FAQ's

1. What is Self-Hypnosis & how is Interactive Self-Hypnosis different?

Self-hypnosis is simply relaxing deeply & working with images or metaphors in the mind's eyes.  We all do this continually.  We call it day dreaming.  In purposeful self-hypnosis, we learn to break the trance of automatic pilot & re-enter the subconscious mind through specific imagery.  Interactive Self-Hypnosis refers to a group of tools I designed that invite the individual into the active imagery, not only during formal self-hypnosis work, but also "in the moment."  This allows one to wake up to what is going on in any given moment & to evaluate the emotions, thoughts & related behaviors, as well as the body communications.

2.  How does one Journal with Interactive Self-Hypnosis?

It's important to learn how to access trance or subconscious mind states "in the moment."  When Journaling you will enter a trance state & work with containments, or special images that contain & trigger certain areas of your subconscious mind.  The more you become familiar & work with specific containments, the quicker your subconscious mind will provide you with insights, right off the end of your pen or fingertips, if you are typing.

3.   How does this differ from meditative writing?

In meditative writing, one relaxes deeply & allows the pen to flow or the fingers to type themselves.  One may or may not work with specific images.  When working with Interactive Self-Hypnosis, the containments or images help the mind to focus & to open in that focused area. Keep in mind that the subconscious mind is vast & if the "inner librarian" doesn't have some sort of direction, the journaling outcomes will not be so specific or on goal.  While one may think that this limits the thoughts or free-floating ideas, this is not necessarily so.  Sometimes the rising thoughts are outside the containment & one comes to learn that the actual image utilized for entering the subconscious mind acted as a catalyst for something else that needed to "conscious-mind-birth" itself.

4.   How does this differ from automatic writing?

For our purpose & by my definition, automatic writing falls into the same category as meditative writing.

5.  Is it dangerous to work with the mind in this way?

Our subconscious mind is always functioning, whether we are awake, daydreaming or sound asleep.   Most of the time it is on "auto-pilot", presenting mind programs that were not requested, the large majority of them being stress-producing & negative in nature.  Nevertheless, these are goals because the subconscious mind does not judge.  As we begin to develop "heightened awareness" we come face to face with ourselves, our actions & our behaviors.  Granted, some of them aren't pretty, but they are ours, nevertheless.  When working with Interactive Self-Hypnosis we actively forgive ourselves & have compassion.  We move away from the negative habit of self-judging & also judging others.  We work with emotions through imagery & learn that we can change behaviors.  Many of us have had difficult past experiences.  In fact, just about everyone of us has experienced trauma of some sort during our early years.  Some things we remember well, or at least think we do & others are a mere blur or not there at all.  Often when journaling our mind presents some of these memories.  If we perceive an area of our life as "dangerous", it is best to work with a professional.  But, for most things, we stay in our adult/mature state as we enter our Journaling, knowing we have the ability to heal areas as we journey through life.

6.  What's the best way to work with this website?

The website is a work in progress.  I will be adding things here on a continuous basis.  I will usually tell the Discussion Groups when I add a new focus.  You might like to check in on days when you are Journaling.  Your subconscious mind may see something that it wants to work with, perhaps a suggestion or affirmation.  The mind is eager to heal & to help the body to heal.  

7.  What's the best way to work with the Discussion Groups?

Most of us tend towards a bit of laziness.  We think we want to do something.... we say we want to do something.... we truly mean to do something.... & then, we forget or get busy with life's interruptions.  I suggest you develop a discipline for writing in this special way.  It's good to schedule a "writing appointment" with yourself.  I generally Journal every morning when coming to work.  In fact when I go home I leave my Journal in the middle of my desk, so it beckons to me when I walk through the door.  Decide on a goal for Journaling & commit it to writing.  The written word has power in it..... use it!   You are free to post what you like to the Discussion Groups, as long as it isn't meant to offend.  You might find someone in the group to share your writings with instead of posting them to everyone.  Find what feels right for you....   And, of course questions & suggestions are always welcomed.

8.  Should I join more than one group?

Of course you are welcome to join all the groups, but one or two should be sufficient.  You can always find work on this site that will open doors for you in the other areas.  The most important thing is for you to choose to write regularly.