The best hypnosis, hypnotherapy and NLP podcast on the planet is back with Session 12! Dr. Mike Mandel and Chris Thompson dive right into the topics you’ve been asking about.

Mike explains why self hypnosis has traditionally been difficult and how you can successfully use self hypnosis. We discuss dissociation and how it’s used in NLP. Did you know that accessing a memory changes the memory? Mike gives an unbelievably bizarre example of this from his own life.

We also talk about the Human Givens model, and how REM sleep has an important job with respect to emotional health. This is fascinating! How many social contacts do you think the avergae person can maintain? Find out on this podcast. How can you build powerful resourceful states for self confidence? Mike explains the “as if” frame as the solution to achieving this. We talked about a door to door marketing company and their sales pitch which was wonderfully designed with social psychology in mind. Finally, we discuss insomnia and the law of reversed effect.

The book, Human Givens, comes highly recommended by Dr. Mike Mandel, as discussed on the podcast.

UPDATES: Mike’s April hypnosis training is now over, and it was exceptional! We’re already getting requests for details on the next training. As of now we’re planning for September 2012, and the training will run Monday-Friday for the whole week. Given the new Mon-Fri format (versus two weekends), this will appeal to out of town students more. Get in touch with us early if you are seriously interested. Space may be limited based upon the demand.

Remember to go leave a rating in iTunes, and send in your questions by emailing questions (at) MikeMandelHypnosis (dot) com.

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This question came in by email and I thought it would be a good idea to have Dr. Mike Mandel answer it personally. We’re publishing the question and answer here for everyone’s benefit.

Question:

I have some questions on the CDs and the Navigator system.

1. Can you compare/ contrast your products with the Silva method? The reason I ask is that I already have the Silva method (and I find it quite useful), so if it’s similar, it might not make sense for me to buy them. But if they are different, it would be good for me to have a change, and I’d be interested.

2. What is the time commitment per day that I need to make for any of the CDs or Navigator system (naturally, I will not embark on all of them together), and how long should I do it before I can see results?

3. We’re typically told to follow something for 21 days until it becomes a habit — therefore, does that mean that a person first works on the Stress Relief CD for 21 days, then moves on to Peak Performance for 21 days, then to Memory Power, and then to the Navigator system? And is there any recommended order?

Thanks,
Nancy

Here is Mike’s answer:

My CDs are nothing like the Silva Method. They are an entirely different thing, insofar as there is a conscious/training track and a hypnosis track.

- Dr. Mike.

Self hypnosis CDs often expect for you to be able to visualize various places, events, situations, people, etc.

It’s safe to say that you need to be able to visualize in order to make the most effective use of hypnosis CDs, including those from Dr. Mike Mandel.

We REGULARLY get questions on this so I asked Mike to put together a helpful answer. He’s done so. Over to Mike …

Occasionally, I receive emails from people who claim they can’t visualize. There are several reasons that they might believe this, but in reality, everyone with a normally functioning visual cortex (as well as several other key brain regions) is able to visualize.

As strange as it sounds, they just think they can’t visualize. This is typically because some people have the mistaken idea that visualization is the same as actual sight, i.e., incredibly detailed images in full color. This is very seldom the case, although we often see this ability in visual artists and even chess masters who can “see” the entire board with their eyes closed. The rest of us mere humans don’t typically visualize with that degree of acuity, but we can visualize, nonetheless.

For example, how do you recognize a friend or family member in a photograph? You are able to because you have an internal visual map that you compare the picture with. If someone asked you to describe your living room in detail, you’d be able to, because you can “see” it internally.

The best way I’ve found to deal with the issue of visualization is to pretend you can visualize. Then pretend you aren’t pretending…It works really well!

I hope you found this answer useful. As always, if you have any hypnosis questions please feel free to contact us and send them in. We do our best to answer them for you.

Today I want to provide some more information on exactly what The Navigator System is. Based on replies to yesterday’s blog posting we got a few questions about what format the program will be made available in, and “What is it all about” questions.

Format: The Navigator System will consist of a PDF document and two MP3 audio tracks. It is not a computer-based training program or anything like that. You would simply download the files and then either print the PDF or read it on your computer screen (or iPad!). The audio tracks are in MP3 format so you can either make your own CD or put the audio files on your iPod, play them on your computer, etc. It’s totally up to you. We might consider offering customers the *option* of paying a bit extra in order to have a physical CD shipped to them as a backup, but we don’t have any plans, as of now, to ship you a big box of stuff containing a printed manual. Let’s save the environment and avoid unnecessary use of fossil fuels, shipment of boxes, etc. Besides, digital information saves YOU money (no shipping fees).

Dr. Mandel’s Explanation of The Navigator System

I asked Mike to write this for you all. This is a great explanation he’s offering….

The Navigator System is something entirely new, and is an original and completely different technology from my previous self-hypnosis CDs. The Navigator System consists of an explanatory audio track that teaches the why and how of the system. It adds a hypnotic installation that only has to be applied once, along with a PDF User’s Manual for reference.

Basically, the Navigator System installs a program that enables the user to access unconscious resources throughout a typical day. It provides a general programming map for the unconscious mind that creates a systematic paradigm for the direction that one desires in life. Then it adds a compass, enabling the user to make instant and immediate directional shifts to cause course corrections and keep moving towards his or her goals.

The Navigator System is not a one time program, but provides a simple and user friendly means of making life-time shifts toward personal and professional goals in 5 second increments. The corrections are given and the unconscious mind does the rest. If you see it in terms of a sailing ship, it makes perfect sense. The Captain of the ship (You) works along with the Navigator (the Unconscious) to create a Map (general set of directions). The Captain then gives course corrections that the Unconscious Mind follows to give you more of what you want out of life, including health, happiness, worthwhile relationships, etc.

There is nothing like this out there. Everyone who’s tested it has been blown away by its effectiveness. That’s because it works with your Unconscious Mind’s Prime Directives, to protect and support you. Installing the Navigator System also eliminates the toxic stresses of unforgiveness and frees up energy and resources to maximize personal growth and change.

I use it myself, every day.

Dr. Mike Mandel

Timing of Release: I’m working hard to finish all of the final steps required to get this into your hands! I seriously wanted to get it all done today and there is still a small chance I’ll make it. Rest assured, it will be on the market VERY soon and you’ll be thrilled with how it works.

Also, I just noticed that I’ve had “comments” turned off on this blog and I’m turning them back on so if you have questions simply post them right here, below this post!

Thanks,
Chris

Well it’s been a LONG time coming, and the journey is almost over. Dr. Mandel (who does the real work) and myself (the tech geek) have nearly finished putting everything in place for The Navigator System. Let me give you a brief overview of what’s coming:

Listen to Dr. Mike Mandel’s brief explanation of this incredible system.

• The Navigator System uses hypnosis to install your own personal “navigator” to guide the direction of your life.
• Your navigator runs unconsciously, just like you make tiny, natural, unconscious movements to the steering wheel of your car when driving in a highway lane.
• You access the navigator consciously, by giving it commands using a certain protocol. The protocol is based on what you want less of, and what you want more of.
• These tiny 5-second bursts allow your navigator to keep you on course, taking you to where you want to go (in life).

There’s more to the program, but that’s the simple explanation (from my point of view) of what Mike Mandel has created for you all. I’ve listened to the entire program several times and I’m incredibly impressed with the product.

We’ll be getting it out to you very shortly. My hope is to make it available as an early-bird offer THIS WEEK to those on our mailing list (so if you’re not on the list, sign up in the right sidebar). We will give the early birds a nice discount, of course.

As always, please continue to email us with your questions about hypnosis. Whether it’s about self hypnosis, learning hypnosis, hypnotherapy, or anything else. Just ask. I will work hard to get Mike to answer these questions online and send them out to our mailing list.

Have a fantastic day,
Chris

Can you use self hypnosis for insomnia? Yesterday I got an email from someone on our email list asking for a solution.  She has been studying a foreign language, and the excitement of it all has her lying awake for hours at a time when she should be sleeping.  She can’t seem to “switch off” at night, and it has her feeling pretty awful.  As with many people, she wondered if Dr. Mike Mandel does any private sessions.  Again, as always, the answer is “no, he doesn’t”.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t offer help!

When I first got a copy of Mike’s “Stress Relief” CD, I thought that the coolest part of it all was the lesson on self hypnosis.  Mike teaches you his own particular method for entering trance, and accomplishing a therapeutic purpose – whatever it might be.

With a method to enter trance and create unconscious change, you don’t need to worry about having your iPod with you so you can listen to a recording.  You don’t need any tools aside from your own brain.

I used to lie awake at night as well.  I had so many ideas spinning around in my head that I found it hard to switch off – just like the woman who sent in the email.  In my experience talking to people, this is a very common problem – especially for people who are really motivated and excited about life.

After learning how to do self hypnosis using Mike’s method, I found it has become very easy to switch off.  I use his protocol, but with a slight change.  If you have his CD you’ll understand in a second.  If you don’t have it – get it here!

Creating a nice trance with Mike’s method takes no more than a minute.  You are cycling through external visual, audiory and kinethetic experiences 3 times in a row with your eyes open.  Then you close your eyes and continue cycling through, but this time with a focus on internal experiences.

For the purpose of going to sleep, I simply replace the eyes closed part with something very simple:  I close my eyes and let my unconscious mind bring stuff to my awareness and simply enjoy whatever it is.  What happens is that my unconscious will deliver really cool images, sounds, or feelings to me.  I’ll just watch / listen / feel and enjoy.  I have no expectations, no stress, and no fear.

This leads very naturally to a profound state of sleep.

When you learn to use self hypnosis you’ll quickly realize that that “off” switch can be pushed anytime you need to sleep.  You’ll have a process that works much better than lying in bed, cycling (consciously) through all of the crazy thoughts that have been preventing you from sleeping.

Going to sleep is a skill.  Insomnia is not a disease.  It’s simply the outcome of a bad sleep strategy.

All the best,
Chris

I just came across this amazing website posting today that I thought would be interesting for our readers.  The story is about a 29 year-old woman who had to go through brain surgery.  She was freaked out by the idea of being unconscious for 6 hours of surgery, and worried about the smallish (2%) risks of serious complications.  She used a self hypnosis tape to give herself positive suggestions about relaxation, blood flowing away from the area of the surgery, etc.  She was discharged 2 days after the surgery with no complications and she had no bleeding at all during the brain surgery.

Here is a link to the story.

“Self hypnosis for weight loss” is the most popular use of self hypnosis that people search for in Google.  I’m sure this has a lot to do with the high percentage of the population that is overweight.  But thankfully it also has to do with the massive number of people who really do want to change.  Guess what?  Self hypnosis for weight loss is something that is absolutely worth doing. 

Let’s first discuss weight loss, and then discuss how hypnosis or self hypnosis can help you achieve the goal of dropping a few pounds. 

Weight loss basics:  Your weight is something that changes based on the energy balance in your body.  Energy comes in through calories, and energy gets expended through exercise and general body functions (i.e. your metabolism).  In some ways it is very simple.  Eat less calories than you expend and you will lose weight.  That is a mathematical and scientific fact.  But in some ways it is not so simple because a person’s metabolism may change.  If you start eating less but your body goes into conservation mode, you may not affect your energy balance enough to make a difference to your body weight.

You can control energy input by changing what you eat, when you eat, and how you combine your foods.  

You can control your energy output by changing how you exercise, and by changing your “internal controls” to maintain an optimal metabolic rate.   For example, it is widely acknowledged that different levels of emotinal stress can change your body’s metabolic rate (that is, how many calories your body burns in a normal resting state). 

Self hypnosis for weight loss – can it really help? In my opinion, absolutely it can.  Please understand that, on its own, hypnosis is not a magic pill.  You can’t just “do hypnosis” and become thinner tomorrow.  That said, here is how you can affect your body using hypnosis:

• You can use self hypnosis to increase your desire for healthy foods that you previously did not enjoy.  You can use hypnosis to find fruits and vegetables more tasty, refreshing, and compelling.
• You can use self hypnosis to radically shift your belief system so that you unconsciously accept that you are in control of your own body weight.  You are not a victim of the body you are currently in.  You can change it. 
• Self hypnosis can help you create new positive behaviors such as a mental desire to exercise at a level that is right for you. 
• Self hypnosis can be used very effectively to reduce stress and trigger positive emotional states.  This will allow your body to function at a higher level of performance.  When you feel better, it’s a lot easier to eat right and exercise regularly. 

Dr. Mike Mandel is a six-time award winning hypnotist with over 30 years of professional hypnosis experience.  His “brain software” series of self hypnosis CDs can help you to make the changes that you need to make. 

 Please check out Mike’s bio, and listen to the audio samples on our home page.  This will help you decide if his CDs are right for you.  I use them regularly, as do so many of our customers.  I hope you’ll become our next customer.  Click here to order.

We offer you Dr. Mandel’s products in MP3 format or physical CD (and they are backed up by a money back guarantee).