Hypnosis and Metaphor

Metaphorics is the name that we have given to the development of appropriate metaphors in hypnotherapy. It is a particular technique of developing and utilizing the metaphor’s ability to affect change.

We all have an understanding of how the world works based on a combination of data, beliefs, experiences, and traditions. These are the stories on which we base our lives. It doesn’t matter whether they are true or false. The most important thing about these stories is how they shape our thinking.

It is apparent that all of us humans have a subconscious script that we are following in some way. So much so that, even when presented with rational, information contrary to what we believe, we will not be swayed. There are many examples of this throughout the newspaper every day.

A metaphor, then, is a way to make sense of the world around us by continuously comparing it to something else.

When pursuing positive change, it is often helpful to utilize self–hypnosis as an aid to communication with the subconscious.

Renee Fuller, psychologist and author, says, "Making stories may, indeed, be fundamental to human thinking. The ability to comprehend a story–that is, to grasp meaning within a given context–may be more basic to human intelligence than anything measured by IQ tests. The need to make our life coherent, to make a story out of it, is probably so basic that we are unaware of its importance." Fuller inferred that our basic concept of intelligence might be in error because it emphasizes the knowledge of data out of context:

In The Call of Stories (Houghton Mifflin, 1989), Robert Coles reflects on the role stories have played in his own life. Coles has found the power of stories to be a wonderful way of linking human experiences. He discovered that if psychiatric patients are offered the chance to present their own lives in story form, they are better able to find the roots of their problems.

Most of us have learned about the power of metaphor and story by reading poetry and fiction. Good authors know it well. When we use metaphors–saying that one thing is something else–what we are saying is literally untrue, but it tells us something very true, indeed. Metaphors are especially powerfully stories.

RITUALS ARE WHAT LIFE IS

Often, when I discuss the techniques of Sacred Metaphor, the topic of rituals come up. As a clinical hypnotist I understand the productivity that can be achieved by daily positive affirmations, self-hypnosis and prayer. I find that, without a doubt, our subconscious is listening. Since our automatic responses and reactions come from the subconscious, what we program into it is no small thing. In ancient societies ritual was used to insure the "good hunt," or a success in war, or a fertile harvest.

These too were done in repeated cycles of ritual. Ritual took on many forms. Often used were cave drawings, dance, and chant on through the beginnings of drama (the acting out of a successful hunt, etc.).

Often when you mention ritual the modern person may think occultism, devil worship, and so on. I am sure some of these groups use rituals but by no means is all ritual used in such ways! As Lakoff and Johnson say in their book, Metaphors We Live By, "We are constantly performing rituals, from casual rituals, like making the morning coffee by the same sequence of steps and watching the eleven o’clock news straight to the end." They mention Thanksgiving Dinner, as well as the most solemn prescribed religious practices.

So, if you get up and brush your teeth every morning, dress and drive the freeway to work, and so on, you are certainly performing certain rituals. Each ritual is apt to be repeated and is a coherently structured and unified aspect of our experience. In performing them we give structure and significance to our activities, minimizing chaos. Religious rituals are typically metaphorical kinds of activities. "We take this water in the remembrance of the Blood of God which was shed for us," is an important part of many Christian sacraments. Thus, using water as the symbol for blood. And by the drinking of the water receiving forgiveness of our personal transgressions.

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