By: Jonathan Szydlo/Contributing Writer
Hypnosis is not a hoax. Skeptical? So was an initial crowd of about 90 in attendance for Sailesh’s, self-proclaimed Hypnotist Extraordinaire, performance at the Wolfe University Center Theater on Jan. 13.
The Student Programming Council at the Biscayne Bay Campus hosted it as part of its “Week of Welcome” events held across both University campuses last week.
Some were skeptics. Some were believers. Some came to laugh at what they thought would be cheap parlor tricks, while others were just curious as to what entertainment the University had to offer.
“I’m looking to explore the university more and find out what type of events they have,” said Raj Naidu, a civil engineering graduate student. “I’m on a budget too, so I’m looking for all forms of alternate entertainment in Miami.”
Eva Pentitfere, a junior biology major, was amongst the skeptics in attendance.
“I want to see if this really works. I’ve never seen this done in person, but I’ve seen it on TV,” said Pentifere.
As the show kicked off, Sailesh had his randomly chosen volunteers on stage. He delivered a five-minute guide towards achieving a meditative state, allowing him access to the volunteers’ subconscious as they fell into a deep sleep. And with the final command of “sleep,” those who were open to the idea of hypnosis were under the suggestive power of Sailesh for the remainder of the evening.
Volunteers were put through a series of situations in which they were under the impression that they were in extreme cold, switched genders, were on a mission to Mars, relived their prom dance but while embracing another volunteer of the same sex, and even sat on stage with the impression that they were watching X-rated movies starring themselves.
Janiel Varges, a senior Political Science major, although skeptical, was one of the first to fall into the hypnotic trance. “Physically, I was up on that stage and seated in my chair. But psychologically, emotionally and mentally, I couldn’t do much to snap out of it. After tonight’s experience, it would be safe to say that I am definitely a believer,” said Varges.
JC Remedios, a senior double majoring in Liberal Studies and Psychology, was “one of the quick ones to fall.”
“I was scared the whole time [of Sailesh making] me do something that I would regret and couldn’t hold back, said Remedios. “Being an openly gay person, there were points in the show that I was afraid that what if the other straight would do, or what his reaction would be and whether or not it would be hostile.”
From the minute Sailesh stepped onto the stage until he released the volunteers from their hypnotic trance, the audience was on the edge of their seats in disbelief.
“I walked into this as a complete skeptic and now there is no denying the truth behind it,” said Remedios.
Biscayne Social is a weekly column run on Wednesday covering events at the Biscayne Bay Campus. Reviews are at the columnists’ discretion.
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