fbpx

Truisms

Blog

Truisms

Ericksonian Hypnotic Language Patterns
Truisms are like bread and butter… you can make a meal out of them if you have to. Truisms are simply statements that are true for just about everybody, AND are a perfect setup for embedded commands. Keeping in mind, of course, that an embedded command comes from altering your vocal tonality and accompanying analog marking.

As an example you can make Truisms about Time.

“Sooner or later people always go in trance when sitting in that chair listening to me.”
“Sometimes, you can go into trance with your eyes wide open.”

You can create Truisms about Sensations.

“Most people really enjoy the feeling of a nice hot shower.”
“Everyone knows how it feels when you’re drifting off to sleep and you’re not quite awake and not quite asleep.”

(NOTE: In some of these examples there is more than one language pattern happening. Like in that last sentence there is also a pattern called “Switching Referential Index.” According to proper grammatical rules, the sentence should read, “Everyone knows how it feels when they’re drifting off to sleep…” But, in Ericksonian Hypnosis you sometime break the rules of grammar in order to get a good embedded command. In this case I’m telling my client, “You are drifting off to sleep.”)

You can create Truisms about Abilities.

“You don’t have to learn how to employ these skills to feel confident.”
“You are able to relax you hands completely.”
“A person is able to make profound changes from just one session.”

Truisms often start with soft phrases.

“Some People…You may…One might…You could…learn all sorts of different possibilities for truisms.”

Truisms, because they are true statements are great opportunities for adding the ‘you know’ clause. While people often overdo the clause “you know” in sloppy grammar, when used purposely it implies in an ambiguous way that you knew this already.

“People can, you know…learn rapidly and easily, even without knowing that they’re learning.”

Now, you’re probably wondering how you can get good at using truisms.

People can, you know, write your own examples. The best way to learn is by doing. Write them out. Practice.
Like the New York City cop who was asked, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?”
“Practice, Practice, Practice.”
Say them aloud to a human being with the proper tonal shift.
Use them on bank tellers: “Some people will, sooner or later, feel good and smile.”
Use them on your kids, your parents, your servants, your masters.
Use them with respect and courtesy.
Have fun.

About Doug O'Brien

Doug O’Brien is a Master Practitioner and Trainer of NLP, and a Certified Hypnotherapist. In 1988, while assisting at NLP and NAC training seminars with Anthony Robbins, Doug achieved the designation of Master Trainer. He now conducts numerous seminars of his own around the globe (specializing in the “Sleight of Mouth” patterns of Robert Dilts, NLP Certification Courses, and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy) and helped found Columbia-Presbyterian’s Department of Complementary Medicine with Dr. Mehmet Oz.

articleDownload Doug O’Brien’s paper, 
“Be your Best with Self Hypnosis”

AND a self-hypnosis audio meditation, when you subscribe to our mailing list. Receive up to the minute reports and keep up with the latest developments in the fast-changing field.