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Is Free Will an Illusion?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What was I thinking?" is a common refrain when you lapse back into an unhealthy behavior that you had firmly vowed to avoid.
Asking that question implies that somehow the part of yourself that initiated the unwanted action was not under your control. And this can be disconcerting given that Western culture places a high premium on always being rationale and in control of ourselves.
Yet studies in brain hemisphere dominance may offer some insight as to how will power is often so easily derailed.
The ancients knew that left side of the brain controlled the right side of the body and vice versa because people and animals who suffered an injury to one side of the head would often display a disability on the opposing side of the body.
In modern times it came to be known that the left brain is also the center of linear, verbal, logical and spatial functions. Being "rational" this part of the mind insists on explanations and demands that behavior makes sense and will make up rationalizations even when it doesn't.
Conversely, the right hemisphere is believed to function more holistically and is associated with mental processes that are creative, imaginative and non-verbal-what is generally described as the "subconscious."
In what are known as "split brain" studies where through specialized techniques a stimulus is presented to one hemisphere but not the other, a fascinating relationship between the two is suggested.
For example presenting the right brain with an image of say a fast food meal will trigger the left brain to make up an excuse why its OK to go off the diet today and go to the local greasy burger joint even though it was not aware of what the other half saw.
Other brain studies indicate that before a conscious action in the brain occurs an impulse is noted in the subconscious a few milliseconds beforehand.
These revelations do tend to trash the traditional notions of self-control or will power. However, with hypnosis and self-hypnosis, you can rationally and intentionally influence the part of the self that is in charge.
Reference: Taylor, Eldon (2010) What Does That Mean? Hay House Publishing.
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What Does That Mean?: Exploring Mind, Meaning, and Mysteries
by Eldon Taylor by Hay House
Hardcover
List Price:
$24.95
Our Price:
$14.37
Buy Now
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A Complimentary Consultation
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For those of us here in the North East US, we are eagerly anticipating "here comes the sun" time after a very "long and lonely winter" to quote the late, great George Harrison. And it does seem like years since its been here!
This also means that many of you will be interested in fine tuning your healthy eating and exercise habits again.
Currently I am offering specialized complimentary initial consultations (a $50 value) to anyone who may be interested in achieving their ideal size, shape and condition. Please visit the Complimentary Consultation page to learn more
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A Product Review
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 Many Creative Calm readers are also practitioners of the natural healing arts, including a fair amount of certified hypnosis professionals.
Each month I am going to be posting a review of a resource that may enhance your practice. As you know, you are only as good as your training and updating your skills needs to be an ongoing process.
This month's entry regards the Bariatric Hypnotherapy Certification course I recently completed. To learn more visit the New Jersey Hypnotist Blog.
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An Extension for the Refresher Visits Offer
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Due to popular demand the hypnosis counseling Refresher Visits offer is being extended until 4/1/10-and only to readers of this newsletter and their friends and family. Yet another reason to make sure you read each and every issue! Normally the standard fee for an office visit is $127, however you can purchase a session for $89 when you go through the link provided below. The session can be used for whatever purpose you so desire and yes, you can take advantage of this offer again if you have done so previously. Refresher Visit Offer.Well that wraps up another issue. As always, your questions and comments are always welcomed-so keep them coming in. Best wishes, Jim P.S. There still may be a few seats left for the Greater NGH Chapter meeting this Wednesday, March 17 where I will be giving a presentation on healing stories. Call Dr. Gatto at (908) 964-4467 to register. |
