Hypnosis defies
precise definition, as it is a personal experience with few objective points of
reference available to the observer. What is agreed is that hypnosis involves
and altered state of perception, characterized by a focusing of awareness,
stillness of the conscious mind and is accompanied by physiological changes
such as slowing of respiration and circulation, muscular relaxation,
lacrimation of the eyes and feelings of either heaviness or lightness.
In
this course you will be introduced to the latest breakthrough in Autogenic and
Flow State Training systems to help YOU achieve your goals.
What is the mind?
To date, experts
have not been able to pinpoint the location of the conscious and subconscious
minds within the brain. This failure does not, however reflect on the existence
of the mind, but rather on our inability to come to terms with things we cannot
see or measure. Until the last century we could not measure or detect activity
at the nuclear of sub-nuclear level, yet that does not mean there was no
activity at these levels previously.
What we have
determined in the laboratory, under EEG and fMRI is that certain areas of the
brain are associated with certain functions, however, this being said, it is
interesting to note that in some, stroke victims have learned to grow new
neural pathways to previously unused areas of the brain, and these areas have
taken over the work of the damaged neurons.
It is my opinion
that the brain is the hardware, and looking for the mind within the brain is
like looking for programs (software) by taking a computer apart. Using this
model, the subconscious mind is the software, while the brain is the hardware.
The subconscious mind is a set of programs – or mindmaps that are accessed via
the hardware and used like we use Apps on our smart phone - to manage behaviors
or functions.
What we do know…
The conscious
mind is associated with the Somnic Nervous System – or the activation of the
voluntary muscles, centered within the Cerebral Cortes, or the outer layer of
the brain.
The information
receptors of the brain are located in a lateral strip of neurons that sit
across the top of the head, at the front of the Parietal Lobe of the Cerebral
Cortex. The area that controls voluntary movement is located just in front of
the Parietal Lobe, in an area at the back of the Frontal Lobe. One of the
oldest areas of the brain is the Thalamus, which is located at the base of the
Cerebrum. It interacts with the sensation receptors in the Parietal Lobe to
alter the intensity of sensations, and it is thanks to this interaction that
pain does not completely overwhelm us – for example without it, the pressure of
our clothes would be unbearable.
The thinking,
reasoning part of our brain is located in the extreme Frontal Lobe and Cerebral
Cortex. These are all implicated in the workings of the conscious mind.
The subconscious
mind, on the other hand, is identifies with the Autonomic Nervous System or
areas controlling the use and regulation of the involuntary or smooth muscles
such as the lungs, heart and digestive system and glands. More significantly to
our interest, the subconscious mind is the realm of memory storage and
retrieval.
Memories are
stored in the Temporal Lobe of the Cerebral Cortex, located either side of the
front of our brain, near the temples.
The Cerebellum
sits in the back of the brain stem, and is the storehouse of chain motor
responses learned in infancy by trial and error. It operates at the
subconscious level, coordinating the movements of voluntary muscles in an
habitual, learned fashion, that no longer requires detailed conscious thought.
The Frontal Lobe
directs these movements and the Cerebellum provides the detailed instructions
that allow fluid, efficient operation of muscles. Damage to the Cerebellum
causes the loss of co-ordination. The Cerebellum then is part of the
subconscious mind that works in concert with the Conscious Mind.
In layman’s
terms, the Conscious Mind has come to be associated with the ‘will’, while the
Subconscious Mind is associated with day dreams and imagination – it is these
very characteristics that the practice of hypnosis is based upon.
Left and Right Brain
To complicate
matters, much of twentieth century psychology and psychiatry has been based
upon division of the brain into two hemispheres. The Corpus Callosum is the
connective area of the brain that links right and left hemispheres.
Interestingly it is thicker in women than men, suggesting that there is great
integration of left and right brain functions in women than men.
In modern society
we have come to associate left hemisphere dominance with intelligence, success
and rationality, and have undervalued the creative, intuitive abilities that
characterize right hemisphere functions. Perhaps that is due to the dominance
of male values and patriarchy in the modern era, and a society steeped in
Newtonian, mechanical certainties. With the coming of Quantum Physics, Einstein’s
Theory of Relativity, Quantum Biology and Psychoneuroimmunology, and
Neuroscience, and a growing awareness within the scientific community that much
more is going on than can be explained by a mechanistic view of the Universe,
however, the right hemisphere and the Split-Brain theory is being re-evaluated.
Evidence gathered
from fMRI, EEG and during brain surgery suggest that rather than the brain
being split by function, the two hemispheres are divided and unified by
perspective. The right hemisphere provides context, and an abstract
understanding of the world, including an ability to create internal language
and recognize patterns. The left-hemisphere conversely provides our ability to
‘act’ in the world; to manipulate objects, language and ourselves to influence
the world.
Another way to
look at this is that the right brain provides the framework to understand the
world and create new ideas, while the left brain provides the tools to enact
those ideas. If an artist was only right-brained they would have no way of
conveying their creative ideas into any manifest form, the ideas would be
locked inside their head. Likewise if a mathematician was only left-brained
they would have no ability to recognize patterns, envisage solutions or make
connections between things.
So the next time
you see one of those ‘Are you left or right brain dominant’ quizzes, walk away
– it’s based on outdated science and is pure rubbish.
It is now agreed,
that in order to function at optimal levels we need the integration of both
hemispheres of the brain. How much of each hemisphere we regularly use appears
to be correlated with personality, but that’s a whole other lecture.
What
is REM?
Rapid Eye
Movement (REM) sleep time has long been regarded as necessary to our very
mental survival and people deprived of this deep sleep state experience major
psychological disturbances and emotional upheaval. REM sleep is characterized
by the rapid movement of the closed eyes from left to right and back again, and
seems to be some kind of rapid integrative process, where the left and right
hemispheres communicate with each other, relaying information, retrieving
memories and formulating responses to the day to day demands of our lives. This
process is akin to what happens when you back-up your computer onto an external
drive. It allows short and mid-term memory to be converted to long-term memory
and is associated with mental health.
We can create
this process through hypnosis and by repeatedly practicing this technique,
which takes less than ten minutes, we can synchronise both the hemispheres and
the electrical activity of the brain.
Here
is some background to the powerful phenomena of Brain Wave States you’ll be
experiencing:
Beta
Alertness
Concentration
Cognition
You are wide-awake, alert. Your mind is sharp, focused. It makes connections quickly, easily and you're primed to do work that requires your full attention. In the Beta state, neurons fire abundantly, in rapid succession, helping you achieve peak performance. New ideas and solutions to problems flash like lightning into your mind. Beta training is one of the frequencies that biofeedback therapists use to treat Attention Deficit Disorder.
Beta-centred Flow Training help you prepare to take an exam, play sports, give a presentation, analyze and organize information, and other activities where mental alertness and high levels of concentration are key to your success.
Beta waves range between 13-40 HZ. The Beta state is associated with peak concentration, heightened alertness, hand eye coordination and visual acuity. Nobel Prize Winner Sir Francis Crick and other scientists believe that the 40HZ beta frequency used on many Brain Sync tapes may be key to the act of cognition.
Alpha
You are wide-awake, alert. Your mind is sharp, focused. It makes connections quickly, easily and you're primed to do work that requires your full attention. In the Beta state, neurons fire abundantly, in rapid succession, helping you achieve peak performance. New ideas and solutions to problems flash like lightning into your mind. Beta training is one of the frequencies that biofeedback therapists use to treat Attention Deficit Disorder.
Beta-centred Flow Training help you prepare to take an exam, play sports, give a presentation, analyze and organize information, and other activities where mental alertness and high levels of concentration are key to your success.
Beta waves range between 13-40 HZ. The Beta state is associated with peak concentration, heightened alertness, hand eye coordination and visual acuity. Nobel Prize Winner Sir Francis Crick and other scientists believe that the 40HZ beta frequency used on many Brain Sync tapes may be key to the act of cognition.
Alpha
Relaxation
Visualization
Creativity
When you are truly relaxed, your brain activity slows from the rapid patterns of Beta into the more gentle waves of Alpha. Your awareness expands. Fresh creative energy begins to flow. Fears vanish. You experience a liberating sense of peace and well-being. In biofeedback, Alpha training is most commonly recommended for the treatment of stress.
Alpha-centered Flow Training help you tap your creativity and are excellent for problem solving, finding new ideas and practicing creative visualization. Choose Alpha programs when you want to attain deep levels of relaxation that are so essential to your health and well-being.
Alpha waves range between 7-12 HZ. This is a place of deep relaxation, but not quite meditation. In Alpha, we begin to access the wealth of creativity that lies just below our conscious awareness - it is the gateway, the entry point that leads into deeper states of consciousness. Alpha is also the home of the window frequency known as the Schuman Resonance - the resonant frequency of the earth's electromagnetic field.
Theta
When you are truly relaxed, your brain activity slows from the rapid patterns of Beta into the more gentle waves of Alpha. Your awareness expands. Fresh creative energy begins to flow. Fears vanish. You experience a liberating sense of peace and well-being. In biofeedback, Alpha training is most commonly recommended for the treatment of stress.
Alpha-centered Flow Training help you tap your creativity and are excellent for problem solving, finding new ideas and practicing creative visualization. Choose Alpha programs when you want to attain deep levels of relaxation that are so essential to your health and well-being.
Alpha waves range between 7-12 HZ. This is a place of deep relaxation, but not quite meditation. In Alpha, we begin to access the wealth of creativity that lies just below our conscious awareness - it is the gateway, the entry point that leads into deeper states of consciousness. Alpha is also the home of the window frequency known as the Schuman Resonance - the resonant frequency of the earth's electromagnetic field.
Theta
Meditation
Intuition
Memory
Going deeper into relaxation, you enter the elusive and mysterious Theta state where brain activity slows almost to the point of sleep, but not quite. This is the therapeutic hypnogogic state. Theta is the brain state where magic happens in the crucible of your own neurological activity. Theta brings forward heightened receptivity, flashes of dreamlike imagery, inspiration, and your long-forgotten memories. Theta can bring you deep states of meditation. A sensation of "floating." And, because it is an expansive state, in Theta, you may feel your mind expand beyond the boundaries of your body.
Theta rests directly on the threshold of your subconscious. In biofeedback, it is most commonly associated with the deepest levels of meditation. Theta also plays an important part in behavior modification programs and has been used in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. Finally, Theta is an ideal state for super-learning, re-programming your mind, dream recall, and self-hypnosis.
Theta waves range between 4-7 HZ. Theta is one of the more elusive and extraordinary realms we can explore. It is also known as the twilight state which we normally only experience fleetingly as we rise up out of the depths of delta upon waking, or drifting off to sleep. In Theta, we are in a waking dream, vivid imagery flashes before the mind's eye and we are receptive to information beyond our normal conscious awareness. Theta has also been identified as the gateway to learning and memory. Theta meditation increases creativity, enhances learning, reduces stress and awakens intuition and other extrasensory perception skills.
Delta
Going deeper into relaxation, you enter the elusive and mysterious Theta state where brain activity slows almost to the point of sleep, but not quite. This is the therapeutic hypnogogic state. Theta is the brain state where magic happens in the crucible of your own neurological activity. Theta brings forward heightened receptivity, flashes of dreamlike imagery, inspiration, and your long-forgotten memories. Theta can bring you deep states of meditation. A sensation of "floating." And, because it is an expansive state, in Theta, you may feel your mind expand beyond the boundaries of your body.
Theta rests directly on the threshold of your subconscious. In biofeedback, it is most commonly associated with the deepest levels of meditation. Theta also plays an important part in behavior modification programs and has been used in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. Finally, Theta is an ideal state for super-learning, re-programming your mind, dream recall, and self-hypnosis.
Theta waves range between 4-7 HZ. Theta is one of the more elusive and extraordinary realms we can explore. It is also known as the twilight state which we normally only experience fleetingly as we rise up out of the depths of delta upon waking, or drifting off to sleep. In Theta, we are in a waking dream, vivid imagery flashes before the mind's eye and we are receptive to information beyond our normal conscious awareness. Theta has also been identified as the gateway to learning and memory. Theta meditation increases creativity, enhances learning, reduces stress and awakens intuition and other extrasensory perception skills.
Delta
Detached
Awareness
Healing
Sleep
Long, slow, undulating. Delta is the slowest of all four brain wave frequencies. Most commonly associated with deep sleep, certain frequencies in the Delta range also trigger the release of Human Growth Hormone so beneficial for healing and regeneration. This is why sleep - deep restorative sleep, the kind that Delta frequencies help induce - is so essential to the healing process. Delta centred Flow Training can promote conversion from short term to long-term memory.
Delta is the brain wave signal of the subconscious, the seat from which intuition arises. That means Delta-based programs are not only an ideal choice for their sleep and deep regeneration potential, but also when you want to access your unconscious activity and help that wellspring of information flow to your conscious mind for clearing and for empowerment. Delta waves range between 0-4 HZ.
Long, slow, undulating. Delta is the slowest of all four brain wave frequencies. Most commonly associated with deep sleep, certain frequencies in the Delta range also trigger the release of Human Growth Hormone so beneficial for healing and regeneration. This is why sleep - deep restorative sleep, the kind that Delta frequencies help induce - is so essential to the healing process. Delta centred Flow Training can promote conversion from short term to long-term memory.
Delta is the brain wave signal of the subconscious, the seat from which intuition arises. That means Delta-based programs are not only an ideal choice for their sleep and deep regeneration potential, but also when you want to access your unconscious activity and help that wellspring of information flow to your conscious mind for clearing and for empowerment. Delta waves range between 0-4 HZ.
When we are in
REM sleep we are alternating between low Alpha and high Theta activity, so that
alternating our attention between our right and left hemispheres synchronises
our brain’s electrical activity into a range somewhere between 6 and 10 HZ,
which has been shown in bio-feedback to be extremely beneficial physiologically
and psychologically.
The Power of Imagination
It is an
interesting feature of living, thinking human beings, that our Will Power is
often overwhelmed by our imagination, especially with the importance we place
on Will Power in our society. Many people when beginning a diet, for example,
say they will rely on their will and very soon find themselves thinking almost
exclusively about food, even to the point of dreaming about their favorite
foods.
At the opposite
extreme, a person who suffers from claustrophobia may be able to logically
convince themselves that this fear is irrational and resolve, time and time
again to use their Will Power to overcome their feelings, yet when confronted
with an enclosed space their Will Power flies out the window and their
imagination takes over.
The two examples
above demonstrate the destructive ability of the subconscious mind to overcome
the conscious will. What hypnosis does is to tap into the imaginative power of
the subconscious mind, to facilitate growth and personal development and to
help individuals use their imaginations as a tool for goal attainment.
Imagination is a
skill, and like any other skill the direction and manipulation of the
imaginative mind be greatly improved by practice. You will find, during this
course, that both the quality of your imagination and your control of your
imagination are greatly enhanced, opening up a whole new realm of creativity,
intelligence and personal discovery you thought belonged to the world of the
genius.
Elisabetta is a Clinical Hypnotherapist with over 25 years experience facilitating behaviour change and maximising performance. Elisabetta is the author of The Energy Code, The Infidel and Veritas (all available on Amazon), and the creator of the online Personal Transformation Course - Activ8DNA on Udemy. Discover how Elisabetta can help you or your organisation achieve its potential at:
No comments:
Post a Comment