Hypnotic Duplex
A Poetic Invitation to Focus on Well-Being
In this poem/hypnotic induction,* I utilized the new poetic form of the duplex by Pulitzer Prize winner Jericho Brown (2020). The duplex uses couplets of two distinct lines. The second line is represented in the next couplet and a new line is added. This is repeated until there are seven couplets, typically of nine to eleven syllables. This style creates repetition and musicality that is highly engaging. In my efforts, I do not feel compelled to be exact in the use of the number of couplets or syllables. I’m inspired by Jericho Brown but I am not trying to replicate him.
Read this once, then record yourself reading it. Then listen to the recording. (Just a suggestion). There are two versions. The first is a short (eight couplet) affirmation. The second begins the same but takes you on a much longer healing journey.
Affirmation
When you are ready to begin You may close your eyes
closing your eyes notice yourself relaxing
Relaxing in mind and body With each breath you take
With each breath you take Choosing to go further and deeper
Further and deeper, relaxing into an optimal state of consciousness
Optimal consciousness for right now Feeling safe, secure, and open
Feeling secure and open to experiences for your own well-being
Your own well-being in focus Ready for life-affirming change
Healing Journey
When you are ready to begin You may close your eyes
closing your eyes notice yourself relaxing
Relaxing in mind and body With each breath you take
With each breath you take Choosing to go further and deeper
Further and deeper, relaxing into an optimal state of consciousness
Optimal consciousness for right now Feeling safe, secure, and open
Feeling secure and open to experiences for your own well-being
Your own well-being in focus Ready to take a healing journey
Your healing journey today Takes you to a beautiful beach
Approaching this beautiful beach You step onto the white sand
the white sand is warm and soft and you feel this under your feet
enjoying these warm and soft sensations as you listen to the sounds of the ocean
the sound of the ocean guides you as you feel the warm sun on your skin
with the sun warming your skin you can feel a light refreshing breeze
through the refreshing ocean breeze you smell the salty sea air
the salty air guides your eyes to the moist sand now firm beneath your feet
the sand now firm beneath your feet on the shoreline where sand and ocean meet
where the sand and ocean meet you can see the waves come and go
as the waves come and go you notice treasures on the sandy floor
the sand floor filled with shells and wood and some driftwood catches your eye
the driftwood now in hand you use it to write on the sand
writing your desires on the sand as the waves play upon your feet
the waves coming in and out take your desires out to sea
drawn to the vastness of the sea to the horizon where sky and ocean meet
watching the infinite horizon here and now feeling that spaciousness inside
feeling spaciousness inside yourself you hear and absorb the following truths
Right now. You sense that you are without beginning or end
Right now. You are free from all concerns
Right now. You. Can. Just. Breathe.
Right now. You belong.
Right now. You are loved.
Right Now. You can be perfectly imperfect
Right now. You are not being judged
Right now. You are free to experience life in any way you choose.
Right now. You willingly choose life-affirming action.
Hypnosis is a state of effortless focus and induction is simply a method that invites focus. Many poems, when well written and springing from the source, have a hypnotic quality. That is they draw us in, inviting our full attention. Then they surprise us and open us to new understandings, wonder and/or catharsis from the naming and witnessing the human condition. When I came across Jericho Brown and the duplex I was immediately taken by the absorbing quality of its rhythmic repetitions. I decided to experiment using it with healing imagery.
Let me know what you think.
After reading this you may be interested in reading:
