Oriental hypnosis
Oriental Hypnosis is an old Indian method of healing practiced by Sadhus, Fakirs, Yogis and sannyasis. These people indulge in self-induced hypnosis or trance-states by practicing rhythmic breathing exercise method like pranayama and meditation etc.
For hetero hypnosis they used threatening stare and suggestive techniques like loud command “sleep” etc. to bring out the subjects imagination generated from within the mind.In the early 19th century Abbe Faria, Indo-Portuguese priest, and a contemporary of Mesmer introduced oriental hypnosis to Paris. Later Dr. James Esdaile learned some trance techniques from Bengali Hindu fakirs and developed it as mesmeric anesthesia. Famous historian Will Durant writes in his book “The Story of civilizations”:
