“We think we live in the world, but we live in our minds.”

Another (double eye roll!) is,

“Once you realize your innocence, you can accomplish anything.”

I am surprised when people don’t have a clue about what I am saying with these statements. (jaw drops)

Regarding the first quote about living in our minds, try entertaining the awareness that the outer world is really a creation inside your mind. We think our mind is in our head and our chattering certainly seems to be located there. But our mind is more than our chattering. Spend some time thinking of your mind containing all your sensory fields.

Don’t mistake this to mean I want you to pretend the outer world is in your head. No, just simply consider that your mind is outside of your head. Consider your mind to be that which contains your body and its chattering thoughts, and everything in the outer world. Relax and sense your mind’s pervasiveness and spaciousness.

That brings us to the second quote: “Once you realize your innocence, you can accomplish anything.” If you have the thought that the above exercise is too strange or difficult to even try…that is a sign of lack of awareness of your innocence. Don’t let yourself miss this opportunity to play with your mind because of some stodgy old judgments. (Stodgy old judgments = opposite of innocence.)

Click on this Podcast Link to hear me discuss my ideas with Greg Voison of Inside Personal Growth.

Greg recently interviewed me about, Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP.

Greg kindly says,  “Jack’s mind blowing, thought provoking ideas you really need to listen to, and take action on. This interview could truly transform your relationship with yourself, and more importantly everyone you love.”

In our talk, greg and I get at the root of most of  our struggles. When you listen you will better understand how hypnosis for pain,  for weight loss, for depression, for phobias and trauma, for anxiety, and virtually any other issue is a tremendous life-enhancing tool.

May we all prosper together.

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Jack Elias, CHT is founder and director of the Institute for Therapeutic Learning in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP, a book and course which blends NLP training modalities with philosophical traditions of both East and West. Jack offers private sessions in Lucid Heart Therapy and Life Coaching. He offers live trainings and distance learning trainings in Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP. Jack also presents keynotes and other programs to teach audiences how to use the techniques of  Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP to achieve success, confidence, and a consistent sense of well-being.

Book Jack Elias to speak to your group or organization.

Inception explores the intricacies of implanting an idea in another person so that they think it is their own original idea.

It is actually much simpler than they make it out to be. In hypnosis jargon its called a suggestion. All that is required is to successfully bypass a person’s critical faculty (the ability to evaluate and say “No!”) and deliver the suggestion while the  critical faculty is suspended.

Hollywood must make it mysterious and dramatic, of course. But the goal of inception is quite easy and we are the constant subjects for inception through the ever expanding technology of mass and social media propaganda and advertising. The recently deceased Dr. Herbert Spiegel, psychiatrist and master hypnotist, demonstrated time and again how easily people can be made to adopt a suggested reality.

Even though hypnosis has been around for over 300 years, few people understand hypnotic principles. This makes it a big box office draw stimulating interesting analysis as if these are new and rare phenomena.

Besides the critical faculty bypass, all you need is repetition of a suggestion that is vivid and emotionally engaging. The more vivid and emotionally engaging the suggestion is, the less repetition is required.

Sorry to say, we must make a great effort to guard our minds and sanity in this age of expert spin doctors spreading their suggestions with ever more powerful technological and media advances. All too often they are serving money, power, and greed rather than the uplifting of humanity.

Here is a CD that will help you guard your mind and stay connected to your best impulses:  Opening to Higher Self Purification.

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Jack Elias, CHT is founder and director of the Institute for Therapeutic Learning in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP, a book and course which blends NLP training modalities with philosophical traditions of both East and West. Jack offers private sessionsin Lucid Heart Therapy and Life Coaching. He offers live trainings and distance learning trainings in Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP. Jack also presents keynotes and other programs to teach audiences how to use the techniques of  Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP to achieve success, confidence, and a consistent sense of well-being.  Book Jack Elias to speak to your group or organization.

Enjoy Michele’s article:

PTSD makes communication difficult. Many survivors can’t find the words to express what they’re feeling. Even when they do, it’s very normal for them not to be comfortable sharing their experience. Elements of shame, fear, anger, guilt and grief often get in the way of a calm, focused discussion.

Friends and family (and anyone else who is not the source of the PTSD but is standing by while someone attempts to heal) need something that translates PTSD language. Armed with knowledge, insight and awareness you’ll have an easier time knowing how to react, respond and relate to your PTSD loved one during the healing process. The more you appreciate things from the PTSD perspective the more helpful and supportive you can be. Now is the time for empathy, compassion and patience.

#1 – Knowledge is power. Understanding the process of a triggering event, the psychic reaction to trauma, the warning signs and symptoms of PTSD, and available treatment options for PTSD allows you to help recognize, support and guide your PTSD loved one toward diagnosis, treatment and healing.

We need you to be clearheaded, pulled together and informed.

#2 – Trauma changes us. After trauma we want to believe —as do you—that life can return to the way it was; that we can continue as who we were. This is not how it works. Trauma leaves a huge and indelible impact on the soul. It is not possible to endure trauma and not experience a psychic shift.

Expect us to be changed. Accept our need to evolve. Support us on this journey.

#3 – PTSD hijacks our identity. One of the largest problems with PTSD is that it takes over our entire view of ourselves. We no longer see clearly. We no longer see the world as we experienced it before trauma. Now every moment is dangerous, unpredictable and threatening.

Gently remind us and offer opportunities to engage in an identity outside of trauma and PTSD.

#4 – We are no longer grounded in our true selves. In light of trauma our real selves retreat and a coping self emerges to keep us safe.

Believe in us; our true selves still exist, even if they are momentarily buried.

#5 – We cannot help how we behave. Since we are operating on a sort of autopilot we are not always in control. PTSD is an exaggerated state of survival mode. We experience emotions that frighten and overwhelm us. We act out accordingly in defense of those feelings we cannot control.

Be patient with us; we often cannot stop the anger, tears or other disruptive behaviors that are so difficult for you to endure.

#6 – We cannot be logical. Since our perspective is driven by fear we don’t always think straight, nor do we always accept the advice of those who do.

Keep reaching out, even when your words don’t seem to reach us. You never know when we will think of something you said and it will comfort, guide, soothe or inspire us.

#7 – We cannot just ‘get over it’. From the outside it’s easy to imagine a certain amount of time passes and memories fade and trauma gets relegated to the history of a life. Unfortunately, with PTSD nothing fades. Our bodies will not let us forget. Because of surging chemicals that reinforce every memory, we cannot walk away from the past anymore than you can walk away from us.

Honor our struggle to make peace with events. Do not rush us. Trying to speed our recovery will only make us cling to it more.

#8 – We’re not in denial—we’re coping! It takes a tremendous effort to live with PTSD. Even if we don’t admit it, we know there’s something wrong. When you approach us and we deny there’s a problem that’s really code for, “I’m doing the best I can.” Taking the actions you suggest would require too much energy, dividing focus from what is holding us together. Sometimes, simply getting up and continuing our daily routine is the biggest step toward recovery we make.

Alleviate our stress by giving us a safe space in which we can find support.

#9 – We do not hate you. Contrary to the ways we might behave when you intervene, somewhere inside we do know that you are not the source of the problem. Unfortunately, in the moment we may use your face as PTSD’s image. Since we cannot directly address our PTSD issues sometimes it’s easier to address you.

Continue to approach us. We need you to!

Michele Rosenthal is a trauma/PTSD survivor, Self-Empowered Healing Coach and the founder of Heal My PTSD, LLC.

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Jack Elias, CHT is founder and director of the Institute for Therapeutic Learning in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP, a book and course which blends NLP training modalities with philosophical traditions of both East and West. Jack offers private sessionsin Lucid Heart Therapy and Life Coaching. He offers live trainings and distance learning trainings in Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP. Jack also presents keynotes and other programs to teach audiences how to use the techniques of  Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP to achieve success, confidence, and a consistent sense of well-being.  Book Jack Elias to speak to your group or organization.

“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”

George Santayana

My clients often look at me with a sense of despair and express the belief that their past is determining their future. Well, according to George, if you’re not learning from your past experience, you’re right!

But what is really going on? What is the most important thing to learn from our past experience, and what should be discarded? Surely we need to retain all manner of common sense things about the world, like, ” look both ways before you cross the street.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

You’d think it would be easy for us to cultivate this kind of common sense. And yet these days, as we assess the state of corporate greed, political hostility, and lack of civil discourse, it seems there isn’t much interest in developing common sense for the common good. If you look at history, no good has ever come from trying to create a society in which the common good is disregarded (witness the fates of the Roman Empire, the Third Reich, and more recently, Enron). But we don’t seem to get it!

It seems to me that what’s most important to learn from past experience is that you — and only you — are the one in charge of your self respect and self approval. As a wise older friend said to me when I was a young man, “Unless you approve of yourself, you will always be afraid.”

I learn from clients daily that this is a daunting task — primarily because people generally believe that whatever they have thought, or said, or done determines whether or not they have a right to exist.  By extension, the “worthiness” of their thoughts, words and deeds determine whether or not it’s okay to be kind to themselves. I usually propose to my clients that their actions are about their actions, not about their human value. I just explain that they will experience the fruit of their actions, because that’s the way things work, but that their essential value remains untouched no matter what they do. They always have the right to choose to act with love, kindness, and encouragement towards themselves, even if they’ve made the worst mistake of their lives.

In my experience, this is the best way for us to keep a clarity of mind, and the strength of spirit, to rectify any mistakes we may have made.  Those who put themselves down with blame, shame, and guilt when they make mistakes are doomed to repeat the past. Why? Because their focus is failure. Wise people, on the other hand, use their energy kindly and patiently learning from their mistake and figuring out how to do better next time.

The wise make mistakes, too. But all the while, regardless of the outcome of their actions, they maintain respect for the miracle of their being and the gift of their life. They keep their self-respect. And that is the very best kind of common sense.

Our life is not ours to judge. It’s a mystery.

May we all prosper together!

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Jack Elias, CHT is founder and director of the Institute for Therapeutic Learning in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP, a book and course which blends NLP training modalities with philosophical traditions of both East and West. Jack offers private sessionsin Lucid Heart Therapy and Life Coaching. He offers live trainings and distance learning trainings in Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP. Jack also presents keynotes and other programs to teach audiences how to use the techniques of  Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP to achieve success, confidence, and a consistent sense of well-being.  Book Jack Elias to speak to your group or organization.

There are many ways to define hypnosis.  Here’s the central definition of hypnosis that I teach my students at the Institute for Therapeutic Learning: We’re always selectively paying attention to only a small portion of the data that comes to us through our senses and our thoughts. When a hypnotist invites  a person to move that selective attention to whatever the hypnotist suggests — and the person does so — that person is said to be hypnotized.

What we pay attention to determines what we experience and what we feel. It sounds simple. But when you’re having a strong emotion or a craving, do you just stop, relax, take a deep breath and tell yourself, “This emotion or craving is just an arbitrary temporary experience based on what I’m selectively paying attention to”? Or do you relate to that anger, annoyance or sudden craving as if it is the truth of the moment, as if you absolutely must act on it? I don’t know about you, but I tend to do more of the latter, and less of the former!

If we relate to what’s happening as if it is the truth — something that must be attended to — then we are engaged in a hypnotic state . . .  even though, if you asked someone else about it, they’d probably agree that you’re in a perfectly “normal” conscious state experiencing “Reality” as it is!

Watch this video and then consider what is real about your experience:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Consider this the next time you drive and talk or text or eat. More than 50% of viewers miss this video challenge.

When driving I usually consider my alertness and attention to be largely unaffected by talking to a passenger or eating a candy bar. And I also know, thanks to a recent auto accident, that I am wrong in thinking I’m alert to the greater environment if I’m doing several things at once.

That might be all right in the office or living room, but not in the car!

May we all drive safely and be free from ignorance.

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Jack Elias, CHT is founder and director of the Institute for Therapeutic Learning in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP, a book and course which blends NLP training modalities with philosophical traditions of both East and West. Jack offers private sessionsin Lucid Heart Therapy and Life Coaching. He offers live trainings and distance learning trainings in Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP. Jack also presents keynotes and other programs to teach audiences how to use the techniques of  Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP to achieve success, confidence, and a consistent sense of well-being.  Book Jack Elias to speak to your group or organization.

I easily forget I’ve never missed a meal in my life; I’ve always had hot tap water at my fingertips, a heated home, and indoor plumbing. I still remember when I was 5 (1952) and we were showing my grandfather around our newly built home. He immigrated from the Middle East in the early 1900’s and was a simple street peddler.  When we showed him, with some pride, how our home had a second bathroom (a mere 1/2 bath), he said wryly, “Oh, now you can sh** lots!”

We laughed hysterically, but that was the first time in my life that I considered living conditions outside of the American Dream. We are so profoundly enmeshed in our extraordinary material wealth that it becomes a chore to maintain a genuine gratitude for the miracles we have in our lives. It was considered a great contribution to society when Oprah suggested keeping a gratitude journal! Here — where so many of us have gadgets, high fashion gear and gourmet food available 24/7 — we have to make a project out of being grateful.

But don’t try to be grateful so you can be a “good” person or to avoid guilt. Be grateful for the “selfish” reason that lack of gratitude weakens your mind and your character, because it does.

Watch this Louis CK clip to get an insight into how we forget our good fortune:

Click here to view the embedded video.

The question is, “How happy can we be with ourselves regardless of what is happening with our stuff?”  And what can we call this phenomenon — this way in which our sense of well-being  is all tied up with what’s happening to our stuff? In my line of work, I consider it to be a hypnotic trance. We give ourselves a hypnotic suggestion  (and we do this more or less constantly) that our happiness and well-being depend on our stuff. Plus, if we’re not happy with our stuff we can even begin to think life is pointless. And we can usually find other people to agree with us!

It is not easy for us, when we are so used to relying on our stuff, to enjoy it with detachment. A sign of character strength and self confidence is the ability to maintain mental composure and enthusiasm regardless of the condition of our stuff.

This challenge of ours with our material goods has been going on for quite a long time, hasn’t it? In  George Carlin’s classic comic stand-up commentary from 1986, he talks about the absurdity of this relationship with our”Stuff”:

Click here to view the embedded video.

May we all cultivate inner strength so that we benefit ourselves and everyone with our grace and generosity.

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Jack Elias, CHT is founder and director of the Institute for Therapeutic Learning in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP, a book and course which blends NLP training modalities with philosophical traditions of both East and West. Jack offers private sessionsin Lucid Heart Therapy and Life Coaching. He offers live trainings and distance learning trainings in Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP. Jack also presents keynotes and other programs to teach audiences how to use the techniques of  Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP to achieve success, confidence, and a consistent sense of well-being.  Book Jack Elias to speak to your group or organization.

In fact,  I had just given it to a client the day before I went to a local chain store for some sundries.  Here it is:  “I wish you perfect happiness.”

Simply repeat this to your mind, to your inner critic, to your anger (or jealousy or insecurity or fear), to parts of your body that ache. Have the intention that you are directing this blessing — “I wish you perfect happiness” — to your thoughts, sensations, emotions,  or urges AND to the source of whatever is creating them.

Focus and breathe. Deliver the blessing. Breathe. Relax as much as possible. Then re-focus and repeat the process several times. Notice what happens!

This is a very powerful practice. I have given it to the most unhappy and confused clients and it always makes a difference for them. Find out for yourself. You can also practice it with friends and enemies and strangers — even if you just say it silently to yourself. Say it to each passing driver as you’re driving down the road.

Even though I use this daily with clients and practice it myself, I’m still surprised by the way it comes to me. Which brings me back my experience of going to the store for the purchase of sundries. I had paid for my purchase  and was turning to leave when the clerk looked me in the eye and said, “All good things to you today.” And she meant it!

I actually had a little startle response,  it was such an unexpected surprise. It hadn’t been that long since I’d read the morning paper, so I probably had some subtle (or not-so-subtle) conditioning going on, to regard the world as a dark and depressing place. This grocery clerk with the nice smile and good wishes showed me that Love may be quite active in this world despite the headlines. Love can actually drown out  the incessant chatter of TV — it can go right under the radar of the chaos and cynicism.

And we can all expand Love’s influence in the same simple way that this clerk is doing. Her phrase is worded differently than the blessing I give out, but the message is the same. And the real key? She meant it — from the heart! Seeing her smile at me, hearing that blessing, changed my mind and made my day.

I still went out for coffee and read the paper again this morning. But this time I remembered the clerk and her blessing, and I blessed everyone I read about as I was reading. Let’s all do it! It doesn’t cost anything and it’s a simple, effective way to practice loving kindness.

I wish you perfect happiness . . . and I’m sure my new friend at the grocery store wishes you all good things today, too!

And sometimes it’s nice to have a little extra help. Try this audio CD — it’s one of my most popular ones –on Stress Relief, Rejuvenation & Empowerment. Or this one, Becoming Fearless & Compassionate.

I think you’ll enjoy this very funny video of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche speaking on practicing loving kindness and compassion:

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Jack Elias, CHT is founder and director of the Institute for Therapeutic Learning in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP, a book and course which blends NLP training modalities with philosophical traditions of both East and West. Jack offers private sessions in Lucid Heart Therapy and Life Coaching. He offers live trainings and distance learning trainings in Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP. Jack also presents keynotes and other programs to teach audiences how to use the techniques of  Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP to achieve success, confidence, and a consistent sense of well-being.  Book Jack Elias to speak to your group or organization.

Being in tune with the universe is an aspect of being in tune with yourself.

May all beings be happy and free. May our compassion for all beings, ourselves included, continually increase!

Developing True Heart Intuition is a wonderful seminar on CD that helps you live with this awareness of inner and outer support. It is just one of 5 powerful CD seminars included in the Living from the Heart Collection.

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Jack Elias, CHT is founder and director of the Institute for Therapeutic Learning in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP, a book and course which blends NLP training modalities with philosophical traditions of both East and West. Jack offers private sessions in Lucid Heart Therapy and Life Coaching. He offers live trainings and distance learning trainings in Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP. Jack also presents keynotes and other programs to teach audiences how to use the techniques of  Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP to achieve success, confidence, and a consistent sense of well-being.  Book Jack Elias to speak to your group or organization.

What can we do when we feel stuck? I am amazed at how easy it is for me to forget that my mind is creating my “stuckness” not the world. My mind is very good at pointing the finger at the world however — very good at not being noticed as the culprit.

And even when I wake up a bit and realize it is my mind that is disturbing me, not the world, it often seems a chore to change my state. My mind sometimes wants to hold onto its grumpiness and at times it even seems infectious.

I have a few ways to change perspective that help me shake my mind out of its rut.  One is recalling an interview with a World War II veteran who suffered terrible hardships and danger in his tour, including seeing most of his buddies get killed. When he came back home had several ups and downs in his life and business. He had to begin from scratch several times. The interviewer asked what kept him going. He said, ” I wake up every morning and think, ‘No one is shooting at me, so this is a good day!’” Remembering this can get me going.

Another change of perspective that is often very beneficial is to kind of surrender to my mind’s anxious thinking. I just say, “OK” and imagine myself in the worst case scenario.  Ironically, this often dissipates the anxiety.  My theory is that fearful thinking freezes your brain so you can’t think clearly.

By surrendering to the fear and imagining yourself relaxing into the worst case scenario, you are no longer afraid because you have arrived where you were afraid of arriving.  (For example you can be afraid of getting into a fight, but once you are fighting, there is no more fear.) No more fear means your brain can think clearly again, and you recognize resources and options and  a  more realistic assessment of your situation.

In my client work I have often listened to people speak at length about their mental struggle with what they fear is going to happen to them.  At some point, I invite them to imagine the fearful thing has happened – “really be there!” Often, after a few minutes of silence with a far off look in their gaze, they say, “Well, that would never happen, but if it did, I’d deal with it.”

Yes! Their brain freeze melted and they recognized favorable  resources and conditions they had been overlooking.

Try it!

May all beings be happy and free! May our compassion for all beings, ourselves included, continue to increase!

Often, our habit of fearful thinking comes from our childhood. Her are a couple of great CD products to help you deal with old habits of fearful thinking:

Family Matters: 5 Ways to Stop Your Past from Screwing Up Your Future

Stress Relief, Rejuvenation & Empowerment

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Jack Elias, CHT is founder and director of the Institute for Therapeutic Learning in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP, a book and course which blends NLP training modalities with philosophical traditions of both East and West. Jack offers private sessions in Lucid Heart Therapy and Life Coaching. He offers live trainings and distance learning trainings in Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP. Jack also presents keynotes and other programs to teach audiences how to use the techniques of  Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP to achieve success, confidence, and a consistent sense of well-being.  Book Jack Elias to speak to your group or organization.

How can we gain real confidence? It’s easy to talk about, but most people have deeply ingrained patterns and habits that keep us from appreciating ourselves and enjoying our lives. If you’ve ever really wanted to change something about yourself — shyness, a habit of negative self-talk or being late to appointments — you know it’s not usually just a matter of deciding.

To make lasting change in deeply ingrained habits, we have to interrupt those patterns where they’re lurking: in the shadows of your subconscious mind. It’s easier than you think. In fact, the way you think is most likely what’s making it seem hard to be confident.

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy can help you quickly and easily regain hope and enthusiasm about your genuine interests and aspirations. Your mind learned how to approach problems negatively and get discouraged, and it can unlearn all that, too — quicker than you think!

Stories abound of people overcoming the odds to rediscover their essential faith in themselves. Sometimes a big loss can show us where our strength really lies.

Learn about the Finding True Magic Audio CD “Strengthening Your Will”

Here’s a video showing one of my favorite examples of someone believing in himself, and inspiring others in the process.

May all beings be happy and free! May our compassion for all beings, ourselves included, continue to increase!

Here’s a guided practice designed to naturally increase your fearlessness:
Finding True Magic audio CD: Cultivating Fearlessness & Compassion

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Jack Elias, CHT is founder and director of the Institute for Therapeutic Learning in Seattle, Washington. He is the author of Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP, a book and course which blends NLP training modalities with philosophical traditions of both East and West. Jack offers private sessions in Lucid Heart Therapy and Life Coaching. He offers live trainings and distance learning trainings in Transpersonal Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy/NLP. Jack also presents keynotes and other programs to teach audiences how to use the techniques of  Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP to achieve success, confidence, and a consistent sense of well-being.  Book Jack Elias to speak to your group or organization.