A Cabin In The Woods--by Bryan F.
Standing at the trailhead we began our trek down the trail into the woods. Each step takes us deeper and deeper into the majestic forest. The giant redwoods towered above us creating cathedrals with the blue sky as their ceiling. We both remain silent as we descend, drinking in the smell of the trees and earth; the clean fresh air cleansing our lungs with each deep breath, deeper and deeper into the paradise that envelopes us.
There ahead are a set of ancient wooden stairs built by another, to accommodate the traveler down the steep grade into the river valley below. As we pause at the head of the staircase, we drink in the natural beauty that awaited us below. In the distance is a cabin, to the right a gently flowing river reflecting and mixing the greens of the trees and blues of the sky to create its own unique color. The deep blue-green giving evidence of its great depth and the universes that exist just under the tension of its surface.
The stair treads are well worn but ample, the edges softened by decades of travelers seeking this sacred place. The handrails smooth and oiled by the hands of those descending, step by step deeper and deeper into the meadow below. The smell of the wildflowers begins to reach us with each downward step. Only ten left now, as we move slowly closer to our destination: Ten….. nine…..eight, deeper into the valley almost there, seven…..six…..five….four, feeling only peace and calm, the outside world behind us we are nearly there, three….two…one, we step into the meadow, a path leads to the cabin through the meadow, flowers as high as our knees gently swaying in the breeze and scenting the air with their subtle sweet fragrance.
The cabin is a rustic beauty, large enough to accommodate whatever we wish to bring with us. The trees in the valley are mostly Red Cedar and tower above the cabin, framing it in serene green textures. The old porch is lined with wooden rockers and wicker tables and chairs. The porch floor like the cabin itself built with long timbers that smell faintly of cedar.
The door is heavy and creaks as we open it. Inside a massive fireplace of smooth round river stone dominates the living space. A wooden staircase leads to an ample loft furnished with feather bed and scented candles that cover every available surface.
The living area is filled with old well-worn leather furniture that holds the smell of the many fires that have warmed and comforted those that have come before.
Set and I will build a fire, the night will bring a crispness to the air. We will eat some bread and cheese and drink some wine before I show you the room which holds the magic you seek.
Now lie back and take a deep breath. Relax your toes, your feet and now your ankles. Feel deeper and deeper relaxed your body heavy, the outside world is gone and it’s only you. This time and space is yours to heal and refresh for the journeys ahead.
Now that you are ready you may follow me to that door over there. It’s a plain door and behind it are perhaps some answers that you seek if you wish to have them.
On the other side of the door, we move into a beautiful staircase lit with candles perched in their sconces to light our way. Down each step, deeper and deeper until we reach a landing. From here you can see the room below. A room with shelves on the walls and rows filled with books and old boxes overflowing with your memories. Each box and book contains something that you have experienced in this life. Some are happy and some are not. It’s up to you to decide what you will look at today. The books and boxes contain your life stories. All the knowledge you’ve absorbed and every experience you have had. Everything you need is here, all that has come before and has shaped your life to this moment is available to you.
Here on the wall beside you is a wand. Take it with you and simply tap any item that may cause you pain or discomfort that you are not ready to confront. It will be vanquished until you are ready to see it. Those things you want to confront and heal may be viewed without feeling the suffering they once might have carried. You simply have to see them for what they are, just a memory that no longer serves you. Then see them as the lesson, the gift that they can become, once you transformed them. This is also a good time to remember those things that are happy memories. A trip to the shore with your family or that time your brother stood up for you in the schoolyard.
Now after a restful night's sleep in that soft feather bed it’s time to leave. Your journey up the trail will be much lighter as we ascend. Seeming more to float than walk you find yourself at the trailhead. I hug you and wish you success in your journey of self-healing.’
This is an example of guided imagery hypnotherapy that I have used to teach relaxation and self-hypnosis. You can have a hypnotist guide you or you can read a little on self-hypnosis and learn to get yourself into a deeper state of relaxation on your own, a trance if you will. Don’t be afraid, you are always in control and can not be forced to do anything that you don’t want to do in this deeply relaxed state.
The exercise in the room with boxes and books of memories is not necessary if you are just looking to destress and relax. That room is where Alchemical Hypnotherapy takes place. The place where it’s safe to confront those things that we bury deep and that may affect our daily lives. Pain, guilt, resentment, all of it can be confronted and transformed.
You can also be as creative as you like in your imagery. I usually talk a little with someone before I put them under. If for instance, someone were afraid of heights, I’d make modifications. The stairs and steps are very useful for moving into and holding a deeper state of relaxation. Be creative, I’ve used elevators just as effectively as stairs.
Be well, my friends. Live your best lives, as best as you can.
Be well, my friends. Live your best lives, as best as you can.
Aspects were immediately familiar, others not so much, but what we’ve each tried to build has different intents.
ReplyDeleteA descent into a deep wilderness, and a structure itself that has its own depths, are familiar and comforting.
From time to time (though I realize it's been a long time since I last did it) I've spent time trying to build an inner refuge, a safe and untouchable space, for myself. So it is that having someone take me to such a place was a little off-putting. As much as I would likely benefit from it, I’ve yet to seek any therapy, and have too many opposing reflexes to the contact as an attack. Also distracting me is the presentation of it as a space many have used, and that I'm just visiting for a specific purpose.
To be fair, you're creating a place of healing, whereas I was just building as comfortable a refuge of last resort as possible. Vitally important to what I was aiming for was the sense of it being mine, rather than some therapeutic space where it was just my turn. As much as I would likely benefit from it, I’ve yet to seek any therapy, and have too many opposing reflexes, reaction to to such contact as an attack. Some of my boxes of memories fill me with dread, and so many of them aren’t necessarily to be trusted as factual. I know the horrors I can imagine, and beyond a point I will never know how much of what’s in those boxes actually happened. I suppose that's immaterial in all respects, as the aim's to find peace, not to make a case for court.
In the meantime, I have to get to a place of greater safety in my daily life before I can muster the strength and focus to confront whatever's in there.