I love this analogy / metaphor to explain hypnosis and how we can tap into our subconscious.
So what is hypnosis? Think of it as a state of focused awareness, where you can push aside the judging, analyzing part of the conscious mind, which leads you to a state of heightened suggestibility.
So if you think of it as a state of focused awareness, what happens when you go to the movies and sit down with your popcorn? Don't you need to be in this state in order to enjoy the movie? To be able to push aside the critical factor of your mind? Otherwise, I believe you'd be concentrating on the actor as an Actor and not the Character. You wouldn't be able to get passed the screen effects, the sound, any animation. So you easily set aside or suspend any disbelief, even though you know it's make believe, and you become "entranced" during the two hours.
An interesting feature is that, on some level, the brain doesn't know the difference between a real or an imagined event. So when the movie gets exciting or scary, your heart rate beats faster, your breathing shifts, more blood goes into your arms and legs so that you can fight (or flight, or freeze), if you have to. Your body is responding to the movie on the screen, yet again, you know it's not real. There is no clown chasing you; no monster jumping from the screen to get you; no speeding cars coming at you, etc.
How can we use this in a clinical setting? If these changes occur simply by getting involved in a movie, why can't we use this to reset your adrenals or autoimmune? Well, we can and do. By having this state of focused awareness, we can go into the "control room" of the mind and reset all the dials, switches and levers that control breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and so much more. We can retrain the cells, organs, glands and such to work optimally for each individual. And by going into hypnosis and imagine having made those changes already, your brain is simply rehearsing it. This will make it so much easier to change.
Something for you to practice - testing out this idea: when you're able to, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths (make sure you won't be disturbed) and relax your body. Allowing your body and mind to relax for a few moments, then say to yourself, "my right arm is heavy". "My right arm is heavy" and continue to say that five or six times. Do you feel a difference in your right arm? If not, give it more time. (Autogenic training)
More likely than not, your right arm will feel heavier. Remember, it's about being in an open state for suggestibility and some people go there quickly, while others need more time.
Our minds are powerful and the networks that are in place throughout our bodies allow for the mind to influence the body. We've already discussed the butterflies you feel in your gut when you're anxious or nervous. The interconnectedness of all parts that make up "us". We all need to tap into that power more often.
To Your Health & Happiness,
Michele Root ~ Empowering You!