Hypnotherapy
Buddhism, Hypnotherapy & NLP
I began my practice and study of Buddhism at the age of 20. While Buddhism is commonly called a religion, it's actually a science of mind. A religion is based on beliefs, while science strives through empirical data to arrive at an understanding of the true nature of existence. This latter definition most accurately describes the practice of
Buddhism. By the time I encountered Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) and hypnotherapy, I had been studying Buddhism for 14 years. It was fascinating to discover that the most valuable insights and techniques presented by hypnotherapy and NLP were fragments of the Buddhist wisdom teachings that I had already encountered in a much more comprehensive form. Due to my experience with this profound body of Buddhist knowledge, I was able to adapt and enhance what I had learned in my hypnotherapy and NLP training. I was then able to create a synthesis of hypnotherapy and NLP that uniquely and radically awakens people's minds and also touches their hearts: Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP©. I was able to do this not because I'm so smart, but because the teachings of Buddhism that I
was so fortunate to study are filled with living wisdom, compassion, and skillful means. Jack Elias, CHT
| | Read "The 5 Skandhas, 6 Realms of Buddhism and NLP" from the book, Finding True Magic |
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The 5 Skandhas, the 6 Realms, and NLP
An excerpt from the book Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP© by Jack Elias, CHT
The 5 Skandhas of Buddhism
In
Buddhism, the model for understanding the evolution of the egoic mind's reactive thinking process is referred to as the five skandhas or "heaps." They are:
- Form/Ignorance-Birth of "I"
"It's impossible to be separate."
Initially, there is open space/open mind. Then a blackout (trance) occurs, a disruption, causing identification to arise, e.g. the shock of birth. We wake up perceiving form, not recognizing we make it. We ignore our position as creator. "Ignore-ance" is not stupidity-it is very intelligent, but reactive. The perceiver wants to possess the space, the openness now perceived through trance as form, as possess-able. Since space is space, at the root, this whole endeavor is futile (therefore, suffering is unavoidable). There are 3 aspects of ignorance, simultaneous and inseparable: 1) separateness/birth; 2) a sense of 'always so', this is the real state of affairs (positive hallucination) therefore perceiver must maintain it, which brings about the birth of a sense of awkwardness; 3) self-observing ignorance: Perceiver sees the self as "other," thereby beginning a relationship with an external world.
- Feeling
"It's easy to feel separate."
Perceiver wonders about its relationship to form. Space is not bare space, it's full of color and energy. Since we're ignoring the openness of space, these qualities are a tremendous threat to our trance. We are trying to fix, to capture the color and energy of space, to make it solid and manageable. Because such fixation is an illusion, there is a great sense of insecurity about the reality of form. Feeling is a very efficient antidote to that insecurity: it feels real, therefore it is ignore evidence to the contrary.
- Perception/Impulse
" . . . and then to believe that you're separate . . ."
Perception = receiving information, Impulse = responding to information. This is a rudimentary sorting process of perceived forms. After deciding if an object is positive (+), negative (-), or neutral (0), the perceiver reacts accordingly. There are only 3 choices: towards (desire); away from (threat/hatred); or neutral (stupid).
- Concept
" . . . and then to act on the belief that you're separate."
Perceiver categorizes the objects of perception into either positive (+), negative (-), or neutral (0).
Perceiver develops names, rules, and evaluation mechanisms (past/present/future). Perception/Impulse is an auto-reaction to intuitive feeling. But, it's not a good enough defense of ignorance and insecurity. Intellect is needed to do a good job: the ability to name and categorize. Egoic mind goes beyond mere reaction and becomes more sophisticated. Intellectual speculation arises. Intellect creates I/I am to encompass all the stuff of ego into solid mass, confirming and interpreting self; putting self into logical situations, with natural tendency towards a positive condition to affirm one's existence (i.e., one's ignorance).
- Consciousness
The intuitive intelligence of the 2nd skandha, plus the energy of the 3rd, plus the intellect of the 4th combine to produce thoughts and emotions.
A hallucinatory quality arises as we project our version of reality on to the world. Concepts mix w/impulse energy to create fully developed emotions: mixture of energy and conceptual storyline (vivid trance!).
NOTE: Skandhas 1-4 develop very simply and predictably. The 5th skandha is wild and irregular-creating unpredictable thought patterns (our normal state).
Since the "real world" doesn't fit our storylines, our stories and energies are constantly thrown into conflict with themselves and worldly events. Confusion! Rambling thought arises in the effort to maintain the validity of the trance, even when we're alone. Therefore, we're always alone with ourselves. Reading things into the world, one becomes completely immersed in one's trance. The power of the hallucination has a life of its own. It is called the Wheel of Life, the Six Realms of Existence.
Since the "real world" doesn't fit our storylines, our stories and energies are constantly thrown into conflict with themselves and worldly events. Confusion! Rambling thought arises in the effort to maintain the validity of the trance, even when we're alone. Therefore, we're always alone with ourselves. Reading things into the world, one becomes completely immersed in one's trance. The power of the hallucination has a life of its own. It is called the Wheel of Life, the Six Realms of Existence.
The 6 Realms of Existence
- Heaven/God Realm. Full of (conditional) goodness, beauty, and freedom. Pride.
- Jealous God Realm. Having tasted or imagined heaven, one must defend it (the quivers of fear begin, the intimations of insubstantiality). Jealousy and envy arise.
- Human Realm. Jealousy makes things get heavier, earthbound. Instead of alternating between jealousy and pride (they're too intense), one gets a more solid "homey" feeling: ordinary mundane life, satisfying mundane desires.
- Animal Realm. Pursuing desire makes one get dull, heavier, more stupid, lazy. One would just crawl around and moo or bark, rather than make the effort to enjoy the pleasure of pride or envy.
- Hungry Ghosts Realm. The heaviness grows oppressive, one remembers the God-realm, and wants to get back there but doesn't know how. This generates great hunger and thirst that is unquenchable/claustrophobic and the hunger builds.
- Hell Realm. The continuing frustration results in loss of faith. Great doubt, hopelessness & violent reactions arise: Hatred for this nightmare and for oneself.
(My eternal gratitude to my teacher, Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, for presenting this material in a vivid, loving, and humorous way.)
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"Finding True Magic is a unique and thorough text. However, it is much more than a book of techniques. Jack Elias integrates hypnosis and NLP with spiritual perspectives and principles from Eastern thought, and forms an approach which transcends both, and can take you to the core of your identity: you can find your True Self, and the magic that this brings.
This book can be used for personal development and also by therapists and healers in their work with individuals and groups.
Anyone who works systematically through the book, will find that any concerns over the ethics and morality of hypnosis or NLP, vanish. As NLP Practitioners, we especially value Jack's transpersonal insights into making the healing process a deep and far reaching one. His processes can not only lead to healing, but also growth; verdant and lush growth, far beyond our own limiting beliefs about ourselves. His work is challenging without a doubt. Allow yourself to wonder just how many of your beliefs about yourself and the world are truly limiting your potential and you will be sure to get the most from this magical book.
We will use this book and Jack Elias' Finding True Magic course to enrich our NLP practice with the high level of transpersonal hypnotherapy skills we are sure he will offer."
Linda & George, NLP Practitioners, Gloucester , UK
"We found this a delightful book for several reasons. First, the text is very succinctly written, with almost an outline format in many sections to aid in reader's comprehension. Secondly, the author blends a mixture of Eastern & Western philosophical perspectives that promote a growing realization that healing can be quicker, less expensive, and more personal than a more traditional medical system has projected. Thirdly, we also feel that reading Jack's book makes us better prepared to work with a wider variety of clientele, which certainly will be to their and our benefit. Fourth, there is a wide breadth of topics covered here lots of information requiring more than one reading, leading to the desire to discuss same with others in discussion groups if not attend a formal training program with Mr. Elias. Finding True Magic brings together many perspectives into a coherent and usable approach. It aims to find a person's healing, not just fix one's symptoms."
Steven Dykstra, Palmer, MA
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Trance & Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the prerequisite for intelligent perception and action in the world. It is that quality of consciousness that makes direct contact with an object of perception. The more mindful you are, the more you experience your own aliveness and the aliveness of everything around you. Cultivating mindfulness, you develop awareness of your true relationship to all of life. Maintaining the state of mindfulness and awareness allows you to live as a fully creative and empowered being.
Appropriate trance states can enhance one's capacity to experience mindfulness. Hypnotherapy, therefore, can facilitate mindfulness by effectively reducing or shutting down the mind's constant chatter, making it possible to maintain a strong focus. Such quietness of mind and strength of mental focus is essential to developing and maintaining mindfulness.
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Hypnosis & Tonglen Practice
Tonglen is the heart of Buddhist practice. Tonglen is the practice of embracing the suffering of all beings (including one's own) and transforming it into blessings for all beings. When you cultivate tonglen, you dedicate all of your actions for the benefit of all beings. Having this intention magically amplifies the good result of all of your actions.
Maintaining the expansive orientation of tonglen during the practice of hypnosis or hypnotherapy allows you to go deeper and to contact sacred levels of insight and inner guidance that might otherwise remain hidden.
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Hypnosis & Eastern Philosophy of India
Eastern philosophies affirm that the Supreme Power is all-pervasive and manifests the universe with its very own substance, within its very own being. From this philosophical point of view, we are not separate from the Supreme Power. In truth, we are nothing but the Supreme Power, simultaneously manifesting as our own being, and as every other being and object in the universe.
It is possible to have a direct experience of your own sacred nature through the use of hypnotic techniques. Actually, this is the point at which hypnosis becomes "de-hypnosis", in that by using hypnotic techniques we can get free from the hypnotic trance of being our limited, flawed self, and wake up to the magnificence of our true being.
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Milton Erickson & NLP
Many consider Milton Erickson to be the most brilliant hypnotherapist who ever lived. His position as a medical doctor lent unprecedented credibility to the practice of hypnotherapy. Milton Erickson was also a natural Buddhist. He trusted his own inspirations and his unconscious mind, and he was open-minded and inquisitive. The goal of Buddhist practice is to be awake to the freshness of life, as opposed to remaining stuck in the hypnotic dream of mental concepts. In the tradition of Buddhist practice, Milton Erickson had developed great powers of mindfulness and awareness which allowed him to create uncanny, sometimes outrageous, and brilliant techniques to facilitate healing change for his clients.
Richard Bandler and John Grinder developed NLP, or neuro-linguistic programming, in large part by observing Milton Erickson at work with hypnotic subjects. They had a gift for describing what Erickson was doing, in a way that could be taught to others.
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An excerpt from Finding True Magic: Transpersonal Hypnotherapy/NLP
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