Knowledge is King & especially when working to manage a specific area of your life. Here we're working with "disorderly eating" issues & there is much to learn. Many of us think we know it all, but if that's so, then why are we still riding the same merry-go-round? Common threads include, "I know what to eat, but it doesn't work for me." "I'm always hungry & diet foods don't fill me up." "I don't know how to cook, so I have to eat out." "I'm a student & have to eat in the cafeteria." "I'm very social & I can't give that up to eat healthy." "It's embarrassing to eat differently from others."
The above fall into the category of those little " mind-directing or suggestive" stories or metaphors. We've entertained some of these before. If you've been keeping up with the blog/workshop you already know that these are "small belief vignettes", but in the subconscious mind, they appear like "paver stones", lining the path to the doors they support. These particular stories are leading down the path of disease & death. It's a dark path. Each time you step on these paver stones, you get deeper into trouble. They are quiet, dangerous manipulative thoughts or beliefs. Up to today we've been working in the Theater of the Mind. This is an example of a powerful "reframe" for refocusing the subconscious mind & then reprogramming the inner files. Today we'll add another powerful reframer, that of the "school house."
NOTE TO NEW READERS:
This experiential blog/workshop is based on my new book, "How Many Cookies Will It Take to Make Me Happy?" 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.
THE SCHOOL HOUSE
If you have been working along with me, you already have an image in your mind for your Goal-den Path & the Gardens. We've been in the major garden, the Mindbody Health Garden & I have given you a brief introduction to some of the other gardens that are found here. You might remember that the Goal-den Path is a metaphor for the different areas of your life. It's an organizational metaphor that allows you to review & to put things in order efficiently & effectively. It's also a tool for managing your emotional childSelves. Remember them? I always walk down the path a bit & then place an image of the School House in it's own distinct area. Since you will be utilizing this focus image over & over, spend a bit of time detailing it so it is pleasing to your subconscious mind. The inner mind is child-like & playful, liking bright colors & inventive design. If you are new to developing mind imagery, relax & just let your creative self put it together for you. If you simply "move out of the way" you may be surprised about what images pop up for you. Take this as a good opportunity to release any need to control.
When working hypnotically, I like to be in a disassociative stance, just like in the Theater of the Mind, when sitting in the Director seat. Since this is a different image, I like to imagine the school house scene on a "model or diorama" board. Then I can observe what's going on, when I'm ready, stop the action & move into the re-programming, just like the Theater of the Mind. Also, it's rather fun to pick up those little emotional childSelves by their shirts & move them somewhere else.
READY....FIRST BELL
The emotional childSelves, both positive & negative-based, have arrived at the "school house." While there is some excitement in the air about attending class, there are several emotions that have little interest in getting down to business, preferring to either be absent or to only play. It's important to know that we all have these emotions, even though you may believe that you are the only one. Keep in mind that these are more obvious in some people, than in others, many living secret lives inside the nicest of people. These are "procrastinating" emotions childSelves, often very subborn, the reason being that they have been left to these games in the past, thereby making them even stronger. But, you already have practice dealing with strong, obstinate emotional childSelves. You know that you are the writer, director, producer of your life & while this is a different focus tool, your position remains the same. You are in charge. This is your life & what you say is the law of this land. This is why we practice disassociation. Once the childSelf lives in an "outside of you image", it is easier to self-discipline. Also remember that you work alongside of your Therapeutic Self who is enlightened by your Higher Self or Power. Your Unbalanced Self is no longer working against you, but instead, delivers ongoing insight in relation to the emotional childSelves.
The Head Teacher is ringing the school bell. All emotional childSelves immediately fall into line. Absolute quiet prevails. The Head Teacher is quietly assertive, leaving no doubt as to who is in charge. I'd like you to look closely at his/her image....closer now....you will see/sense yourSelf; not your actorSelf, but your trueSelf. The emotional childSelves enter the classroom, maintaining their discipline & yes....happy to do so. Emotions prefer to be disciplined because this makes "their" life easier. It is much easier for all parts to be balanced & that includes both mind & body.
School is in session now & the lessons will begin shortly. Everyone is in their seats, ready & attentive. Yes, there is time for play, but that time is not now. Everything in it's correct time-slot.
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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.
http://www.hypnosis-audio.com
http://www.sugar-addiction.com
http://www.international-medical-health-writers.com
