Now as you read the title of this month’s blog how many of
you can hear in your mind that spooky music that accompanied the TV series of
that name countless years ago? At least
those of my age group (!), or science fiction fans of any age group may find those unearthly echoes of sound rising into
consciousness.
But my blog this month is nothing to do with science
fiction, psychological thrillers or horror scenarios. It is, however, to do with the “rising into
consciousness”.
I’m going to give you a really useful way to work with your
mind in the “Twilight Zone” between waking and sleeping - that dreamy, groggy
state when we’re neither one nor the other, but “rising into consciousness”.
As we drift from wakefulness
into sleep, and from sleep to full awareness, we naturally pass through a
hypnotic state where the subconscious mind is open and active. As we sleep, it is alert to anything that
might require us being pulled back to full consciousness, such as an unusual noise,
or an odd smell, or just a sense that something is wrong. And
while our conscious mind sleeps, the subconscious remains alert and aware like
a guardian angel watching over us.
As we teeter on the
threshold of sleep, we pass through a ‘hypnagogic’ state of ‘natural trance’, a time of lucid dreaming,
hallucinations (ever thought you heard loud noises or voices that turned out to
be imaginary?), strange sensations (spinning bed?) - and often, on waking, a
sudden idea or insight into a problem.
These transition windows
of awareness are linked to heightened suggestibility and are perfect
opportunities to work with the subconscious mind to imprint suggestions for
change. It may be more difficult to do
this in the morning ‘hypnagogic’ state because the effort of remembering to do
it brings you back to full conscious awareness, but it is fairly easy to get
into this routine at night.
Unfortunately, many of us
already engage in the wrong kind of ‘self-suggestion’ as we drift into
sleep! Think about the times you’ve gone
to sleep worrying about what may go wrong the next day, anticipating problems
or failures. Your ever-obedient subconscious
will do its best to give you what you expect!
So wouldn’t it be a good idea
to make a habit of positive statements and useful suggestions as you drift off
to dreamland? You may have something
specific you want to target such as a successful project or meeting the next
day, letting go of something that’s been bothering you, changing a bad habit, reinforcing
a weight loss or exercise program.....
All you have to do is
construct a short suggestion which you can repeat to yourself over and over as
you fall into sleep, just like a mantra (or make it rhyme like a spell, if you
like!). For example, a good suggestion to
support a weight control program is:
From now on I only
ever eat the right foods in the right quantities at the right
times for the right reasons and I’m perfectly content and satisfied
with that.
And if you’re getting over
an illness or an injury:
My (arm, leg,
shoulder, back, stomach, etc., or just body) heals quickly and comfortably.
It doesn’t mattter if you
lose the words as you drift off, just holding the thought in your mind as you
go to sleep will imprint the intention on the subconscious.
And a good basic suggestion to cover everything
is:
Every day in every way I am getting
better and better.
- and leave it up to your subconscious to work on
whatever is needed - physical, mental or emotional!
Something to think about......
