self-hypnosis 101

[Misjief]

Ok

This is about the third time I taken a run at this... LOL
I want to finished this because I promised LAG I would.

Because some of you don't know me and my history. I was born breech and as a result of that I have a dislocated and fused right hip. I learned hypnosis early on to help me deal with the pain. It became second nature to me. Anyways that got put to the test when I was 16. I was riding my mountain bike all alone in a remote area & broke my good leg's femur in three places. Fortunately it was down hill and I managed to get myself down. I honestly believe if I hadn't been trained in hypnosis I probably wouldn't have gotten out of that mess alive. The ambulance drivers didn't think I broke my leg as I was so calm about it... I knew better as I watched it fold up and bend like a noodle more then once. I had no doubt I was in serious trouble.

I myself just thought I had inherent high pain tolerance, but when I saw the blue lights that said hospital - the forgotten early years that I had spent there strapped in a bed cam flooding back & I lost my composure. I immediately began to shows signs of shock and was screaming & thrashing about in pure white hot agony. My mother 'lovingly' slapped me out of it and leveled me out. I not sure what shocked the staff more my mother's or my response as I immediately returned to my previous level of clam detachment. In fact they had to keep waking me up when they where drilling though my lower leg to set me up for traction. I learned later that the femur is not only the hardest bone in your body to break - but the most painful... to have someone withstand the incredible pain of a multiple break without drugs was unheard of. I had multiple lead doctors checking on me constantly because NOT I WASN'T TAKING MEDS (and doing better because of it).

Later I helped my mom when she was fighting cancer. Again, she did very well, in fact maybe too well because she kept returning to work even though the doctors told her it was terminal. Again, the doctors were amazed - she took very little drugs for to manage the pain and told her she had 3 months to live, I got an extra 3 years with her. It was difficult & I would definitely do things differently give the chance, but it was worth it.

Both those episodes happened BEFORE I got my clinical hypnosis certificate through the NGH a couple of years ago. My Teachers Lynsi & Drake Eastburn were awesome and if you have the funds I highly recommend every one get trained on some level. Unfortunately that is not really realistic (nor necessary)

I am relaying this to you, now so... you know I know what I am talking about. I have both personal experience and the proper credentials to back it up this post. Alright? That is important because HYPNOSIS is very misunderstood and their are a lot of myths and misconceptions about it.

Also this is not a standard induction - if you would like one look up "PMR induction" on google. This is my own method which I use on a daily basis for my pain which I understand to be "medically acute". I don't know you or your condition. I believe it is safe - but as always you should follow your doctor's
orders and consult him if you are unsure of this exercise.

***
First some theory...

As we go to sleep there are certain recognized stages we go through ...

BETA - is the 'Conscious' level we do our logical thinking at.

ALPHA - is the 'Gateway' of the Subconscious - and the seat of creative thinking

THETA - is the 'Deep End' of the Subconscious

DELTA - is the Healing Cycle. Everything 'shuts down' for repairs at this level.

As we sleep we cycle through this stages in subtle little dips each time going deeper till we reach delta. But here is the catch if you are hurt and something disturbs your sleep you are less likely to get to delta. If you don't get to delta you don't heal. In other words the more likely you are to need delta sleep the less likely you are to actually get it! Sadly, it is a downward spiral! The sad reality is that most 'normal' people don't sleep efficiently.

20 minutes of hypnosis is equivalent to 3 hours sleep. In other words through hypnotic training you might not only catch up and you maybe able to get ahead! BTW - Sleep and hypnosis are not the same! Hypnosis has many of the same healing aspects of sleep but its scope is much larger. I am not going to go into detail as this time. It is going to be a long post already!

As we go to sleep our breathing naturally "shallows out" over time. In other words less breaths in over a duration of time. Normally we do this very subtly over a relatively long period of time. It is so subtle you probably are unaware of the process. However if you follow the steps I am going to outline that will change rather quickly as you will become very aware of the overall process. In doing so, a interesting side-effect is that your conscious with be sitting right beside the sub-conscious during the process (where as normally it crawl into the backseat and goes to sleep).

In essence the trick is if you can quickly slow your breathing down and remain mentally and physically calm you can immediately 'force' your body into an altered state. The same state that it would normally go into anyways except it is much faster (Efficient!) and you remain consciously in control (Lucid!) Yes, it is much easier said then done. That said here is how

1) Laying on flat on your back ... Uncross your ankles so you don't impede blood flow. Place your hands on your abdomen or at your side. It not known why but this is the optimal position for lucid dreaming and the like.

2) Stiffen and tighten up all your muscles and hold it for a uncomfortable minute then immediately relax. Think graham crackers in warm milk! [I]NOTE: SEE the difference - Most people don't know what relaxation is, let alone consciously experience it.

3a) Physically: Note your breathing ... Put a count to it, differentiating your exhalation from the inhalation. It is an arbitrary number - a simple scale so don't get to wrapped up in it. say that as I inhale I count to 3. Now work on simply extending the count (your breathing). Get a rhythm, lock it in and go with it. A couple of deep cleansing diver's breaths in the beginning also helps.

There will become a balancing point where if you cross it for an extended period your body will panic and fight you believing it matter of life and death. if you remain mentally and physically calm and continue one of two things will happen.

Your body will win - and force you to take a breath, and you have to try again. You can't simply hold your breath because unless you are unusual you can't hold your breath long enough to convince your body to make the 'drop'. (It will simply wait till you pass out! LOL.)

or

Your disciplined mind wins over and you don't take a (immediate) breath. In this case your body will at some point decide it can't survive on the air you are allowing it in this state (BETA, ALPHA) and immediately drop into an altered state where it can (THETA, DELTA). At first it is difficult because you are not disciplined and you have to teach your body to respond. It is a fine line of pushing your body into reacting but being soft enough that you can maintain it.

As you do this it gets easier and easier ... till it is a snap. If you just sit and try to hold your breath it is going to be a long night that is where the mental part comes in (See 3b)

One trick you can do is 'recycle' your every other breath by moving your diaphragm to move air within the lungs without actually taking a breath.

3b) Mentally: Imagine each count is a footstep and you are going on a journey. What I want to do is tie my physical struggle to my mental journey. When I was first training myself I had two favorite scenarios. 1) I would be running along the beach in Hawaii and start climbing a steep hill, eventually pulling my self up it using the scrub and rocks. 2) I would be diving in the ocean, pulling myself down using a chained anchor. These are just suggestions use what ever you like. The Idea is two-fold to distract you from the breathing and to fully absorb you in the journey.

Some tips...

Use all your senses! How many sense are there? I count at least SIX!
Visual, Audio, Kinestetic (Tactile & Balance) plus Gustatory (Taste & Smell) Balance is Key - Without moving, within your mind shift your weight. This brings a very real level of realism to visualizations, one that most people are not even aware of.

Use your eyes to scan - Think of a clock and follow the numbers quickly putting a element at each one. Moving Your eyes about creates the "light flares" that your mind uses and reprocess to create dreams during REM Sleep. *Most people try to 'visualize' things with their mind alone... Silly. Use your eyes whether they are closed or not. The eyes always move!

Use a muse... During my journeys especially the early ones I had problems staying motivated and on track. So I created a sexy nymph who was always just one step ahead of me and constantly giving me eye candy to chase.

There is probably more but I am tired... these are the biggies
***

If you diligently do this within three nights work you will surprise yourself and come to a really peaceful place where your previous struggle just ends. You will know when you get there. Every time you get there it gets easier next time till it is a just a swinging door.

A couple of things you might notice....

When your body drops into the deeper states it secretes a hormone to temporarily paralyze the body so you don't run around in the dream state and harm yourself. It basically feels like a heavy blanket moving up your body starting with the feet... It may make your body feel puffy and sorta like it a unnecessary extra layer. Both are common.

If you you ever woke up and couldn't move it is because of this hormone... and it can scare the crap out of you. The trick is to wiggle a small muscle like your nose or your ears to break the lock (and ruin the experiment). IF you can break the lock it is not scary anymore.

Hope it helps...
It is hard to explain so try it and come with questions-

-misj-

PS this was edited because it had errors in typing and thought.

[Liderc]

Marvelous Mate!

Much Obliged Indeed..

we were talking about this on Tinychat the other day.. the hardest thing for me, whenever i've done any meditation/concentration exercises, is i couldn't keep my mind still.. it would run from thought to though never allowing me to concentrate on one thing..

i will be definitely be doing this..

Cheers again

[Misjief]

Hi Lideric-

A common theme you will find is a good hypnotist will NEVER RESIST what he is given but rather FIND A CONSTRUCTIVE USE FOR IT.

The problem you are dealing with is called "Monkey Brain" in that it jumps everywhere and will not stay still. Fairly common...

So how do you handle it? I gave you one of 'Misjief's Rules of hypnosis' another along the same lines is 'often the best answer to any problem - is the problem ...Turned on it head'. Rather then avoiding it, step into it & "embrace the danger!". If you are trapped and you can't possibly avoid it - charge straight into the trap!

So much for ambiguities and riddles...

Here is the actual technique. Do your established routine ... and as the inevitable thoughts come. Rather then getting irradiated and pushing them away... In your mind thank them for coming. Begin to study them, intently. Concentrate on the thought and then pick a single aspect and expand it in your minds eye till it is not longer recognizable. Think of a newsprint picture expanded till you see the solid blocky pixels. It is a (reverse) forest for the trees sort of thing. LOL With practice you just sort of fall through them.

BTW - Most westerners think Zen means "Empty Thought" - Not true. It means ONE SINGLE ALL ENCOMPASSING THOUGHT.... You are so absorbed with that thought their is nothing else. The difference is that we often have guiding thoughts (supervisors) and we have the detailed thoughts (workers). IE separate activities. ZEN is every iota of our energy is moving towards the unknown goal, following the call of the universe to join it's energy. What is revealed is always unexpected and amazing. There are no real words for it ... that is the best I can do.

Here is an example of the principle...

Consider all the letters of this sentence is a continuous distraction from emptying your mind. Rather then continue to read, them like a bead on a string, stop and pick one. Choose the final period and stretch and expand it in your mind, till it is unrecognizable and step into the warm inviting inky expansive of it, becoming one with it
.

I consider NLP & Hypnosis the martial art of the mind... It all about the efficient use of energy (thoughts). What happens is we often feed negative destructive thoughts our ration of necessary nourishment. We deprive ourselves to strengthen our enemy!

Our thoughts our tied to us primary - any effect on anyone else has to go through us, so to speak, FIRST. It would be a very different world if when we thought of someone in a negative way, they immediately knew it and it had a negative impact on them (and we remained unaffected). But that is not the world we live in. If you think negative thought towards someone ... Chances are they have no idea (unless you take action on it) and remain unaffected. Meanwhile you are stewing in a big pile of #*&@, torturing yourself for their crime. Maybe you didn't chose to be the victim the first time, as you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But you sure as hell chose to be the victim the SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH .... time when you reviewed the mental tape and relived the experience over and over. Forgive (maybe, in time) but definitely forget it - FOR YOUR SAKE!

Don't get me wrong - If a mad dog attacks me in the street I have a responsibility to end it if I can, for everyone's sake. In fact to NOT do so is a sin. That is responsible, NOT Revenge. If YOU can't set your feelings aside then you probably should let someone else handle it. The difference is the focus and type of energy.

A great example of this is when someone other then me taught my mom creative visualization for her cancer. They did excellent visualizing work using the senses and the like for the most part. I only had to polish it a bit. EVERYONE misses balance, the only reason I became aware of it is I have a inner ear disorder that messes with me from time to time. {Constructive use of a perceived disadvantage!}. But their focus was wrong. They told her to focus her anger and to visualize attacking the cancer in some manner. And to some extent this worked. It shrunk slightly. Here is my theory why...

My mom was using up energy in the battle, in a sense it evaporated - neither she or the cancer got use of it in the long run. Anger is costly to maintain. Before she learned of visualization the cancer used her energy to build up and she managed to divert some of it from it, so it shrunk or simply maintained state. Which is better then allowing it to advance, for sure.

Then I started to play with my mom, we made a game out of it which was fun nature rather then hateful. I told her to give the cancer a irritating grumpy personality - to imagine it as a cartoon character in her mind. And asked her to describe it for me, tell me what it smelled like, what it felt like, the colors and texture. Then we took gun and rockets and bombs and attacked it. I asked her the results. Mediocre at best.

Then we took a neutral stance and simply tried to remove it or clean it (Shove it around). That worked far better, as we got some movement but not really effective, as my mom had to work at it as much if not more then the cancer. In other words the Return on the Investment of energy was not good enough. She would come up short before IT did.

Finally I asked her to go on the full offensive with a hug attack. Tickle it and tell it how cute it was. It HATED IT! It was like a irritating little kid that was bored and looking for a fight. If you actively fought it, it loved it and wanted that kind of energy thrown at it. If you actively ignored it, and worked around it, it got less energy but still got feed as it's mere presence irritated you (and knew it). Think of fresh dog doo on the dinner table. It takes energy to actively ignore it - It may not get it but mom could have made more constructive use of it elsewhere. So that in the long run is not effective either.

When she attacked it with kindness - it hated that energy and my mom enjoyed it. Their previous roles were reversed! It invigorated my mom where as it drained the cancer. That got the most progress. To use my dog do metaphor, she sprinkled some seeds and made a potted plant that she lovingly talked to out of the original mess.

Again, the first example is sorta like joining the pig for dinner and eating slop. The second you both starve during a food fight that ensues when you try to share a plate. The third is you have a delightful meal... With a pig! Which in the right light can be very amusing! ( I suggest pork chops and bacon ice cream!) Actually this is a GREAT Isomorphic metaphor! Save it for later!

I am not going to lie to you and say "this will cure cancer" ... That would be wrong and unethical of me. In FACT IT would be unlawful of me to do so. I would love to be able to say it saved my mom. Believe me, I REALLY wish that, but that didn't happen. That said my mom had cancer at least three times each getting progressively worse. Being a kid, I didn't help the first two times, in fact I probably made things much harder. The third time, it got her. The odds were not there. I'd like to say it was a beautiful dignified defeat but I am still bitter. I will say that if anyone was going to beat it on 'attitude' alone, she would have. I don't to get in to too many details as it is still raw, but the cancer spread to 80 or 90% of her body. It had growth, outside her body much like a plant. That is how far this thing went. But the doctors were amaze BECAUSE it never touched a vital organ until it had NO WHERE ELSE to go. Cancer especially at that stage moves in a straight line. My mom took very little medication (in comparison) and up until the last month was very active. All the doctors could say for the most part was I don't know what you are doing differently but keep it up. I don't think it will be a miracle (But miracles are my their nature unexpected guests!) but I absolutely do think it will make a big difference and certainly won't hurt.

-misj-