The neuroscience of observing consciousness & mirror neurons in therapeutic hypnosis.
Neuroscience documents the activity of "mirror neurons" in the human brain as a mechanism whereby we experience empathy and recognize the intentions of others by observing their behavior and automatically matching their brain activity. This neural basis of empathy finds support in research on dysfunctions in the mirror systems of humans with autism and fMRI research on normal subjects designed to assess intentionality, emotions, and complex cognition. Such empathy research now appears to be consistent with the historical and research literature on hypnotic induction, rapport, and many of the classical phenomena of suggestion. A preliminary outline of how mirror neurons may function as a rapport zone mediating between observing consciousness, the gene expression/protein synthesis cycle, and brain plasticity in therapeutic hypnosis and psychosomatic medicine is proposed. Brain plasticity is generalized in the theory, research, and practice of utilizing mirror neurons as an explanatory framework in developing and training new skill sets for facilitating an activity-dependent approach to creative problem solving, mind-body healing, and rehabilitation with therapeutic hypnosis.
Much has been said about the desire to change. Indeed, this is the topic of many self-help experts, personal coaches, and even professional counselors, psychologists, and other psychotherapists. However, little is ever said about why a person would want to transform.
The first thing that I notice is that there is a universal desire for happiness. While many people will never be content – even if their situation is the envy of many others – generally when a person has something that is causing a high level of dissatisfaction in their life, then they develop an urge to become...
When reading for comprehension it is vital that the reader set in his or her mind the specific purpose of a reading session. Understanding what a person reads is a factor of rapidly converting perception into meaning. Normally I refer to this as the creation of the answers to how and why. Meaning also refers to the ability of the human brain to relate new perceptions to previous patterns of understanding. This is a fancy way of saying a person will relate new experiences to old experiences.
From before our birth we have been creating patterns of understanding inside our brain. When new...
What is happiness? Some would define it in terms of being contented with what you have or are experiencing at the moment. Others would explain it in terms of what they own, where they live, and how much money they make. As a therapist, people frequently tell me that they determine their happiness by how others treat or regard them. Unfortunately, in that case they have completely surrendered their happiness to the whims of others. That is not a condition that I recommend.
However, I am now going to recommend that you consider another approach to happiness. Consider your dominant thoughts....
