Theory of The Mind: Unlocking the Potential of Ericksonian Hypnosis

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a complex phenomenon. We can look at it from two perspectives: as a state and as a process.

In its state form, hypnosis is often ill-defined as a heightened state of conscious suggestibility. Presumably, this state allows individuals to readily accept and act upon suggestions provided to them. This theory suggests that, by harnessing this state, hypnosis can facilitate transformation from undesired behaviors to desired ones. In essence, all successful therapies leverage this state, whether consciously or unconsciously, to achieve positive changes in individuals.

As a process, hypnosis involves bypassing the critical filter of the conscious mind, thereby accessing the subconscious realm. By transcending this filter, hypnosis induces a state of unconscious hyper-receptivity, enabling profound therapeutic effects. This process grants practitioners the ability to delve deep into the subconscious mind, where core beliefs and patterns reside, and influence them to foster personal growth and positive transformations.

Through the powerful combination of a heightened state of unconscious hyper-receptivity and the bypassing of the critical filter, hypnosis emerges as an effective psychological technique that empowers individuals to overcome challenges and achieve their desired outcomes.

So, hypnosis is not magical or mysterious when you know the facts. It is simply a state of unconscious hyper-receptivity and includes a group of techniques for focusing the mind so that the unconscious can absorb acceptable suggestions to facilitate change.

However, the reality of “what is hypnosis” has been bent and distorted by sensationalism.

This is a pity because not knowing this can and probably does prevent many people from trying it for the first time.

Remember that it is perfectly safe, so you have nothing to lose. Hypnosis can help you unlock a world of possibilities for personal growth, change, and improvement.

Ericksonian hypnosis is based on 3 principles:

• To help someone, you have to empathize with the person and establish a connection (we now call this ‘rapport building’). Otherwise, the person would not trust you to have the intention or the ability to help them. “Patients don’t care what you know until they know that you care.”

• To access the unconscious mind, you have to distract the conscious mind. Erickson achieved this using a variety of techniques.

• Erickson favored indirect suggestions over direct commands, allowing clients to interpret and accept suggestions at their own pace. Indirect suggestion has a greater likelihood of being accepted by the unconscious and helping the person make natural, sustainable changes.

Here are just a few of Ericksons' techniques:

It was Erickson's perspective that hypnosis (with or without trance) provided a tool with which to communicate with the unconscious mind and access the vast reservoir of experiential resources held within.

A key idea in Milton Erickson's work was that a person's problematic experiences and behaviors can be skillfully accepted and utilized as the basis for therapeutic change.

Erickson believed that the possibility of healing almost all psychological conditions lay within an individual's unconscious mind. His "utilization approach" focused on developing a rapport with the subject so that he could communicate with their unconscious.

He also believed that the unconscious level of the mind was a storehouse of all the wisdom and learning of one’s lifetime, whether or not the conscious mind realized it.

Since the unconscious is creative, it can find answers to questions and solutions to problems.

Trance is useful but not a necessity. What is important is for the client’s unconscious mind to be open to suggestions for those suggestions to have a hypnotic influence.

In his later years, Erickson deemphasized the need for trance and developed what is now called “conversational hypnosis.” 

Erickson also believed that trance was a natural state and that people entered trance daily. We now know this to be true.

What is Hypnotherapy and Hypnotic Coaching?

Hypnosis practitioners commonly apply hypnosis in change work. They combine hypnosis with various coaching models and therapeutic approaches to help clients achieve their goals and overcome intense emotional issues in a more natural, effective, and sustainable manner.

Hypnotherapy is the popular term for the application of hypnosis in therapy, while Hypnotic Coaching is now the preferred term for its application in coaching.

What is The Mind?

When pondering the concept of "mind," one may mistakenly equate it with the brain. It is essential to understand that while the brain and mind are interconnected, they serve distinct functions. To grasp this relationship, we turn to a fitting analogy: that of a computer.

Imagine the brain as the hardware, the intricate machinery that houses our cognitive abilities. In contrast, the mind operates as the software, harnessing the power of the brain to solve problems, create, and make decisions. Clarity emerges when we unravel this symbiotic connection.

The mind is sometimes described as an energetic force enveloping our bodies. Divisible into two primary components, the mind holds the key to unlocking our potential. The conscious mind accounts for a mere 5% of our mental capacity. It governs our thoughts, emotions, logical reasoning, decision-making, and voluntary actions.

Meanwhile, the remaining 95% houses the unconscious mind (also referred to as the subconscious mind). In addition to all systems in the body, the unconscious mind controls our:

Beliefs	Emotions	Long Term Memory
Values	Protective Reactions	Intuition
Imagination	Fears	Personality
Self-Image	Cognitive Biases	Habits
Creativity	Unconscious Parts

The realm of the unconscious mind is a captivating domain, where the power of communication transcends the boundaries of language and logic. This magnificent part of our mind, distinct from the conscious realm, uniquely connects with us, relying on a symphony of images, emotions, sensations, and intuition. Unlike its conscious counterpart, the unconscious mind speaks the language of the soul.

It is within the enigmatic depths of our unconscious that the seeds of our self-image are sown, gradually shaping who we are and how we perceive ourselves in this vast world. This powerful force silently influences our habits, often navigating our thoughts and actions on autopilot mode. Unbeknownst to our conscious self, our unconscious mind seeks to protect us, to guide us through the labyrinth of life.

Within the realm of the unconscious, there are archaic and limited parts formed from our past that try to guide and protect us. These parts are often formed during the experience of trauma, both real and imagined. Milton Erickson (the father of clinical hypnosis) called these parts “leaned limitations.” They are the source of much of our difficulties in living. Essentially, they represent a misunderstanding of who we truly are or who we would choose to be. They do not represent the highest, grandest, most noble versions of ourselves.

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are” Carl Jung.

These parts are not evil, they simply want to keep us safe, based on limited understandings of the world. It’s as if they were the darkness that keeps us from seeing the light—the cloud that hides the sun.

In the fascinating realm of the unconscious mind, we encounter a marvelous tool called Ericksonian Hypnosis. This powerful technique allows us to delve deeper into the hidden recesses of our minds, unraveling the mysteries that lie within. Through this hypnotic journey, we unlock the potential to reshape our limited thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors at the very core.

Just as our mind acts as a conductor of this captivating symphony within us, our brain acts as the orchestra, coordinating the dance of neurotransmitters and electrical signals. Together, the mind and brain form an intricate masterpiece, working in harmony to create the symphony of our thoughts and emotions.

The unconscious mind is a treasure trove of past experiences and the driving force behind our involuntary actions. Involuntary actions refer to the countless processes that unfold within us, outside our direct control.

Take the simple act of breathing, for example. As you read this, are you deliberately regulating your breath? While this question brings temporary awareness to your breath, it swiftly returns to its autonomous rhythm dictated by the unconscious mind. Similarly, your heartbeat and digestive system operate independently, orchestrated by the unconscious.

Beyond bodily functions, the unconscious controls our habits and actions so ingrained in us that we effortlessly execute them without conscious thought. Consider the act of hand washing; our hands intuitively know what to do, obviating the need for conscious deliberation.

Another striking example lies in driving. Regular drivers often find themselves traveling familiar routes on autopilot, with little recollection of traffic lights or the songs playing through the speakers. This intriguing phenomenon is none other than the unconscious at the wheel.

If you've encountered someone struggling with the will to rise early from bed for exercise, you may have heard them voice a peculiar experience. They feel as though a distinct presence within them sabotages their efforts, hitting the snooze button or switching off the alarm on their behalf. Most often, this internal struggle goes unnoticed, while in other instances, it becomes a battleground wherein the unconscious ultimately prevails.

Indeed, this internal entity is none other than the unconscious mind. It orchestrates our involuntary actions based on two guiding principles. First, actions vital for our survival take precedence. Second, if we repeatedly undertake an action consciously and it does not trigger unconscious resistance, the unconscious learns from these experiences, fostering a belief that it is the appropriate course of action. This is how the brain forms new habits. As Donald Hebb (the “father of neuropsychology”) suggested - "Cells that fire together, wire together". Neurological circuits in the brain are strengthened each time a similar thought or action is repeated.

Crucially, these behaviors extend beyond actions, encompassing our thoughts and emotions. Curiously, the unconscious does not inherently differentiate between reality and fiction.

Recent experiments have shown the brain's tendency to blur the line between perceived and imagined imagery. As the brain encodes the vividness of both real and imagined stimuli alike, reality and imagination can become entwined. The more vividly one imagines something, the more likely they are to accept it as reality.

This insight underscores the necessity of scrutinizing the information we allow into our unconscious. During our formative years, we predominantly encounter limited, straightforward information. After the age of 2 or 3, the conscious mind acts as a vigilant gatekeeper, filtering the incoming data.

However, as we mature, the sheer volume and complexity of information expand exponentially. To cope with this cognitive load efficiently, the conscious mind crafts rules or beliefs to navigate repetitive information effortlessly. These rules reside in what we term the "critical filter," dictating the processing of incoming data. Consequently, any information contradicting these established beliefs is distorted or discarded.

Conversely, information that aligns with our existing beliefs infiltrates the unconscious mind. For instance, if we harbor a belief that no one loves us, our partner's declaration of love may go unheard, dismissed under the assumption they harbor ulterior motives. This reinforces our preexisting conviction.

However, if our partner declares dislike, regardless of their true intent, this information harmonizes with our beliefs, resonating far longer in our unconscious. Over time, we often become oblivious to the pervasive influence of these beliefs, as they automate many of our daily functions.

In summary, this model divides our mind into three distinct realms: the conscious mind, the critical filter, and the unconscious mind. When navigating goal attainment, this model guides our approach:

1. Consciously establish goals, supported by insights from our intuitive selves, to fine-tune our action plans.

2. Find strategies to bypass the critical filter, such as Ericksonian hypnosis, enabling our goals and action plans to infiltrate the unconscious mind.

3. Align the unconscious with our objectives and plans, enabling seamless progression towards their achievement.

By understanding the intricacies of the mind, employing the power of Ericksonian hypnosis, and finding harmony between the mind and brain, we unlock the incredible potential within us.

So, let us embark on this exhilarating exploration of the unconscious mind, where language fades away and symbolism reigns supreme. It is here, in this realm, that we can uncover the hidden treasures of our deepest desires, our darkest fears, and our grandest aspirations. As we embrace the power of the unconscious, we unlock the potential to transform ourselves, to harness the incredible force that lies dormant within us.

"Trust your unconscious; it knows more than you do." Milton Erickson