Image

The Power of Storytelling

Posted by Wendy Chalk on
 September 20, 2011
  · No Comments

I was reading the Sunday paper last weekend, and I came across an article about a father whose daughter had suffered from the most appalling seizures whilst very young.  Her illness had a devastating effect on the whole family, and in order to get through this difficult time and to soothe his daughter, the father regularly told her stories.   This had the effect of calming the little girl down, but also made the father and the rest of the family felt better too.

Stories can really help to divert and distract, and can take us to a different world, but they can also guide us to more positive ways of thinking.  Throughout history, stories have been used in this way, the bible stories being some of the best known.

In my hypnotherapy practice, I regularly use stories and metaphors as the subconscious mind responds really well to this type of suggestion.  Whilst positive direct suggestion used in hypnosis (this would be the type of phrase such as ‘you will only crave nutritious, healthy foods’) is often very powerful, it is sometimes a bit too authoritarian for some, and so the subconscious mind can have a tendency to rebel against it.   Much more subtle is the story or metaphor which leads the client into what is technically known as a trans-derivational search, whereby the client can apply the message within, to his or her own situation.   I have seen quite remarkable results by using metaphors and stories, particularly with those clients who respond less well to direct suggestion.

One favourite story which I sometimes use for my clients is the following.  It can make them have faith in something which they cannot see, and which is seemingly impossible.  All sorts of magical things can occur, without us being able to understand the full process behind it, we just need to believe in them.

In 1640 Jan Baptista van Helmont, a Flemish physician and chemist, carried out an experiment.  He took a pot of soil, and a willow sapling and weighed both. He planted the little tree in the soil and carefully watered it for five years. At the end of the five years he then again weighed the willow tree and the soil. The tree had increased in weight by 164 pounds, but  the soil had decreased in weight by less than two ounces.
Where had the material of the tree come from?  Out of thin air. At the time nobody understood that plants take oxygen and carbon from the air to build their leaves and stems and flowers. Just because we don’t understand a process doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Every time you look at a tree you might like to remember that it’s actually made out of thin air, and maybe also wonder about what invisible processes might be going on in you, right now.

It seems unlikely, but stories really do have the power to heal.  If you wish to find out how they can help to inspire change in YOUR life, then contact me on 01449 78044 or 0781 7158429, or email me on wendy@wendychalk.co.uk

Have a good week,
Wendy.

No Comments
Categories : Uncategorized

WENDY CHALK

Wendy Chalk

If you would like help with any issue then just contact me for a free, no obligation consultation:

Contact Us

Click HERE to contact me by email

*The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by Life Changing Hypnotherapy and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. This also applies to the testimonials provided by clients of Life Changing Hypnotherapy. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Life Changing Hypnotherapy. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.