One must understand how the mind works if we are to become proficient at self hypnosis. You must first understand that the mind is like an iceberg. The part you 'see' (conscious) is only a small part of the whole mind. The subconscious mind is a huge warehouse of knowledge and all of our life experiences that make up our current conscious reality. The subconscious mind has capabilities far beyond our conscious awareness. According to Rev. William H. Duby, “The subconscious is the natural mind of man. It is his perfect mind, having perfect understanding of his behavior. Within it lies the storehouse about every person, place or condition. It is just a matter of tapping into the power of the subconscious to change your life for the better. Anyone can do it, but not everyone does, because they fail themselves miserably for not realizing it’s curative powers.

RULE 1: EVERY THOUGHT OR IDEA CAUSES A PHYSICAL REACTION
Your thoughts can affect all functions of your body, for example! worry can cause ulcers, anxiety can lead to increased pulse rate and possibly high blood pressure. (Immune system is affected) Ideas with strong emotional content almost always reach the subconscious mind. Remember: the subconscious mind is the emotional mind. Emotion surrounds information.

RULE 2: WHAT IS EXPECTED, TENDS TO BE REALIZED
The mind and the nervous system respond only to mental images. The mental image formed becomes the “blueprint” and the subconscious always tries to follow the blueprint. Expectations tend to become a self-fulfilling prophecies.

RULE 3: IMAGINATION IS MORE POWERFUL THAN REASON WHEN DEALING WITH YOUR MIND OR THE MIND OF ANOTHER
Reason is easily over ruled by imagination. Any idea accompanied by strong emotional content is difficult to modify with reason. (we must be wary of leaders who use emotional content).

RULE 4: OPPOSING IDEAS CANNOT BE HELD AT ONE AND THE SAME TIME
You cannot love and hate someone at the same time, for example.

RULE 5: If AN IDEA HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND, IT REMAINS UNTIL REPLACED BY ANOTHER ACCEPTED IDEA.
Once an idea is fixed, it tends to remain fixed. The longer it is fixed the more difficult it is to change it. This is how habits are fonned, both good and bad. (Religion and politics).

RULE 6: AN EMOTIONALLY INDUCED SYMPTOM TENDS TO CAUSE ORGANIC CHANGE IF IT PERSISTS LONG ENOUGH
Many physicians will admit that more than 70% of human ailments are emotionally based rather than organic. The subconscious has a powerful effect on our physical being.

RULE 7: EACH SUGGESTION ACTED UPON CREATES LESS OPPOSITION TO SUCCESSIVE SUGGESTIONS
A mental trend is easier to follow the longer it lasts unbroken. Thus suggestions should begin simply and become increasingly complex for the mind to follow. Once the trend of acceptance has started you may move on to more complicated suggestions.

RULE 8: WHEN DEALING WITH THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND AND IT’S FUNCTIONS, THE GREATER THE CONSCIOUS EFFORT. THE LESS THE SUBCONSCIOUS RESPONSE
This is analogues to a teeter tauter. When the conscious mind is up (active) the subconscious is down (inactive) and visa versa. This is why willpower does not exist. Willpower suggests that you are trying to do something that you really do not want to do.

Note: The subconscious mind takes everything 'literally'. If you say “I’m mad at something” it may interpret it as “I am insane" Or if a person “gives me a pain in the neck!” You may end up with one.

Many scientists believe that thoughts are energy. As we direct these thoughts toward personal goals, we start physically, emotionally and spiritually, moving toward our desired result.