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Hopalong:
When I was hypnotized, I didn't really impact the change on myself. It was a combination of a trained clinical hypnotherapist, plus two scripts (aversion and replacement) that I wrote myself, plus a leap of faith (letting go of conscious control) born of desperation. I was killing myself with cigarettes...heavy smoker for 20+ years.

Anyway, it was to me a (secular) miracle. I sabotaged the first success after six months but about a year later did it again--I had read that book and it stayed with me--still does almost 50 years later. It took two appointments: one to talk about how hypnosis and the subconscious work and to brainstorm about the scripts, the second to do it (like guided meditation on steroids--he read the scripts to me once I was in "trance" -- or such deep relaxation as to be aware of a whole new sub-basement level of the mind I never realized I could access, much less influence). I came out of that appointment, got in my car, and never smoked again.

That was so directly life-saving that I never forgot it; and it's also why the subconscious is not controversial to me. Some writers connect it to the autonomic nervous system; some to meditative states. My limited meditation experience suggests to me that the state of hypnotic trance is deeper than meditation, but they may be the same or related. (Looked it up and most concur that hypnosis goes deeper, even though one is aware and remembers it. I was never "unconscious" or "out of control" and could have brought myself alert at any point.)

If a human being can live a fairly normal life with half a brain, I don't wonder at a whole realm of brain/mind function that most of us don't get into (and that our culture is baffled by because of "stage hypnosis." It's a shame, because it could help many people with many things. Doesn't work for everyone, but wow. He said the intensity of my desire to change was part of the reason it worked for me.

Funny I feel sort of evangelical about it, isn't it. I think I'm preaching to myself: this could be a good chapter in my life to begin working with self-hypnosis again. Lose about 20 pounds (those who use hypnosis tend to KEEP it off) and also work on goals, writing practice, etc.

hugs
Hops

sKePTiKal:
How about we just call ya PP for short? Like back when I was PR. (Pheonix Rising)

I take it you're reading and studying psychology. That must be a trip for you! I know it was for me; I've spent a long time trying to understand how brains work and all the different systems for talking about it, trying to understand it... and I always come back to: humans are wondrously magical creatures with powers they seldom access or even know about themselves. Trying to reduce even a single human into a "system" for understanding how they tick must be endlessly frustrating for psychologists. There's always something that just doesn't quite "fit" the mold.

This talk of the subconscious prompts me wonder if, what I call my "pre-verbal mind" is anything like the subconscious? And if meditation, at some definable levels can access more than just the parts of the sub-c that often shows up in dreams? Is meditation any different than self-hypnosis? How?

LOLOLOL. Don't mind my blather... curiosity has been my blessing/curse forever. But I will pass on to ya, that I believe that there is more than one way to "think"... some ways are more suited to different purposes than others... but all of them can be applied in any given situation/problem to solve. Some systems of psych understanding/"treatment" are more suited to solving particular issues, than others.

(I can generally work with more than one theory, or system, in my mind at once...all of varying degrees of "accepted wisdom"... and run my own statistical probability of the most likely "truth" - for me, that is. It's all arguable among different people... which in my way of understanding things needs to be a functional "constant". So sayeth the certified "weirdo"... LOLOLOL.)

Oh... and attachment theory... yes, I think we all struggle with attachment; even the people with a stable style. I think probably the most dangerous and harmful idea loose in the world, is that there is some kind of "right" way to be... because even balance within a person... is something that changes to external stimuli and internal desire, perceived lack, or "need"... and age.

Hopalong:
There's far less been written about the hypnotic state than about the meditative state (there are some overlaps, but they're different experiences), so I found this article particularly interesting:
https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/this-is-what-happens-to-your-brain-under-hypnosis/

Some typically shallow stories focus on which is "better" (of course, everything's a competition and some modality has to WIN! Aaarggggh).

They're different. Hypnosis goes deeper which is better for deeper struggles. Meditation can make you more peaceful, more in touch with your body, and less attached to your wandering thoughts. Hypnosis is like intense concentration using all your mindpower, without being self-conscious. To me.

Both are amazing. Hypnosis was a dramatic discovery for me and saved my life. (And didn't require continuous practice to keep benefitting. I think it must have literally over-written some previous patterns in my brain...but who knows? It also felt spiritual to me in the sense of unexpected encounter with my own connection with life force and powerful yearning to thrive, not just survive.)

I need to do it again.

hugs
Hops

lighter:
It's there for you, Hops.

Lighter

Hopalong:
Thanks, Lighter.

And I have to edit myself:

Hypnosis is like intense concentration using all your mindpower, while in the deepest state of relaxation you've ever experienced, without being self-conscious or worrying about anything.

There are also plenty of sources that teach SELF-hypnosis (handy during pandemics!). The only important thing is to be certain you're trusting teachers/guides that are certified hypnotherapists with professional training. It is part art, part intuition, part neuroscience.

hugs
Hops

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