From the Uncertainty Principle to Decisive Intuition via Hypnosis & Quantum Physics

Quantum theory possesses several unique characteristics that have a fascinating potential for the development of psychological models. It provides a wealth of useful metaphors as resources for hypnotherapeutic utilization, which will be discussed in the workshop. In particular, open, indecisive hypnotic suggestions allow the creation of highly unstable, polyvalent mind-body states which can then be consolidated by the so-called hidden observer into a sharpened , stable intuition during guided imagery or self-hypnosis. Loosely speaking one could say that Hypnosis is the quantum physics of the mind! A simple, and for the layperson easily understandable overview of many important quantum physical concepts (particle-wave duality, uncertainty principle, entanglement etc.), which will be shown to be relevant to hypnosis and to self-healing by imagination, is discussed.Five characteristics of quantum theory are unique to physics and are at the same time of particular relevance to hypnosis. These characteristics are intrinsic to the relationship between the observer and the object under observation. The same things which can be said in quantum physics about particles can be just as well expressed in psychology about mentation (sensory impressions, thoughts, feelings, intuitions and imaginations). This leads to five analog statements about the relationship between the observer and the object under observation.In quantum physics, the intervention of an observer1…1. Collapses the (mathematical) wave function Ψ to manifest only one reality out of an infinite number of possibilities: Violation of Local Realism;2. destroys the entanglement between possibilities separated in space-time ( quantum coins ).3. manifests the slipperyness of the microscopic world (Uncertainty Principle);4. defines the psychophysical boundary between Subject (inner world) und Object (outer world): von Neumann Window of Perception;5. manifests the Particle-Wave Biunity of the microscopic world according to which a single particle can interfere with itself to asymptotically manifest a measurement result;The way in which we speak about particles in quantum physics can be applied in psychology to sensory perceptions, thoughts, emotions, intuitions and ideas. I repeat: Everything that we can say about particles in quantum physics can just be said about mentations in psychologyas well. Translated into the language of hypnotherapy we arrive at the following analogies.In hypnosis, the intervention of an observer2 …1. leads to the consolidation of a trance: only one imagination out of a potentially infinite number of possibilities becomes evident.2. destroys the synchronicity between the minds of bodies separated in space-time.3. manifests the slipperyness of the trance world (demonstration effect / ironic mentation ).4. defines thepsychophysical boundary between the mentating body of the subject and their imagination.5. manifests the decisiveness vs. ambiguity of the trance world whereby a thought/imagination can interfere with itself (recursivity of the psyche) to asymptotically effect a decision.But we don’t live in a quantum world, or do we (Schmid 2017, 2016, 2015a, 2015b, 2015c, 2005; Schmid Dünki 2011, 2012) Participants of our workshop will be able to personally experience these five relationships in hypnotherapeutic exercises corresponding to therapeutically relevant mind-body states and will learn how to apply these hypnotic states within the context of their individual practice.Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and to share experiences from their own cases which might be relevant to what they will learn about the connection between quantum physics and hypnosis