In the practice of Interactive Self-Hypnosis we work within specialized images or FRAMES or PODS that help us to contain a goal or activity. These are extremely useful, especially if a particular goal has many parts to it. Eating issues & addictions always fall into this category because there is so much to orchestrate. What's interesting about PODS is that they are connected to each other by the "over-arching goal", thereby sharing positive energy, success & motivation. Let me paint the picture with some clearer colors. In your mind's eye, notice a series of separate small buildings or PODS sitting along a path. Each POD has it's own name of address, for example breakfast, lunch, dinner, exercise, snacks, etc. The sky above is labeled "healthy weight management." That's the over-arching goal. As you enter each separate POD, the focus in only on that particular building, for example "breakfast." With the focus being only on this meal, it is much easier to deal with what needs to happen here. Once you are finished in this particular area, you can go on to the next....& ....your success will attach itself to you. You then enter the next POD with heightened positive energy & motivation. Today, we'll work on decorating the interior of some PODS, making them independent subconscious mind programs.
But first....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.
INNER DECORATING
While everyone's Pods will be different, I highly suggest that you place your most important lifestyle needs in place on the Pod Time-Line. In addition to the suggestions above, I have Pods for shopping, managing foods within my home, including alcohol, restaurant eating, daily exercise & socialization in regard to food & drink. How the Pods are decorated will depend on what kind's of self-discipline you choose for yourSelf. Obviously, my decor may be very different from yours because my disciplines will vary from yours. Also, you may find yourSelf redecorating, especially when you find out that you have set your expectations a bit low for yourSelf. This is because you might have failed in the past, but most likely that was because your planning was faulty.
Once your Pods are in place, it's important to know how to work with them in order to creatively activate your subconscious mind. Here's a mind exercise that I utilize for mySelf.
MIND EXERCISE
Take a moment to relax deeply. Remember, you want to slow your brain waves, turning off & releasing all stress chemicals. This is a centering exercise, making yourSelf ready for new mind programming. Each time you enter a Pod, you are re-etching a new subconscious mind program.
Outside each Pod is a chair. I ask you to sit in the chair, inviting stillness to enter your mind & body. There are many ways to do this. A simple technique is to breathe from your lower belly, just as if it contained a balloon of any color you desire. I like to sense my body being gently pulled down by magnets. You also might like to employ your "Golden Egg." When you are ready, enter this particular Pod. For sake of discussion, let's enter my breakfast Pod, remembering that yours may be different. Sense that you are now inside. It helps to look outside a window. This will deepen the focus, making it easier to program the subconscious mind. The table is set with the very healthiest breakfast foods in the right proportions. Go ahead & mentally sit down with me. Feel the table, the utensils, the dishes, cups, etc. I invite you to taste my foods, noticing that you can enjoy them, even if they are different from what you usually eat.
When you are finished eating, I'll direct you to look at pictures on the walls of this Pod. Here is a picture of me at my healthiest weight. The numbers are written on the frame. I show you how to "tap tap" on the frame & now....the me in the photo is speaking to us, telling us how wonderful it feels to experience this healthy body & mind. Let's visit some other photos. There is one of mySelf of next month & one of next year. I rather like the photo of my oldest Self who is very healthy....still exercising with plenty of energy. All of these photos are motivators connected to breakfast only. Of course, similar photos will be found in the Pods for other meals. I also have a picture over here of my emotional children, all healthy & energetic. These are positive emotions that share my life. We have a wonderful time together. You might notice that everything in the Pod is about me & my health. This is my life & I get to choose how to manage it. My Pods have nothing to do with anyone else & no one else enters my Pods. These are private & personal areas. When it's time to leave, we do so with respect to the Pod, showing gratitude. Notice there is a space between the exit door & the entrance to the next Pod, just like houses in a neighborhood. We take some time to relax & breathe, before heading forward to our next focus area.
( continued in next blog/workshop)
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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
