The Staircase method is a calm, structured shifting technique built on a classic deep-relaxation image: walking down a staircase, one step at a time, until you reach a door that opens into your desired reality.
Hypnotherapists have used staircase imagery for decades to deepen relaxation, which is why many shifters find this method so effective.
What Is the Staircase Method?
The Staircase method is a reality shifting technique where you visualise walking down a staircase, counting each step and repeating affirmations, until you reach a door at the bottom that leads into your desired reality. Each step down represents going deeper into relaxation and further away from your current reality.
New to shifting? Read the Raven method guide for the basics of scripting and safe words.
How to Do the Staircase Method
Here's the Staircase method in eight steps. Each step down the staircase takes you deeper into relaxation until you reach the door to your desired reality. Go at a slow, comfortable pace.
- Prepare your script and lie down comfortably in a dark, quiet room.
- Relax your body with slow breathing for a few minutes.
- Visualise the top of a staircase. Notice what it's made of, the handrail, the lighting and how many steps lead down. Many people imagine 10, 20 or 100 steps.
- Start walking down. With each step, count down and feel yourself becoming more relaxed: "Ten… deeper. Nine… I am shifting."
- Add details from your DR. As you descend, begin to hear, smell or feel things from your DR coming from below.
- Reach the door. At the bottom is a door. Know with certainty that your DR is on the other side.
- Open it and step through. Feel the handle, push the door and step into your desired reality. Explore it with all your senses.
- Stay there. Keep imagining until you drift off to sleep or feel strong shifting symptoms.
Affirmations for the Staircase Method
Affirmations keep your intention clear as you walk down the staircase. Repeat one of these with each step, in time with your breathing. Keep the same phrase throughout the session so it becomes part of the rhythm.
- With every step, I go deeper into relaxation.
- Each step brings me closer to my desired reality.
- Behind this door is my DR.
- I am safe, calm and ready to shift.
Symptoms You May Notice
These are the symptoms people most often notice during this method. They show that your body is relaxing deeply, but they aren't essential.
- Heaviness, as if sinking into the bed
- Tingling or vibrations
- Losing track of your counting
- Seeing colours or flashes of light
- Sounds or voices from your DR
Tips
These tips help make the staircase feel safe, familiar and vivid. They also cover ways to deepen relaxation and strengthen belief between sessions. Try adding them one by one.
- Go slowly. Take a full breath on each step.
- Make it pleasant. A warm, softly lit staircase feels safer than a dark one.
- Use the same staircase every time to build familiarity.
- Try the opposite direction. The Elevator method uses the same principle going up.
- Combine with theta audio. Gentle binaural beats can deepen relaxation.
- Strengthen your belief with affirmations during the day, and read about the state akin to sleep.
Example Staircase Script
"I'm standing at the top of a wide, softly lit staircase with a smooth wooden handrail. At the bottom is a door. Ten… I take the first step and feel my body relax. Nine… my shoulders drop. Eight… I am shifting. Seven… I can hear faint voices from my DR. Six… deeper and calmer. Five… I smell the air of my DR. Four… I'm almost there. Three… I see light under the door. Two… I reach for the handle. One… I open the door and step into my desired reality."
Record it in your own voice and play it at a low volume, or read it once and then repeat it from memory.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Try This |
|---|---|
| The staircase feels dark or scary | Add warm light, carpet and a handrail to make it feel safe |
| You rush the steps | Link each step to one slow breath |
| The door won't open | Imagine someone from your DR opening it for you |
| Nothing happens after you step through | Stay in the scene and fall asleep there; many people shift or dream of their DR |
FAQ
How many steps should the staircase have?
Choose any number that gives you time to relax: 10 for a short session, 50–100 for a longer one.
Can I walk up the stairs instead?
Yes. Some people prefer climbing towards the light. Choose whichever feels better.
What if I lose count?
That's a good sign you're relaxing deeply. Simply continue or move straight to the door.
Can I use the Staircase method for manifesting?
Yes. Imagine the door opening onto a scene where your desire has already come true.
Which shifting method should I try first?
If you like structure, try the Raven or Staircase method. If you prefer sound, try the Julia method. If you find meditation hard, try the Pillow method.
Conclusion
The Staircase method uses one of the most effective relaxation images there is: step by step, deeper and deeper, until a door opens onto your desired reality. Go slowly, make it vivid and practise regularly.