Ego States Or Parts ‒ What Are They And Integrating Them?
- Jul 2, 2022
- 4 min read
Written by: Richard Hilton, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Did you know, that your unconscious mind knows six seconds before you consciously do what you are going to do…
Parts or Ego states are a model for how the neurology of the brain functions or doesn’t in some cases. We have a functioning executive part of our brain, that sets out tasks for other Ego states to do some of the tasks for example you may have a Librarian, Jester and a blabber mouth Ego state and these all serve a purpose in the case of the Librarian storing and retrieving information, the Jester comes in when a joke or quick-witted comment can be made. The Blabbermouth will come out with random stuff without thinking of the consequences of what is being said.
According to Mike Mandel, we have in the region of 150 different Ego states and there can only be one in the executive at the time. One way that you can think about how they function is there is a bungalow on the ground floor with 5 – 10 Ego states living there and doing most of the work such as The Executive, The Navigator and the Liberian. When required they will come to the door do what they need to do and go back inside.
In the basement, which could be imagined as a cosy games room or frat house, people having a good time. These Ego states aren’t needed as much coming out now and then, this will be such times as doing an activity you did as a child. As you do that activity as an adult, you’ll recall how you did it as a child.
Then they are what is known as the vaded Ego states these hides away in the bomb shelter and don’t feel safe enough to even set foot in the basement, these are the ones that are carrying around fear, anger, sadness, and trauma. They are the ones that require healing.
How can you help to integrate these Ego states?
1. See a therapist that works with these Ego states or Parts. For the most damaged Ego states.
2. Self-hypnosis. Ask your unconscious mind to find an Ego state that you want to be better integrated with, and get the assistance of more developed Ego states to help that particular one become more integrated. Every time that you look in the mirror that ego state gets reminded of how much older and safer it is from then to now. Always thank your unconscious for the improvements and the work they are doing as well as the progress that is being made. Along with negotiating and getting an agreement on how the Ego state can change. For example, The Ego state which is called the Former Athlete it’s appearance may be like:
Talking about glory days of playing a sport, beer belly, balding and spending all the time in the pub. The change you may ask of it is to start working out, be more of a social drinker; cut down on the booze and talking about the glory days ahead. Over the weeks the Former Athlete has a new lease of life looking leaner and more muscular with consistent training, having the occasional beer and planning on what to improve on next.
With the self-hypnosis, you’ll need to tell your unconscious:
1. The length of time you want to be in trance i.e., 20 – 30 mins
2. What do you want to happen or what is the purpose during your time in self-hypnosis, i.e., do you want blabbermouth not to shout out or say random things. Ask it what alternatives would be better and negotiate with it. Check in with it a week later and notice what changes have been made, then check in a few more times and always thank them for the changes that they make.
Or you could use this time in self-hypnosis to help you learn to read faster or be more confident during an interview
3. How will I feel when I awaken wide awake and ready for anything or tidier ready for bed.
4. The use of Inner active cards can help you to integrate your ego states, the use of the cards are for the ones that are in the basement.
Richard Hilton, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Richard is former member of the British Army, upon leaving the military he has studied extensively in self-defence, Conflict Management. Due to going through a difficult period on leaving he realised that he needed to make major changes in the direction of his life He then began to study NLP and Hypnosis. He is now helping veterans and first responders with the difficulties and challenges that they are facing on a daily basis. He has also self-published his first book "Whispers over Windermere"
