http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/FeaturesNF.asp?ArticleID=149800
‘Changing one’s life is possible in 7 seconds’
By Vinita Bharadwaj, Staff Reporter
Hypnotist Paul McKenna’s talks about his methodical, modern and practical approach that will bring the transformation
Considering Paul McKenna’s occupation as a hypnotist, it is quite a letdown when he says he is almost like a computer programmer. “Nothing more really. I just help people reprogramme their minds,” he said with a peering gaze.
For the unprepared, a few minutes with McKenna the man, can be quite an intense experience as the former radio DJ’s voice penetrates into the mind. He insisted that his hypnotism sessions are the exact opposite.
“Relaxing and refreshing.”
When asked if hypnosis was about what was said or how it was said, “It’s about both,” he said.
McKenna’s success on the airwaves paved the way to mastering control over his voice and utilising it in an offbeat manner to provide positive thoughts and motivation to people all over the world.
The interest in yoga, meditation and pop psychology was already running wild in his mind but it was a regular work assignment that changed everything.
Starting block
“I met a hypnotist while on work. I’d already had a bad week and had to interview this guy so I just walked into the local hypnotist’s office and told him to do his thing. I was amazed how relaxed and euphoric I felt after the session, so I borrowed a few books and started trying it out on my own,” he said.
McKenna does not look anything like the hypnotist of many years ago. There is no goatee, no black clothing, he does not ask his clients to lie on a couch and he does not swing a watch over their nose and coo, “Look into my eyes and I will hypnotise.”
“No, no, there’s none of that,” he said. “It’s definitely a more methodical, modern and practical approach, where I lead the person into a conversation and then work him into a sort of daydream or a comfort zone and we work on it from there. It’s sort of like a guided meditation.”
Controlling emotions
With a book (Change Your Life in 7 Days) on the United Kingdom’s bestseller list, McKenna was in Dubai last week to conduct two workshops in the Wellbeing Show.
“Changing one’s life is possible even in seven seconds,” he said when asked about the feasibility of scheduling change in a person’s life.
“It’s really up to the individual. The plan basically works on a different aspect everyday and is about getting one’s emotions under control. If you do anything for seven days it becomes a natural part of your life and the book takes you through positive thinking over that period so it becomes a habit.”
“Hypnosis is such a powerful tool and I’ve seen over the years the kind of changes it’s had on people. It’s helped people quit smoking, lose weight, overcome phobias and just feel more confident about themselves,” he said.
In a diet-obsessed world, McKenna is a rare voice that has no qualms in shouting out: “Diets are rubbish.”
Through hypno-therapy he advocates old-fashioned recipes to shedding pounds by just eating whenever, whatever as long as you ensure that it is hunger calling.
“You have to reprogram the way you think about food. Ultimately it’s the brain that decides whether you want chocolate cake or not,” he said.
Continuing to bash the diets of the world, McKenna said that the tendency to put on weight after a diet was higher as it amounted to starvation and increased food cravings within a person.
“My system doesn’t have any of that. It works on the mind and the way an individual thinks of himself. Most people who are overweight tend to have terribly low self-esteem and this programme of mine addresses that and makes them feel more confident about their bodies.
"The key to losing weight is in changing the way you approach food,” he said.
Feel-good factor
McKenna does not feel extra powerful despite having the knowledge, skill and even talent at manipulating others’ thoughts.
“I feel good because I know the effects of hypno-therapy. I’m a living example of how much more motivated, confident a person can be and this just ends up helping people achieve more,” he said.
Though McKenna’s skill could technically let him influence even the non-willing participant he does not want to go down that road.
“That’s not my job. Sales persons and politicians are very good at getting other people to do what’s in their own best interests and not necessarily the person’s but hypno-therapy is purely to help people become more resourceful.”
His passionate talks and continuous verbal word flow may make McKenna come across as preachy, but he is quick to correct that impression.
“I’m not moralistic. I help people quit smoking but don’t judge someone if they do. The future of this art is basically that it’s already being incorporated at the corporation and government level and there are plenty of people who are going to be ready to plant thoughts and ideas in your mind.
"Hypnotism lets you find out how your mind works so you can be prepared.”
As he explains his philosophy that we cannot control the events in our lives but can work towards controlling the way we feel and our thoughts, McKenna’s quest seems to be clear.
“There’s a tight link between the mind and the body and it’s not all in the mind no matter what anyone says. The way you think has a significant effect on the way your body feels,” he said as he wound up the interview with an ancient Indian saying: “If you want to know how your thoughts were yesterday, ask your body how it feels today.”
