The  Art  &  Practice
Of

" SELF-HYPNÖSIS (part-4 )"
By Ther°al L . Bynum, M.D.

^« Reformation, even the reformation of society,
begins with the reforming of
The Individual.^» 

Gymnastics Of Concentration

Concentrate On An  Idea

            HERE OUR FOCUS OF CONCENTRATION IS UPON AN IDEA.
   Now that you have mastered the ability to concentrate and remain focused upon an External object and an Internal object, you are ready for the next step!   This exercise is designed to teach a Systematic Visualization Device for self-management;  to associate desired feeling states to an image of One's Self;  and to shape perception and feeling states related to managing specific problem situations as well as broader enhancement of life quality.

^«The Wise Man Molds Himself -
The Fool lives only to Die ! ^»

The  Idea:   Self-Image Thinking (SIT)

                  Self-Image Thinking (SIT) is a Mental Structure which facilitates thinking about one's own body image, social image, values, and self-management.   It is a self-management tool which establishes a process of thinking as well as a specific subject-chosen context to think about.    The steps themselves essentially have to do with the process of using a positive, goal-directed visualized rehearsal.  

      People who visually rehearse what they are going to do in a given situation;  in a goal-directed fashion, and keep the entire situation positive, are actually performing a form of self-image thinking!    This is the Cognitive and Ideodynamic Goal of self-image thinking; to acquire and execute goal-oriented and problem-solving cognitive behavior.   Acquisition of that skill is a second-order change for the individual.   As such, it helps support a newly emerging family of structured role changes the individual seeks to achieve.  
      The first-order change, the specific content used in the story, is also a worthwile gain and is calculated to help individuals realize the goals of their study contract.   Self-image thinking can then be used subsequent to the acquisition of several component experiences so as to unite and mold those components into a personally workable whole.   Since the conscious Mïnd is consulted in various ways, the workable whole achieved will reflect the individual's values, reality-testing capabilities, and needs.  

Self-Image Thinking:

^«Central Self-Image (CSI)^»
CONSTRUCTION     

     

1.   Begin by placing yourself in a Deep State of Self-Hypnosis, (preferrably to Trance Level 22). 
   
   
2.   Direct your Mïnd to picture yourself as accurately as possible.
   
   
3.   Determine (or describe) several desired qualities or characteristics of your personality.
   
   
4.   Retrieve a personal experience for each quality.
   
   
5.   Add behaviorally specific visual cues for each quality (ie. smiles, muscle tone, lines around the eyes, coloration, postural shifts, breathing, etc.) to the original picture of self.
   
   
6.   Add to this embellished picture of yourself a supportive 'other,' establishing some interaction between the two of you.

   ^«See Example A^»

Your   Central   Self   Image   Is   Pivotal
to the rest of what happens in Self-Image Thinking.   It is a focal reference point.   You must be able to picture yourself precisely, including your head, body, posture, and most especially facial expressions.
                  Everyone is able to visualize.   Once you are able to visualize yourself, unembellished, the next step is to ascertain and then systematically retrieve a personal experience of desired psychological characteristics or qualities, that you want available in your Self-Image.   Hold that memory, and its kinesthetic counterpart, constant and begin to imagine how your CSI looks with that characteristic.  

Self-Image Scenario:

^«Central Self-Image (CSI)^»
ACTION     

     

1.   Begin by placing yourself in a Deep State of Self-Hypnosis, (preferrably to Trance Level 22). 
   
   
2.   Direct your Mïnd to picture your CSI.
   
   
3.   Continue by adding background details of a positive, nonanxiety-producing scene and then watch the CSI progress through the situation from its beginning to end, interacting in a personally valued way that reflects the desired qualities in your CSI.
   
   
4.   Repeat the above process for a neutral or routine situation.
   
   
5.   Repeat the above process for a previously anxiety-producing situation.

   ^« See Example B^»

Self-Image Reformation:

^«Central Self-Image (CSI)^»
PROJECTION     

     

1.   Begin by placing yourself in a Deep State of Self-Hypnosis, (preferrably to Trance Level 22). 
   
   
2.   Direct your Mïnd to picture your CSI.
   
   
3.   Proceed by unfolding a background that reveals an ideal goal of yours, several months in the forseeable future.    Make certain to provide extensive details:   Who is there?   What all has been accomplished?   Exactly what does it look like?
   
   
4.   Now step into that picture and be there in the present tense, noting what it feels like to have reached that goal.   This is what is meant by phrase, "Living the Moment."   Continue by memorizing that feeling of success.   Enrich that feeling with all other sensory details (sounds, smells, rhythms, tastes, temperature, etc.).
   
   
5.   Then, still in the future and experienced 'as if now,' use this new orientation of time by 'looking back,' and reviewing the steps that 'were taken' to accomplish this goal.
   
   
6.   Finally, begin to terminate the experience by exiting the projection in a reverse order:   First, once again examine and appreciate the projected future (still experiencing it as the 'present'), and Then reorienting yourself to the current time and place.

   ^«See Example C^»

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To Part-1 !

Now Available!

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Personal Training CDs  &  DVDs on:

"Self-Hypnosis &  Mood  Elevation"

"Self-Hypnotic  Learning & Study Techniques,"

"Self-Hypnosis & Creative Visualization,"

"Self-Hypnosis & Meditation,"  and

"Self-Hypnosis & Miracles!"

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a service of  Ther°al L . Bynum, M.D.
Dr.Bynum@HypnosisForYou.com^®

last update:   October - 2008.

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