Autohypnosis and thought provocation

So over the past few days, I've been toying with autohypnosis. The first time I did it, it was because I couldn't sleep and I couldn't make my brain shut off. So I looked up "self-hypnosis" on YouTube. Maybe I should back up a bit and explain what autohypnosis is and what it does. Before I do so, though, I'd like to make a disclaimer: I do not condone you attempting autohypnosis or autosuggestion unless you are 100% serious about it and 100% sure of what you're doing or know someone who is trained in the techniques of hypnosis who can advise you further.

Autohypnosis is literally, as I said, self-hypnosis; hypnotizing yourself. it is great for what is called autosuggestion. Putting thoughts into your head with yourself as the source. It takes time, but if you, say, want to improve your study habits, you can quicken the process through autosuggestion. All you are doing is completely relaxing your body and mind to the point where you are in a trance. It causes your mind to shut off so to speak where your thoughts and memories just kind of float along, but you don't really concentrate on them. They just continuously play like a movie. In that time, you may find yourself concentrating on some problem you're struggling with. Try to avoid this if you can, but if it continues to pop up, give it to your subconscious mind where your memories and experiences will help you to find the solution without creating painful emotions. To further this along, autosuggestion is when you say record yourself repeating some sentiment over and over that you may not necessarily hear, but will be instilled in your mind. This is also how brainwashing works, so be very very careful when instituting autohypnosis. Be absolutely sure you want to do what you're autosuggesting before you even consider it.

Now I know what you're thinking: "Yeah, but Cissy, how can I 'completely relax my mind' when I can't get it to shut off?" Well, there's several things you can do. It's true that there are people who can hypnotize themselves on their own, but most people have to have some help. The best way is to listen to specific frequencies set in sine waves. What the crap is that, you ask? Well, it's hard to explain. Basically it's a low hum that goes between being almost impossible to hear to a moderate volume. What it does is causes the chemicals in your brain to react to that. If you concentrate entirely on that frequency and relax entirely, you will go into a trance. This is where you'll find yourself really finding solutions to problems and listening to any suggestions that are presented to you, whether they be by your own autosuggesting method or by another person. Again, never have someone untrained in hypnotic suggestions try to suggest things to you. Sometimes you may get so "zoned out" that you don't realize what they are suggesting, and end up doing things you really regret, or even if it's someone you trust, they may use the wrong wording and cause something entirely different from what you really wanted! Which is why you should also be very careful when autosuggesting as well.

Anyway, I have really enjoyed the effects of this autohypnosis. I find myself being far more relaxed, rested when I get up in the mornings, confident, energetic and happy. Ask my roommate. I've been a little ray of sunshine the past two days. I find this very encouraging. I tend to be a very nervous, anxious person. I focus on my problems too much, and then when I'm not focusing on my problems, I'm focusing on what might go wrong. So this is a great relief to me. But I would like to share with you an amusing anecdote about what occurred while I was practicing some autohypnosis during my break between classes:

I was nearly asleep while I was in y hypnotic state, which is somewhat unusual. My thoughts were flowing pleasantly, and I felt myself coming out of this state, still somewhat sleepy for some reason, though beginning to feel reenergized. As I began to get up and prepare myself a small lunch before my New Testament class, I noticed that I had the strangest, uncontrollable craving for sherbet. I haven't had sherbet in years. Now I'm trying to figure out where I can get such an animal.

As for the other thing that is on my mind, I'm afraid I have to be more cryptic about this one: I find there is a person who provokes thought in me like only one other person has been able to. This "Other person" I'm referring to is my old Creative Writing teacher, Dr. Michael Hartman. Provoking thought in the way he did was something he got paid to do. The person I'm referring to who has this same capability is just a fellow student. So I find myself quite drawn to him. There are other circumstances which some people are precisely aware of and others are completely befuddled by this comment. If you wish to know, ask and I may or may not tell you. In any event, I find it quite intriguing that there is another individual who can make simple statements that make me think so clearly and awaken my inner writer and muse. I love the writer in me, and I love having my thoughts and ideas challenged in such a way, but it scares me a bit that there is someone I can talk to casually who can make me think so clearly. So I'm praying about it.

Today I'm comfortable and content. I'm not nervous or anxious in any way. So I'll wrap up with that thought.

Cecelia