@RoryZ
RoryZ wrote:Perhaps this is just me being a cop out at research or maybe it suggests that theory often tends to ruin practical subjects for me.
Does it?
First of all a bit of over-enthusiasm never killed somebody, still
you might reevaluate the importance of models in hypnosis for yourself.
Models do have a high practical impact, since they provide us with an idea
of how to understand hypnosis, as well as what to do actually as hypnotists.
We are not a club of dirty old men here

, engaging in mere theoretical hypnosis
fantasizing about potential explanations of this phenomenon.
Most hypnotists in this forum actively perform hypnosis and therefore require
answers to the questions above.
Think of a model as a map - a simplified representation of the world.
A map is build upon observation. Where does this mountain lie in relation
to the river? Where does the desert start? Where does it end?
The practical implication of a map is self-evident - it allows us to navigate
in the world. How to come from my village to the next town?
While it might be possible to simply travel small distances without
a map*, no problem here, you'd better buy a map if you want to become
a true world-traveller.
(* even then you've got a internal map in your head)
Well the point is there are actually different maps of the world
and while some might be of lesser quality, therefore less helpful to guide
you through the world, there might be others that you might find more suited
to accompany you on your adventures. (Or don't limit yourself to just one version
but pick several maps that you find useful and use them in parallel.)
For example if you'd travel long distances and suddenly you find yourself
in the middle of a jungle, while there's non noted on your map -
the map might be something missing.
From my own personal experience I can clearly tell you that my abilities
as a hypnotists skyrocketed once I changed my understanding of hypnosis:
Namely dropping the trance model.
You might consider the following questions:
What is trance? Does it even exist? And most important: Is the idea of a
trance state as a prerequisite for doing hypnosis a helpful one?
I suggest you listen to Joe's excellent seminar it might help you as well.
@Simon
Yeah, would love to learn more about your model.
Just post it once it's presentable.
-Ben