The Inner Mind Revisited: Researching the Soul

The Inner Mind Revisited: Researching the Soul by the well-known and respected California hypnotist, A. L. Ward, is essentially a second , expanded version of his earlier book The Inner Mind, which was published almost four decades earlier. His tone and approach reminds me so much of classic hypnotists such as Estabrooks, Bernheim, and Elman. This book is a thought provoking volume that winds through a series of anecdotal case studies to include a continuation of one first discussed in his earlier work.

Although this work is related to the earlier book, it is self-contained and complete. In fact, some ways I felt transported mentally back to his 1966 edition. Like that book he gives a very coherent recounting of how he got involved with hypnosis, some excellent background and historical information about the field, and provides a concise description of his methodology with appropriate illustrations how his skills were used for a variety of situations and ailments.

His primary focus appears to be the use of hypnotic regression as a way to alleviate a subject's concerns. As explained on page 44, this includes uncovering a physical or mental deficiency, finding its origin, finding a connecting emotion and its origin, and then "cleaning" house. Even though I felt that I was reading the work of Dave Elman at this point as the similarities and apparent influence were more than a little obvious, Mr. Ward provides an elegant bouquet of case studies to show over and over again the validity of this method and experience.

One of my more critical observations is that this book should have been published as two separate publications. The first 74 pages, which I have been discussing up to this point, make it a brilliant instructional manual. Members of the general public and experienced hypnotherapists could derive a wealth of knowledge from this material. I think that it is unfortunate that he did not expand on this. The second section is a continuation of a case study first described in The Inner Mind. In this assistance in a forensic hypnosis case led him to a witness who apparently channels an entity who is able to give Mr. Ward some rather interesting insights. Although this part of the book was very interesting, the hardened clinician would probably have to do some mental stretching to see the benefit to most main-line practices. Again, I wish that both sections had been fully developed into two separate books, as each apparently has its own value and audience.

What is clear from reading both of A.L. Ward's previous books that he must be a truly remarkable hypnotist. His experience, sincerity, compassion, and competence are evident in every page of his books. His long history with hypnosis gives his case histories a value that should be accepted and respected the healing community.