A Chat with Dr. Chaos

Master hypnotists Dr. Chaos and Damien Noir will entrance Beijingers at 8pm this Saturday, September 22, at the Star Live. Thanks to our mad guanxi, tbjblog was able to catch up with the doctor of disorder (who claims, along with his dark cohort, to be “the world’s first dual hypnosis team” – find out more at their website).

tbjblog: How did you get into hypnosis?

Chaos: I was working in the radio industry in Canada when I interviewed a stage hypnotist who was in town for a show. Following our interview, he told me: “You really should be doing what I am doing for a living, you would be better at it than I am.”

I went to see his show that night and I was blown away. I remember thinking the guy was like God, the way he could make people fall over in a deep sleep and act they way they did. I was hooked!

I took a leave of absence from my job and toured with him across Canada for 3 months basically acting as an unpaid assistant in his show and doing an apprenticeship. It didn’t take long for my questions to exceed his knowledge base, he was (as most are) only a stage hypnotist, with absolutely no formal hypnosis education or training. I left my time with him and began to pursue formal training.

tbjblog: Was it something that you’ve wanted to do since you were a kid? And how much of it can be learnt as a skill as opposed to having a calling to the art?

Chaos: I have (didn’t know it at the time) a natural ability for hypnosis, but this is not a requirement to learn. There absolutely is formal training available and it is only proper that anyone who chooses this career should get proper certification. In China I am privileged to be the Training Expert and Supervisor for Clinical Hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) for Tsinghua University. This last year I was conducting training for the professors and counselors of the Student Counseling Center. I am a Certified Master Trainer of Hypnosis and a Certified Master Trainer of NLP through the Canadian Institute.

tbjblog: Can anyone be hypnotized?

Chaos: Much debate exists about “percentages” of the population that can (or can’t) be hypnotized. In my clinical experience, I have yet to meet the individual that I can’t hypnotize. Of particular importance to stress is that all hypnosis is self-hypnosis and we merely guide people into the proper state of mind.

One myth is contained in the statement “my mind is too strong for me to be hypnotized” since it is a fact that the keener the mind of the person, the deeper the trance is possible.

tbjblog: Have you been hypnotized? What was it like (for you personally, and can you also describe what others would feel)?

Chaos: Yes I have been hypnotized for many different reasons at many different times. The feeling is very much like deep meditation or lucid dreaming (when you can “wake up” in a dream, but stay sleeping and dreaming, so that you can now control the dream)

For each person the feeling will vary depending on how deeply they allow themselves to go into trance.

tbjblog: What can people expect from the show – is there any likelihood that they’ll be called to come up on stage and made to bark like a dog in front of their friends?

Chaos: The show is entirely about the volunteers. In fact, the truth is that they (those who come on stage) are the real stars of our show.

I can’t say with honesty that I have never made anyone bark like a dog while hypnotized, but it is not a standard part of our show.

People can count on hilarious situations that are entertaining to watch and fun to be a part of. At no point will we ever attempt to ask anyone to do anything humiliating or degrading.

tbjblog: We’ve heard that hypnosis can be employed as a method of study – have you used hypnosis to learn Chinese or help others learn? What was the outcome?

Chaos: I have been privileged in my four years in China to have worked with a number of individual clients for a variety of reasons. They have ranged from foreign executives from some of the world’s largest corporations, embassy staff, teachers, students, housewives, etc. to Chinese nationals from all walks of life.

While never revealing personal information about any client, I can tell you that I have worked with a number of Chinese students in helping them prepare for their exams. The success rate has been so high that Devin and I have been invited to write a book on exam anxiety, study skills and coaching for students/teachers/parents here in China.

tbjblog: What would happen if two master hypnotists met (perhaps you and Damien Noir) and attempted to hypnotize each other?

Chaos: One of us wakes up several hours later having completed the other’s laundry and ironed all the shirts. Which one of us winds up with the work done by the other depends on whose “kung fu” was better on that particular day.

No one can be hypnotized against their will at any time, so the truth is that unless either hypnotist wanted to be hypnotized, not much would happen.

tbjblog: Have you ever used your skills to pick up girls? If not, can it be done?

Chaos: Hypnosis and NLP are very useful skills in both establishing and deepening relationships of almost every kind. Although very useful in helping anyone male or female have more confidence about themselves and their interactions with others, I point out again that no one can be hypnotized to do something against their will. So, assuming you had a shot in the first place, hypnosis can help you be sure that you make the best possible impression.