FLASHBACK!- How I Learned To Overcome Pain, Heartache And Bloggers Block!

In 1973, I accompanied one of our Warner Brothers staff songwriters, George Clinton Jr. [who went on write the score for three “Austin Powers” movies], to the Tokyo Music Festival. It was my first trip to Japan, and I was impressed how well organized the large masses of people were. Over the years my heavy workload, beautiful women and other excesses used up too much time and too many emotions. I knew I had to find a way to learn how to really focus.

When I got back to the states, I decided to look into deep relaxation techniques and self- hypnosis. I went to see my Chiropractor and friend, Dr. Floyd Taylor who had developed remarkable physical, mental and spiritual methods of healing after his plane was shot down in World War Two. Over time, and through much pain, he was able to correct his bone structure and musculature, which left him bent over and unable to walk. His super-posture and confident stride was proof positive that his methods work. He not only told me that deep relaxation and self-hypnosis could help attain my goal to focus, it could help the severe back pain I suffered from congenital scoliosis. He said I could learn to go below the pain level and function better. He also mysteriously hinted that the deeper I went, the more “things” I would discover.

My equally psychically adventuresome friend, Patti Dahlstrom [who introduced me to Dr.Taylor], was just as fascinated with the possibilities of self-hypnosis as I was. We both took private lessons from Dr. Taylor’s friend, Henry Mundt, a member of the Society of Ethical Hypnotists. I was helped immediately by the relaxation techniques he taught me especially “ The 2-2-5 “ a simple breathing exercise that I continue to use everyday. Here are the simple steps Hank Mundt taught me.

First…in a quiet, semi-darkened room with your eyes closed, lie down on your back on a bed or a couch or sit up in a straight chair with your feet flat on the floor, palms upward.

1. [Inhale] hold your breath for a count of Two………1…………….2………….[exhale]

[Inhale] hold your breath for a count of Two………1…………….2………….[exhale]

[Inhale] this time hold your breath for a count of Five
1………….2………..3…………4…………5

[Exhale] then repeat the sequence called “Two–Two–Five” again

[Inhale] 1…2 [Exhale]… [Inhale] 1…2 [Exhale]…

[Inhale] 1…2…3…4…5 [Exhale]

2. visualize a flight of stairs. Starting at the number 100, count backwards slowly to the number 1, seeing each number as you descend.

3. When you reach the bottom Then say,” Positive thinking brings results I desire (five times) Then say, “My creative forces find easy expression” (five times). Take a deep breath and say each line five more times.

When you’ve finished, visualize taking an elevator up to the place where you started.

In less than 24 hours, I had a chance to put what I learned to a practical test. Saturday morning, I had an appointment to co-write a song with my Friend WB Staff writer Alan O’Day [“Undercover Angel”, “Angie Baby”]. After spending the night breaking up with my girl. I didn’t feel very creative, but we had a title that begged to be written,” Flashback”.
Usually it took a little time before I could write about a hurtful situation…but I had an idea. If I could hypnotize myself and go below the pain in my back…why couldn’t I hypnotize myself and go below the pain in my heart? And write about it!

While Alan, skeptically but quietly watched I did couple of 2-2-5s, went down 100 steps backwards …then repeated, “Positive thinking bring results I desire…Positive thinking brings results I desire…My creative forces find easy expression…My creative forces find easy expression.”I kept repeating the phrase for about 10 minutes Alan was as surprised as I was when I came out of my altered statewith the lyric to the entire first verse and chorus intact…

I wake up in a cold sweat to a clock that says it’s only 3 AM

Thinking that I touched you when I really only dreamed of you again

I’m clinging to your pillow, like a drowning man would hold on and I

Feel a flood of memories rushing in…and I

FLASHBACK…Back to the time you were mine and we lived in a love song

FLASHBACK…Chasin’ the sun, we would run with a dream we could grow on

Everything that we touched turned to love!

Alan started writing an incredible melody and a few days later we got together again. I put myself back under and a few hours later our song was finished!

My cigarette has burned down to my finger and it brings me back to now

And I’m searching through the ashes for the answers to the where, the why and how

Did I ask for too much lovin”? Did you want too much freedom?

Did we both want more than Heaven would allow?

FLASHBACK…Back to the time you were mine and we lived in a love song

FLASHBACK…Chasin’ the sun, we would run with a dream we could grow on

Everything that we touched turned to love!

Summer nights runnin’ in the rain…

Summer Nights spinnin’ in my brain…and I

FLASHBACK…Back to the time you were mine and we lived in a love song

FLASHBACK…Chasin’ the sun, we would run with a dream we could grow on

Everything that we touched turned to love!

Copyright 1973/ 2006 – Warner Brothers music/ Sashay Music

If you’d like to hear “FLASHBACK” just click onto http://artiewayne.com/music/flashback.mp3