Hypnosis for Dynamic Change
Think of all the times you go naturally into an “altered state”—an awareness different from your daily, focused left brain existence: driving on a turnpike, riding a bike, jogging, doing dishes by hand, mowing the lawn, watching a streamed movie. Hypnosis is a natural state of mind entered into spontaneously. Even daydreaming can be considered light hypnosis.
Hypnosis is not mystical or magical but an effective mental tool that enables one to take control of things that have seemed beyond their control in the past. Hypnosis is built with calming trust with hypnotist or hypnotherapist. In a deep state of relaxation, positive suggestions can reprogram the individual in selected areas.
As both a certified meditation instructor and certified hypnotist of many decades, I realize some think of hypnosis as akin to meditation. Many aspects apply to both. In both meditation and hypnosis, one achieves an altered state, releases attachment to the outer world, achieves relaxation, and becomes more in touch with oneself.
Differences come with the purpose of each. In meditation, one connects with the present and to one’s Higher Self, Cosmic Force, Oneness and to direction from spirit guides. In hypnosis, through carefully selected affirmations, the purpose is to achieve connection of the conscious and unconscious minds to create positive changes in behavior. It’s an opening to direction of the unconscious mind by the conscious mind.
Areas of your life that might benefit from hypnosis sessions are improvement in confidence, concentration, recall, motivation, achievement, focus, and health. Sessions can work with phobias, self-esteem, or addictive behaviors.
Some say they can’t be hypnotized. All hypnosis is self-hypnosis and relies primarily on the client trusting the hypnotist, being willing to relax and let go of defenses for a short period of time. During a session, one is open to new suggestions that the client and hypnotist have developed together. Rather than losing control, a series of sessions can help a person gain control. Excellent results can be achieved in light and medium states of relaxation. However, the abilities to relax and have genuine motivation to change are necessary to achieve results.
A client of mine was about to take her acupuncture boards, a complex and lengthy exam. We “anchored” her in hypnosis to the image of her favorite yellow flower. When she finally entered the exam room, she imagined herself in a field of yellow flowers, breathing deeply, smiling, and feeling the sun on her face. She was able to relax enough to reclaim all the information needed to achieve success!
When my daughter was young, I helped her to quit thumb-sucking. With hypnosis at night and soft music playing, I suggested her hands were excited to do active things like playing with toys, playing the piano, holding utensils. I said her mouth was for food, healthy food that her body needed. I also addressed issues that could have contributed to the thumb sucking, giving her suggestions that she was safe and that her unconscious could easily find creative, healthy ways for comfort. Within a week, she had stopped sucking her thumb—a habit of many years!
As a hypnotist, I develop images and positive statements to retrain the unconscious; these are discussed at length beforehand. I reassure the person that they will remember everything when they return to awareness. This is important because, unfortunately, “stage hypnosis” has people “bark like a dog” or perform other behaviors they would never do—and suggests to them that they won’t remember which can contribute to fears about hypnosis. What actually happens is the client becomes aware of old patterns buried in the subconscious, and when brought to the surface, these patterns have LESS control in their lives.
Pain thresholds can dramatically change during hypnosis or self-hypnosis. Hypnosis can provide relief for chronic pain sufferers of back pain, arthritis, headaches, injuries.
Contact Jean if you are interested in hypnosis sessions to achieve positive changes in your life.