

The eye fixation induction is probably the earliest hypnosis Induction. The eye fixation induction was developed by James Braid, the first clinical hypnotist (who also invented the word 'hypnosis'). Eye fixation is the source of the classic movie line for hypnotists 'your eyes are getting heavy, very heavy...'. The Eye Fixation Induction works because eyes staring at a point will quickly get tired. The hypnotist paces the physical reactions (blurring, watering, blinking) and implies that the changes are happening because of the hypnotist's suggestions.
The Eye Fixation Hypnosis Induction is one of the most commonly used hypnotic inductions. It works well with most people.
It does not work at all with people who are in the least bit skeptical of hypnosis. The eye fixation induction is taught in hypnosis classes for beginners learning hypnosis, but in fact it is hard to get right. Many clients notice their eyes defocusing and drifting, remember that they were told to stare at the point, and so actively start to control their eyes and keep them fixed on the point, which takes them right out of trance.. The client is left with their eyes wide open staring at nothing, trying to see non-existent changes and all the while their mind is actively disputing what the hypnotist is saying to them. All the hypnotist can do is keep going and hope they will eventually get bored and shut their eyes. Not a good choice.