A question or two...

[Eternal Light]

I'm not sure if I am in right section to post this, and if I have gotten it wrong, I unreservedly apologise.


Self hypnosis


I have been reading Ailish’s ‘Self Hypnosis’ thread. I found it very interesting, but have been wondering…

Perhaps I should explain.

I have many times seriously considered self hypnosis, (it would so suit me to be able to do such an thing privately, simply because that’s the way I am); but I have shied away from trying it for the following reasons…

From all of my past life memories, I still feel the effects of the physical and emotional trauma’s, scents, nuances and ambience of the actual memories of the times in question. I especially have a problem with feelings of guilt from one of the memories, and I really don’t want to add more negative emotion to the memory than is already there, and which I feel causes so many other negative aspects for me personally.

However, reading from many of the threads here, it seems that hypnosis can be an excellent ‘cure’ for such negative emotions. I'd like to try it, but, I keep thinking tho; What if it doesn’t do that for me? What if it makes the guilt emotion worse? Is it possible that one may not be ‘cured’ and that the ‘fallout’ from the memory could be exacerbated? I mean, doing this on one’s own, could one become so overcome by such an event as to become rather frantic, lose control even?

All of my memories I have had from toddler stage, without any such use for hypnosis. But, they are in such fragmentary states that I once booked a session with an hypnotist; I wanted to try to extend the memories and learn more about them. When I arrived at the location, a country house out in the sticks, I felt rather uncomfortable and aprehensive. The hypnotist seemed to be a professional, and a gentleman. Still nervous tho, and completely alone with him, as far as I knew (It was a large house and perhaps there would have been others around), I rather reluctantly reclined on the couch, at his suggestion.

To my acute discomfort tho, and being of a rather reserved nature, I stayed silent and nodded a reluctant acquiescence when suddenly the door opened and another man stepped into the room, to be hurriedly introduced to me as an ‘interested observer’ who would like to ‘sit in’ on the session. However, after a couple of tentative suggestion to relax and think of a flight of stairs leading down to a basement, or something like that, I really can’t remember now, I registered my misgivings about the session and left, never to return.

I did have one more session, in the privacy of my home, where the hypnotist (a different one), tried to hypnotise me. After a long time of him quietly talking to me I didn’t believe that I was ever going to be relaxed enough to ‘go under,’ and told him so. So that was a disappointingly non-event also. I felt quite exasperated, but forever gave up the notion of hypnosis... I think.

An interesting side-note tho… for days after that session I felt more relaxed (kinda ‘spacey’), than I ever can remember feeling in my life. Is that normal?

I'd like to be that relaxed again, especially since I have recently had a problem with borderline blood pressure readings; and having been prescribed two different types of meds, I have taken severe reactions to the side effects of them...

 

[Charles Stuart]

Hi Eternal Light,


Nice to see you... :thumbsup: Hypnosis and meditation are not my specialities, so I'll let others with more knoweldge in these areas comment your questions.


I did want to comment on this, though:

Today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday.

And tomorrow never comes... We are always "in the now". :thumbsup:

 

[stardis]

Hello Eternal Light.


Have you seen the hypnotherapy sources in the FAQ?


My personal thoughts on the nature of guilt and karma:


What has worked for me was to find a philosophy about life that I feel comfortable with in how it relates to the true nature of the reality that underpins our physical existence on the Earth. Central to this philosophy is how to accept the nature of karma and how that concept affects us as spirits. I have borrowed here and there from different religious beliefs and fit that into what I have come to accept as the "truth". You can make this life very comfortable and productive if you do the same.


It has been my conviction for a long time now that while we are subject to the law of cause and effect, we are not slaves to past life actions and there is no need to feel guilty about anything. The key to living a guilt free life is to understand that during this lifetime you are growing and doing things differently than you may have done in the past. You are already resolving karma when you realize that you are working within the frame work of cause and effect. It is the realization that karma is not punishment that sets you free from guilt. You do not come into this Earth continually guilty of past life bad behavior - instead you are born into this world with unlimited opportunity for growth and understanding of who you are or perhaps who you are becoming. Awakening to the fact that you are an Eternal Light Being and not some baggage laden bumbling spirit who can't seem to get it right, is important to your well-being. When you understand how karma is working in your life, then you have set yourself free from it.


There was a time when I did look into hypnosis but did not stay on that path. It may or may not be right for you but I wouldn't be afraid of it. Contemplation, meditation and taking long walks has been the key to unlocking the door to my true nature. Reading about what the great thinkers in history have realized has helped me to understand how the law of cause-and-effect is operating in my life.


I think the cure you may be seeking can be found within you. Forgive yourself and let guilt fall away from you like the flower petals before the tree bears fruit.

 

[Nightrain]

I have many times seriously considered self hypnosis, (it would so suit me to be able to do such an thing privately, simply because that’s the way I am); but I have shied away from trying it…


CLIP


An interesting side-note tho… for days after that session I felt more relaxed (kinda ‘spacey’), than I ever can remember feeling in my life. Is that normal?


I'd like to be that relaxed again, especially since I have recently had a problem with borderline blood pressure readings; and having been prescribed two different types of meds, I have taken severe reactions to the side effects of them...

Good to see you again, Eternal Light! And, yes! You are in the right section. I have somewhat the same difficulty as you when it comes to hypnosis. So, I've been studying it in depth to understand why. I hope that my following observations will be of some help to you.


First of all, the "hypnotist" who allowed another person to "observe" the session should not have done so without your permission. You should have walked out right there and saved yourself some hard earned moola. By your description, it seems that you did, at least, walk out.


Second, if you are the least bit guarded about your privacy, seeing a stranger, let alone a male, is practically a guarantee that you're not going to have any success during the session. Hypnosis takes a great deal of trust on the part of the subject. You may already know that being in a state of hypnosis does not necessarily mean that you are in the kind of trance where you have no control. The fact is, the only real way that you can enter other states of consciousness is by TOTALLY surrendering any sense of self-protection, and realizing that you are in control at all times.


So, I think, the only way that you can expect any success would be through self-hypnosis, which means listening to a recorded hypnotist. There are several recommendations that other members can possibly suggest for you.


If you are concerned about opening up any psychic wounds during a self-hypnosis session, you needn't worry. You are still in complete control; and you won't accidentally become emotionally overloaded by opening some door that you're not unaware of. If there is something dangerous lurking behind the walls of your subconscious, your own mind will not permit you to go there.


However, just as you have observed already, you have become more relaxed and "spacey" after your last session. That's because you are approaching hypnosis very carefully, bit by little bit. You'll continue to notice after attempting hypnosis several more times, that you can allow yourself to relax more and more. You'll discover, eventually, that every time you take a step nearer and nearer your subconscious, you'll be comfortable with your subconscious self, and you'll have only constructive conversations with it.


Recently, I heard a story about a former Guantanamo guard meeting up with one released prisoner who was abused by him. They met peacefully face to face with each other and realized that they could no longer hold onto their grievances. What happened was past and all was forgiven; so they parted as friends. Imagine that you and your subconscious were having the same difficulty, and you finally both decided to meet over coffee at the local bistro. That's what hypnosis should be about.


-Nightrain

 

[Overseas]

Hello Eternal Light,


I have not done a hypnosis session myself, but I also try to read about it, especially about self hypnosis. Maybe some day I will try it. At the moment there's no immediate need for me to do it though.


I definitely understand you are cautious about it, I am too. In such a case thorough research is important. But that's why you're here and I believe Nightrain made some pretty good points about the process and gave you some really valuable advice :thumbsup:.


I wondered if you practice meditation? Because that already has got a relaxing effect on us persons - I do two sessions a day 2x20 minutes - as it has been proven to lower the blood pressure and produce other positive effects.


Maybe, as an alternative, it can be curing for you if you'd see the bigger picture and let a medium/psychic read you your soul book relating to these negative emotions you want to get rid of. I don't know if you have considered or done that already or have objections to that but it might help putting the pieces at the right place. And that can give you more peace. Of course there's the question of finding the right person (like with most things). I think we know intuitive who to trust.


Peace

 

[Truthseeker]

I know as much about nuclear reacters as I do about hypnosis, which is nothing at all... The actual fear for me was the awful thought that one could lose control during hypnosis. So your assurances that this could not happen comes as a very pleasant surprise to me. I'd rather walk barefoot over hot coals than allow myself to lose control, in any situation.
Altho the second hypnotist couldn't hypnotize me, (at least, that's what I thought, but listening to you it seems that one is still in control of one's sense, so perhaps... ), but in any event, I did feel good for days after, and was extremely relaxed.

The fear of being out of control is perfectly understandable. I am much the same way. However, I can assure you that during hypnosis you are never out of control. There are many misconceptions about hypnosis. Many people's only idea of it comes from stage shows and, as a result, they associate it with a lack of control and fear of looking foolish.


I have been self-hypnotized and professionally hypnotized and I have never been out of control. I could stop any time I wanted. I was even part of a stage show once just to see what it was like. To my suprise, I was never out of control. Yes, I did some crazy things, but no one made me do it. I was willingly performing for the audience. All that mental state did was turn off my mental chatter and relieve my self-consciousness. My fears were washed away. I wish they would have been forever.


There are varying depths of hypnosis. What most people are unaware of is that we slip in and out of varying states of hypnosis in our everyday life. Have you ever been caught daydreaming? Have you ever driven somewhere only to realize when you got there that your mind was paying no attention to your driving on the way there. Your mind was literally on autopilot. We even slip into hypnotic states when watching TV or reading a good book. All it really is is a relaxed, focused mental state, and it is perfectly normal and perfectly natural. :thumbsup:

 

[Nightrain]

There are varying depths of hypnosis. What most people are unaware of is that we slip in and out of varying states of hypnosis in our everyday life. Have you ever been caught daydreaming? Have you ever driven somewhere only to realize when you got there that your mind was paying no attention to your driving on the way there. Your mind was literally on autopilot. We even slip into hypnotic states when watching TV or reading a good book. All it really is is a relaxed, focused mental state, and it is perfectly normal and perfectly natural. :thumbsup:

Very well put, Truthseeker!


-Nightrain

 

[Overseas]

Yes, as I mentioned above, I am going to definitely make room in the day for some type of meditation.
I must tell you tho that I would have to be dragged kicking and screaming to a 'psychic' lol. No offense, but I'm not sure that the majority of them are genuine, and also, I know far to much that is disturbing about my distant past, I certainly don't want to know anythiong about the future... I'll take that as it comes. lol

Just came across a scientific magazine wherein stood that meditating increases melatonine level in the body which advances sleep. I think this might be the case for (self)hypnosis too but that's my idea of course. I'm sure that your walking or running has a similar effect :thumbsup: and lowers blood pressure too. Meditation also cleans the mind.


As for a psychic, if you know enough about your past then there's no need to of course. Your consideration about the future I can only agree with!

 

[Florence]

I was hypnotized once....a long time ago. It actually was fun. I was in a group and was with my girlfriend.. The man who was in control of the group had a very nice deep voice and he soon had the whole group relaxing. It was very much the same technique that I experienced in meditation classes. Relax your head, relax your jaw, relax your neck. etc. After about 5 minutes he told all of us to go back back until we reached the age of 5 years of age in our past life. There I was sitting on the flor playing jacks, then I saw my father come in the font door.......It was just like I was watching a movie....About that time I heard a snore.....grin....and realized my girlfriend next to me, had fallen asleep. I then went back into my changing movie. As you see....It's like your awake in a dream but you know what is happening around you...just as I knew about Mary falling asleep. It's pretty neat !! Nothing to be afraid of...You could come out of it if you wanted to. I don't believe very many people go really deep unless they have had a great number of sessions...

 

[Eternal Light]

I must apologise to you all for not replying sooner... I have been out of town for a while, and unexpected and unplanned trip.

What most people are unaware of is that we slip in and out of varying states of hypnosis in our everyday life. Have you ever been caught daydreaming? Have you ever driven somewhere only to realize when you got there that your mind was paying no attention to your driving on the way there.

Yes Truthseeker, to both questions. And, also, I am renouned for constantly being in a daydream, lol. I never quite looked at it like that before either... Some very good points. Thanks.

Just came across a scientific magazine wherein stood that meditating increases melatonine level in the body which advances sleep. I think this might be the case for (self)hypnosis too but that's my idea of course. I'm sure that your walking or running has a similar effect and lowers blood pressure too. Meditation also cleans the mind.

That's an interesting observation about the connection between sleep and melatonine levels, and also self hypnosis. Overseas.


You're right about the running and walking lowering blood pressure, altho I have been running and walking since before my college days, and the blood pressure readings have only been recent. That's what is concerning me more than anything, the fact that it shouldn't be high, even tho borderline, because of my eating habits, excercise and non weight issues lifestyle. Even my sleep pattern has been stable lately, so it's a mystery, except for the stress levels.


So many people have extolled the virtues of meditation tho, that I am determined to learn all about it, and to practice it. I have already set things in motion with regard to that...

As for a psychic, if you know enough about your past then there's no need to of course. Your consideration about the future I can only agree with!

Yes, when I said I know a lot about my past life, I meant as in 'past lives.' Of course I do remember my childhood in the current lifetime, but there are no real issues to be worked thro there.


Thanks everyone for your informative and constructive posts. you've all been a great help.

 

[Overseas]

No need to apologize Eternal Light.

You're right about the running and walking lowering blood pressure, altho I have been running and walking since before my college days, and the blood pressure readings have only been recent.

Don't forget blood pressure can also be influenced by the state or circumstances of the moment, of the day before etc... It's difficult to say whether you have problems with it if you can't compare with an earlier test. It seems weird, seen in the light of your healthy habits. Some people's blood pressure is influenced also when they know they're about to do a test, so there could be a distorted result.

So many people have extolled the virtues of meditation tho, that I am determined to learn all about it, and to practice it. I have already set things in motion with regard to that...

Cool! To me meditation is an endless sea. Sometimes you can go along with it very pleasantly and deeply. Other times it's less deep but it's always relaxing and revitalising. Don't become impatient when you think it's not working or going deep in the beginning because your brain needs to get used to the routine of finding the alpha brain wave state. After a while this will happen automatically even if you are just resting and closing the eyes. Then you will find that calming state immediately. Good luck!