louis: Mosby, 1908. O m , M. T. Undesirable effects of hypnosis: The determinants and management. Int. /. din. c*p.Hypnarit, 1965.13.226-227. SHOR,R. E. The fundamental problem in hypnosis research as viewed from historical perspectives. In E. Fromm & R. E. Shor (Eds.). Hypnosis: Dmelopnunts in research and new pmpcctiucs. New York: Aldine, 1979. Pp. 15-41. SINGER,I. (Ed.) Thelcccith sncyclupedia. (Vols. 7 and 8.)New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1904. STEVENSON,0. (with preface by D. W.Winnicott) The first heasured possession. Psychoanal. Study Chlld, 1954,9.19&217. The Holy Bible. (KingJames Version) London: C o b s (c. 1935). The Toroh.Philadelphip:JmishPublication Society of America, 1976. WEDECK, H. E. Treasury of witchcraft. New York: Phi)mophid Library, 1956. WOHLCEMUT, I., & BLEICHRODE.I. (%ans.) Die Fiinf Biicher Mosa. [The Fioc Books of Moses.] Franffirt a M.: Lehrberger, 1936.
International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/nhyp20
A “Magic” Aid for Hypnosis and Suggestion in Crisis Management: A Brief Communication a
Walter Hartmann & Gail A. Golden a
b
Hammond, Indiana
b
London, Ontario, Canada Published online: 31 Jan 2008.
To cite this article: Walter Hartmann & Gail A. Golden (1990) A “Magic” Aid for Hypnosis and Suggestion in Crisis Management: A Brief Communication , International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 38:3, 157-161, DOI: 10.1080/00207149008414514 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207149008414514
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions
The In&rMtwul]ournd of Clinical and LrprinunhlH y p ~ s i r 1980. Vol. LXXVIII. No. 3. 157-161
A “MAGIC” AID FOR HYPNOSIS AND SUGGESTION IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT: A Brief Communication’ WALTER HARTMANN
Downloaded by [University of Toronto Libraries] at 02:06 26 December 2014
Hammond, Indiana AND
GAIL A. GOLDEN^
London, Ontario. Canado
Abstract: Within the context of crisis management, in certain cases the transfer of a small object from therapist to patient has had positive outcomes. Examples of the use of this “magic“aid are provided with some background and a tentative rationale. Caution regarding its use is suggested. in the context of suggestions for relaxation, stress management, and pain control, the present authors have found it useful to give small, smooth or textured stones to certain patients. Positive reactions and results were obtained as described in the cases that follow. The authors are not aware of any previous description in the literature of this particular procedure. The transfer of this type of object is, of course, not a therapeutic treatment in and by itself, but it can be meaningful to the patient when it occurs in the context of an appropriate therapeutic relationship. While the technique may be related to the hypnotic process, it does not necessarily require formal hypnotic induction procedures.
EXAMPLES FROM Cmsrs MANAGEMENTCASES In a school, which the first author (W. H.) happened to be visiting as a parent, an 8-year-old-girl fell and broke her ankle. The author was permitted to see the girl, who lay in an empty room while she was waiting for the ambulance. Naturally, she was in panic and in pain. To initiate the interaction, she was given a pebble and invited to “really feel it,” to “rub the pain into the stone.“ These suggestions were successful: the youngster calmed and talked quietly. She was carried off to the ambulance clutching the stone. It was reported later that she continued making use of the pebble in the hospital, with marked effect on her tolerance of procedures. The first author witnessed a car crash, and found a mother and child in one auto, both unhurt but, of course, upset. The child, a girl about 6 years old, was in real distress. Again, quiet suggestions that “everything is all right,” yyou and Mommy are fine,” were coupled with giving the child a pebble, “to rub the pain and fear into”; the childs panic subsided as the stone was clutched and rubbed. The first author teaches a number of his clients relaxation techniques and stress management using hypnotic procedures. In some cases, posthypnotic suggestion or self-hypnosis is not completely effective. Indeed, some clients have asked if Manuscript submitted December 23,1986; find revision received November 11, 1989. ‘An earlier version of this paper was presented to the Indiana Psychological Association, Indianapolis. Indiana, Fall Conference, 1986. ‘Reprint requests should be addressed to Professor Walter Hartmann, 7844 Chestnut Avenue, Hammond. IN 46324.
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there is an extra aid they could have. When such clienb were provided with a pebble to aid them, the suggestions dmost always became more effective. In instances of helping clients to cope with the pain and discomfort of surgery (e.g., abdominal, dental, and ortho@c), the h t author has used stones as a means to help the patient focus on knign stimuli and to distract the patient from noxious ones. In most instances. this proved effective as judged by the clients' demeanor, pre- and postoperative, and the clients' reports on the perception of pain and discodort. In one of the second author's (G.A.C.) cases, a crisis occurred after about eight sessions of therapy. At a quickly scheduled emergency session, the patient appeared depressed, hopeIess, and self-accusatory;she hinted at suicide. In the context of this patient's history, the second author decided against recommending hospitalization, in order to avoid the patient's interpretation that she was indeed "crazy" and a hopeless case. The author handed her own personal stone to the patient and explained that it might help her to remain calm and to handle tense situations, as it had done for the therapist. The author asked that the stone be returned at the next scheduled session, 2 days hence. The patient walked out, clutching the stone as if it were a lifeline. When she returned, the crisis had passed. The patient gave the pebble back. saying, "It really was magic." The emotional tone of this postcrisis session was much deeper than in previous ones. While clearly the "success" here cannot be ascribed entirely to the "magic" stone, making the stone available offered a focus to the patient to help herself over the crisis. Another of the second authori patients was an elderly woman who had undergone a mastectomy, and who was terrified of her annual check-up at the cancer clinic. The patient was taught relaxation; but in her terror, she needed an extra "boost." The author lent the patient a stone, and she was able to get through the clinic check-up with very little Wculty. In the clinical setting, the present authors introduce the "magic" tool in various ways. A typical form is the one below as used by the second author: I have a special gimmick h t I have used sometimes when I'm going to Eace a situation that makes me especially nervous. Interested? [The client invariably is. 1 This is a "magic" stone [smiling, ironically]. You can use it to help you relax. Take it in your hand and feel it. [The pebble is handed over.] You a n feel it's smooth and feels n h . If you hold the stone and rub it, you d find it w i l l help you rehr. .b you concentrate on the stone. on how it kek in your haad, on the weight and the texture. YOU will fecl your muscles relaxing;and as you get more relaxed, youll feel more able to cope. T k r e ir really nothing special about this stone you can 3ef I have awholejar of them [thenpist points]. It's just a nice,
-
smooth stone. But you a n use it to help you relax. I don't know if it will work for you, but I have used it a number of times, and it's been a big help. Want to keep it and see if you can make it work for you? [In =me cases, the therapist asks for the stone to be returned.]
No client has ever refuJed; rather, clients have appeared to be impressed, delighted, unused, and relieved. Any smooth or interestingly textured pebble is used, such as can be obtained fbm a very acidic river in Japan that polishes stones until they are very smooth (they can be found in many Oriental gift stores), or interesting pebbles can be picked up at a lake or seashore. Other small, manipulable objects would as0 be appropriate. ~CKGROUND
The present authors recently asked themselves how they had arrived at this technique; they had not been taught it, read about it, or heard of any reference to it. The first author had taken it for granted, and the second author had picked
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it up from him. A number of ideas and experiencesseemed to make this technique an obvious part of certain hypnotic-suggestive situations. Objects have, of course. shown UP in the history of hypnosis -from Mesmer's rods (d'Eslon, 1784/1965),to de Puydgur's tree (Shor, 1979. p. z),to the venerable swinging watches and proverbial crystal balls, etc. None of these, however, were carried away by the subject. In addition, there is a lengthy history of the magic amulet, to ward off evil, to concentrate powers, etc. The rabbis fought with indifferent success against the use as amulet of the mauzah (the capsule containing Scriptural passages, which is f i x e d to the doorposts of jewish homes) (see Singer, 1904,Vol. viii, p. 532). The Name or Names of God are used as powerful magic in popular Jewish tradition, as in the legend of the Golem of Prague (see Singer, 1904, Vol. vi, p. 37). In other religions, holy water, saints' images, the Cross, etc.. have been used in a similar manner. In addition, "primitive" religions abound with magic and magic objects (Wedeck, 1956. e.g., p. 186). The rabbit's foot, the beloveds scarf, and others are "magic" objects in many stories and in real life. R e d , for instance, the war movies in which the heroic pilot lost or mislaid his lucky charm, took off without it, and invariably crashed. In an example from real life, about 45 years ago, the first author gave a little pendant to a friend. Almost immediately she was rushed OR to the hospital with serious pneumonia, and she held the pendant tightly. It turned out that the little trinket had meant quite a lot to her, and she had made use of it during the crisis of her hospitalization. She has the pendant to this day and has a special kind of attachment to it. The worry beads of the Middle Eat, or, in a popular way, the "touchstones" rather solemnly advertized a, a kind of tranquilizer, are other examples of this sort. These instances are among the ideas and events which made the "magic" tool obvious to the present authors as a technique to aid with suggestions. We view our "magic" pebble as a kind of talisman. RATIONALE This "magic" tool, then, is an aid to carrying out suggestions. It obviously does not do anything in and by itself. The pebble is always a supplement to suggestion - a tool to focus attention, to distract from n o h u s perceptions, and to enhance 'belief and tnrst" (see e.g., Kroger, 1963,p. 8; Munro, 1908. pp. %TI). The tool and its transfer appear to help meet the commonly observed need for something tangible in complex situations the need for ritual to symbolize and embody our perceptions and understandings of d l c u l t and abstract promses. It may be said that by suggestion, with or without f o r d hypnotic procedure, we invite or teach or persuade our patients to use their potentias in fuller, more effective,but also in novel and surprisingways. Suggestionssuch as, 'feel your arm becoming heavy," or instructions to lower sympatheticnervous system activity. or to focus away from pain, or to counter the flightor-fight reaction, and others. are at times helped and enhanced by the suggestionsto 'rub your pain into the stone," and "as you feel the weight and texture of the pebble, you will L d younelf feeling easier and easier." be conceptualized as enlisting primary process thinking and feeling, This in the sense that ';nagic" can be referred to the intantile stage of development, in which the entire universe seems under the magic control of the infant. It may perhaps be said that here is a concrete example of *regression in the service of the ego" (Gill& Brenman, lW, His, 1952). Thit vpect may be P p r t i h l y & e v e in the peculiar hypnotherapist-clientrelationship,where hypnosis Mitates both transference and countertransference(Orne, l ~ % ) ~ .
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A further mnceptualization also suggests itself. For better or for worse, there is a kind of power in and of the therapist. The therapist's presenting a tangible
object in the manner of the "magic" tool. as used by the present authors, suggests a b n d of transfer of such power. Recall the "badge of office" (e.g.. the scepter, m, robe, etc.) with which power is conferred and transferred in different settings. Interestingly, a Biblical term indicates a transfer of power, as in Exodus 28:41. It is variously translated as "to ordain" (Good News Bible, 1976; The Torah, 1976); w "to invest" Uenuolem Bible, 1971); or "to consecrate" (Holy Scriptures, 1952; Tht Hob Bible, c. 1935); or "to install" (Wohlgemut und Bleichrode. 1936 "in Amt einsetzen"). The original Hebrew, however, is translated literally as "to 611 the hands" (as in Luther, 1936 ' H h d e fiillen"). Thus, the idea of symbolizing a h s f e r of power by transferring a concrete object is not new. The "magic" object as described by the present authors seems to have something in common with the "transitional object," as discussed for example by Fromm (see Brown dr Fromm, 1986, pp. 3o0301). The "transitional object," however, is created by the infant to represent the power and protection of the mother, and it is used to eventually develop the childs own sense of power (Stevenson, 1954). The 'magic" object as described in the present paper is created by the therapist to represent the patient's power, and it is not a developmental tool. In summary, the "magic" tool is conceptualized parsimoniously as the symbol of a kind of power transfer in the context of a therapeutic relationship where primary process feelings are utilized.
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The present authors do not use the "magic" aid frequently or enthusiastically and see three inter-related factors as militating against indiscriminate use: 1. As discussed, the therapist-client relationship is subtle and requires special care. Especially with hypnosis and suggestion, feelings and perceptions of power and power relations, and of dependency, as between therapist and patient, need careful handling. The present authors suggest that the "dangers of hypnosis," so widely discussed, are in fact the dangers inherent in many human relationships, which always take place in a context of expectations, goals, assumptions, needs, and perceptions, often not conscious. In situations involving hypnosis and suggestion, in particular, dangers can arise from a "power trip" the therapist may mnsciously or unconsciously be engaged in. and/or be pemived as engaged in (Hartmann, 1986; O r e , 1965). The "magic" pebble may lend itself to a therapist's engaging in "one-upmanship"; the ritualistic presentation of the "magic" tool can arouse counterproductive feelings in relation to power and dependency. In view of the considerable emotional load potentially inherent in the transfer of the "magic" tool. the present authors make light of the tool, and stress that we, too, have used it. Thus, it is implied, first, that when the patient uses the pebble and makes it work, hdshe 'has power"; and, second, that the "powerful" therapist also can be anxious, fearful, and troubled. Asking for the stone to be returned will add to its "power" in some cases; in others, the outright gift will add to the ambience. It is thus communicated that the therapist is-powerful and helpful, but aim subject to tensions and problems; and so, the client potentially is, and will become, powerful, too. 2. The "magic" stone procedure could lend itself to the irresponsible, "lazy" use of attempting to produce therapeutic effectswith the stone alone, rather than providing the kind of evaluation and support needed. Interpersonal, therapeutic skills and attitudes are vital. and they cannot be replaced by some gadgetry however helpful it may be as an occasional supplementary tool.
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3. Even with all precautions taken, the patient may ascribe effects of hypnosis and suggestion to the stone, probably subconsciously;thus, an undesirable dependency on the tool may be created; and loss, or possible experienced ineffectiveness, may obviate any therapeutic effects to be achieved. The present authors use the procedure described here in three types of situation: (a) in crisis situations when there is no time to teach relaxation conventionally (as in the above examples involving accidents); (b) for medical or surgical procedures when the therapist cannot be present during a traumatic stress situation; and (c) as an extra “boost” in certain cases, to help the therapist’s instructions to be effective (as in the second author’s examples above). Finally, it should be remembered that the aim of all therapeutic efforts - including transfer of a concrete object - is to potentiate, to empower the patient, and to increase the patient’s ability to cope.
REFERENCES BROWN,D. P.. & FROMM,E. Hypnotherapy and hypnoanalysis. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum, 1986. D’ESLON,C. Observations on the two reports of the commissioners named by the king to investigate animal magnetism. (Orig. Publ. in French, Obsercatbns sur les dnrr rapports & M M . bs Commirsains nomnu5s par Sa MajestL, pour l‘examm du MagnLtirme animal. Paris:Clousier, 1784.)(Translated by D.Chval. edited and abridged by R. E. Shor.) In R. E. Shor Q M. T. Orne (Eds.), The nature of hypnosis. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1965. Pp. 8-20. GILL, M. M., & B F I E N ~ M , . Hypnosis and related states: Psychoano&c studies in regression. New York: International Universities Press, 1959. Good News Bibk. New York: American Bible Society, 1976. HARTMA”,W. A note on dangers in hypnosis. Paper presented at the 102nd Annual Meeting of the Indiana Academy of Science, Indianapolis, Indiana, November 1986. Holy Sctiptures. Philadelphk Jewish Publication Society, 1952. Jenuakm S i b . Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1971. KRIS, E. Psychoanalytic Sxpbrationr in art. New York: International Universities F’ress, 1952. KROGER, W.S. Clinical and ezprimmtal hypnosis. Philadelphk Lippincott. 1W. LUTHER,M. (after). Die Heilige Schrift. [The Holy Scripture.] Berlin: Britische und A u s l h dische BibelgeselLchaft, 1936. MUNRO,H. S. Suggestive therapeutics, applied hypnotism, psychic science. St. Louis: Mosby, 1908. O m , M. T. Undesirable effects of hypnosis: The determinants and management. Int. /. din. c*p.Hypnarit, 1965.13.226-227. SHOR,R. E. The fundamental problem in hypnosis research as viewed from historical perspectives. In E. Fromm & R. E. Shor (Eds.). Hypnosis: Dmelopnunts in research and new pmpcctiucs. New York: Aldine, 1979. Pp. 15-41. SINGER,I. (Ed.) Thelcccith sncyclupedia. (Vols. 7 and 8.)New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1904. STEVENSON,0. (with preface by D. W.Winnicott) The first heasured possession. Psychoanal. Study Chlld, 1954,9.19&217. The Holy Bible. (KingJames Version) London: C o b s (c. 1935). The Toroh.Philadelphip:JmishPublication Society of America, 1976. WEDECK, H. E. Treasury of witchcraft. New York: Phi)mophid Library, 1956. WOHLCEMUT, I., & BLEICHRODE.I. (%ans.) Die Fiinf Biicher Mosa. [The Fioc Books of Moses.] Franffirt a M.: Lehrberger, 1936.
