Where Hypnosis and Storytelling Collide: Slaying the Dragons of the Mind

When people hear the word hypnosis, they immediately think of quacking like a duck or being told to do something silly and embarrassing. Or they think of people faking it because “they can’t be hypnotized.” This is a type of hypnosis called stage hypnosis, and unfortunately, that is where the public’s exposure to this art form typically ends.

“Hypnosis is a powerful, life-altering, brain-soothing modality. Unlike talk therapy, you do not need to rehash your entire past to a total stranger and ball your eyes out.”

I learned about hypnosis through Joe Dispenza when I was healing myself from a so-called, "incurable disease". But, of course, he calls it meditation in order to sideline the stigma of stage hypnosis. Meditation carries a more respectable (albeit unobtainable) reputation, perhaps based on Buddhism which claims it will lead to enlightenment after many lifetimes of practice. How fascinating that storytelling can be so convincing and memorable.

So, what is the difference between meditation and hypnosis? In a nutshell, hypnosis will include a deliberate re-programming of the subconscious mind in the form of commands and suggestions, based solely on the request of the client. Meditation won’t typically include this.

“…to experience this powerful, composed, wise, relaxed, and controlled state of mind. This is ultimate brain health and personal empowerment. To pull the body out of fight/flight mode, to ditch the survival emotions that make us sick and weak, and return the body to a saturation of intense wellbeing. This is where healing occurs.”

Often, people think of quitting smoking or losing weight. The same exact insult from childhood could lead one person to smoke and another person to overeat. The symptom (smoking, eating too much) is not important, the root cause is.

There has to be a reconciliation deep within the mind, facing that cause, facing who we know ourselves to be, and using our entire brain, our body, and universal intelligence to process it. Problem is, we humans have a reeeaaaallllyyyy hard time doing all that in our everyday life.

It can be scary, painful, and just plain difficult to revisit the past, confront your identity, and try to carve out a new future. Especially on our own, because the mind creates detailed images and stories that can feel so unpleasant. We are met with obstacles like self-doubt, criticism, judgment, limiting beliefs, and a million reasons to turn and run the other way…into avoidance. Ignore it and it will go away, right?

Not so much.

We’d rather continue smoking, overeating, staying in bad relationships, neurosis, poor self-esteem, dealing with anxiety, sleeplessness, migraines, depression, burnout, rage, disappointment, exhaustion, physical pain and disability, or even cancer. That’s how daunting our emotional pain from the past can feel. We’d literally rather experience anything else, no matter how terrible!

Surprise! Yes, your ego is that ridiculous. There is nothing worse than a threatened ego (shriek!). It will hide the past from you, it will hold you in your identity at any cost. And that would be a nice service if it actually worked in the long term. Unfortunately, the pain manifests as the list above. So, what can be done?

Enter, hypnosis.

Hypnosis is a powerful, life-altering, brain-soothing modality. Unlike talk therapy, you do not need to rehash your entire past to a total stranger and ball your eyes out. Hypnosis is an art form, and a skilled practitioner can guide you into a totally relaxed state, where your brain waves slow down, and the ego goes night night (sweet dreams). In this peaceful space, your body is resting, the ego is resting, and the higher mind is extremely alert and activated.

This is where things get super cool. I’m already getting goosebumps!

In this activation of the higher mind, you get access to the playful and entertaining subconscious realm of your mind, and there’s a dreamy, easy flow of interacting with thoughts, emotions, and visuals from the past.

In this unthreatened state of mind and body, you can see things as they truly are, you see people and events with clarity, wisdom, and acceptance. The emotional intensity is far, far less than when the ego is translating for you. And in my practice, we visit the past in a reconstructed fantasy land through purpose-built storytelling and metaphor—so it’s way more fun. The higher mind works very, very quickly and powerfully to reconcile the past as this objective observer. Very much like the basis of meditation here, you get to spend time as the great I Am presence, in oneness, in a loving, safe space.

There is a tremendous benefit in experiencing this quality of hypnosis alone; to experience this powerful, composed, wise, relaxed, and controlled state of mind. This is ultimate brain health and personal empowerment. To pull the body out of fight/flight mode, to ditch the survival emotions that make us sick and weak, and return the body to a saturation of intense wellbeing. This is where healing occurs.

People often come with the misconception that they will somehow lose control under hypnosis, but it is quite the opposite. You come to hypnosis because you lost control over your own mind in the “real world” and under hypnosis you take your power and control back. You reclaim your position as ruler of your inner world. You reclaim your sovereignty, you strengthen your free will.

You are less and less at the mercy of outer conditions, circumstances, people, the past. Your world, understanding, and capacity open. In a flash you can download an amazing insight, make a brilliant observation that changes the course of your life, forgive someone you had previously deemed unforgiveable, or experience an inpouring of love so vast you walk away with a new lifelong vibrational set point (true story). Golden nuggets of wisdom are easily revealed in a well-crafted session.

My sessions are built as mesmerizing soul journeys, like going on a beautiful adventure inside yourself. Each session is a heart-full, custom creation, unique for your specific life experience and challenges. I write the hypnosis journeys while in a meditative state myself. This way, I am just the storyteller. God is the healer, coming through the words. You may have to slay a dragon or two, but in the end, you leave absolutely victorious!

I’m beyond thrilled and grateful to be a new part of The Space family. If you’d like to book a session with me, you can contact me at betty@yourmindspa.com or 719-322-2259. My calendar is currently booked until February 2023, so please reach out to get on the schedule.

With LOVE,

Betty Sage Gilbert