The Wisdom Of Milton H. Erickson Pdf Free Download
Ann Tarvis
If you are one of our readers who never had a chance to meet and experience Milton Erickson in person, Ronald Havens gives you an opportunity to get to know this phenomenal physician/psychiatrist/philosopher - at least in a literary sense - in this collection of quotes directly from the lectures, articles and books of Erickson's work. Obviously, Havens accomplished a monumental task: this book offers a veritable treasure box of wisdom. Havens writes: aHe (Erickson) devoted his life to careful observation of Himself and othersa as a consequence he learned how to enable others to utilize potentials they did not know they had and he helped them to resolve personal and interpersonal problems that no other professional has been able to toucha (p. xii). Anyone with an interest in doing hypnotic work, theoretically, clinically or in research will find this book useful to help in their own exploration of human behaviors, some of which they may have never even thought about until now. It's possible that looking at these bits and pieces of Erickson's verbalizations would be like working on a very intricate crossword puzzle maybe with printing on both sides of some pieces making it very difficult to work this puzzle. Havens helps us (a little), in that he has sorted the content into categories. However, because there is that precious hypnotic gift of ambiguity in many of these utterances, they could be lifted and placed in other categories, and they would still fit! That tells us that much of what Milton Erickson had to say has the lasting quality of wisdom for the ages. If Erickson had a secret it was his ability to observe people with astute open minded naivete which allowed him to really see and hear them with accuracy. This ability enabled him to respond to them using their framework and then helping them to change what needed changing. Havens gives us numerous examples of this concept. The first section aRelevant Quotationsa covers observation. In 1977, Erickson stated: aWhen I wanted to know something, I wanted it undistorted by somebody else's imperfect knowledgea (p. 15). Perhaps, this is a key to what Erickson offered us: observation of what is gives us the information we must have in order to proceed. Further, he tells us: Unfortunately lack of critical observation or inexperience sometimes leads to the inference that the subjects are unresponsive rather than the realization that they are most responsive in a more complex fashion than was intended (Erickson, 1980, p. 188). Just reading through the contents (p. i-iv) gives the reader a carefully structured reference to all the subject matter covered. Part One on Human Behavior, Part Two on Psychotherapy and Part athree on Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy allow the reader to select specific topics, and to mix and match Erickson's thoughts about each. In Chapter Nine, Havens states aAnyone Can Be Hypnotizeda - and what a comforting thought that is to those of us who work hypnotically: aTrance is a common experiencea (p. 205); aHypnosis is a normal phenomenon of the human minda (p. 206); and, aany normal person can be hypnotized provided there is adequate motivationa (p. 206). This is a helpful set of notions to embed as a fine reason to incorporate hypnosis into therapeutic work. Just imagine what an inspiring message this delivers to the beginning students of hypnosis. Some quotes demonstrate Erickson's fabulous use of language: a... there is something that you know but you don't know you know it. As soon as you find out what it is that you already know, but you don't know, you know then you can begina (p. 278). There is a certain enticing quality in anot knowing what you know.a In a related manner, John Grinder with his excellent linguistic background was able to decipher and label many of Erickson's linguistic patterns, thereby making them accessible in a way that Erickson himself could not (Grinder & Bandler, 1981). Havens has given us a volume that is nicely sorted and categorized to allow us to absorb some of what Erickson offered. Much of this has served to change the way by which many people view the mystique of hypnosis: there is an amazing amount of common sense in Erickson's statements. This book is an excellent adesk volume.a It can also serve as an inspiration to us when we encounter some difficult challenge. On those atougher than ordinary daysa turn to p. 232 and read Erickson's thoughts about the use of psychopharmacological drugs. aIn all the experimental work that I've done my feeling is that drugs of any sort are a handicap, because then you have to deal with the patient and the drug effects, and you're handicapping yourself. The only drug I favor is an ounce of whiskey half an hour before the patient arrives -you take it.a Obviously, the man also had a great sense of humor! In his closing, Havens reminds us (in true Ericksonian style): aBecoming an effective hypnotherapist means adopting a hypnotherapeutic style of life. The words and concepts uttered by Erickson can serve as a source of motivation and as a guide, but they cannot serve as the answer. The answer lies within each one of us, in our total commitments to learning by objective observation and experiences how to use our toll range of conscious and unconscious capacities and how to help others learn how to do the same. We no longer have Milton H. Erickson to redirect our attention, to correct our erroneous interpretations, or to chide us for our naive acceptance of whatever atrutha comes our way. Maybe, just maybe, therapists will fill that void with their own objectively based wisdom and experientially derived skills instead of a new theoretical school or a new personality to emulate. If so, then Erickson's message and example will have gotten through. We have to grow up, accept the wisdom given to us, and admit that this is a difficult business, a complex craft. We owe it to our patients to use Erickson's wisdom wisely. More importantly, we owe it to ourselves.a We recommend you read this book and heed the messages.
Milton Erickson was undoubtedly the greatest and most pioneering hypnotherapist of the last century! His observation of human nature was phenomenal; the variety and diversity of his therapeutic intervention at times almost bazaar, and only with thorough assimilation of all his comments, does one even attempt to understand the profound meaning of his statements. The Wisdom of Milton H. Erickson, The Complete Volume tempts the reader to take a most wonderful mystery tour into the mind of this incredible man. Havens recognises Erickson's passion ato enjoy and live life to its fullest' and to empower others to do the same. He has carefully distilled the essence of Erickson's wisdom from a lifetime of lectures, scholarly publications and books in modular fashion from chapters on Human Behaviour and Psychotherapy to the grand finale of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. This book is invaluable, challenging, frustrating, enlightening and will reward each reading with new depths of understanding and appreciation. This is one book in a therapist's library that merits reading!
Milton H. Erickson was one of the most creative, dynamic and effective hypnotherapists and psychotherapists of the twentieth century. He used unconventional techniques with remarkable success. This outstanding work of research extracts the core wisdom of Erickson's life-long work, gleaned from the records of over 140 publications and lectures given by him. Part One on Human Behaviour and Part Two on Psychotherapy present his methods and lessons, including his feelings on the use of objective observation, the uniqueness of the conscious mind, the realities and abilities of the unconscious mind, the creation and use of a therapeutic environment, and many other aspects of the life and work of this remarkable thinker and teacher. Part Three, Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, presents a clear account of how Dr. Erickson conceived of hypnosis, particularly its access to the unconscious and its role in the process of therapy.
Ronald Havens has produced a collection of quotations from the many published articles by Milton H.Erickson. When I first started to read these quotations I was just adipping in' and didn't do justice to the philosophy behind the purpose of the book.Now that I have had the time to be more systematic and thoughtful about the concept, I can fully appreciate what is indeed contained within the 360 plus pages.The book is in three partsa. Human Behaviour, Psychotherapy and Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. Each part is broken down into chapters and each chapter contains subheadings e.g.aObservations Regarding Nonverbal Communicationa, aThe Separate Abilities of the Unconsciousa, aTherapists Must Decipher what Patients Saya, aUnique People Require Unique Interventionsa, aUse Whatever the Patient Presentsa, aTrance is Manifested in a Variety of Waysa, aKeep Your Role and Goal in Minda, aUse Boredom or Surprisea and aHypnosis Helps Overcome Conscious Barriersa.Each of the subheadings has a wealth of information pertinent to that subject and is followed by a collection of quotations that add substance and insight for the reader to absorb.As an example, in the chapter aInitiating Therapeutic Changea with the subheading aUnique People Require Unique Interventionsa, Havens offers some insight into how Erickson worked e.g. aTheoretical considerations, classifications and constructs should not be allowed to define or to limit what the therapist sees or doesa..a and Erickson is quoted, illustrating his beliefs from a variety of angles e.g.aBe willing to avoid following any one teaching or any one technique.a (Haley,1976, p.535) and aAnd I do wish that Rogerian therapists, Gestalt therapists, transactional analysts, group analysts and all the other offspring of various theories would recognize that not one of them really recognizes that psychotherapy for person #1 is not psychotherapy for person #2.a (Zeig,1980, p. 104)aErickson's use of indirect forms of communication was designed to do more than elicit responses in a reflex sort of way. Many, if not all, of his indirect communications also were designed to bypass the conscious mind and to contact the unconscious mind instead.a enabling him to solicit the assistance of the unconscious mind.I'm pleased to have had the opportunity to read this book at this stage of my career as a hypnotherapist as I can more fully appreciate the subtlety of the wisdom of the man so many have admired over the years. There is no doubt that Milton H. Erickson has left us a legacy that will endure. All this from a man born in 1901, who was colour blind and could perceive and enjoy the colour purple, but little else, who didn't speak until he was four, had polio when he was 17 and again at the age of 51. aThroughout his lifetime he was forced to overcome an incredible variety of adversities, but he had a way of turning all of his difficulties into advantages and valuable opportunities for learning.aRonald Havens can feel justifiably proud of what he has produced.All the hard work of researching, interpreting and compiling has resulted in a wealth of knowledge that he has been prepared to share with the world. Put it on your wish list for Christmas.