I was so delighted a couple months ago, when Simone Seol asked me to photograph her. I’d started following her through Havi, and was completely blown away by the incredible insights she shares on her blog. Then I took a NYC Shiva Nata class with her: SO MUCH FUN. And then we finally got together and took photographs. It was fantastic. Below is an interview with Simone, plus a show-and-tell of the results of our photo session. Enjoy!
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K: Tell us about HipGnosis! It seems amazing (and magical).
S: HipGnosis is a shortcut to change. Instead of talking or thinking our way through stucknesses and problems, HipGnosis coaches the usually-hidden unconscious mind to recognize and bypass the usual blocks and come up with creative solutions. The result is fast ‘n furious — yet gentle! — change, as well as a deep and compassionate connection with yourself.
My funny spelling of ‘HipGnosis’ reflects my own approach to it, combining classical hypnosis (“your leg…. is feeling…. heavier….”) with unlikely energy techniques and self-care wisdom. My goal in every client session, as I often repeat, is to make myself obsolete as fast as possible; to give them self-hypnosis skills to take care of their own inner landscape for the rest of their lives. Empowerment and play!
K: I’m imagining that, since you’re such an effusive advocate of HipGnosis, it’s done some amazing things for you. What’s one of the craziest ways that HipGnosis has affected your life?
S: What comes to mind is the way in which I am no longer reacting to things.
Before, it was: “Oh no! X has happened. Wah! Wah! I am devastated. This means I suck. Let me go eat a pint of ice cream and a bag of potato chips to numb the pain!”
Now, it is: “Oh, no! X has happened. I didn’t see this coming! I am noticing that I am framing the facts of what happened in a certain way. I also notice that energetically, I feel out of alignment. I am noticing that I’m recycling lots of false narratives in my head. Let me drop down and see what else I can notice and what I need to give myself right now it come back into alignment…. Some deep breathing followed by self-hypnosis might help.”
As you can imagine, this ability to move through my pain instead of react to it changes everything. Not that I have it perfectly figured out and that I am a superwoman who never has crises — ha ha ha, not even close – but I have access to a toolbox that I can play with. And life is better with it.
K: What’s your very favorite way to practice self-care?
S: Cognitively: journaling. Asking smart questions. Questioning my own stories and noticing things that are hidden.
Energetically: Yoga nidra. Shiva Nata. EFT. And a host of other tapping techniques.
And honestly? Sometimes, nothing soothes the fatigued spirit like ice cream and trashy TV with girlfriends.
K: What (or who) is bringing you joy right now?
S: Spring! Sunlight! Songs! Serendipity!
(Tried hard to alliterate!)
And someone who told me yesterday to make room for the light and the dark.
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Simone Seol is Head HipGnotist at the House of HipGnosis. She and her elephant pal, Ollie, can be found frolicking on Twitter, flailing in New York City, and (of course) bringing their hipGnotic magic straight to you via Skype.
Gorgeous, gorgeous photographs, Kylie! Simone’s personality, all the fun and mischievous wisdom and warmth, comes right through my screen. Love it <3 <3 <3
Absolutely breathtaking your ability to capture the spirit and inersoul of someone never ceases to amaze me!
Jesse: Thank you so much. As I’ll bet you can imagine, Simone made it an absolute (joyful) breeze.
Terra: Thank you so much, my dear.