Can You?
Almost everyone can. There are a few exceptions.
Mental impairment
I've been asked whether a mentally impaired person could benefit from acquiring an Inner Guide and doing self-hypnosis. People who are mentally compromised to the extent that they are unable to understand abstract concepts will not be able to understand the definition of the Inner Guide and therefore will not be able to bring an Inner Guide into existence. This problem may be present from birth, or it may arise after brain damage due to trauma or certain medical illnesses. And mentally ill people who are having an acute exacerbation of their disease or, through chronicity, have lost brain volume, may likewise be unable to understand abstract concepts.
However, if they could be taught to enter a self-hypnotic state (without an Inner Guide), they might be able to use it to calm themselves when they are upset. And their caretakers could benefit from acquiring an Inner Guide, not only for themselves but to better understand the needs of the disabled people they are caring for.
Children
The ability to abstract is not yet present in young children. When they are old enough to understand the concepts that define an Inner Guide, usually by late elementary school, they will be able to create their own Inner Guide when given the definition of it. And I have learned of some parents who have taught it to their children.
Many schools already teach their students how to meditate. Certain forms of meditation are identical to self-hypnosis; so these children, when taught the definition of an Inner Guide, will be able to create their own. And they will be a step ahead of adults, because they will have had fewer years in which to develop chronic painful emotions and unhelpful habits.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Some people with obsessive-compulsive disorder are afraid that they would relinquish control if they allowed an Inner Guide to come into being and operate independently in their minds. They will not be interested in acquiring an Inner Guide.
Dissociative Identity Disorder
People with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) (formerly called Multiple Personality Disorder) should not attempt self-hypnosis on their own because one or more of their other personalities might “come out” during that time. (After some preparatory psychotherapy this difficulty can be overcome.) The majority of people with DID are unaware that they have this condition, so they aren't forewarned; but fortunately, they would feel a disinclination to try to acquire an Inner Guide.
The Rest of Us
For the rest of us, acquiring an Inner Guide is easy. And those of you who already meditate (not mindfulness but meditation) already have your built-in routine, giving your Inner Guide the trance time it needs to do its work on your behalf. You can acquire an Inner Guide with my course, Achieving Emotional Comfort®, which is available at: go.emotionalcomfort.com/getcourse
