Mind Over Matter with Hypnosis and NLP

By Matthew Ferguson

The New Scientist recently published an article entitled Heal thyself - The real power of mind over matter.

The article explored the evidence of the power of placebo, thinking positively, trusting people, meditation, self hypnosis and knowing your purpose. Happily all the things I teach on my Hypnotherapy and NLP trainings.

All of the above have shown to benefit health and well being, not just in some quasi scientific way but in a very real practical way with sound evidence to support the ideas. To my way of thinking it is all about our way of thinking. What I mean more specifically is that a huge part of our life experience is manifest through our attitudes and our ability to be proactive rather than victims of circumstance.

Hypnosis allows us to connect with different neural circuitries than we do in our everyday functional circuits. The hypnotic state gives us more access to the creative processes of our memory and imagination. When I say access I do not want to imply that it makes us reliably remember some long forgotten truth, although that can happen. What it does do is give us a better opportunity to alter fundamentally the effects of memory, so almost any memory can become useful in some way. It also allows us to more vividly imagine our future. By that I don't mean that by simply thinking it, so it will be, although that can happen too. What I do mean is that it gives us the opportunity to build in our creative, imaginative minds the future we desire. It has the effect of making it more real, visceral, experiential not simply a nice idea. These experiences can lead to action. It is in behaviour and action that our future unfolds.

When you actively engage with these processes, with an attitude of curiosity and with the skill sets implicit in NLP you can greatly increase your health and wellbeing. By utilising hypnosis and NLP, positive outcomes can be gained from virtually any circumstance. It is not an attempt to gloss over the difficulties of the world and life but an endeavour to re-frame, learn, appreciate and engage with a meaningful in life in a positive proactive way.

The skills of hypnosis and NLP with the powers of placebo, positive thinking, trust, meditation and developing a life purpose will give people more of what human beings need in order to be balanced, happy and fulfilled.

This is what I believe and work towards with varying degrees of success but the journey is a gift and I for one love it!

Read more articles by Matthew Ferguson

Matthew Ferguson SQHP

(Clinical Hypnotherapist, Trainer of Hypnotherapy and NLP, Stress Consultant and Authentic Happiness Coach) Matthew runs a training school in Scotland (established in 1999) where he teaches Hypnotherapy, NLP and Coaching. Matthew is author of many well established Articles, CD's/Hypnosis Downloads.