

When people learn you are a hypnotist, usually the first thing they say is 'Can I be hypnotized?' or 'OK, hypnotize me!'. The finger steeple hypnotic susceptibility test is a simple technique to hypnotize someone anywhere, any time.It can be a fun thing to do in a bar or at a party. It is easy to learn, safe, and will get you a great reputation as a hypnotist.
Everyone can be hypnotised, it's just that some are easier to hypnotize than others, and some are more hypnotically suggestible than others. It is possible to tell how susceptible each person is to hypnotic suggestions. There are several hypnotic susceptibility scales, but the easiest way to find out if someone is susceptible to hypnosis is the Finger Steeple Test. The Finger Steeple hypnotic susceptibility test is quick and easy to do, and teaches people that hypnosis is in no way mysterious or frightening - hypnosis can happen with the eyes open and fully aware of what is going on. Starting hypnosis by doing a hypnotic susceptibility test is a great way to avoid hypnosis anxiety. In fact, with the Finger Steeple test you don't have to mention hypnosis at all. It immediately convinces people that they can be hypnotized and removes any resistance before it even arises.
The text in green is what puts the idea of a different 'mind space' into the other person's head. Talking about those fingers or that gap in a tone of wonder causes the other person to think of them as being something outside themself and that whatever is happening must be happening because of something outside their control.
The text in blue marks the direct suggestion phrases that make the routine work. These must be said with absolute belief in your voice. Everyone is susceptible to hypnosis, but any hesitation or anxiety will be picked up. Unless you totally believe in the power of hypnosis, the other person won't.
You need to communicate total certainty about what is going to happen to the person you are hypnotizing in a subtle but unmistakable way.
The Finger Steeple hypnotic susceptibility test is actually a test of resistance, not susceptibility or suggestibility.
The hypnotic suggestibility routine works on everyone because of human physiology. If you hold your index finger straight up the ligaments in your hand will naturally contract and pull the finger forward. So if you hold both index fingers up they will automatically pull forward, which looks like they are being attracted to each other.
Everyone should respond to it, so it if doesn't work it means that the person you are testing is actively resisting your suggestions. This tells the hypnotist that an indirect hypnotic induction method will need to be used, or that some time will need to be spent finding out why the person is resisting and to overcome their anxiety. The resistance usually occurs because during the routine the person sees their fingers mysteriously moving and feels that they are losing control, so they will deliberately pull back the fingers.
The combination of inevitable physical movement linked to suggestion is very powerful. Most people will report being unable to separate their fingers, and at that moment they really believe they can't. In some people you will see their eyes glaze over and get a 'spacey' look. For these people all you have to do is say 'In a moment I will count from Three down to One, and when I reach One your hands will drop into your lap and you will fall into a deep hypnotic trance. Counting now - Three, Two, One. Sleep!'
Even those people it doesn't work on will be impressed because they will always admit that they saw their fingers beginning to move before they started resisting. Build on this to point out that they were actually going into trance and only their own deliberate intervention prevented it. This usually leads on to a discussion of beliefs about hypnosis and a willingness to try another method.
So if someone says I can't be hypnotized, you know what to do!.