Where: These self-hypnosis tapes can be played at home - preferably while you're sitting in a relaxed position - but never, as the tapes say, 'in a moving motor vehicle'. It's hard to reach Nirvana at a busy road junction. Available from MDG, call Mac Lee on 2751-7550.
Why: 'You are what you believe you are,' says the hippie-ish blurb. The tapes work, apparently, by 'reprogramming your subconscious mind'. If your subconscious is filled with fear or hate then so is your life. If it is filled with joy and love then so is ... get the idea? Who: The soft, west coast American baritone of hypnotist Barrie Konicov is supposed to lull you into a subconscious state. The head of Potentials Unlimited has made more than 180 'subliminal persuasion' tapes since 1976, covering everything from 'Better Table Tennis' to 'Develop Psychic Abilities'. But as I listened to him telling me to close my eyes, put my thumbs and forefingers together to form 'O's' and 'relax, relax ... let go, let go ... go deeper, deeper, deeper', I couldn't help trying to picture the man behind the voice. The image of a big, bushy beard kept popping into my head. Later, I visited his Web site and found a picture of him. Guess what? He has a big, bushy beard. Could this be hypnosis at work? Or do all west coast, self-help, psycho-babble hypnotists sport copious facial hair? What: There are two sides to the tape, a self-hypnosis side and a subliminal one. On the first side, soft classical music accompanies the bearded one as he relaxes you and then, in theory, takes you to a deeper state. He tries to focus your mind - asking you to imagine you are sitting under a hot sun, that you are happy and full of joy - then gently leads you into a hypnotic state, telling you how happy you are and that you love everybody. Side two is more of the same but is without the 'hypnotic' relaxation exercise, the theory is that you hear the same music and the same deep voice and your subconscious remembers his instructions to chill out, don't worry, be happy. You keep playing this forever.
The result: Konicov says these tapes will lead you to a 'more rewarding life'. Your consciousness and subconsciousness will work together in harmony, he says, helping you achieve your emotional, mental and physical goals - everything from more money to less fat. I listened to the tape and fell asleep.
The bottom line: Verdict: It might sound like mumbo jumbo but some people will benefit, even if the tape is just used as an aid to relaxation or get you to sleep. The tape lasts half an hour and Konicov does tend to drone. If you're not used to mediation, staying focused for that length of time is tough. That said, it brightened up my day: I was buzzing that I guessed he had a big, bushy beard.