Bill Baras, hypnotist
MJohnson
(San Diego) UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 11, 2004
For all his ability to help people reach a self-hypnotic state of
relaxation and clarity, Bill Baras was, by nature, a human wakeup
call.
Dynamic and disarming, with a deeply resonant voice that could soothe
or startle, he challenged clients at his self-improvement seminars to
shed self-sabotaging habits and give change a chance.
"The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth," he would
say.
Through seminars, tapes and private consultations, Dr. Baras and his
wife, Carol, reached tens of thousands of people over more than two
decades.
In 1993, they switched their focus from public and corporate seminars
to opening a series of thrift shops through the nonprofit Baras
Foundation to support a story telephone service for lonely, abused and
depressed children.
Dr. Baras, who was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy eight years ago, died
in his sleep Tuesday at his home on a promontory overlooking Mission
Valley. He was 78.
"Bill was truly a modern man who believed in the goodness of people
but understood our failings," said Jim Price, a longtime friend and
retired radio broadcast executive.
In 1968, Dr. Baras and his wife founded the Hypnos Morpheus Center, a
self-hypnosis, self-help program that evolved in 1983 into corporate
seminars and spawned a series of audio-cassette tapes.
By 1989, the tapes, addressing such human foibles as procrastination,
were available on supermarket shelves. The hypnosis, devoid of
theatrics, was solely a therapeutic tool – a means, Dr. Baras said, of
accessing the sub-conscious mind.
"All we're doing is taking a state of mind and giving it a name," he
said. "Hypnosis is deep relaxation. When you relax, your mind is in a
state of abeyance."
Dr. Baras struck a responsive chord in many by questioning their
complacency. "Everyone is feeling a hunger, a lack, and an empty
feeling," he said. "And yet to the outside world they exhibit all the
symbols of success: the big house, the expensive car, the 'toys,' but
inside they are dead."
The message, delivered with animated conviction, resonated with people
such as Bob Petrich, a former San Diego Chargers defensive end.
"Bill was a tremendous help in my transition from pro football to the
business world," Petrich said. "He wasn't afraid to try anything, and
he never stopped learning. He was a Greek philosopher who left far
more in this world than he took with him."
In addition to his seminars, Dr. Baras donated time to substance abuse
and spinal cord injury patients. He dabbled in several business
enterprises, including real estate investments, Mom's Saloon in
Pacific Beach, a plumbing tool designed to unblock a drain within 10
seconds, and tamari tortilla chips.
"He was a passionate, proud Greek," said Ray Drasnin, a public
relations professional who represented the Barases. "He would even
talk to his animals in Greek. And he could cook phenomenal Greek
meals."
Dr. Baras, the son of Greek immigrants, was born Vasilios Theophanis
Baras in New Hampshire.
He joined the Army after graduating from high school and served as a
paratrooper in World War II. Recalled to active duty during the Korean
War, he was assigned as a master sergeant to the Third Infantry.
After his parents died, he was intent on getting as far away from the
East Coast as he could. "That's how he ended up here," Carol Baras
said.
In his early days in San Diego, Dr. Baras worked as a buyer for May
Co., and sold cars at Courtesy Chevrolet.
He returned to school in 1974, studying human behavior in a tutorial
program at UCSD. In 1981, he received a doctorate from La Jolla
University.
Dr. Baras advised professional athletes in overcoming psychological
barriers, worked with law enforcement agencies and helped
substance-abuse patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in La
Jolla.
With the success of his seminars and tapes, Mr. Baras had planned to
ease into retirement. His restless energy wouldn't permit it.
Through the Baras Foundation, he and his wife opened one thrift shop
per year for nine straight years and expanded their toll-free story
service. Seven of the shops remain throughout the San Diego area.
In addition to his wife, survivors include daughter, Linda Baras; son,
Bill Baras Jr. of Florida; stepchildren, Linda Rose of San Diego, Gary
Rose of Salt Lake City and Frank Rose of Costa Rica; three
grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A private memorial is planned. Donations are suggested to the Baras
Foundation, P.O. Box 3189, San Diego, CA 92163.