

The Blackboard Induction is an example of how to use visualisation as the basis of hypnotic induction. This hypnotic induction uses the common idea of writing letters on a blackboard and then wiping them off again.
It works in two ways. Part of the induction is self hypnosis, suggesting that as each letter is wiped off the listener feels more relaxed. Part of the induction works by direct suggestion, suggesting that as more letters are written it gets harder to remember the next letter.
The advantage of this type of induction is that it allows the listener to relax at their own pace, and has many more stages than the 'one to ten' countdown induction. Once you understand the principle you will be able to do inductions based on any kind of visual changes, leaves dropping off trees, lights going out, .... it is the basis of the old advice of counting sheep jumping over a fence to get to sleep.