You may consciously want to relax, lose weight, quit smoking, get a new job, make money or find love, but your unconscious may be sabotaging you. Negative thoughts, words and feelings may be stuck in the back of your mind. The best way to address this problem is to build "a bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind," says hypnotist and meditation guide Rebekah Vandenberg. She is also a practitioner in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), an alternative treatment that focuses on changing old patterns of mental and emotional behavior through communication and awareness of language and meaning.
"We can heal ourselves," says the LA based Vandendberg, who was one of Australia's leading voice trainers. Her NLP coaching and guided meditation and hypnosis tracks offer some help in that capacity. The idea is to retrain and revitalize the mind when it is in a state of total calm and openness--to live up to the mind and spirit's full potential. In her personal sessions she helps people figure out the words, thoughts and feelings that are limiting their growth.
But not everyone can afford a one-on-one session. She offers an alternative. Under the name Universal Creations, Vandenberg and her husband Southern California native Kevin Davis have created a line of guided meditation and hypnosis audio tracks to address everything from fear of flying to manifesting health, love and wealth.
Meditation Music and a Hypnotist's Touch
Most of Universal Creations' pre-recorded tracks are about 20 minutes in length--perfect for a quick lunch break or as a way to start or end your day. The CDs include a brief introduction to the process and a separate track of meditation music by Davis (the same music that plays in the background of the main track).
One of the unique features of Universal Creations' approach to guided meditation and hypnosis is the high quality of the CDs' production as a whole. The verbal and music tracks are clear and pristine--easy on the ears. A former voice coach and artist, Vandenberg has a rich, smooth voice that puts you in a relaxed (and in my case, sleeping) state. Davis' musical compositions work perfectly with that voice and whatever theme (be it health, meditation or confidence) they are covering. The pair's harmonious personal relationship is obvious in the work, which Vandenberg affectionately describes as "a lovely synergy." Davis adds: "When we do these tracks we come from a place of love."
Vandenberg writes the guided meditation/hypnosis scripts which are full of nature imagery, metaphors, symbolism and positive affirmations. Another distinct quality of these CDs is the signature Universal Creations 'double track.' Once Vandenberg has talked you down into a deep state of relaxation, a second track comes in. So a different vocal track is playing in each ear. One, she explains, is more literal and the other more symbolic. As your mind tries to pay attention to one track or other it gradually gets tired and gives up. "It's designed for you to drop and surrender," she explains, "You can't hang onto it, so [the unconscious] drinks it in deliciously." Davis adds, "The unconscious picks up everything and it goes into every cell of your body."
Each CD has its own special brand of wisdom, depending on your personal needs. Some of my favorites are Alchemy (a deeply spiritual journey), Confidence (a track that helps dissipate fear and insecurity), Trust (a peaceful meditation on intuition), Love (a track that fosters connectedness and love of one's self and others) and Personal Power (a tremendous way to start your day with ease and positivity).
Apart from single CDs, you can purchase a Trance player (small electronic device you can take anywhere on-the-go) pre-loaded with five general or customized tracks.
Meditation and Hypnosis for Your Needs: From Personal Growth to Health and Weight Loss
While customized tracks address your unique, specific concerns, the wide range of pre-recorded CDs available through Universal Creations' website focus on various general themes and subjects:
- Alchemy
- Confidence
- Consciousness
- Create Your Day
- Deep Sleep
- Energy
- Flying
- Freedom
- Happiness
- Ideal Body
- Love
- Meditate
- Perfect Being
- Perfect Health
- Personal Power
- Rapid Healing
- Relax & Reinvent
- Release Fear
- Total Cleanse
- Trust
- Wealth
Hypnosis and Meditation One-on-One, in Groups or Seminars
Beyond the CDs and Trance players offered on the Universal Creations website, Vandenberg is also available for more specialized one-on-one sessions, speaking engagements in both the personal development and corporate training areas. "I have clients all over the world. Some are super high-end corporate people," she explains. She helps individuals and businesses develop communication, negotiation and leadership skills, and of course, gives the work the NLP touch by covering the 'language of success.'
She explains that in addition to her personal sessions, corporate clients often find the CDs a quick and convenient way of brushing up and mentally tuning in during a busy work day. "They say put my calls on hold for 20 minutes and then recline in their office and listen to the tracks."
Group processes--specialized workshop-style events in different locations--are another area that Universal Creations covers. "We decided it would be really amazing to work with huge groups of people, says Vandenberg, "...to clean people out super-fast so they can get on with their lives."
