Hypnosis doesn’t have the same quicksand-esque threat it did to us in our childhood. In fact, it’s nothing like the mind control we’ve seen in movies, cartoons, and the propaganda of stage hypnotists from naive times past.
Entertaining? Yes. Accurate? Mmm, no.
We spoke to Spiritual Mentor and Quantum Healer Erin Panzarella to learn more about how hypnosis is actually a present, waking-life experience in which we are in total control. We (especially myself) were instantly piqued.
Although the idea of someone taking charge of my mind and doing the work for me is enticing, I now know, in my ripe old age of almost 34, that it’s simply not going to happen. I am in charge of my thoughts, my choices, my momentum, my success, and my happiness.
I’m someone who is endlessly intrigued by the idea of self-manipulation. I don’t mean that in a negative way. I mean, I love that a shift in mindset can shift my energy and change the entire trajectory of my day, my career, my relationship … my life. I want to learn how to astral project and quantum leap. I’m obsessed with changing my brain to become as superhuman as possible. Sue me.
Of course, if this work was easy, we’d all be masters of our own minds. And a master of my own mind I am not—yet! That’s why I was so excited for Erin to guide me into a hypnotism to get me out of my own way.
My biggest issue with myself and my forward motion, both professionally and financially, is that I’m my own biggest obstacle. It’s not novel, and a lot of people have trouble propelling their ideas forward without trepidation and major doubt. Erin used a calculated and gentle process for this.
First, she asked me a series of questions to determine if I was a suggestible person or not, and it’s not a negative thing to be a little suggestible. It implies openness, flexibility, and perhaps even empathy, as well as a receptiveness to change and, ultimately, how susceptible one will be to the hypnosis working its magic.
Once Erin determined my suggestibility, she then asked a series of fun, interesting, and thought-provoking questions that helped her ascertain if I was someone who preferred passive or direct language. I was decidedly very much direct. She then asked what my happy place is. I love nature, the mountains, and a running river or creek. That is bliss to me.
Then, she began her hypnosis.
The process does not require you to sit completely still, completely straight, and shut everything else out. If you have an itch, scratch it. If you need to shift your weight, shift away. You’re not out of your mind during this experience, placing it in the hands of another. You’re encouraged just to step out of your negative mindset—scarcity, in my case.
Erin’s process reminded me a lot of guided meditation. The difference is that Erin knows just how to guide you through your happy place with a level of love and intuition I was not expecting. I felt immediately known by her, which made me feel giddy, emotional, and suddenly more tapped into the experience than I had anticipated.
She guided me through emotions while keeping me on a literal visual path through my blissed-out nature pleasuredome, moving towards a peak of sorts. She showed me how to discard useless, unproductive feelings and move towards my peak, my pinnacle that allows me to look down at my gorgeous (not scary, arduous, or problematic) path and beam with pride, love, and immense gratitude.
You better believe there were happy tears.
Erin asked me at the beginning of the session to identify my biggest emotional obstacle. I said fear. It’s not the kind of spooky, jump-scare fear but the more sinister self-doubt variety. The kind that keeps me at arms-length from my potential. At the end of the session, she asked me what I felt, and I said, “Strangely, an overwhelming sense of love.”
As a skilled professional, Erin does this all the time, aiming for this answer. She was struck and informed me that in this practice, love is actually the direct antithesis of fear. The impact of this direct success left us both a little emotional. I think it takes someone who naturally radiates a deep sense of empathy and love to guide others through this kind of hypnosis experience. And for that, I will always have a deep, warm gratitude for Erin.
Bottom line? If you’re curious about hypnosis, absolutely give it a try, especially in the hands of someone like Erin. An open mind and an open heart are recommended prerequisites.
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