by Ellen Lübke-Meier
So now it's in front of me, the blank sheet of paper. Over the last two days, I've been thinking again and again about how I can fill it. It's been so long since I tried hypnosis or, as I learnt, trance for the first time in my life. No, I don't want to give up smoking, nor do I have any other conscious problems. It's more like this: for several years I've been responsible for press relations for a coaching and training company in the executive sector, AC Campus in Essen. Now I've reached my limits. I wanted to understand what this "inner resistance of a client" actually is. My client, psychologist Dr Annelen Collatz, has a good eye for people in her profession and saw me as the best example of myself.
What is the point of worrying?
In a detailed conversation, Annelen Collatz clarifies with me the central question of what could make my life better and easier. I am amazed, on the one hand, at how our previous professional relationship is gradually transforming into a coach-client relationship. On the other, about the skilful questions that lead to the realisation that, like everyone else, I naturally carry at least one "issue" around with me. In this case: worries. I often worry about all sorts of things. She wants to know what good it would do me. Yes, nothing at all, my prompt reply. "No, you get something out of it, otherwise you wouldn't worry about it," she says. I see. I have to come to terms with that first. Terms like "be prepared" and "stay in control" come to mind. Gradually, I realise that there's no point in constantly worrying about everything and that it's perfectly acceptable to switch off. But how?
Through space and time without stopping
The first step is to find out where it actually comes from. And which belief system is connected to it. I already knew that much beforehand. But I had no idea how the trance would work. First of all, I close my eyes and put my feet firmly on the ground, do some breathing exercises and then feel rooted to the earth. I'm actually awake and don't have the feeling that anything has changed. In fact, I start to feel at ease, in good hands, somehow. A warmth rises up, enveloping me and guiding me through space and time. In the truest sense of the word, by the way, long-forgotten images appear and disappear again, it gets light for a moment, then dark again. But I can't stop on this journey through time, not yet, I definitely need a bit more time for that. Is that the inner resistance? The psychologist's voice comes from far away, she keeps wanting to know which direction to take, whether I agree to uncover and resolve the problem. Of course I am, that's why I'm here. The questions provide security, I direct the process myself.
A few minutes or half an hour
When I open my eyes, at first it's as if nothing has happened. Has half an hour passed or is it just a few minutes? I can't tell for the life of me. Me in a trance? Not at all! After all, I was aware of everything. I only really realise in the evening that something has happened to me. I'm more relaxed than I have been in the last few weeks and tell my husband about this special appointment. Then it was definitely a trance, he says, visibly fascinated. Maybe, or yes, he's probably right, because I know one thing: I sleep better that night than I have for a long time.
Just at that moment, Annelen Collatz calls to ask how I'm feeling: "Three days have passed....". I tell her about my deep sleep and confused dreams. And I'm happy about her offer to continue working on it.