Unlocking the Light Within: A Musical Journey of Global Healing and Transformation
Imagine a world where art, spirituality, and technology merge to
Trekking through the Himalayan forest on the path to Shiv Dhar temple, the cool whisper of pine and the distant rhythm of river water felt like echoes from another time—one that exists beyond language, beyond thought. As I ascended through the dense green canopy, I realized each step was not just a climb toward a sacred place but a return inward—a pilgrimage into the depths of the Self.
This is how my PhD journey at Shoolini University began. And it is already unforgettable.
The Himalayan mountains, home to ancient sages and sacred silence, teach stillness without words. The rivers, forever flowing yet never the same, remind me of surrender, presence, and change. And it is from this sacred space—where inner science meets outer splendor—that I now begin my service as a Professor of Practice at the Yogananda School of Spirituality and Happiness.
Here, I have the privilege of leading a course that is both deeply personal and universally transformative: Fundamentals and Practice of Hypnotherapy—a three-credit undergraduate elective open to students in their 1st to 3rd year. It is a course that bridges two powerful traditions: the clinical precision of Western psychology and the soul-centered wisdom of Eastern spirituality.
At the heart of this course is the conviction that healing, transformation, and well-being require us to look beyond silos. The human mind is not just a set of neural circuits nor merely a mystical entity to be transcended. It is both—and more.
Modern hypnotherapy offers effective methods for reducing anxiety, overcoming phobias, releasing trauma, managing pain, and even reprogramming limiting beliefs. Ancient yogic traditions offer equally profound tools: Yoga Nidra, sankalpa (intention), mantra, and dhyana (meditative absorption) have guided countless seekers toward freedom and integration.
This course doesn’t ask students to choose between science and spirit—it invites them to integrate.
The course unfolds in five richly layered units:
From Mesmer’s magnetism to Patanjali’s chitta vritti, students explore how trance states have been used across cultures to heal and awaken. We examine the historical development of hypnosis alongside its analogs in Indian yogic and tantric traditions.
We journey into the subconscious—both in Freudian terms and as samskaras, the latent impressions described in yogic philosophy. Students learn how Western models of mind compare with yogic concepts of chitta, vrittis, and the superconscious self.
Students practice hypnotic inductions and deepening methods while exploring yogic techniques such as Yoga Nidra and pratyahara. The goal is not just to learn, but to experience trance as both scientific state and sacred doorway.
From stress reduction to past-life regression, students learn to ethically apply trance for healing, growth, and even spiritual insight. Drawing from my book Unlocking the Hidden Light, we explore case studies where the subconscious mind becomes a portal to forgiveness, empowerment, and inner peace.
Integrity, presence, and self-care are emphasized. Students are guided through ethical scenarios and taught to apply yogic yamas and niyamas alongside professional standards. They also practice self-hypnosis and meditative techniques to cultivate groundedness and empathy.
By the end, each student emerges not only with academic knowledge but with a deeply embodied understanding of what it means to be a healing presence in the world.
This journey would not be possible without the guidance and support of those who have walked before me and beside me.
To Dr. Saamdu Chetri, Dean of the Yogananda School of Spirituality and Happiness—thank you for your luminous leadership and for anchoring this sacred space where inner sciences can flourish. Your presence at the intersection of peace, spirituality, and education continues to inspire me and countless others. Saamdu Chetri Shoolini University
To Matthew Brownstein, founder of the Institute of Interpersonal Hypnotherapy—your work has been foundational to my practice. Your vision of hypnotherapy as a sacred art, a loving relationship, and a path to awakened living resonates deeply with my own mission. Facilitating Enlightenment: Interpersonal Hypnotherapy as a Path of Self-Realization is more than a textbook; it is a spiritual compass for those walking this path. The Institute of Interpersonal Hypnotherapy
As I walk through these Himalayan paths, as I teach and learn alongside students, and as I gaze into the silent presence of the mountains, I am reminded that all healing is a return to wholeness.
Hypnotherapy, at its core, is not about control—it is about releasing what is false so that the truth of who we are can emerge. In this light, hypnotherapy becomes a sacred practice. It is meditation with a purpose, therapy with a soul.
Here at Shoolini University, in the lap of the Himalayas, we are planting seeds—not just of knowledge, but of wisdom, awareness, and awakening.
Grateful for the path. Grateful for the practice. Grateful for the presence.
Luis Miguel Gallardo PhD Candidate | Professor of Practice Yogananda School of Spirituality and Happiness | Founder, World Happiness Foundation | Author, Unlocking the Hidden Light
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Imagine a world where art, spirituality, and technology merge to
As I arrived in India in early May to begin
By Luis Miguel Gallardo – Founder & President of the
