Gil Boyne & The Power Of The Mind
Gil Boyne’s "Ten Rules of the Mind" are principles that outline how the mind works, especially from the perspective of a hypnotherapist—or, in his era, a hypnotist practicing in therapy and personal growth. These rules serve as a guide for understanding how thoughts, beliefs, and subconscious programming influence behavior and emotional well-being.
The Ten Rules of the Mind According to Gil Boyne:
What is Expected Tends to be Realized: The mind moves toward what it expects. This concept, which has been repackaged in modern times as “The Secret” or “positive manifestation,” fundamentally hinges on how positive expectations can lead to positive outcomes, while negative expectations can lead to negative ones. This is deeply connected to the nervous system and one's attitude towards outcomes.
Imagination is More Powerful than Knowledge When Dealing with the Mind: The subconscious mind responds more strongly to imagination and visualization than to logical reasoning or knowledge. Notably, every invention in the history of the world was the result of imagination. While often built on a foundation of knowledge, the next step is inevitably imagination.
Every Thought or Idea Causes a Physical Reaction: Thoughts directly affect the body. Positive thoughts can create a healthy body, while negative thoughts can create tension and illness. One simple proof that “thoughts cause a physical reaction” is how embarrassment can cause the skin to flush. This isn't limited to being shy; every emotion has a corresponding physical process.
Repetition Forms Beliefs: Repetition creates habitual thinking, which forms beliefs. These beliefs then determine perceptions and outcomes. The same physical reactions associated with each thought also engrain them into neuropathways. Over time, these pathways become like highways, eventually shaping one's personality.
Opposing Ideas Cannot Be Held at the Same Time: The mind cannot hold two contradictory thoughts without causing emotional discomfort or cognitive dissonance. The beauty of hypnotherapy is that when one is in great discomfort, releasing disempowering beliefs and amplifying empowering beliefs can create a new and stable sense of comfort.
Once an Idea Has Been Accepted by the Subconscious, It Remains Until Replaced by Another Idea: The subconscious mind tends to hold onto accepted beliefs and ideas until they are actively challenged and replaced. A benefit of hypnotherapy is that it facilitates the replacement of ideas, especially when done over a period of time with consistent guidance.
An Emotionally Induced Symptom Tends to Cause Organic Change if Persisted in Long Enough: Strong, persistent emotional states can manifest as physical symptoms or even illness in the body.
The Greater the Conscious Effort, the Less the Subconscious Response: When one tries too hard consciously, it often creates resistance or blocks in the subconscious mind. The purpose of working with a hypnotherapist is to relax the conscious mind (or critical factor) and enable the subconscious mind to effortlessly receive the messages it needs for growth and healing.
Each Suggestion Tends to be Followed by a Stronger and Better Suggestion: The mind builds on suggestions progressively. Positive reinforcement can lead to more significant positive changes over time. Just as one cannot build neurological highways in a single session, a skilled hypnotherapist understands that a gradual progression, allowing time for intake and implementation, leads to the best results.
Dealing with the Subconscious Mind: Negative Suggestions Can Lead to Positive Outcomes: By identifying and addressing negative beliefs in the subconscious mind, we open the door to positive growth and healing. When these negative patterns are confronted, understood, and reframed into positive beliefs, the mind resolves inner conflicts and moves toward a more empowered state.
These principles form the basis of many hypnotherapy practices, demonstrating how understanding the mind's rules can lead to effective techniques for personal development and healing.
