The 4 components of hypnosis (2 of 4)

4 components of hypnosis (#2)

Following up from the previous entry

2. The subconscious / unconscious (Brain or Mind)

In this section what we want to look at are essentially three related sub-topics:

A.   Conscious & Unconscious/Subconscious

B.   Brain Waves

C.   Brain Hemispheres 

 

A.       Conscious & Unconscious/Subconscious.

While there are distinctions among the three terms – conscious, subconscious, and unconscious – for the purpose the moment, we will look only at conscious & subconscious/unconscious.  That means, for now we will assume the subconscious and the unconscious are synonymous even if they are not. These two terms (for our purpose here this moment) will be used interchangeably. We may delve further into distinguishing these two terms later.

It is said that 10% of all our daily behaviors operate at the conscious level. 90% or the remainder (daily actions – including our thoughts or thinking processes) are at the subconscious level. This is to say that most of our actions are automated (done without thinking) as if they are second nature to us.

For example, if you drive a car – you no longer think of the steps or sequence of events when you first entre the car, start the engine, check the rearview mirror, place the car into drive or reverse gear etc. You simply take those actions without the need to think about it (unlike when one first learned to drive).

Many of our other actions are “habitual” because of conditioning or programming. Only 10% of our daily actions are taken only upon thinking about it.

For example, I need to check on my bank account to see if my salary has been deposited. I then make a decision to log on to my account via my notebook or smart phone or stop by at the bank to check on my account. This requires conscious thinking and decision making.

Why many of our resolutions made (which are conscious choices or decisions) remain unsuccessful may be because our unconscious programming (habitual behavior) is not aligned with the conscious decision. An example of this: I decide I want to be healthier, so I make the decision to join a gym and plan to go in at least every other day for 1 hour. However, while the conscious mind had decided on a course of action, the unconscious mind may suggest (and the body follows) – “it’s a nice day today to rest at home, resting at home is a good thing anyway, furthermore the traffic is probably bad at this time, so even if I go in now I will not get a full hour since I have something to do later, I will just go in tomorrow instead …”  In a tussle between the conscious and the subconscious, the subconscious almost always (if not always) wins.

The key in hypnosis is not to pit the conscious against the unconscious. It is not a game of win or lose. Both the conscious and the subconscious are there to serve the individual, and in that sense – they both are doing what they believe to be the “right” thing for the individual. Instead of pitting one against the other in a battle to see who is superior, the idea in hypnosis is to align the two.

The analogy I have used to describe this is that of the CEO and the employees where the conscious is the former while the unconscious is the latter. The CEO is the one who provides the vision and direction for a company. However, he/she cannot achieve the prescribed goals without the employees buying in to the idea. In the same way, the conscious mind may decide on an action plan to become healthier. This plan of action has to be conveyed to the unconscious mind in a way that it will be accepted and implemented. Often times, this may require a “reprogramming” of other instructions or practices already in place in the unconscious. One of the most effective ways, though not necessarily the only way, to “reprogram” the unconscious is through hypnosis/hypnotherapy (including self-hypnosis).

  

B.        Brain Waves.

With regards to brain waves, again for simplicity we will not be delving deeply into this area for now. We will need to look a little further into this at a later time for a more advanced understanding.  For now, all we want to do is to be aware of the different states and what each of these levels mean.  The following diagram gives us a brief and succinct explanation of the different states or levels.

C.        Brain Hemispheres.

I recently came across some colleagues of mind who were debating on whether this is true.  While there is no disagreement that indeed the human brain has two clear and distinct hemisphere, the argument is on whether it is still true today with regards to how we have come to describe the function of these hemispheres. You may already be familiar with the general idea what the left and the right brain represents in terms of our thinking and functioning. For now, without us getting into the greater discourse on whether this is factually correct (in our current understanding of the brain), we will simply accept the general understanding that has been disseminated for years.

The brain is divided into two hemispheres – the right and the left. It is generally taken that the left brain coordinates the right side of the body while the right brain coordinates the left side of the body. Beyond that, it is also generally accepted that the left brain deals with logical functioning and oversees functions such as language, analysis, science, reasoning and so forth. On the other side, the right brain, oversees creativity, art, music, imagination etc.

We are usually said to be right brain or left brain dominant.  This does not mean only one half our brain works while the other is dormant.  In fact, we all utilize both sides of our brain. However, most people have a preference for one or the other. In other words, we are most comfortable or accustomed to using one side more than the other. So some people may seem more intuitive and creative or artistic while others are seemingly more logical and analytical in their thinking and consequently their behaviour. 

Neither is better or worse than the other. Each side has its strength and weakness. If we are right brain dominant, it does not mean we are incapable of reasoning and being analytical. Similarly, being left brain dominant does not mean we are not creative or have no appreciation for art and/or music.

Again, without going too deep into this area – for our purpose here in understanding hypnosis, we merely want to have an appreciation for or understanding of how the brain (hemispheres). The previous diagram depicts our general understanding of these hemispheres.

If we choose to disregard the general idea that the right represents the intuitive or imaginative while the left represents the analytical or logical functions – that’s perfectly fine. Our emphasis here is simply that there are two parts (functions) of the brain. One is logical, rational, and analytical. The other is abstract, intuitive, and imaginative.