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The human mind is a very little understood entity,
with great potential, most likely barely tapped into
by the average person.
While in college I took a psychology class, and although
it did not go too deep into any one subject, it did
show me the complexity of the brain, our least understood,
yet undoubtedly most important of our organs. After
all, what is it besides our intellect that separates
us from the rest of the animals? (That, and also the
fact that we are the only species that wears pants by
choice...)
In the past I have wondered if I would be able to be
hypnotized. I know it works for some people better than
others, and I always wondered where I fell on that scale.
A couple of nights ago I found out.
A professional hypnotists was putting on a show at
the theater on the base where I work and Junko and I
decided to go.
As the show started the hypnotists made a call for
volunteers to go up on stage to take part in the show.
I was a little slow in getting out of my seat and before
I know it all the chairs on stage were full. So sitting
back in my chair I decided to follow along with his
instructions as he started to put the group on stage
into a hypnotic state.
In under 5 minutes I was very deeply relaxed. More
relaxed than I have been in as long as I can remember.
I guess I did it right because at the end of the induction
period he came out into the audience and tapped me on
the neck and then told me to go up on stage.
To make a long story short, I was hypnotized and took
part in what turned out to be a show that lasted about
an hour and a half.
It was the strangest thing. Not at all unpleasant,
but rather, very relaxing.
I was totally aware of everything the entire time and
can recall everything that happened. The only parts
I don't recall are what I missed by closing my eye when
he commanded me to "sleep".
Being hypnotized was not at all what I expected it
to be. I didn't feel like I was totally under his control.
At any time I felt that I could refuse a command ,
instruction, or suggestion, but being in such a relaxed
and comfortable state, I just choose not to oppose his
instructions or suggestions.
Now I really understand what is meant by the term "The
power of suggestion."
Last night we went back so I could "see" the
show (and not take part in it). And as much as I enjoyed
watching it, the feeling one gets while hypnotized is
so relaxing, so calming, so downright addicting I am
pretty sure the next time I go to see a hypnotists I
will do my best to take part in the show again.
The really strange part about being hypnotized is that
even though the audience is laughing like crazy, all
the people who are hypnotized are really serious and
relaxed, displaying no emotion unless prompted to do
so by one of the hypnotists suggestions.
This kind of makes me think that Japanese train commuters
are hypnotized in a certain sense. What else would explain
the complete lack of emotion that people display during
the morning train commute here in Japan?
Maybe they are just so used to the pattern. The utter
monotony of pressing bodies, platform announcements,
and the swaying of the car, that all it takes is a few
seconds for each commuter to slip into his or her own
personal trance and quietly, even calmly, put up with
what can be quite a harrowing experience for the uninitiated.
--
I have started to place the orders for those that won
prints in the months raffle. To those of you who have
not yet let me know what print you would like, please,
feel free to take your time. There is no time limit
or expiration on this offer.
--
I had a lunch/dinner over at a friends place today
and he told me of a recent harrowing experience of his
own on the trains here in Japan.
A lot of people are aware that there are times when
guys will rub up against a woman when everyone is all
packed together on the trains. Sometimes he will even
be so bold as to play a little grab-ass between stops.
This friend of mine recently had the quintessential
"You know you've been in Japan too long when..."
type of experiences.
You see, it seems this game of grab-ass does not always
take place between just men and women.
Yup, you guessed it, he was "felt up" by another
guy during one of his morning commutes. I assume it
was nothing too overt, otherwise it could have come
to blows (...oops, bad choice in words, maybe I should
have said, "it could have come to "fists"
^_^) but enough contact nonetheless to let him know
it was intentional.
Makes me remember again why I am so glad I don't have
to commute by train anymore. It's enough to give a guy
a serious case of paranoia...
But, looking on the bright side, at least it makes
you know your still a hot commodity...at least in some
circles...
Comment 29
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