I built a thatched hut
deep in the clouds
and find enough joy
in what life brings
I manage to keep a
potato fire burning
and still write letters
despite a lack of schemes
clear and still as ice
I transcend the bounds of time
open and full of light
I encompass the ten directions
but I don't know what
happened outside my door how many times has spring followed fall
- Stonehouse (1272-1352) courtesy of dailyzen.com

Hypnosis and hypnotherapy are very effective modes of psychotherapy for stress management. Essentially I teach someone how to induce a state of trance which is  focused attention. The experience creates a sense of inner space to consider the difficult experiences or worries that are causing disruptions in the daily routines. From that “thatched hut in the clouds” a person can recognize the distorted and self defeating beliefs that are creating the disruptions . The ability to focus our attention in this way allows us to transcend the bounds of time and encompass the ten directions. We can cultivate a  new way of understanding our feelings and reactions to experiences. To find joy in what life brings can be very challenging in difficult times. Even with these tools the answers to our questions may remain unknown. The cultivation of a new understanding is supposed to be difficult. Committing to a time each day to spend in our “thatched hut in the clouds” helps us to be open to discovery and change.