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Blog: Reflections from the Center
» CENTER FOR GRIEF RECOVERY
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Introduction to Experiential Methods
Though there is a great deal more to discovery about brain functioning, brain waves have been charted. These
charts clearly indicate that in a relaxed sate, deeper access to the unconscious mind is achieved.
Most culture have developed rituals for utilizing the unconscious. The Zen and Buddhist medications are perhaps the
best known; there is also early Christian chanting, Sufi twirling, Indonesian trance dance, yoga and numerous
other forms for developing relaxed states of consciousness.
In the West, hypnosis is used, and self-hypnosis is increasing in popularity. Guided and self-directed imageries
are also ways of moving into relaxed states. Many ways have already been discovered for entering and using relaxed
states of consciousness.
Clearing and composing the mind allows for a deep feeling of relaxation, even more powerful than sleep. The
"relaxation response" involves actual physiological changes in the body. Blood pressure is lowered,
circulation
increased to the periphery of the body and in the extremities accompanied by a corresponding temperature rise.
Muscles that have been chronically tense are able to relax.
When awakening from meditation, imagery, trance dance or hypnotic trance, a deep sense of pleasure is
often reported.
In fact, we can learn to enter this state quickly at home or work in order to feel totally refreshed. Once we have
learned to use these states for relaxation, they can also be used for education, therapy and increasing our creativity.
The unconscious mind can take in great amounts of information with little effort and process complicated data.
Dysfunctional learning patterns are diminished and perception is unburdened, and individuals are receptive to feedback
when seemingly asleep. Significant material about the workings of the psyche can be discussed: how we protect ourselves
from emotional pain, abandonment, and hurt and how we push people away when we need them the most. This essential information
can be delivered so that learning occurs with little or no interference.
Working in relaxed states allows the unconscious mind to take control and move
quickly to unresolved conflicts.
Age regression is almost automatic and requires little effort. This
regression, in the service of the ego, provides a reliving and re-experiencing
of old feeling states, memories, thoughts and experiences. The remembering
that goes on in a traditional therapy session can be extremely intense and
vivid, but it doesn't compare to the reliving that happens in altered states.
Dream images can re reworked so that the unconscious processes new information
and heals itself. In this therapeutic environment change can occur more
rapidly.
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