In the last blog I introduced "fractionation"...dividing the day into segments, then actively practicing deep relaxation, while noticing thoughts that travel through the mind, emotions that accompany them & body sensations that are always connected to what is playing out in the "theater of the mind." Learning to observe the ongoing inner commentary, images & body sensations is KEY to high-end releasing & then changing or editing subconscious mind programs. It's important to remember that every thought & even emotions & body sensations are their own "mind programs." For example, tightness in a particular part of the body is a mindBody program. Unless it is released & then re-programmed, the mindBody will take it for granted that it is "desired." The mindBody does not judge, but follows the dictates of who owns it.
For me, I tend to store tension in the muscles that live in the back of my neck. Sometimes I can sense the tension, but other times I can't feel it at all, but it is there. This is because I've become very accustomed to it being there. In order for me to feel it, the neck has to become excessively tense....it's screamer state. And so, it's important for me to know my mindBody programs & make certain to release them before I feel them. In the area of emotions, it's important for me to tune in to my lower level negative mindStates that tend to be habitual. Mine include being too intense over small things, impatience & intolerance. On the other side of the coin, I often forget to entertain my sense of humor & my peaceful/loving mindStates. An interesting practice in the fourth goal-den brick is to invite positive emotions to enter when a negative emotion has taken over. The positive emotion will always win out & in that specific shifting of gears, the negative stress chemicals will actually turn off, saving the body from extra stored stress, while re-programming the mindBody for future encounters with that particular negative emotional state.
Shifting gears is a very important practice & begins in the fourth foundation brick. As you become more practiced through fractionation, you will be able to do this in any moment. In the image above, I've connected the fourth brick to the first brick. Here they are shifting back & forth. I'll give you some examples of how to utilize this in just a moment, but first...
A NOTE TO NEW READERS:
This experiential blog/workshop is based on my new book, "How Many Cookies Will It Take to Make Me Happy?" This book is not published as yet, but you have the opportunity to read it in it's unpublished state. If you are new to my writing, you might want to read the earlier mini-chapters. They are available on FaceBook, The PublishersMarketPlace & at the following link. Remember to scan down to find the earliest chapters & work your way up. http://beyonddisorderlyeating.blogspot.com/
A bit of background.... we are working with creative Interactive Self-Hypnosis imagery, planting suggestions directly into the creative subconscious mind as you read along. What appears like a story is a series of self-hypnotic sessions, designed to bring about desired lifestyle changes. The inner mind is creative & rather child-like, loving to play with images, especially when they are emotionalized. Just like the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words", well-planted mind images, can be worth hours of therapy. We can actually change or motivate in 1/200th of a second. So come along & look forward to some lifestyle-changing events.
SHIFTING GEARS - EATING ISSUES
When working with new patients, I always suggest that they practice re-entering the fourth fundamental brick as their day unfolds. It's rather like driving a car...shifting gears...up & down...in & out. It's easy to do this. It's a matter of "waking up" from your self-imposed daily hypnotic state, taking a cleansing breath & imagining yourSelf moving into your fourth brick...the brick of cleansing, clearing, releasing, balancing & coming into communication with your CreativeSelf. This book is about disorderly eating & so we are given a multitude of opportunities to shift gears because most people with eating issues have ongoing compulsive or emotional thoughts, emotions & even body sensations that are food-related. How do I know this? Well, as you already know, I have a very long history of "disorderly eating" & have been working with patients with similar problems for many decades.
My patients are often distraught when I tell them that I have to practice "shifting gears" every day. Of course, we would like to get rid of our eating issues forever, but it's important to be realistic. The mindBody programs related to disorderly eating are usually very deeply etched into the subconscious mind, mainly because they have been entertained for so long. I believe in respecting my "stories" or deep programming & by doing so, I've found that the actual "stories" are willing to assist me in changing. I'll write more about that later, but let me give you some examples of when & how I "shift gears." My most current vulnerable times are in restaurants, in the super-market & around nine o'clock in the evening. In the past, I had others, but many of them have resoved themselves ( stories helping me out.)
I believe in something called "prodromals." Those are the things that preceed a certain happening. Remember my telling you about my low-level neck tension? OK...well, I believe the same about my compulsive tendencies in my vulnerable areas. I always go to the fourth goal-den brick BEFORE going into the supermarket, restaurant & around 8PM, thereby alerting my mindBody that I am fully present. Then, I travel over to my first brick & plant the images/imaginology of what I want. I do not entertain any images of what I don't want because that would be an example of negative programming. I call in positive, powerful emotions & surround the images of what I want with their energy. This is why fractionation is so important....the more you practice, the more you will be able to recognize your vulnerable areas & emotions/body sensations. You are now on your way to Recovery...
Copyright 2009 Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht
May not be copied or reproduced without permission of the author.
Elizabeth Bohorquez, RN, C.Ht is author of Sugar...the Hidden Eating Disorder & How to Lick It. She is also the writer/producer of over 350 mp3/CD programs in the areas of medicine, health, prevention, addictions, self-development & sports for adults & children.
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