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“A man wanted to know about mind, not in nature, but in his private,
large ‘computer’. He asked it: “Do you compute that you will ever
think like a human being?” The machine then set to work to analyse
its own computational habit. Finally, the machine printed its answer
on a piece of paper, as such machines do. The man ran to get the
answer and found, neatly typed, the words:
THAT
REMINDS ME OF A STORY.”
Gregory Bateson: Mind and Nature.
All
my stories are metaphorical.
Metaphors are stories with many
levels of significance. When the story is elegantly told – the
conscious mind is distracted and the unconscious mind is stimulated
into a search for meaning and for inner resources and strengths.
To create a successful metaphor, one that will point the way to
resolving a problem, the relationships between the elements of the
story need to be the same as the relationships between the elements
of the problem. The metaphor will then resonate in the unconscious
and mobilize the resources there. The unconscious gets the message
and starts to make the necessary changes.
Back in the farthest memories of human existence, metaphor has been
used as a means of changing ideas. Philosophers, prophets and wise
men have intuitively known the power of metaphor as a mechanism for
affecting limiting problematical behaviour.
As you are now reading what I have to say, you are faced with the
delightful opportunity which I have been able to think out and to
write well. You are at a crossroads. You may choose to listen to my
voice telling you stories – which can expand the range of your
skills – affect your ideas and beliefs – access your inner resources
and strengths – and change your behaviour in ways that will be
productive for you. When you reach any crossroads – an opportunity
to move in a new direction – there is the thought that a promise of
a more beautiful destination is only an illusion, drifting in the
winds of time….. - However – my stories are enjoyable adventures –
in your inner world – that can be seen, heard and felt – uniquely by
you. And even more importantly can bring about for you the inner
changes you desire.
Dr. Milton Erickson, who is
considered the Master of Metaphor, said: “What you don’t realise is
that most of your life is unconsciously determined.” The fabulous
thing is - the unconscious can change. The change is accomplished
most effectively and permanently when the focus influences
unconscious patterns – which include negative values, non productive
beliefs and frames of reference which are obstructive to growth and
freedom. This change can be the result of listening to metaphorical
stories.
The stories are told in such a way as to facilitate you to
experience a light trance state – or a state of relaxation. With
positive expectations, in a light trance, you are unconsciously open
to the messages and beneficial influences communicated in the story.
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Telling stories follows an ancient tradition. Since time immemorial
stories have been used as a way of conveying values and accessing
inner abilities and resources. A straight suggestion or ‘preaching’
might be dismissed, but guidance and direction will become
acceptable when embedded in a story that is intriguing, amusing and
interesting.
My stories utilize many effective strategies including humour and
interesting information.
Trance – experienced as comfortable relaxation – is the state in
which learning and openness to change are most likely to occur. It
does not refer to an induced somnolent state. You are not ‘put
under’ by my story telling; you are not ‘out of control’, by my
story telling. Trance is a natural state experience by everyone. Our
most familiar experience of trance takes place when we day dream.
In light trance you are closer to “Unconscious learning” – and less
involved with thoughts and day to day issues. You may accept the
suggestions in my stories with less critical sense, but if any of my
suggestions conflict with your values, acceptance will not occur.
In helping you to enter a light trance I simply captivate your
attention and direct you inwards, assisting you and guiding you on
an inner search – to explore and discover an inner response. Your
response will be related to your needs and expectations. In order to
achieve your response, therapeutic suggestions are interspersed in
an interesting story.
The stories follow archetypal patterns as seen in legend and myths.
My stories include the theme of a quest – your unconscious mind
associates your quest, to resolve an inner problem or
conflict, with the solutions and resolutions of the successful quest
of the story.
Still, you might wonder how listening to a story, even in a light
trance, or relaxed state, can help you permanently change, become
more constructive and have self-reinforcing feelings and
experiences.
What begins to happen is that the wisdom and benevolence of your
unconscious mind will identify with one or more of the characters
and heroes – who can deal successfully with difficult challenges –
you will experience the character or heroes sense of accomplishment
as your own - and you become ‘transformed’. You will add to your
memories the feeling of success and have the deep inner expectation
of further success.
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You will find emotional and intellectual sustenance in the stories.
The stories also help you to get in touch with your own unutilized
knowledge and you begin to incorporate these forgotten and valuable
learnings into your every day behaviour – in a way that will be
good, productive and right for you. You, as a unique individual, are
important – you can better yourself, and you have inimitable
possibilities for growth. Your unconscious mind can be influenced
by the positive input in the stories. The stories are optimistic and
supportive of growth. The stories evoke new feelings and prescribe
new experiences. The stories have a celebration of life philosophy,
these views will reach you on many levels, and you will become
deeply aware of new possibilities which you are free to accept or
reject.
Many people who have heard my stories find themselves functioning
with increased freedom and creativity. This obviously comes from
inner psychological change. We can better understand these changes
if we consider that the stories and their characters as representing
inner psychological structures. For example parents in the stories
can represent guides, and sources of love and support. And how you
‘parent’ yourself will become more and more supportive and
respectful of yourself. You’re inner ‘parenting’ voices will
transform.
A child in the story can represent the ‘child within’ –
inexperienced, eager to learn but not knowing how, spontaneous but
with a limited range of behaviours and responses. When you listen to
the stories and identify with the child, the ‘child within’ you will
begin to feel hopeful – as you take in how the child in the story
overcomes blockages to growth and freedom – so the ‘child’ within
you will experience growth and freedom.
I wish you growth and freedom in a way that will be self-reinforcing
of you.
“You have everything you need;
A miraculous body, a phenomenal brain,
And a vast and powerful unconscious mind.
Now it’s just a matter of focusing them in the right direction”
Marc Allen –
New World Library.
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