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| Â | Milton H. Erickson Foundation Newsletter: Volume 23 - Issue 1, July 2003
Review of Words from within: A therapeutic journey into wholeness, a CD produced and performed by Anita Jung; By Stephen Gilligan, Ph.D. A therapeutic trance can be developed in many different ways-through words, poetry, dance, music, drumming, special breathing, etc. Many people have found themselves engaged in hypnotic states while listening to a favorite piece of music, or while absorbed in a repetitive rhythm, or while listening to a poetic, entrancing voice. In this innovative and beautiful CD, Words from within: A therapeutic journey into wholeness, Anita Jung, a therapist from Austin, TX, combines these and other modalities to create a beautiful set of hypnotic explorations. Jung weaves her hypnotic voice and therapeutic presence through a musical landscape of tabla, sarod, and other Eastern instruments, to craft an enchanting piece of art. The melodic range of the instruments, as well as their multiple rhythms, create a hypnotic field much wider and multi-textured than one possible through a mere vocal presence. Jung uses the space beautifully to explore new dimensions of hypnotic communication. I found the CD innovative, effective, and masterfully crafted, an excellent example of therapeutic hypnosis; so much so, that I have recommended it highly to clients and students alike. The CD consists of 11 tracks. The first, “Creating your comfort zone,” is an appropriately basic introduction to hypnotic trance, emphasizing the need for a safe, sanctuary-like inner place. The next 4 tracks-Enchanting tabla,Ancient sarod, Soulful voice, and Soothing def-elaborate different aspects and dimensions of the hypnotic experience, including finding a safe guide; deepening and accessing positive feelings; traveling within; and finding healing, forgiveness, and wisdom within one's self. The moods created are relaxing and absorbing, and the messages offered are deeply affirming. Tracks 6-11 build on the first half of the CD to offer various ways to utilize trance for therapeutic exploration. Track 6, Intricate dance, allows listeners an open-ended trip to a place of one's choosing. Traceless sensations focuses on a deepening experience, featuring the tabla drum as a sort of double induction. Sacred places helps listeners to find a special place to both retreat to and emerge from with a new vitality and wholeness. Enduring souvenir offers posthypnotic suggestions for finding a mental gift that can be remembered at future points in time. Reorientation to present time uses the story of a donkey to begin to bring the listener out of trance. And the final track, Unai Marenthal re-energizes and returns the listener back into the external reality. All in all, what a long, strange trip it is! The CD is nicely packaged and has excellent production values. It gives general instructions for how to use the tape, and a bit of background on the musical instruments. (For more info on the music and the CDÂ’s musical director, readers are guided to the website of www.oliverrajamani.com. I have often wanted to find an innovative trance-related CD that I could recommend to others. Anita Jung’s CD really fits the bill! Stephen Gilligan, Ph.D. <StGilligan@aol.com> Words from Within can be ordered via the following website: www.wordsfromwithin.org |