What’s so special about hypnosis, and what the heck does flora and fauna have to do with it? Glad you asked! Could it be that we take our brain for granted? Surely you’ve heard the explanations that we use only a small fraction of our brain. That’s correct. The “iceberg analogy” is a good one. Our conscious brain function is like the visible part of an iceberg, but that’s less than 10% with the vast majority submerged or subconscious.
If the brain is Control Central–our command center, where our thoughts then become actions wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had greater command of and greater access to what affects all that we are and do? Answers to all our questions can be found in nature—assuming we take a moment to look and then see what we’re viewing. With practice awareness develops revealing the daily harmony available when respect is paid to balance. A hypnotherapist is like a master gardener. In the following paragraph see how we are like plants.
Staff Writers in Zurich, Switzerland for Terra Daily wrote today: “Plants are attacked by a multitude of insects and mammals. As defense against these herbivores they develop complex defense mechanisms over the course of evolution: spines, thorns, leaf hairs and a number of toxic chemical substances.” Surely it is easy to see that humans do the same. If that prompts any feeling of greater kinship with nature—well, “good”.
We know that a plant won’t “be all it can be” and grow strong, look beautiful or bear luscious fruit unless its root system is properly nourished and developed. For me, gardening is one of the most powerful times to be still within while considering what nature has to teach us. When yard-work seems like a chore, just choose a different perspective to move from chore to enjoyable. Our lives can at times seem terribly frantic, thus revealing that something is out of balance. If you were to plant a new plant today, would it grow? If you were in Columbus, Ohio where there are snow and ice storms today, you’d see that nature says “be patient—wait for a more appropriate time”. “Play with the kids since there is no school.”
If it were springtime—time to plant, you wouldn’t just dig a hole and stick the plant in the ground. You’d likely carefully choose the right plant for the location, considering how large it will grow and what it will look like when mature. You’d make sure to dig the hole several times larger than the container, adding good soil, amendments, and then water and fertilize regularly.
The vast majority of people have an opportunity to experience dynamic growth that connects us with the universe. Beauty and happiness is the resultant. We know a happy plant when we see one; a happy person too. Our ego naturally protects us, but it’s not always healthy. Toxic residue from past events can unconsciously hinder growth, wellness, and happiness. Physical wellness begins with emotional well-being. That emotional well-being is determined by all those past events stored on our internal hard-drive in the subconscious mind. The nature of our reality is based upon what we perceive must be done to survive. We accept that the world works a certain way, not recognizing that we’re writing and accepting that script. The magic in the message is that contrary to popular belief or opinion, with competent guidance people can change.
What’s so special about hypnosis? Everything, because the ability exists for each of us to access that which has been unseen; it’s available for the asking. Hypnotherapy is still largely misunderstood. Some practitioners choose to use other names just to avoid the stereotype. Perhaps it’s time to consider an open-minded introduction to find out more about how this modality may resolve issues, and facilitate your growth. Through no one’s fault, your root system may have lacked proper nutrients during early growth. A master gardener can help you see precisely what is needed to realize that vision of what might be.
Wendy Hill, M.A. specializes in hypnotherapy. For many years Wendy practiced as a Marriage and Family Therapist in tandem with her hypnotherapy practice. She then retired from marriage and family therapy in order to focus on her practice as a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. She completed her undergraduate studies at Whittier College and her Masters Degree in Human Behavior at United States International University. She continued her post graduate work in human behavior and hypnosis at University of California, Irvine, UCLA, and California State University, Los Angeles. Her professors include Carl Rogers, noted originator of Humanistic Psychology, and Milton Erickson, the father of hypnosis.