Self-Hypnosis For Self-Help

The Mind Power of Self-Suggestion and Imagination

Nov 1, 2009 Catherine Chadwick

Self-hypnosis is an easily learned technique. By learning the three stages involved and practising regularly, this tool can be life enhancing.

Albert Einstein once said, "problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them." By learning how to create the hypnotic trance state, how to form effective self suggestions and use the power of the imagination, accessing the part of the mind that controls our habitual behaviours and responses becomes possible.

Learning to Hypnotize the Self

The first step in successful self hypnosis is learning to hypnotize the self. This is actually easier than it might seem because the hypnotic trance state is already a familiar one. In his book Self Hypnosis and Scientific Self Suggestion: A Means of Achieving Your Full Potential, William J. Ousby likens the mind to a business with departments on different floors. The part of the mind where real change takes place is usually referred to as the unconscious mind. In Ousby's metaphor, it is as if this part of the mind is on the lower floors and populated with workers who will do what they are told.

Continuing the metaphor, a "guard" occupies a higher floor and is responsible for filtering orders to the workers so that they don't act on everything that is said to them. However, in order for self directed change to take place, the 'guard' must be subdued. The hypnotic trance makes this possible so that the work done in self hypnosis is effective.

Going into self-hypnosis usually involves lying of sitting with eyes closed, relaxing the body and breathing, performing a short countdown perhaps from 10 to 1 and if wanted, imagining the self in a place of serenity. This will usually be enough to create a deep enough level of trance for the work of self hypnosis. It is perfectly possible to learn how to do this from a book such as Ousby's. However, most people will benefit from visiting a hypnotherapist or attending a self-hypnosis course to understand the kind of awareness they are seeking.

Self-Help Through Hypnotic Self-Suggestion

Now design of the self-hypnosis session begins. It is important to define the intended goal and the behaviours and attitudes that form part of that goal. For example, a person who wants to be more confident speaking in public may have the following outcomes in mind:

Wanting to be calm in front of other people;
Speak with a clear and strong voice;
Body to feel relaxed;
Remember content of speech;
Manage visual aids competently;
Make good eye contact with the audience, and;
Enjoy the experience.

These can then form the basis of the writing of hypnotic suggestions. Suggestions are in simple terms new instructions to the unconscious part of the mind. In self-hypnosis, the person allows these suggestions to pass through their mind like thoughts. Each one is focused on with full attention and are most effective if the individual places as much mental emphasis on them as possible.

When creating suggestions, there are some simple rules. For example, positive language should be used. In the above example, instead of perhaps using the suggestion "When I am speaking in public, I do not want to be nervous," it would be more appropriate to use a suggestion such as "When I am speaking in front of others, I will feel calm."

Frequently when designing hypnotic suggestions, people repeat ideas using synonyms. This gives further emphasis to the ideas one is impressing upon the unconscious mind. So in the example above, one could improve the suggestion by saying, "When I am speaking in front of others, I feel calm, relaxed and at ease."

Hypnotic suggestions are also often written using what is known as progressive language. These kinds of suggestions are great for allowing the unconscious mind to optimise their impact. An example of the use of progressive language in this way would be, "As each day goes by, I am becoming more and more confident speaking in front of others."

The Mind Power Inherent in the Imagination

To quote Albert Einstein, "Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." Everything that has ever been realised was first created in the imagination. This applies to all inventions, artistic works, musical scores. It also applies to one's own performance. Repeated negative experiences occur because of expectations. Fearing public speaking usually involves unpleasant pictures in the mind that create negative outcomes.

The use of the imagination to visualize success is now accepted as part of training for athletes. Many top golfers, including Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus have credited their success in part to visualizing themselves successfully putting the ball exactly where they want it to go.

Self-hypnosis can be likened to a mental rehearsal room. By visualizing a successful outcome, the unconscious mind is further impressed to bring about the changes in behaviour, thinking and feeling to actualise what is wanted. Visualization is most powerful when it involves as many of the senses as possible. The more real it is in the imagination, the more impact it has on the unconscious.

Learning to Use the Power of The Mind

Learning self-hypnosis is extremely worthwhile. Being able to make many changes in behaviours and attitudes is of itself very empowering. There are many good books on the subject as well as excellent courses. Successful results are achieved through regular, daily practice.

Sources and Related Reading:

Ursula Markham. The Beginner's Guide to Self-Hypnosis. Vega, London, 2002.
William J. Ousby. Self Hypnosis and Scientific Self-Suggestion: A Means of Achieving Your Full Potential. Thorsons Publishing Group, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, 1986.
J. Hadley and C. Staudacher. Hypnosis For Change. New Harbinger Publications, Oakland, CA, 1996
Jose Silva. The Silva Mind Control Method. Grafton, 1980, London.

The copyright of the article Self-Hypnosis For Self-Help in Psychology is owned by Catherine Chadwick. Permission to republish Self-Hypnosis For Self-Help in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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