Sands of Time

"As you listen to the sound of my voice, you might find yourself relaxing more and more."

And as you focus your mind on the sound of my voice, I would like you to relax all the muscles in your body - and if you notice any tension anywhere in your body - just let it go - let it go completely - and relax even deeper.

As you begin to check those muscles, relaxing each and every one, just feel and experience heaviness in those eyelids - a comfortable, heavy feeling that makes your eyelids even heavier.

And all the while you are letting go of tension, listening to the sound of my voice and concentrating on that heavy, comfortable feeling in and around your eyes.

And as those eyes become heavier and more relaxed, you may feel yourself deeply relaxing - as you continue listening to the sound of my voice.

As you wander through the forest, you move around the corner of the path and there in front of you is a small cottage. An old cottage but very small cottage…… the door is open. Its almost inviting you in……. you approach the door and peer inside. It looks cosy as you enter into this safe place…….

Now I want you to imagine that in front of you, on a shelf slightly above your line of vision - is an old-fashioned egg-timer.

The egg timer consists of tube cylindrical containers made of glass or clear plastic and supported by a wooden frame that stands on the shelf - raising your egg timer so that the glass or plastic itself doesn't actually touch the shelf.

In the egg timer are tiny grains of golden sand - so small that many humans would find it difficult to notice each grain of sand - until the egg timer is turned upside down and the sand trickles down into the container below.

But in hypnosis, your vision is crystal clear - you can see everything in minuscule details - or if you chose to - you can see it as though from a distance and you are an observer - perhaps watching yourself as you watch the egg timer.

The top container takes exactly 3 minutes of real time to empty - but in hypnosis, we can alter our concept of time - making it stretch out to eternity or go by in the blinking of an eye.

I don't know whether your time is going to be longer or shorter than 3 minutes - because this is your hypnotic trance and no-one else's - but I do know that when these 3 minutes are up, you will feel even more comfortable, even more relaxed and even more detached than you have ever felt before.

So imagine turning the egg timer now so that the top container has all the sand - and watch - or simply experience this in your inner mind - as it slowly trickles - a grain at a time - slowly and effortlessly down and down.

And the sun shines through an open window and sends its reflection onto the egg timer - making the glass sparkle and shine.

And perhaps it reminds you of a time that you spend by a lake - watching the glass like water rippling on a gentle breeze – and fish swimming along the edge, back and forth.

Your breathing is comfortable - just like those waters - flowing gently in - and out - back - and forth - breathing ever so calmly, ever so easily - watching the water and the sounds of the birds in the distance.

All the while, the sand is trickling down - a second goes by - two seconds - three.

And in your special place, it seems as though time can stand still - and the warmth of the ground beneath your bare feet makes you feel comfortable - makes you feel even more relaxed and content.

The water in the lake is the most perfect shade of royal blue with hints of turquoise and green - and you notice that the egg timer also reflects these colours - as the sand trickles down - little by little - a few grains at a time - easily, effortless, slowly and comfortably.

And as you stand here - in your perfect place - watching the sea and feeling the texture of that soft warm ground - you are aware of the sun shining down on your body - bathing your body in a golden glow - warming your shoulders, your back, your arms and your legs - soothing and calming you gently all over.

The sand continues to trickle - down and down - as the seconds tick by - and you can double your relaxation with each and every breath that you take - as you enjoy this perfect place.

Looking to your left - you notice the ground stretches back beyond your line of vision - they seem to go on - and on and on - and you somehow sense that this is your past.

There are footsteps on the ground and you know that these are the steps that you have taken along your way.

If some of those steps are deeper than others then that is because you were weighed down at the time - weighed down with the baggage you were carrying.

To your right is the future and the sands of time are infinitely long - seeming to go on forever.

Notice how the sands to your future are as yet untrodden - you have yet to experience the opportunities that are opening for you and there is a sense of anticipation and wonder.

There must always be the expectation that something good is going to happen for you - and so you determine these steps will be lighter and you will enjoy each and every step that you take.

You are here in the present - with your feet resting firmly on the ground - breathing gently and evenly - in - and out - feeling the warmth of the sun on your body while watching the water and you are aware of the sand trickling down - or - did it seem to stand still for a few seconds.

The last few grains of sand are going down - and down - and down - as the top container of your egg timer begins to empty - and the suggestions you hear during this powerful, hypnotic session will go ten times deeper - into your wonderful subconscious mind.

So in your mind, count those last few grains of sand with me - as you go deeper and deeper into gentle hypnotic rest.

Ten - you are going further and further down into hypnosis.

Nine - you are relaxing more and more.

Eight - You feel more comfortable and so much more optimistic than you have felt in a long, long time.

Seven - The water in the lake have washed away all that tension and stress.

Six - You are going deeper and deeper into hypnosis.

Five - You are drifting down further with each grain of sand.

Four - The container at the top of the egg timer is now almost empty - and your mind can be empty of worries and cares.

Three - The container at the bottom of your egg timer is filling up as far as it can - and you will find that your mind can fill up with new ideas - new ways of thinking and feeling that will benefit you on your journey into the unknown.

Two - Relax deeper still - just enjoy these wonderful feelings.

One - your mind is now open and receptive to the suggestions that you are about to hear.