Step into the magickal world of esoteric processes made practical, of hidden concepts made clear, of introspective meditation and powerful changework. Here we remove the veil and examine the underlying operators of techniques that have been practiced for thousands of years in secrecy so that they can be applied in new contexts as powerful tools for change and transformation in our contemporary world.
Goals:
Many hypnotists have an interest in metaphysical thought and practice. However, few courses demystify those practices in a clearcut manner that make them practical to use in non-metaphysical or contemporary settings. Metaphysical practices have been shrouded in secrecy for thousands of years, often cloaked in an aura of supernatural power beyond the ken of man. In this course, we will examine the underlying hypnotic operators within many of the practices in order to find how these techniques can be adapted to contemporary settings in practical ways, stripping away some of the mystique in order to find powerful trance-based changework processes appropriate to today's clinical and introspective setting. Students will also learn how they can create wholly new trance-based rituals to suit any number of contemporary contexts from clinical to introspective meditation.
Course Content:
In this seminar, we will approach various metaphysical constructs via hypnosis with an eye toward a no-nonsense practical approach to the material, the methods, and the outcome. This is NOT a course in metaphysical beliefs. Rather, it is a course in metaphysical hypnosis techniques and methods. While the instructor will explain all of the techniques in a straightforward way and demonstrate them with students practicing every technique, each participant is free to place them within whatever metaphysical context is appropriate for that person. Your beliefs are your own, but with this course you will learn the techniques which you can place within the context of whatever belief, faith, or science as you wish. We will be looking to a results-oriented approach that focuses on the trance modality toward achieving hypnotic effects that may lead one toward a higher intuitive understanding of metaphysical concepts without blindly accepting broad generalizations. The hypnotic experiences will be clearly placed into the context of hypnosis, suggestion, and effect without jumping to unproven or speculative conclusions. We will be examining these phenomena with very much a "let's see what is working beneath the effect" and "let's make certain of our results before making undue claims" . . . this is the enlightened skeptic's approach to metaphysical trance effects, albeit neither dismissive nor uncritically accepting. While many who teach Past Life Regression, Spirit Releasement Therapy, Out of Body Experience Trance, Distance Seeing, Crystal Gazing, Aura Viewing, Energy Testing, Channeling, and other Metaphysical Hypnosis methods believe in the reality of such phenomena, it is important that participants learn how to approach such sessions in a way that ensures that trance sessions are managed in a way so that genuine evidence of extrasensory experience is clearly demonstrated and not merely suggestion confused as reality.Participants will learn the processes and experience them both as guide and as metaphysical traveler in what will be a truly mind-opening experience of experiential hypnosis within a very strong critical approach. Despite the emphasis on critical inquiry within the conducting of trance processes, the purpose of the course is not to tear apart anyone's beliefs, rather it is to empower hypnotists with powerful tools for conducting sessions in a way that allows them to more meaningfully distinguish suggestion, phantasy, or confabulation from genuine metaphysical experience as well as ways to use metaphysical constructs in a positive and helpful way regardless of one's personal faith or beliefs, making the experience much more valuable for both the hypnotist and the trance partner. Above all, this is a skills-based course so participants should be prepared to be open-minded, eager, and willing to learn and set to do the work from the get-go. Participants will learn and begin running critical metaphysical processes from day one.
Those who complete this course and meet all other eligibility requirements are qualified for the Specialization Certificate in Metaphysical Hypnosis from the Society of Experiential Trance. All of the skillsets requires for Society certification in this area beyond basic membership are covered in this intensive course and more:
- Metaphysical Trance Constructs
- Orientation to Ritual and Imaginative Power: Church, Temple, Coven, Theatre, Politics, Sport, and More
- Hypnosis as Formal Ritualized Context
- Magickal Thinking, Scientific Thinking, and How to Congruently Combine the Two in Clinical and Introspective Contexts
- Eye of Experiential Trance
- Clean Language and Session work with Metaphysical Processes (Guiding versus Leading, etc.)
- Astral Projection
- Aura Sight
- Automatic Drawing
- Automatic Writing
- Avatars and Archetypes
- Candletrance
- Channeling and Guide Work
- Dowsing
- Dreamwalking
- Energizer
- Engineered Ecstatic Experiences
- Future Life Progression
- Healing Energy Models
- Higher Self
- Hypnotic Talismans and Amulets
- Ideomotor Sigil
- Intuitive versus Academic Magick and the Hypnotist (The Witch, the Shaman, the Mage, and the Hypnotist)
- Life Between Life
- Manifesting
- Manifestations
- Moppets, "Voodoo" Dolls, and Trance Constructs
- Ouija Boards
- Ouija Dancing
- Out of Body Experience
- Past Life Regression
- Pendulum Ideomotor Questioning
- Remote Viewing
- Ritualtrance and Ritualmaking
- Scrying (Crystal Gazing, Mirror, Pool, etc.)
- Shamanism
- Shapeshifter (Adaptive Shamanic and Other Models)
- Soul Gazing
- Spellcraft and Trancecraft
- Spirit Releasement Therapy
- Sprit Animal Guide
- Tarot Trance
- Trancedancing
- Thoughtforms (Energized and Otherwise)
- Vicarious Experiential Trance in Metaphysical Contexts
- Original Processes or Patterns (Students will learn to create and demonstrate new and original metaphysical hypnotic processes or trance patterns - based upon esoteric sources and wholly original).
- . . . and much much much more!
While the course will explore a number of areas common to the metaphysical trance experience, some specific areas of interest are:
Past Life Regression Hypnosis
Many who approach hypnosis as a means to access past life memories do so from a purely metaphysical or spiritual point of view that assumes the experiences are always genuine, often accepting as fact experiences that are neither logical nor sensible. In this workshop, participants will learn a variety or approaches to Past Life Regression and other forms of Metaphysical Hypnosis that are both open to new experiences and critically valid. We will take on an approach of healthy skepticism to the processes and learn methods that ensure that one guides the experience rather than leads it through preconceived notions or expectations that cause one to ask leading questions or make assumptions. Participants will learn proper safeguards for conducting a regression that ensure a well managed trance session by using clean language and processes. Participants will learn a number of alternative critical explanations for the content of a session and how to distinguish fact from phantasy or confabulation.
Hypnosis and Tarot
In this seminar, you will learn some of the fundamental concepts behind using the Tarot for introspective meditation. While the workshop section of the seminar approaches some subjective experiences and spiritual paths, it does so with respect while maintaining a critical insight. This is not a fortune telling course, rather it is an exploration into Tarot as a means for gaining insight into life issues through introspective focused trance hypnosis. The instructor will introduce a number of Tarot decks as well as layouts, both traditional and contemporary, that are considered very useful for gaining personal insight into issues facing oneself. Of particular interest will be the Animation Tarot system. Hypnosis is a means of focused trance and is a perfect approach to Tarot. The instructor will teach participants a number of Experiential Hypnosis techniques that incorporate Tarot imagery and cards. These include the classic experiential trance technique of the "through the gate into tarot" method as well as single card and multiple deck methods for gaining insight into one's life issues via synchronicity, introspection, and experiential trance. Students are strongly encouraged to bring three or more different Tarot decks of their own. In addition to being one of the world's foremost authorities on experiential hypnosis, the instructor is also the list owner of one of oldest and largest online Tarot discussion forum.
Auras and Other Suggested Metaphysical Visual Effects
The ability to see "auras" is one sought after by many. The "aura" is the "life force" or energy surrounding a person. Many claim to be able to see the colors of the aura and thus be able to determine a person's spiritual or physical well being or other aspects of their character such as their truthfulness, openness, or hidden agendas. Participants will learn a number of hypnotic techniques that explore the concept of visually associating emotional or other responses to a person with a color that is seen surrounding them. Participants will also explore trance-based scrying, mirror gazing, and crystal ball gazing using experiential hypnotic methods.
Astral Journey and Other Out of Body Experiences
As part of our skeptical exploration of metaphysical hypnosis, we will endeavor to experiment with and experience trance-based suggested experiences of the soul traveling out of the body into the Astral plane, out of body experiences within this plane such as farseeing and dream walking as well as quantum time travel processes.
Channeling and Spirit Guides
We will examine some of the processes used by mediums and channels via formal trance and walking suggestive processes. The practice of seeking and building relationships with guardian angels, animal spirit guides, and other metaphysical constructs will be demonstrated, explored, and experienced within the context of experiential trance.
Spirit Releasement Therapy
Some hypnotists have begun specializing in hypnotic spirit releasement therapy or hypnosis-based exorcisms. Learn the premise of this practice as well as some of the pitfalls - both in critical approach as well as in terms of longterm therapeutic gains. Basic principles and approaches are explained.
Crystal Gazing and Crystal Healing
If you have your own, bring your crystals or crystal balls. We will learn how mediums perform crystal gazing as well as how some practice crystal healing. Our purpose is to isolate hypnotic practice and suggestion from genuine effect.
Higher Self, Mystical, and Ecstatic Experiences
A number of metaphysical philosophies carry the concept of a higher self to which all of us are connected. This higher self may be a connection to that part of us which lies beyond the wheel of life or to a spiritual force from beyond. It may simply be a manifestation of our unconscious, our super-ego, or some higher power or a deep connection to one's core states and deeply held beliefs or needs. Participants will learn a number of processes to access the higher self ranging from straightforward formal induction to levels of hypnosis beyond somnambulism or through waking processes that tie into experiential trancelike phenomena and leverage them into a near-mystical or ecstatic experience.
Original Process Creation
Students will learn a "build your own" and "spontaneous creativity" approach to innovation and inspiration in which they will create their own trance and hypnosis processes based upon authentic esoteric sources and practices as well as the underlying operators behind these processes that allow them create their own wholly original new processes.
Instructor:
The course is taught by Dr. Brian David Phillips, an internationally known and respected hypnosis practitioner, educator, author, and entertainer. Dr. Phillips is President of the Society of Experiential Trance and has in the past served as editor of the peer-reviewed Journal of Applied Hypnotic Arts and Sciences. Dr. Phillips is the coordinator and chief instructor for the oldest English-language hypnosis and focused-trance practice group in Taiwan and is the owner and moderator of one of the largest online email discussion communities related to hypnosis and focused trance techniques. He has taught numerous workshops and seminars on hypnosis, focused trance, and experiential hypnosis as well as a number of webinars (web-based seminars) on these and related subjects. Dr. Phillips is an associate professor at National Chengchi University. Dr. Phillips uses rapid and instant hypnosis inductions routinely in his Waking Dreams Hypnosis Show, the only ongoing entertainment comedy hypnosis stage show in Taiwan.
Teaching Methods:
This course relies upon a very fast-paced system of demonstration and practice. More than any other course, this seminar consists of demonstration, explanation, practice, practice, practice. It is NOT intended as a lecture or passive learning experience. It is a very fast-paced and energetic program so students should come ready, willing, able, and eager to jump right in and run full speed ahead. The teaching methodology is very active. Students will learn through all of their sensory learning channels, particularly aural, visual, and kinesthetic . . . listening, seeing, and doing . . . as it is a practical applications competence course, there is a great deal of supervised "doing" with immediate and useful feedback. Typically, for each subject or technique, the training is within the following process model: 1. instructor briefs students on the topic, 2. instructor demonstrates technique with student volunteer, 3. the demonstration is then broken down into steps, 4. students then practice the technique several times with one another under guidance of the instructor with ongoing feedback, 5. class debriefs about experience and technique with performance notes from instructor, 6. students continue advanced practice (including homework for some techniques), 7. final debriefing with instructor. The course focuses upon practical competence and experienced application of the material.
Course Requirements / Grading Criteria:
While some will attend this course for general information and instruction in Metaphysical Hypnosis, those wishing to fulfill specialization requirements with the Society of Experiential Trance should take note that they will be evaluated based upon:
- Regular attendance
- Participation in classroom activities
- Completion of assignments
- Ongoing Oral and Demonstrational Competence Activities or Tasks
Course Materials:
Students will be supplied with handouts related to the presentation topics in the form of the Metaphysical Hypnosis text by Brian David Phillips.If possible, please bring your own Tarot decks (three decks would be ideal).
Please, students may not use recording devices during the course. However, the instructor may record portions of the training.
Online Resources:
- Brian David Phillips Waking Dreams Hypnosis at http://www.briandavidphillips.com
- Brian David Phillips Hypnocast at http://briandavidphillips.libsyn.com
- Brian David Phillips Blog at http://briandavidphillips.typepad.com/brian/
- Hypnosis Technique Exchange at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HypnosisTechniqueExchange
- Tarot-L Discussion List at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TarotL
