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Having done hypnosis I get asked all the time "Can you make someone do something against their will?"
The short answer is "No."
But the longer, more complicated and real answer is "Most people don't have much of a will to go against."
Yeah, it's true. If we all had what we think of as a "Will" we would all be thin and rich because we all know what it takes to be thin and rich we just lack the Will to do it.
Face it - that is why people come to hypnotists, therapists, personal trainers and coaches in the for first place. They lack the will to do what it takes to get the job done.
I remember hearing a story about a lady who at a very early age began to make a list of things she wanted to do and she systematically set out to do them. From archery to learning to ride a camel and survive in a desert she intentionally strengthened her will to finally check them of the list.
Then she made a new list and tackled them.
What she didn't know was that she was systematically strengthening her will.
Now, I ask you, how many people have set out to demonstrate this force of will?
The answer is NOT VERY MANY. Instead we start with one intent and then lose interest then switch to something new. We end up both overweight and broke because we have no will.
Now I have to tell you I'm a bit divided about how to respond to all this. On the one hand I do understand and compassion is often the best response to people's misfortunes. But on the other hand when I see a man dragging his oxygen tank with one hand while smoking a cigarette and asking me to help him quit smoking .... a part of me just wants to punk slap him.
One doctor put it this way: "I'm sick and tired of being your mother. You tell me you just can't lose weight and I'm supposed to pat you on the back and console you. For god's sake, push away the twinkies and go for a walk."
Anyway, the point is as long as people are willing to not take complete responsibility for their lives they are going to be controlled in one way or another.
No, you can't make someone do something against their will. Good thing there aren't that many people with will to go against.
Dantalion Jones
