Our conscious mind is an expert at knowing what we do. Our subconscious mind is an expert at knowing why we do it.

The subconscious is the most powerful part of the human mind. Even though people do not see their subconscious mind and usually have no awareness of it, it has a bigger role than their conscious mind. An iceberg is a good analogy. When we see an iceberg, we think we are looking at the entire iceberg, unless we have an opportunity to see below the surface of the water. Just as we do not see the most impactful part of an iceberg, we do not see the most impactful part of the mind that is the one in charge. It is responsible for our attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, emotions, and motivations. It even has direct communication with the unconscious mind, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as breathing, digestion, heart rate, and temperature. Not only that, but the subconscious mind is a storehouse for all the moments we have experienced throughout life.

People can recognize problems in their life. They set goals and work hard to see progress. Will power can be so impressive. Sometimes for a long duration of time. However, what individuals believe is what they imagine and therefore, act on.  For someone to make lasting changes or fix something, they have to believe those changes are necessary and possible at a subconscious level, because imagination always wins over conscious willpower alone.

Again, the subconscious mind is dominant over the conscious mind. It is calling the shots 90% of the time. Even though parts of our brain will continue to grow until our early twenties, most of our subconscious mind is formed between birth and ten years old. During this time, our life script begins by creating "knowns" or associations we make by interacting with the world and identifying positive and negative experiences. We learn what we like and what we do not like, which ultimately shapes our beliefs and influences our behavior. Between eight and ten, we start developing what is known as the critical factor (analytical mind), in which we analyze and use logic and reasoning to help with decision-making. From there, our conscious mind continues to develop as we continue to learn things. However, what is key, our critical factor (mind) acts as shield or barrier to our subconscious. Like a secretary, it knows what the director (subconscious) considers valid and significant. Therefore, unless incoming information is presented in a way the subconscious finds meaningful or beneficial, it gets rejected.

There are five gateways to the subconscious:

• Repetition
• Obeying and/or Rebellion of Authority
• Ego or Desire for Identity
• Emotion
• Hypnosis

Hypnosis offers the easiest and most effective solution for establishing change. Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness in which an individual experiences physical and mental relaxation along with increased focused. While in this state, individuals are more engaged with their immediate task or thought process, rather than burdened by an abundance of ongoing thoughts or the distractions in the environment. Individuals naturally pass through this state multiple times a day, especially while doing routine activities. Trained hypnotists and hypnotherapists can use hypnotic techniques to formally guide individuals in the state directly and make the experience more enriched.

During consulting hypnotism at Cross Conscious Hypnosis, clients are coached and motivated, so they can bypass their critical factor (mind) to make new connections in their subconscious. Using their own natural restorative and coping abilities, they can correct misconceptions or reactions that developed as a result from being misinformed as a child, or any other significant life transition or experience that was traumatic. This can lead to replacing unwanted habits with desired ones and the removal of old fears or blocks in performance.

Every aspect of human life is based on energy. Our bodies are arguably the most advanced energy system known to exist. We have systems and subsystems that require energy for virtually every physiological process, from basic cellular functions to complex cognitive activities, as well as instinctual behaviors. Brain processing, gene expression, immunity, metabolism, organ functioning, physical activity, and thermoregulation are all essential to sustaining life. 

Our thoughts and emotions are major energy systems as well and they directly impact the functioning and regulation of essential physiological processes. Physiological changes lead to psychological changes and psychological changes lead to physiological changes. Think of what happens when we get physically injured or sick. Either will usually result in us experiencing feelings of anger, sadness, or worry depending on the significance of the injury or illness. Likewise, when we are angry, sad, or worried about something, we often experience physical changes alongside the emotions. Our heart might start beating faster or our breathing could change. There may be tension in our neck, shoulders, stomach, or other bodily sensations. Obviously, crying is an observable physiological response to certain emotions. 

The mindbody connection is not a new discovery. Traditional Chinese Medicine identified thousands of years ago that the body contains a network of meridians in which energy must flow throughout the body's systems. This is where acupuncture originated from.  In order to maintain vitality, balance, and proper functioning of living, energy must continue to flow through these meridians without interruption. Trauma and other types of experiences we perceive as negative can lead to a blockage in our energy flow. It is not the events we experience that causes the disruption but rather our thoughts of the experiences and the corresponding emotions. Our bodies are designed to protect us from danger. We remember things to keep us safe. Our body and nervous system will form memories that are not consciously recalled. 

Your emotional state is meant to act as a free-flowing river. Whenever we encounter experiences in which we are extremely hurt, frightened, or caught off guard, it can be difficult to understand and fully process the emotions. These past troublesome memories or emotions act as dams or blockages in our river and the flow of energy throughout our body becomes restricted or stagnant. This can lead to various physical and emotional issues and ultimately "dis-ease".

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) can effectively address these blockages. EFT works like a series of gentle taps or pressure points along the acupoints of the body's meridians, similar to the channels of waterways in a river system. When these points are tapped, it sends a signal of calm ("I'm safe now.") to the limbic system, which is responsible for the fight or flight response. With each tap or point of pressure, it is as if we are gently removing rocks or debris that obstruct the flow of water. As we tap through the EFT process and tune in to specific memories or emotions, we are gradually dismantling these emotional dams. As the emotional dams are released, the flow of energy in the river or our emotional state becomes smoother and unrestricted. This revitalization allows energy to travel throughout the body without hindrance, promoting a sense of balance, clarity, and well-being.

EFT or "Tapping" is like emotional acupuncture without needles (acupressure), and it works with all parts of us: our feelings, our body sensations, our conscious mind, our subconscious mind...our body's entire energy system to help address trauma. Just as a river can support life and vitality when flowing freely, so too can our body and mind experience greater vitality and emotional well-being when the energy flows unrestrictedly after past troublesome memories are regulated with EFT. EFT does not make us forget memories. That is not necessary. Instead, it allows us to release the emotional charge around them. When this happens, we can look at things as an event that occurred in our life instead of something that controls our life.