Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-27
BY AUTO YPN0T|SM
Means by Which One May
Put Himself to Sleep.
CURE FOR INSOMNIA
SOME HARMLESS METHODS REC
oMMENDED By PROFESSIONALS.
Easier to Put Oneself Under the In
duence Than An.
other.
Written for The Evening Star.


You can easily cure your insomnia by
auto-hypnotism, unless 1t be a case of too
long standing. OF course the mere men,
ton of the word "hypnotism' suggests an
ocean Of mysteries. Yet. you probably
hypnotic yourself a dozen times daily
without knowing it. OF course, you do not
put yourself involuntarily to sleep a dozen
times a day.. Sleep is not a necessary ac-
compartment of hypnosis. But you can
make yourself sleep. as well as do many
other things not listed in the routine of
your natural inclinations.
j. You will rise in the morning at an hour
which you have impressed upon your in
voluntary mind before going to bed This
phenomenon can work both ways Hence
you can train yourself to fall asleep at a
moment which you have kept fixed in your
mind during the day; not the first time
you try it, perhaps, but you can soon train
yourself to do it.
Here Is a practical illustration of the
force of voluntary auto-suggestion: Stand
erect with your eyes closed and concen-
trate your attention for a few moments on
the sensation of falling backward. You
will begin Immediately to sway in that d.
rection. The same force with which you
here unconsciously contracted the muscles
of your legs and back will assist in taking
the blood from your brain and inducing
sleep.
Every Home a Hypnotic Laboratory.
A hypnotic laboratory at home can be
fitted up by pressing into service only the
ordinary articles Of domestic use. There
are no end of needless whirly-gigs sold to
induce the hypnotic state. These mechani-
cal aids are valuable for concentrating at
tention, fatiguing the eyes or deceiving the
superstitious subject. But your bedroom
can be converted into fully-equipped lab
oratory by such simple acquisitions as a
candle, hand mirror, a lead pencil, a bot
tie, stick of crayon, a sheet of wrapping
paper and such common articles as are
counted among the sundries of the humblest
abode.
Place a lighted candle behind a round
bottle blown of colored glass-an ordinary
green bottle-and gaze at the spot where
the light focuses on the opposite side. Let
the room be dark. Previously disrobe and
be in bed ready for sleep. Concentrate your
stare upon the light spot on the bottle and
to naturally close. The head should be
high, as sleep is produced by the blood's
leaving the brain. When the head is ele-
waited gravity aids to drain off such of the
vital fluid as is not needed to nourish the
brain during sleep. The bottle will serve
as screen against the glare of the candle
The latter can be cut short in order that 1t
may burn itself out soon after sleep ensues
Should you be nervous about letting the
candle burn while you sleep, set 1T upright
in a china plate, sticking 1t fast with few
drops of its hot grease. Then when 1t dies
out 1t can do no harm.
To Make a Hypnotic Eye.
Draw a large picture of the human eye
upon white paper. using soft black
crayon. Hang the paper where the rays
of your candle or night lamp will illuminate
it. Stare at this eye for quarter of an
hour If need be. Try to refrain from wink
ing. If the eye be sufficiently staring in
it's aspect it will finally stare you out"
Your eyes will grow fatigued and you will
fall asleep.
Make a cone about eighteen inches long
out of a sheet of white paper. Place the
large end to your eyes and stare at the
candle through it. Having maintained your
stare thus for about three minutes, close
your eyes. You will still see the outlines
of the candle. Gaze at this image steadily
that is, continue to endeavor to see 1t
and after 1t has disappeared agine that
you see it until it reappears. This ex-
pertinent frequently induces sleep in a very
short time.
Stare into the pupils of your own eyes
reflected in a mirror placed conveniently
upon stand or table close by your bed
and at a distance of ten inches from your
face Stare until your piece of candle
burns out. Even before that time your
eyes will probably be closed in sleep
Hold one end of a long lead pencil be-
tween your teeth and allow your gaze to
run up and down its polished surface until
the eyes close of their own accord The
same effect can be produced in the dark
by staring at an ina ginary spot at the tip
of your nose. Touch your forehead with
your finger. Then roll your eyes up under
your lids and imagine that you are looking
through the top of your head at this par