Have you ever noticed how good your body feels when you recall a pleasant memory? You begin to relax and re-experience the positive sensations that were present during the experience. It is a powerful way to induce hypnosis, especially for experienced clients. Listen to your client's recap of the time between sessions and perhaps you'll hear about a pleasant life experience that you can use as the way into trance. This client, "Emma," had spent the previous day at her favorite lake, taking pictures. By using her own experience, Emma could connect with nature and use her experience as the path inward. Also, since we work together often, this brings variety and a sense of newness to our work. I wove her own words into the story moving from talking about a pebble to allowing her to imagine being the pebble.

Imagine being out in nature, at that lake you visited this past weekend... notice the fall colors that surround you... and begin to bring those colors into yourself... into your body and your mind... fill yourself with them...

You know, when a pebble is thrown into the lake, it sinks gently to the bottom... and rests there comfortably... circles of movement are created by that pebble dropping down into the water... even, concentric circles rippling along the surface of the lake... and the pebble continues to sink down deeper and deeper into the water... finally resting gently on the bottom of the lake... resting in quiet, peace filled surroundings... feeling the gentle current rock and support that pebble, as the water moves this way and that... enfolding that pebble with gentle movement... feeling yourself rocking gently with that liquid movement... completely supported... as if the water is singing a lullaby just for you. All your needs are met here... it's a magical place where you can breathe easily and feel safe.

As you look through the water toward the sky, you can see the fall colors and the vibrant blue sky. Perhaps you can see clouds over head. Bring those colors into that special resting place at the bottom of the lake...