There are many intriguing facets to hypnosis: one of which is the area of consent.

The question is asked many times about whether one can be forced to do anything against his will whilst in a trance. The answer is normally “no”. Unless of course the querent is a customer of mine, in which case the answer is “get your wallet out and close your eyes, breathing slowly and deeply, and with every breath you are feeling more and more relaxed…”

The myth I base much of my living on is that I can turn my more subservient clients into mindless automatons and have them do anything I choose. In reality, it is they who decide exactly to what extent they want to be manipulated. I merely facilitate their fantasy of mental helplessness. A taxi driver willingly goes where he is instructed, yet it is still he who drives the car (and he who can choose to brake if I get annoyed with the pedestrians crossing the road too slowly and order him to drive straight over them).

And, as many theorise, if hypnosis does not exist as a magical state in itself and is merely a combination of suggestion and compliance, then with whom does the responsibility lie? My answer: Anyone but me, your honour.