Arpana Greenwood

Our unconscious mind holds vast resources for change and well being. It is the treasure keeper of our hidden potentials. However, the unconscious is also very susceptible and childlike. It responds like little fishes in the water - moving delicately and slipping away quickly.

In order to avoid resistance and make contact with our unconscious, we need to be sensitive and cautious. We also need to bypass the often hyperactive mode of our conscious mind, the natural function of which is to think, analyze and control. How can we do that?

The Power of Relaxation

Relaxation is the magic path leading to the precious, endless realm of the Unconscious. Letting go and resting is how we can enter those deep waters. This is exactly what our mind usually fights, however, as it loves doing, achieving and producing. Non-doing is often its greatest enemy and challenge.

Relaxation is the only way to reach altered states. Altered states happen in various ways, allowing us to enter a multitude of different combinations of conscious and unconscious mind activities.

For example, when we go into trance, our conscious mind may stay present, remembering every word, each step of the journey. A waking trance might occur as nearby events seem to disappear while we watch television, read a book or look out of a window while riding in a train. During times like these, the conscious mind slips away and allows the unconscious to work alone. We might possibly remember some information or possibly none about the journey afterwards.

Deep trance states that naturally occur may include the moments before we sleep or awaken. Other examples include amnesia or meditative states. When you go into altered states, there is nothing for you to do or to decide but to let go and let the unconscious decide which altered state is the appropriate one for you at that time.

Hypnosis allows for profound healing to occur while in an altered state. It is especially powerful for compulsive/addictive behaviors and pain management. For example, some women give birth under hypnosis without medication and experience no pain. The changes you can expect from this type of work can be very subtle as well as surprising and drastic.

Three Keys to the Unconscious

Although relaxation is the path to the unconscious, how do we actually enter the unconscious and work with the valuable inner resources stored there? We might imagine the unconscious as the basement of our house. We often use a door to reach the basement. Usually, the key is hanging somewhere in the house. The following three keys may help open these doors for you, allowing you to gain access to the vast power of your unconscious.

Key #1: Accept and Embrace

The first key has to do with cold and mold. Obviously, the basement door keeps the cold and mold from coming in. One of the functions of the doors between the conscious and the unconscious is to prevent emotional wounds and painful past memories from surfacing before we are ready to face them.

People often covertly believe that it is possible to avoid pain and discomfort. That is like asking for the day and neglecting the night. One of the most powerful aspects of working with the unconscious is to know that you don't have to dig into these wounds. Your unconscious may process what it needs to process without your conscious knowing. All you will know for sure is your physical experience of the changes in your responses and behavior afterwards. There are wonderful ways to recognize and transform discomfort safely. The first key is thus to embrace and accept negativity and any dis-ease.

Key #2: Positive Intention

The second key presupposes that there is an unconscious reason for every emotion and unwanted behavior. For example, drinking too much coffee could have the positive intention of keeping one active and awake. A sleep disorder may have the positive intention of providing time for solitude.

Sink deep inside and make contact with one of the behaviors you would like to change. Ask your unconscious mind: What do you want to do for me through this expression of my body/mind? What is your positive intention? Allow some time for the answer to appear. It may appear in a multitude of ways -- as a picture, a sound or even a physical feeling. Keep probing gently and with respect until you receive a message that will help.

Receiving this answer from the unconscious helps to proceed with creating change. You can encourage your unconscious mind to create alternatives that will fulfill the positive intention of the old behavior. Finding positive intentions is thus the second key.

Key #3: Respectful Verbalization

The unconscious is like a labyrinth. The third key responds to finding your way and navigating the paths of this labyrinth. In order to avoid resistance and stay in contact with your unconscious mind, you need to ask permission for each step you take and be very cautious. Verbalizing in a respectful manner leads us to the third key, which is the use of hypnotic language patterns. This metaphoric language engages the unconscious in a particular manner to search for meaning. It needs to be learned.

Begin by talking gently to the unconscious in an inviting way. Practice asking questions. By receiving permission with each step rather than authoritatively suggesting or recommending your own ideas, you can communicate with the unconscious so that it can come up with its own solutions.

Of course, there are many more keys to unlock the basement doors that lead to the unconscious. Remember that there is vast potential within you -- much more than you are aware. The power of the unconscious is always within. Given the proper tools and attitude, you may access this storehouse of resources wherever you are, at any given time. All that is required is learning to trust and relax into that realm that already has everything provided for you.