How Masterlock Taught Houdini a Lesson About the Subconscious Mind | NLP Blog from Transform Destiny
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How Masterlock Taught Houdini a Lesson About the Subconscious Mind

Posted: Monday, October 5th, 2009 : Read 1,666 Times : 577 words (~3 minute read)

When people ask me what hypnosis can be used for, I have a hard time pinning it down, because it can literally be used in all areas of life.

It can be used for everything from smoking to weightloss, nail biting to fears, and can even be effective for improving your performance on a hobby.

In fact, when I think about the benefits of hypnosis, I'm often reminded of the story of Houdini, the greatest escape-artist of all time.

Houdini was famous for being able to pick any lock in the world. In fact, he had a standing challenge to anyone that could make a lock that he couldn't pick...

One day, the Masterlock company decided to take him up on his challenge.

They said that they had developed a lock that was impossible to pick, and if it was fastened to a barrier, it would be impenetrable.

Houdini, never being one to walk away from a challenge, told his challengers, “I can get inside whatever you have locked. No matter how sturdy your lock may be, I can get through it.”

This was a bit of a bold claim, but he knew he had the skills. It became a wonderful media event.

Masterlock decided to place Houdini in a jail cell, and fasten the lock to the door. The only stipulation that Houdini made is that no one was allowed to watch him pick the lock.

So off into the cell he went. Searched thoroughly before entering, and stripped down to nothing but a pair of shorts, Houdini had one hour to pick the lock.

The camera crews, the reporters, all of the press were anxiously waiting to see if he could actually pick the lock. At fifteen minutes they checked in with Houdini to see if he had made his escape. When they opened the door, to their surprise, they saw Houdini still locked in the cell, desperately trying to get out. By this time, he had broken a sweat and was seriously beginning to wonder if he had the skills to open the door.

And you know, when you think about it, that's very similar to what some people experience daily in their lives. They can see where they want to go, it’s just an arms length away in some cases, whether that be financial security, or getting their body into shape, or having a fulfilling relationship.

Often times, people can almost reach out and touch what it is that they want, but there is something holding them back, keeping them trapped in their cells of mediocrity or lack. This is where hypnosis works its magic.

You see, if Houdini would have known what you know about the unconscious mind, perhaps he would have been more successful in opening the lock, because after two hours of attempting to break free from this lock, the press came in to find him dripping in sweat, emotionally and physically spent.

Masterlock had won, and as Houdini collapsed with fatigue and fell against the door, it opened without any resistance.

It was never locked in the first place.

And you can't pick a lock that isn't locked. So many times, we have these barriers in our life that we think are locked tight. But sometimes, all we have to do is turn the handle and open the door.

What handles do you need to turn on the doorways of opportunity in your life?

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ABOUT MICHAEL STEVENSON MNLP, MHT, MTT

Michael is a best-selling author, business coach, success coach, and international speaker with impressive credentials and experience.

He has helped nearly 200,000 people around the world learn to use the power of the mind to turn off the "autopilot," take hold of the controls, and create the life of their dreams.

Michael started Transform Destiny in the year 2000 with a deep passion for helping people transform their individual destinies, after transitioning from an unsatisfying field in computer programming.

Now, he heads Transform Destiny, the top NLP, hypnotherapy, and coaching training company in the world, and our trainers teach these valuable skills all over The United States of America, as well as other countries.

You can read more about Michael on his bio page.

More about Michael

  • Co-Star of the Documentary Movies

    • The Evolution of Success with Jack Canfield, Joe Vitale, Bob Doyle, and Others
    • A Year of Transformation
  • Accolades

    • Voted the second most influential person in the field of NLP in 2020 by the Global Gurus Organization
  • Author of the Books

    • Best-Selling Book: Unbreakable Spirit
    • Best-Selling Book: The Courage to Win
    • International Best Seller: Inner Revolution
    • International Best Seller: Mastery of the Mind
    • #1 Best-Selling Book: All the Answers Are Within
    • #1 Best-Selling Book: Becoming Positively Awesome
    • #1 Best-Selling Book Learn Hypnosis... Now!
    • Best-Selling Book: 33 Coaching Niches: The Definitive Guide to Selecting Your Perfect Niche
    • Best-Selling Book: Influence to Profit: Turning Words Into Wealth With Ethical Influence and Persuasion
    • UnStuck: The Owner's Manual for Success
    • The Power to Create Your Day... Now!
    • Quick Fix: NLP Recipes for Bliss
  • Credentials

    • Certified Master Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming
    • Certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
    • Certified Master Trainer of TIME Techniques™
    • Certified Master Practitioner of TIME Techniques™
    • Certified Neuro-Linguistic Master Learning Specialist
    • Certified Neuro-Linguistic Learning Specialist Trainer
    • Certified Advanced Parts Therapy Specialist Certification
    • Certified Eye Movement Integration Practitioner
    • Certified Business Coach and Business Consultant
    • Certified Master Success Coach and Certified Trainer of Success Coaching
    • Certified Master Life Coach and Certified Trainer of Life Coaching
    • Certified Funnel Optimization Expert and Customer Value Optimization Expert
  • Board Certified Through

    • International Board of Coaches and Practitioners
    • International Association of Counselors and Therapists
    • International Medical and Dental Hypnotherapy Association
    • American Board of Neuro-Linguistic Learning
    • International Hypnosis Federation
    • National Guild of Hypnotists
    • International Alliance of Professional Hypnotists
    • International Hypnosis Association
    • The Transform Destiny NLP Practitioner Training Program was voted globally as the top NLP Certification training program out of literally thousands of programs around the world by the Global Gurus Organization.
    • The Transform Destiny Company is also certified as an approved training institute by the International Board of Coaches and Practitioners and the International Hypnosis Federation.
    • Our Learn Hypnosis... Live!, Learn Hypnosis... Now!, NLP Practitioner, and NLP Master Practitioner trainings are also approved by the International Hypnosis Association.

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