NLP explained…
NLP is the study of how people organize their thinking, feeling, language, and behavior to produce the results they do. The co-creators of NLP, John Grinder and Richard Bandler, had an insatiable desire to discover and replicate the structure of behavior patterns of excellent performers and teach others to do the same, shortening the years of development and learning of NLP. The experts. This process is called modeling and is fundamental to NLP. They called their work Neurolinguistic Programming, which is about understanding the structure of how the human nervous system (neuro) transforms data received through the 5 senses into mental descriptions (linguistics) and then into unconscious behavior (programming). model for understanding the unconscious thought processes that drive behavior. This has two huge benefits: First, you can easily learn to do what others are doing well and model it. Second, you can identify limiting patterns in yourself and others and use NLP patterns to move forward.
Modeling is at the core of much of NLP, then there are the patterns and techniques that originate from modeling projects. NLP patterns are a synthesis of powerful change interventions, language models, and behavioral designs based on self-improvement and the achievement of excellence. NLP patterns have been modeled after geniuses who achieved amazing results working in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, and psychotherapy. Grinder and Bandler had little prior knowledge of this field, but soon discovered that they, too, could achieve results just as amazing as the people they modeled in a fraction of the time. They ran courses and others discovered that by applying the pattern they could also get amazing results. Patterns became modern NLP with new modeling projects stimulating new patterns and techniques over the years.
Formal definition of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)
Neuro refers to our nervous system/mind and how it processes information and encodes it as memory within our own body/neurology. By neuro we mean experience as entered, processed, and ordered by our neurological mechanisms and processes.
Linguistics indicates that the neural processes of the mind are encoded, ordered, and given meanings through language, communication systems, and various symbolic systems (grammar, mathematics, music, icons).
Programming refers to our ability to organize our sensory information (images, sounds, sensations, smells, tastes, and symbols or words) within our mind-body organism that then allows us to achieve desired results.
Taking control of one’s mind describes the heart of NLP. NLP has become famous for the techniques it offers to generate effective and lasting change. For example, NLP has a technique called The Fast Phobia Cure developed by Richard Bandler. Using this technique, NLP can cure a phobia in a very short period of time (often 10-15 minutes). We have used the procedure to cure phobias of water, bees, elevators, heights, public speaking, small places, airplanes, etc. The quick phobia cure represents just one of many techniques for such a change.
We have used a technique called Timeline Processes to remove traumatic images from the minds of traumatized people. Also, we often use certain NLP techniques conversationally, which means we don’t have to use these techniques in an overtly “therapeutic” way.
What is NLP?
Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) explores the inner workings of the human mind; how we think, how we develop our desires, goals and fears and how we motivate ourselves, make connections and make sense of our experiences. NLP presents specific skills and patterns needed to make positive changes, create new options, be more effective with others, break free from old self-defeating habits, patterns and behaviors, and think more clearly about what it is that we want and how to get it. .
NLP is the study of the structure of subjective experience: the relationship between the mind, language, emotions, and behavior patterns. It is a psychology of intelligence and interpersonal and intrapersonal communication.
NLP is a fairly recent development, originating at the University of Santa Cruz in the mid-1970s, when a group of talented people (namely the aforementioned Richard Bandler and John Grinder) got together to share information and insights. beyond disciplinary boundaries. It incorporates insights from behavioral and Gestalt psychology, family therapy, hypnotherapy, linguistics, information theory, and anthropology, among many other disciplines.
Unlike other psychotherapeutic schools of thought, which focus on how problems arise, NLP began by studying people who are exceptionally good at what they do and discovering how they do it so that anyone can get similar results doing the same things. Your goal is to go beyond corrective change (fixing specific problems) to “generative” change, which enables you to accomplish more in every area of your life.
People often find that when they learn a new skill or make a breakthrough in an area of their life, the problems seem to disappear or seem less important.
NLP in a nutshell
To be successful you only need to remember three things;
Know what you want; Have a clear idea of your desired outcome in any situation.
Be alert and keep your senses open (sensory acuity) so that you are aware of what you are receiving.
Have the flexibility to change what you do until you get what you want.
If you keep doing what you have always done, you will always get what you always got.
Some principles of NLP
All experiences are subjective: we respond to our internal representation of events, not the events themselves.
Each person is unique and has a unique value
Everyone has all the resources they need for success: there are no disenfranchised people, only disenfranchised states.
Everyone makes the best choice available to them at the moment.
Behind every behavior there is a positive intention
There is no failure, only feedback.
A person’s behavior is not the person.
The meaning of a communication is the response you get
Mind and body are part of the same system.
The experience has a structure: change the structure and you will change the experience
I am in charge of my mind and therefore of my results
The history of NLP
“NLP is an attitude and a methodology that leaves behind a trail of techniques.” -Richard Bandler
Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) represents a relatively new discipline dating back to the mid-1970s. Behind NLP is a respectable body of knowledge. NLP originated from several different intellectual disciplines organized by two co-founders: Richard Bandler and John Grinder.
It happened once when Dr. Grinder was a professor of linguistics at the University of California at Santa Cruz. Bandler came there as a student to study math and computing. Dr. Grinder, in fact, had already published several books in the field of linguistics known as Transformational Grammar.
Bandler discovered that he had a natural gift for modeling and hearing patterns. He discovered that he could detect and replicate patterns in Gestalt Therapy (a form of psychotherapy) from minimal exposure. He became the editor of several of Fritz Perls’ books on Gestalt therapy. Being familiar with Perls’ work, Bandler began to study Perls’ techniques. When he discovered that he could model Perls therapeutic procedures, he began experimenting with clients using the techniques.
After enjoying the immediate and powerful results of such modeling, Richard discovered that he could model others. With Grinder’s encouragement, Bandler had the opportunity to model the world’s foremost family therapist, Virginia Satir. Richard quickly identified the “seven patterns” that Virginia used. When he and John began applying those patterns, they found that they could replicate their therapies and get similar results.
As a computer programmer, Richard knew that programming the simplest “mind” in the world (a computer with on/off switches) breaks behavior into pieces and provides clear, unequivocal signals to the system. To this basic metaphor, John added his extensive knowledge of transformational grammar. From transformational grammar we borrow the concepts of surface and deep structure statements that transform meaning/knowledge in the human brain. From this they began to piece together their model of how humans are “programmed”, so to speak.
Thereafter, world-renowned anthropologist Gregory Bateson introduced Bandler and Grinder to Milton Erickson, MD. Erickson developed the model of communication that we know as “Ericksonian Hypnosis”. Since 1958, the American Medical Association has recognized hypnosis as a useful healing tool during surgery. As Bandler and Grinder modeled Erickson, they found that they could achieve similar results. Today, many of the NLP techniques result from the modeling of Ericksonian processes.
From these experiences and their research on unifying factors and principles, Bandler and Grinder devised their first model. It essentially functioned as a communication model that provided a theoretical understanding of how we are “programmed” by languages (sense-based and language-based) so that we develop behaviors, responses, psychomatic effects, etc. regular and systematic. This model went further. He also specified ways to use the components of subjectivity to create psychological improvements and changes.
From that moment on, NLP expanded. The model was expanded by incorporating material from other disciplines: cybernetics (communication within complex mechanical and living systems), philosophy, cognitive psychology, studies of the “unconscious” mind, and neurology. Today, NLP has institutes all over the world, and numerous authors have applied NLP to medicine and health, therapy and psychological well-being, business, education, athletics, law, Christian ministry, and more. .
Copyright Adam Eason 2005. All rights reserved.
