Consciously one understands the self improvement goals, but the subconscious is stuck in past failure mechanisms. Hypnosis and self hypnosis are the most effective tools to get the message from the conscious to the subconscious where change can occur. Napoleon Hill said that one can accomplish anything desired by repetition of suggestion for six months.
To accelerate this process, the late Harry Arons, a well known lay hypnotist from the 50's through the early 80's, developed a technique to deliver self suggestion in a particular time period. He does this by having the client count fifty breadths with eyes closed which takes from three-to-five minutes. The client does this for a week after which time the time period is becomes programmed. Next a self hypnotic suggestion is then used in place of the counting of breadths. A suggestion he might have had his client use is, "I am becoming more confident everyday."
Even though many others used self hypnosis with their clients, Harry was the one that developed it as a technique with a,b,c directions which eliminate the, "I wonder if I'm doing it right?" question.
In reality, all hypnosis is self hypnosis. Even with a hypnotist providing the suggestions; they are always aware of their surroundings even while in the deepest of trance. They can even open their eyes any time they desire.
Accompanying most hypnotic procedures is relaxation. As the subjects relax they often feel sensations of heaviness or lightness which is so pleasant that generally they don't want the relaxation to end. During this relaxation, suggestions are given such as, "Each and every time you practice self hypnosis you will be more responsive to the suggestion." This is called conditioning.
Autogenic training is another method used for self suggestion. It's generally used by those in the biofeedback field to facilitate muscular and vascular relaxation. Autogenic phrases are suggestions such as:
1. My neck is relaxing. My neck is relaxing
2. My forehead is relaxing. My forehead is relaxing
3. My hands and feet are warm and relaxed. My arms and hands are
warm and relaxed.
4. My breathing is deep and relaxed. My breathing is deep and
relaxed.
Generally a cd is played in which the suggestions are introduced and explained with imagery that might facilitate the relaxation. The suggestion is repeated by the patient over and over to him/her self during a period of silence on the recording. If biofeedback instruments are available as the recording is played, they measure the degrees of muscular and vascular relaxation attained with the autogenic training. The same results can be obtained by using the same suggestions with the self hypnosis technique.
Six months? Both autogenics and self hypnosis dramatically improve upon simply using self suggestion in that the suggestions are given while in a relaxed receptive state (alpha) as opposed to repeating them to oneself while in a beta state. The beta state is one's normal aware state where the conscious mind is busy concentrating on reading, driving, communicating...
Typical suggestions used are in first person present tense such as:
"I am confident."
"Everything I've studied flows freely to mind."
"My handwriting is relaxed and smooth."
"I enjoy communicating and relating with others."
See the resource box for more information on how to word suggestions to overcome a variety of different problems.
Hypnosis, self hypnosis and autogenic training are the best ways to get the message to the subconscious mind and effect a change in behavior. From here on it's a matter of refinement of suggestion and suggestion technique of which there are many to achieve any specific goal.
by:Richard Kuhns
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Hypnosis and Self Hypnosis to Get Suggestions from the Conscious to the Subconscious Mind
Your 7 Day Program For Self-Improvement
"A Better You" Your 7 days program to self-improvement
I seem to lost count on how many times I've read and heard of celebrity marriages failing almost left and right. Not that I care (and personally I don't), it seems strange that we often see movie and TV stars as flawless people, living the fairytale life of riches and glamour. I suppose we all have to stop sticking our heads in the clouds and face reality.
There are many ways to lose your sense of self-esteem despite of how trivial it could get. But whatever happens, we should all try not to lose our own sense of self.
So what does it take to be a cut above the rest? Here are some of the things you can think and improve on that should be enough for a week.
1. Know your purpose
Are you wandering through life with little direction - hoping that you'll find happiness, health and prosperity? Identify your life purpose or mission statement and you will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.
This may seem tricky at first when you see yourself to be in a tight or even dead end. But there's always that little loophole to turn things around and you can make a big difference to yourself.
2. Know your values
What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development, learning. As you set your goals for 2005 - check your goals against your values. If the goal doesn't align with any of your top five values - you may want to reconsider it or revise it.
The number shouldn't discourage you, instead it should motivate you to do more than you can ever dreamed of.
3. Know your needs
Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? There are so many people who lived their lives without realizing their dreams and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed for that matter. List your top four needs and get them met before it's too late!
4. Know your passions
You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm will only hinder you, but will not derail your chance to become the person you ought to be. Express yourself and honor the people who has inspired you to become the very person you wanted to be.
5. Live from the inside out
Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Commune with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind. For most of us city slickers it's hard to even find the peace and quiet we want even in our own home. In my case I often just sit in a dimly lit room and play some classical music. There's sound, yes, but music does soothe the savage beast.
6. Honor your strengths
What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List three - if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify these. Are you imaginative, witty, good with your hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths. You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know to others.
7. Serve others
When you live authentically, you may find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true to who you are, living your purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit - your essence. The rewards for sharing your gift with those close to you is indeed rewarding, much more if it were to be the eyes of a stranger who can appreciate what you have done to them.
Self-improvement is indeed one type of work that is worth it. It shouldn't always be within the confines of an office building, or maybe in the four corners of your own room. The difference lies within ourselves and how much we want to change for the better.
by:Timothy Eisden
