TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Affirmations
Body Language
Comfort Zone Quake
Desensitization Fight–or–flight
Hawaiian Huna
Hypnotic Regression Lagtime
Law of Reversed Effect
Limiting Belief Systems
Modalities
NLP
Right Brain/Left Brain
State–bound memories
Subconscious Questioning
Submodalities
Trigger Mechanisms

Hypnosis and Self–Hypnosis

During hypnosis, who’s in control–the hypnotist or the subject?

My experiences indicate it’s the subject who is in control, not the hypnotist. Rather than losing control of consciousness, one becomes very aware as well as focused: able to concentrate in one direction without peripheral distractions. Hypnosis is a technique which allows one to access a state of deep physical relaxation, accompanied by a specifically directed conscious awareness. Through hypnosis you can work with your own automatic response system, the subconscious, to improve habits, change and update inappropriate behaviors, and improve your own self image. Hypnosis can also access the body’s pain control system to raise the pain threshold. It is considered to be of great assistance to the creative and problem solving parts of the mind. I feel that hypnosis is really an awareness technique. It’s like daydreaming.

Can a hypnotist force me to do something I would rather not do?

No. The hypnotist works as a mediator for his subjects. As a mediator, he or she will help direct a subject, but can’t control a subject or force him to do something that he’d rather not do: such suggestions would or could be ignored by a subject.

Is that true, even if the subject is in a sleep/trance-like state?

Yes, but remember this is part of the myth. Hypnosis is not a sleep/trance state; on the contrary, it creates a state of heightened awareness and heightened consciousness and therefore allows the subject to focus in the area which is not as easily accessible by your everyday awareness: the area of the subconscious. Hypnosis is a super–state of relaxation, an emotional and physical state with the mind being calm and alert. Hypnosis most closely resembles the twilight state which immediately precedes sleep, the transitory state between sleeping and waking, but not sleep and not trance.

You referred to the area of the subconscious. could you define this area?

Yes. To do so, let’s first look at the area of the conscious. The conscious is associated with the decision-making, analytical, and often critical judgmental aspects of the mind. In comparison, the subconscious in many ways is similar to the computer, the real store–house of everything that we have ever seen, thought, heard, or imagined. As long as it has made an impression on us, it is registered and stored in the subconscious. It is through this part of the mind that we create patterns and habits, both good and bad ones. It’s interesting that if you train a rat to run a maze with cheese as a reward, it will continue to do so even after you remove the cheese; it’s a pattern that takes time to break. Humorously, Werner Erhard claims that the only difference between the rat and the human is that the human will spend an entire lifetime going down the wrong maze with no reward. Subconscious patterns are so strong that we often find ourselves doing things we’d rather not be doing. We need to get in contact with our subconscious to break these patterns. Hypnosis is a technique in which we contact the subconscious so as to enable us to use it in unity with the conscious mind, rather than in opposition, as if so often the case.

What then, is the difference between hypnosis and self–hypnosis?

Simple: with hypnosis you use your hypnotist as a mediator to focus in on the area of concern. With self–hypnosis you learn to be your own mediator. The results are the same. This does not always mean that self–hypnosis is better than hypnosis; it depends on what a subject is working on. Self–hypnosis is learning how to use the hypnotic state to achieve your chosen goals. Once you have learned the techniques, you control when, where, and what you apply them to in your pursuit of excellence.

Self–hypnosis can be taught to most individuals in four sessions. It takes only a few minutes a day. It can be applied to many different areas of your own life. It can be used to increase motivation and productivity in your work place. It can be used to manage the stress in your daily life. You can use it on weight control, smoking, insomnia, test anxiety, and improving self–image. Most importantly, YOU are in control.

What kinds of "problems" or "areas" does a hypnotist work on?

It’s a wide field. You can use hypnosis on any area that you use your mind for. That covers the whole gamut from sexual blocks to open heart surgery. We work with people who have smoking, drinking, weight, and phobic problems. In California, I personally worked with doctors and dentists in patient preparation for surgery, as well as controlling pain and hypertension. We also did some interesting work assisting San Clemente police in helping crime victims and witnesses recall details lost in the subconscious due to the trauma of various experiences. The results were often amazing.

What is a "Trigger Mechanism?"

Let’s use weight as an example. As an infant we’re wet, alone, and crying. Mom comes in and holds us, feeds us, and changes us. Food not only represents nutrition, it also represents love, security, and reward. Perhaps we never had a weight problem before, but when we get older and we’re going through a divorce, or having problems at work, these problems work as a trigger mechanism. After dinner, even though we're not hungry, we’re at the cupboard looking for something to munch on. We start putting on weight. The subconscious is trying to bring us what we need emotionally by physically acting it out. That’s why at the Michigan Institute of NeuroDynamics we don’t just emphasize suggestion toward the symptom, but toward the original cause.

REPROGRAMMING CAUSE

That’s when we go down to the subconscious with our self–hypnosis techniques. Through repetition we begin reprogramming the original cause out, using suggestions toward security and self–worth. Utilizing weight as our example we would not just make suggestions toward the symptoms, such as "Smaller quantities of food will be satisfying to me." We'd also include "I am able to bring love, security and reward more directly into my life," which is dealing more directly toward the cause.

What would you say is the most dramatic or interesting application of hypnosis?

There are quite a few; more than I could cover here. One of them deals with case histories of regressions. Another dramatic application is as an anesthetic during surgery. The technique is especially useful for patients who cannot tolerate anesthesia or pain medications. And, of course, it is of tremendous help to those going through chemotherapy, by assisting them with nausea and allowing them to regain their appetites. An interesting case is Dr. A.J. Morong of Duke University, who claims he slowed his own aging process via self–hypnosis. To look at him, you’d never have known he was over 90 years of age.

What about sports?

Sports and hypnosis mix well. Let me caution that a hypnotist can’t create a champion unless the potential talent is there to begin with. Generally, you’re dealing with subconscious reactions in sport. Athletes are quite receptive to hypnosis because their bodies are so keenly trained to react to the mind. Hypnosis helps remove the tension barrier and helps them visualize their potential. Often we find athletes with various subconscious problems including lack of confidence. One fading member of the San Francisco Giants learned this through hypnosis in time to go on to a starring role on an All Star team. I have also worked with pro football players and three Olympic teams. The pattern seems to hold that confidence and success blocks are as common to sports as they are to all life experiences.

What is a success block?

It is the subconscious fear of success and/or the subconscious feeling that one is unworthy of success. You might know someone who, upon nearing success, will repeatedly do something to sabotage that possibility. We had one football player who seemed to fumble near the end zone, and we found it had more to do with childhood patterns than the tension of being close to the goal line. This often appears most obviously on the playing field, but in reality it is a more common problem in the general game of everyday living. Many of us are unknowing victims to one degree or another. This is where we get the saying, "He’s his own worst enemy." The reverse is also true: with the right application we can all be our own best friend.

What is a Limiting Belief System?

Many times we have conscious attitudes and belief systems that may vary from our subconscious attitudes. Everybody has experienced times when they feel clear about their motivations and have logic and reason behind them, yet may notice their automatic reactions seem to be just the opposite. I feel this is based on a very common reason, i.e., the subconscious has a limiting or opposing belief system at the same time, which then instigates our reactions to oppose our reasonable goals. What’s worse is that most people don’t understand why they can’t achieve them. They tend to put themselves down, call themselves lazy, and DOUBT their ability to achieve.

There seems to be two different types of beliefs that may cause resistance: One is, as we just mentioned, conscious vs. subconscious, and the other reason is often referred to as a double bind, which is when we have two or more opposing beliefs on a subconscious level. This is not an unusual situation. It seems the subconscious does not compare one belief vs. another as our analytical, conscious mind does. Thus, we may have several BELIEF working in different directions. This is called a double bind. You’ve heard the old saying, "damned if you do and damned if you don’t," as in the example of The Dog and the Mailman.

THE DOG and THE MAIL MAN

If as a puppy, the mailman smacked you on the nose with a newspaper, you would probably start associating the uniform with something bad. If the mailman then started giving you a treat when he came to the door, you would then associate the uniform with something good. It would not be unusual for the dog to grow up and first lick the mailman and then bite him.

I had a student who was rewarding herself by eating sweets. Yet she was punishing herself by being overweight. So she could eat and reward herself and eat and do penance at the same time. I have come across students who had quadruple binds going. Luckily this isn’t as common.

Can you explain the concept of "Lagtime?"

Lagtime is the interval between the acquiring of new information and the appropriate physiological response to new information

We all have a natural inclination to follow established patterns. For example: The habit of someone walking. We all have a style and rhythm to our walk. Quite often we recognize someone from a distance just by their walk. A walk is a part of a person’s personality similar to the style of his or her speech.

peech is our auditory capability, and our walk, or movement, is our kinesthetic mode of approaching the world. By consistent daily walking in this automatic pattern we are training and exercising the different muscle groups that allow us excellent results as we make these movements. Therefore, as we retrain our style of doing things, those already built up muscles may be off balance for the new pattern we have learned. Realistically, through this process, sometimes we are able to change our mental processes faster than our physical body can catch up. This may be called LAGTIME. That’s why my emphasis is on the self-hypnosis, so on a daily, or near daily, basis we constantly review the new data. If not, there’s a tendency to be drawn back to the still constant muscular physiology.

What is a "Comfort Zone Quake?"

First of all, what is a Comfort Zone? A Comfort Zone is any established pattern in the subconscious mind (a set automatic response), even if that pattern may be making you uncomfortable!

A Comfort Zone Quake simply means that occasionally, as we are going after goals, which on one level, might be the very best thing for us, might give us resistance. It is that resistance that I call a "quake."

Most goals we work toward don't cause a problem, but occasionally we go through a quake, and it’s important to recognize it. It’s helpful to understand that when we begin making important changes in our life, occasionally we experience temporary blocks. I divide these blocks into two basic categories: Personal Comfort Zone Quake and Outside Comfort Zone Quake.

Is that the same as the "Law of Reversed Effect?"

No. They are quite different. "The Law of Reversed Effect" means there is a rebel in all of us, and we don’t like to be pushed or pressured into or out of anything. If I was to say to you, "Are you going to eat that piece of chocolate pie? I thought you were on a diet!" You will probably not only eat that piece but two more besides, thinking "Who is this bimbo anyway bugging me about my pie?" We do not like to be pushed or pressured!

A druggist who was an early psychologist by the name of Coué discovered that we not only don’t like to be pressured by other people but we will actually rebel if we give ourselves negative commands. It seems our subconscious doesn’t care whether it is someone else or ourselves pushing us around. It doesn’t like it and quite often responds by doing the exact opposite.

We will not only rebel against negative commands given to us by other people, we will quite often rebel against negative commands we give ourselves and will quite often respond by doing the exact opposite. Have you ever noticed what happens when you tell yourself, "I just have to stop smoking," "I should jog this morning," "I just have to get these taxes done?"

You will notice when doing the self–hypnosis that we never put in "I have to...," "I can’t...," "I should...," "I must...," "I am supposed to...," because it tends to cause rebellion. Instead, we word our goal in a positive, supportive way. The rebel part is an important part of us. It is what allows us to maintain our individuality in spite of social and parental pressures.

Why self–hypnosis?

Self–hypnosis can be taught to most individuals in four sessions. It takes only a few minutes a day. It can be applied to many different areas of your own life. It can be used to increase motivation and productivity in your work place. It can be used to manage the stress in your daily life.

How do you learn self–hypnosis?

You learn self–hypnosis through experience and practice. A student can learn to be proficient in just four sessions. At the Michigan Institute of NeuroDynamics you will experience the state of hypnosis during each of the four sessions. Learning to use these techniques yourself through practice is emphasized. You will also learn to deal with the cause of a particular behavior and not just the superficial symptoms. The Michigan Institute of NeuroDynamics offers a wide variety of programs, from one–on–one sessions to lecture and group classes.

SELF–HYPNOSIS APPLICATI0NS

BALLONISTS PASS THREE-QUARTER MARK
By Michelle Faul
The Associated Press
San Juan, Puerto Rico

More than ¾ of the way around the world, two weary balloonists soared Thursday over the Caribbean, seeking a jet stream to help them conquer on of aviation’s most elusive goals.

Buoyed by their success, Swiss psychiatrist Bertrand Piccard and former British air force pilot Brian Jones passed over Haiti and the Dominican Republic and headed into the Atlantic region. They hope to land Sunday morning in the remote mountain scrublands of the northwest African country of Mali.

"If we could only find a fast jet stream and whiz across the Atlantic, that would be great," flight controller Brian Smith said from a makeshift control tower in Geneva.

Piccard and Jones have gone farther in their silver Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon without stopping than any other balloonist since Jules Verne fired the imagination with his 19th century adventure Around the World in Eighty Day.

By midday Thursday, the duo had traveled 21,985 miles of the 26,000 odyssey that began with a March 1 takeoff from the Swiss Alps.

Bertrand was reported to be feeling better Thursday after being hypnotized by a doctor over the radio.

The Lamaze (psychoprophylaxis) method of childbirth originated in Russia in 1923. Originally called Hypnosuggestive childbirth, it was so successful that within a few years "hypnotariums" were established in large cities such as Kiev and Leningrad. At least 8,000 cases were documented with these methods.

The composer, pianist and conductor Sergei Rachmaninoff was probably the last of the great Russian composers. He began studying piano at the age of 5. Born in 1873, he graduated in piano in 1891. He achieved world fame at just 19 years of age with the publication of several of his works, including the C-sharp Minor Prelude (1892). His first symphony (1897) failed however, and his creativity was stifled for 3 years. He subjected himself to a period of treatment with hypnosis and produced his Second Piano Concerto in 1901. The creativity which followed lasted until 1917, producing 22 of his 45 opus numbers.

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