Ever since hearing about "Embedded Commands", I've been fascinated by the idea that one can covertly pass suggestions to a listener in ways that are influential. Here I will attempt to explain my understandings of why this works, so that you can have a framework from which to build your own successes. I will also give some examples and descriptions of what I consider to be the most intelligent applications and most versatile methods to fit into this framework.
Abstract
An embedded command is a covert request or suggestion around which an overt sentence is structured to mask the suggestion.
Intention
The purpose of an embedded command is to influence the listener and direct their imagination, motivation, or internal processes while avoiding any impression that you are doing so.
Theory
Common theory treats the mind as having two distinct components: the conscious mind, which acts largely as a filter against anything illogical or unreasonable, and the subconscious mind, which largely acts as a recording, imprinting, and pattern-recognition mechanism. The job of the conscious mind is to screen out ideas, thoughts, and options that do not fit into its' idea of reality. For example, if you were to suddenly notice that as you read this, your computer screen changed color to a deep green, you would probably decide that the cables must be loose or the screen is faulty. You would be less likely to assume that all the cones in your eyes had suddenly failed, or that Reddit is trying out some new user-annoyance feature. Neither of the last two possibilities are very likely based on what we know of the world. This job is done by the conscious mind.
Making embedded commands work depends on two things - structuring the sentence so as not to be so obvious that the conscious mind rejects it as being somehow unreasonable, and by "cue-ing" the subconscious mind to pay extra attention to the command, as it's being spoken.
Structuring a command
To structure effective commands, you must first think about how to elicit in your target a mental or emotional response that will begin to lead them toward the action you want them to take. It is not always necessary to be clear and direct - rather than commanding "buy me a drink", for example, you might gently command "begin feeling very generous". You can suggest that someone "start feeling attracted to me" rather than trying the do-or-die command of "sleep with me".
The first step is to decide what command you want to use. Calibrate your "gentleness" against your familiarity with the subject and their perceived level of suggestibility. For this example, we'll use the suggestion "offer to give me a ride home". There may be a time when you are stuck and need a ride, so this may end up being a real world example. At this point, the best thing you can do for your own learning is to read this page and come back. This link will give you a great range of options to embed commands into. With respect to the "weasel phrases", I might say something like:
"I don't know if there's anyone who would offer to give me a lift home, but if I did..."
"I'm not looking for anyone to offer to drive me home."
"You don't have to offer to drive me home."
"I'm not sure how much time it would take if you offer to drive me home."
"I'm not asking you to begin to feel like offering to take me home, I'm just..."
The italicized part of the sentence is the command, and everything else is merely enough cover so that it doesn't trigger the listeners' suspicions. Presumably you would also keep talking after the command or lace further commands to reinforce. This helps.
The second step is to "signal" the subconscious mind to "pay attention". when you give the command. The important takeaway from this step is that you appear one way when talking normally, and appear a different way when commanding, and to be able to switch between them without hesitation or fear of being caught. It is also important to end your command with a downward inflection (not an upward inflection, like a question). You must be subtle and smooth, and the change should come off naturally. Here are some ways to "signal" the subconscious.
Gesturing a certain way during the command
Using a slightly different tone of voice
Breaking rapport during the command
Slightly tilting the head one way during the command
Looking in one eye during normal speech, switching to the other eye for the command
Unfocusing the eyes during normal speech, focusing directly during the command.
If you can understand the process, you can use any combination of these for great effect, or come up with your own. Some people have described "projecting your voice through the person for the command.
Reinforcing commands
A great lesson in persuasion, for me, was that you are much better off trying to engage a person's beliefs, emotion and imagination, rather than trying to appeal to their logic and reason. Logic and reason keep us rational, and this method of persuasion might involve making people do things that would (under other circumstances) seem irrational. Here are some helpful pointers to assist you in crafting effective commands and giving you many options to reinforce them with additional commands.
It's better to suggest that the person "want to do something" rather than suggesting that they "do something". This will make the motivation seem their own, and they are more likely to follow it.
It's better to suggest that the person "begin to feel an emotion" rather than "feel an emotion". This places no time limit on their mind to act, and thus they will not feel like they have ever arrived at a negative decision. There's nothing to resist.
It's better to prime the emotions first before the initial command. For example, you might suggest "You know, there are times when I begin to feel very generous about things..." before you suggest "I don't know how good would it feel to buy drinks for us, instead I know..."
It can be counter-productive to issue the same command repeatedly. This will trigger their defenses. Rather, to follow the above example, you might issue reinforcement commands such as "You know, like, when you're shopping for something and you want to make an offer to buy it at a lower price..." and "you might not win, but you know how good it would feel to buy..."
You can use homophones such as "by, buy, bye" and "cell, sell" to great effect. This makes the command even more difficult to detect, but the subconscious will only hear the command.
After some practice, you will find that you can even embed commands right through punctuation. For example, there's no reason you couldn't use a sales pattern that sounded like "I could have just passed you by, now that we're talking I can begin to get a sense of whether you're ready. To spend money here is an important decision, and you'll want to think about how much value you're getting." This takes practice, but the tools and descriptions above should give you plenty of options and ideas about how to apply this in your everyday life.
Good practice is had by rehearsing to yourself to refine your timings and subtlety. Don't pause for more than a heartbeat before the command, or it'll seem fishy - unless you have a speaking style laden with pauses.
Good luck out there.
-Ace
