Are you intrigued about the way your mind works or what makes you who you are?
THE SCIENCE OF SELF-DISCOVERY
People are inherently curious about themselves and the world in which they live. The desire to grow emotionally and psychologically is also the drive that motivates us to try new things. It creates the opportunity to expand our knowledge, acquire new skills, change our perspectives and grow as individuals. This idea of self-expansion has its roots in social psychology and is one of the theories that explains our desire to understand what makes us who we are and what drives us towards becoming better versions of ourselves. The Universe is not static and human beings are an inseparable part of this rapid expansion with one difference. We have a uniquely human quality that allows us to have the free will to choose self-expansion or stagnation. The search for another level of happiness is part of what makes us human and our struggle to work through the conscious or unconscious blockages is part of the human psyche.
EXPERIENCING CLINICAL HYPNOSIS
An essential ingredient to self-discovery is the imagination to explore one’s inner mind. Clinical hypnotherapy provides people with a simple and safe method to explore their inner world and experience qualities such as timelessness, self-expansion, ego dissolution and emotional connectedness. For some people, it is a journey they take by themselves. But a growing number of people enjoy the sharing and friendships which can develop when they explore collectively. The concept of self-expansion has at its heart the idea that we learn best from people with whom we share common values and interests.
A BETTER VERSION OF ME
Making meaning is fundamental to self-expansion. And the psychological state of clinical hypnosis creates a safe environment to explore our sense of self, to accept the existential crisis (sometimes called healing the inner child) and find the way into an existential calm. There is almost always a feeling of positive well-being that accompanies the experience of going into clinical hypnosis. The clinical term is ‘enhanced positive affect’ and clients and patients often comment on and appreciate this experience. Another benefit of using the hypnotic state is the ability to review or process past feelings without having to relive the unpleasantness. Exploring clinical hypnosis puts you in touch with your unconscious mind and for many people this creates a sense of internal equilibrium and of being at peace with one’s self.
IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE?
Your imagination is the ultimate creative tool. Many people feel as if they are stuck in a rut or recognise that their default mode is set to imagine negative outcomes. Clinical hypnotherapy allows you to embrace the natural experience of expansion. This can be a subtle sense of reconnection that helps you to recharge or rejuvenate emotionally or a more structured journey that involves imagining (or remembering) the desired outcome. The brain immediately sends signals to your body to respond to the positive image and the overall feeling evolves progressively into one of positive well-being and a natural and growing inner confidence.
CREATING POSITIVE OUTCOMES
Sometimes we can become fixed on a negative feeling or outcome. Writing it down helps the mind to focus more clearly. The next step is to write down the opposite outcome which will naturally be more enjoyable. By imagining ways to create this new reality you begin the process of changing your inner reality. Using clinical hypnotherapy can make the process much faster and you can also use it to associate more easily with the positive feelings and emotions that will naturally emerge as you imagine the new desired outcome.
SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE
Group learning and discussions create opportunities for expanding your perspective. Sharing personal experiences with people you trust can be validating and listening to their opinions can help you imagine different responses and outcomes. Imagining different possibilities teaches the mind to embrace the concept of limitless possibilities. Familiarity with this concept is psychologically healthy because it shows that we have choice and self-control about the decisions we make.
LIVING THE TALK
Making meaning is about directing energy creatively. We may not always be able to change the world that we live in but we can choose our emotional responses, a realisation which nearly always brings about a sense of self-calm. Embracing our better self is an active choice of growth and one that is healthy for both the practitioner and the people with whom they work.
Comments