The Mind at Work (Part 2)

The "by degrees" advocates claim that nothing ever occurs instantaneously and that direct approach might possibly create a subconscious conflict. However, the method of command would differ individually as in conscious acceptance of orders.

The subject-matter of sleep tapes is as varied as are the problems that beset human beings. A few examples of the messages which have been used to break bad habits through frequent repetition follow: ("I" may be substituted for "you" but the latter is considered more commanding.)

BREAKING THE SMOKING HABIT

You are slowly, bit by bit, acquiring an intense dislike for smoking. Little by little, the taste of tobacco is getting more disgusting to you. Before long, you will be caused to become violently sick to your stomach upon puffing a cigarette, or indulging in any form of tobacco. By degrees, you will break yourself of the tobacco habit... and will never touch another cigarette!

OVERCOMING INSOMNIA

You are, slowly but surely, sleeping better each night. Each night as you lie down in bed, you will think of deep, restful sleep. You will not awaken until (specify desired awakening time) in the morning. By degrees, you will overcome your sleeplessness and will never be touched with insomnia again. Your entire body will feel alive and refreshed when you awaken, because you have spent the night sleeping peacefully, deep in gentle and relaxing sleep.

NAIL BITING

You are, by degrees, slowly beginning to stop biting your fingernails. You are slowly overcoming your nervousness and inner tension... you realize that you have been biting your nails because of nervousness and inner tension. By degrees, you are becoming more and more content to stop this vile habit. You have pretty (handsome) hands and you do not want to spoil them by biting your nails. Little by little, you are becoming able to resist the temptation to bite your fingernails... and before very long, you will never bite your nails again.

OVERCOMING STUTTERING

You are, by degrees, slowly overcoming the cause of your stuttering. Little by little, you are talking more normally . . . with less breaks and pauses in your words, each day your confidence grows stronger. Each day your stuttering grows less. By degrees, day by day, slowly but surely your stuttering is disappearing. Very soon now, you will be able to talk perfectly... slowly... distinctly... without stammering... and you will never stutter again.

(It should be noted here, that one authority on speech disorders stated that sleep-messages are effective in abolishing stuttering only as part of a planned therapeutic program, under the guidance of a therapist, for a specific purpose in the course of the therapy.)

NARCOTICS

You are, by degrees, acquiring an intense dislike for (name of narcotic: heroin, opium, etc.). Slowly but surely you are losing all desires and need for narcotics. You are, by degrees, without conscious effort or pain, overcoming your craving for (name). Before long, you will no longer desire or need narcotics in any form. They will be repulsive to you. The very thought of (name) will make you physically ill, and you will cause yourself to vomit if you even think about (name).

Your body is getting well and your organs are getting used to the gradual withdrawal of (name). By degrees, you are pushing this great destroyer of your life, out of your mind... out of your body. You are gaining again the love and respect of your family and friends. Very shortly now, all desires, all cravings for (name) will be gone forever and you will be free and very healthy physically and mentally, full of the joy of living... and filled with desire to love and live again.

BED WETTING

You are starting to get sleepy, Jimmy. (Use name, repeat 10 times) More and more sleepy (repeat 10 times)... your eyes feel so... so... heavy... you are getting so... so... so sleepy (repeat 5 times). Jimmy, you are going to stop wetting your bed and make mommy and daddy love you better than ever. While you are in bed you can't let out a single drop of (use exact word that the child uses. Repeat 10 times). Mommy and daddy are so very proud of their big boy for not wetting the bed. We both love you so much. Good night and happy dreams.