« Suggestive thinking »
« Suggestive thinking »
INTRODUCTION
Hypnosis has a bad reputation - so suggestive thinking is another way of saying it. Many people, over many years have made a good living using this practical and useful technique, with unwarranted spiritual, mystical or magic ritual connections. Today it's used by clinicians to remove pain, alter self-image, help us learn skills or to influence our "inner dialogue".
Simply - hypnosis is a brain/mind state in which:
« Suggestive thinking » is really "self-hypnosis" and it can be used to directly program or reprogram the unconscious mind with affirmations or suggestions that would otherwise have to fight through our conscious defenses and critical judgements or destructive processes. Click here and you'll see how the act of entertaining mental images and making verbal affirmations links the brain's neurons into a "paradigm reflected (neural pathways) view of reality.
« Suggestive thinking » is an effective method of induced relaxation wherein "neural" programming reduces your stress so you can begin meaningful changes. Normal hypnosis is often ineffective in reducing stress as it requires the presence of a hypnotist who can be a source of anxiety. Self-hypnosis is just as easy and has the added benefit that you completely control the input to your mind when you're in a subjective/receptive state.
Hypnosis and Self
The first few times you self-hypnotize, find a place where you'll be undisturbed for a while. Sit or lie down, eliminate any distractions, and logically relax. This puts you in the best possible conditions for using the « Suggestive thinking » technique - however as you get more practice you will find that you can use self-hypnosis just about anywhere, by consciously "zoning out". Obviously it should not be used when you need to be alert - for example when driving or operating machinery, etc.
The first step is to relax yourself: Close your eyes, and use pleasant imagery to imagine and feel waves of relaxation running through your body - from your scalp down, relaxing and waving out all stress. Let the waves synch in time with your breathing in and out, waving down over your head, then your neck, then your torso, then arms, and finally your legs and feet. Feel the muscles in your body relax as the waves of release wash over them. As you relax, connect with your "self" - the spirit who decides for your body/mind; you'll meet your true self when you are completely free of stress, boundaries and limits…
An alternative technique can involve fixing your eyes on a spot on the wall, or riding down in a elevator from the top of a tall building, slowly dropping down into relaxation and drowsiness or imagining yourself as a tree, etc. The method you choose to induce relaxation is up to you.
The next step is to use "suggestion" to deepen your awareness of the relaxed state. This is as simple as telling yourself something like 'I am feeling ever more relaxed, comfortable and detached. With every breath I am becoming more relaxed, more comfortable and more detached.' And by giving yourself to the experience.
Once you are completely relaxed and focused on seeing your "self" detached from your own mind, you are in a useful state of self-suggestion. One way you can usefully re-wire yourself is by repeating a particular trigger word to yourself as you relax into this state. Soon your trigger connects to to your "self".
Suggestion and Relaxation
Before you enter a relaxed state it is useful to think about the suggestions that you want to work on. They can be simple affirmations that undo the damage done by a negative past. Or you can use suggestions that make creative psychological adjustments or reinforce some neural pattern; you can learn someting new, increase your confidence or plan a strategy to achieve the goals you set.
Once you've decided what ideas you want to bring into a suggestive state, spend a little time working out a form of code - i.e. a word or phrase for each idea that is short, positive and powerful. Repeat it to yourself when you are relaxed.
« Suggestive thinking » can be effectively used to:
« Suggestive thinking » can be used anytime you want to actualize a creative intent. Using self-suggestion with deep relaxation just makes thinking more effective.
Note:
Self-suggestion is a useful affirmation technique. It uses guided imagery to move you into a state of extreme relaxation where suggestions can by-pass normal resistances. But remember this very important point: Affirmation without action is the begining of delusion!