SELF HYPNOSIS LESSON 18
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      GROWING DOWN
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      INTRODUCTORY NOTE

      Because it has been some time since you were Alice's age, it is better to
      make the journey backward in two stages: First to Alice's actual age and
      appearance; then, during the second exercise, farther down into the core
      of her imagination, into the smaller and smaller girl she becomes by
      magic.

      PREPARATION

      Sit in a comfortable arm chair with a back high enough for you to rest
      your head on, or lie down. Close your eyes and relax your body as
      completely as you can, from the top of your head to the very tips of your
      toes. Let yourself sink deeper and deeper into this state of relaxation,
      mentally and physically - deeper, deeper, deeper. Now tell yourself that
      you will count slowly from ten down to zero. As you do this, visualize
      the numbers in a downward progression, as if each successive number were
      standing one step lower on a staircase. Tell yourself that when you have
      reached zero you will be in a very deeply altered state of consciousness,
      much deeper than you are now. Feel the relaxation spreading throughout
      every muscle and nerve of your body as you count.

      THE EXERCISE

      Tell yourself that you will again count from ten to zero, and that now
      each number will represent a year's step backward in time, so that, when
      you reach zero, you will be ten years younger than you are now. In your
      minds eye, see the numerals of your new age.

      Now pause for a few moments to re-capture this ten-years-younger you.
      Explore this 'you' with your trance-sharpened memory rather than with
      your imagination. See yourself as you were then. See the face that looked
      at you in the mirror - your hair, your skin. Feel your body ten years
      ago, younger, more supple. Enter into the thoughts and feelings you
      experienced at that time.

      When you have steeped yourself so thoroughly in this recollection that it
      is no longer remembrance but actuality, tell yourself that you will once
      again count backwards, beginning with the number of your age minus ten.
      Visualize that number. Now, each number will represent an additional year
      taken off your new (trance) age, your age ten years ago. Then count
      backward, slowly, beginning ten years ago, and visualize clearly each
      number until you get to six - Alice's age in 'Alice in Wonderland'.

      Now you are Alice's age. More than that - you are Alice. You are her
      size; you think as she thinks; you speak as she speaks; her curiosity;
      her imagination are yours.

      Pause and allow your mind to be saturated with these Alice thoughts. Then
      tell yourself that you will presently return to your customary state of
      consciousness by counting from one to three and opening your eyes. But
      first, there is one more thing you will have to do:

      Tell yourself that when you are ready to embark upon the next "Alice"
      exercise, you will compress this journey back to her age into an instant.
      Once you have reached your desired trance depth you need merely say to
      yourself "Alice", and you will at once be 'Alice', as vividly and as
      completely as you are now.

      Now count from one to three, and open your eyes. You are now completely
      back in your everyday state of reality, feeling very relaxed, very
      comfortable, and in excellent health.