Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) provides the foundation for the language component
of Subtle Communication Systems. NLP is often defined as “the study of the structure
of subjective experience.” When Richard Bandler
and John Grinder originally
developed NLP in the 1970s, they started with the question, “What makes some
therapists better than others?” They selected three of the best—Virginia Satir,
Fritz Perls, and Milton Erickson—for extensive study.
The original language patterns and techniques of NLP were based on modeling the strategies
that those therapists used to achieve their remarkable successes. Over the years, a number
of strategies and techniques have been codified as the foundational concepts of NLP, but the
core aspect of NLP—especially as it is taught by Richard Bandler
and those who have trained
with him —is flexibility, especially flexibility below the level of conscious awareness.
Joel was a Master Practitioner and Licensed Trainer when Debra invited him to teach the
health applications of NLP to a group of holistic therapists in St. Joseph, Michigan. Introductory
workshops led to Joel’s learning energy-based healing from Debra and to an NLP intensive in
which Debra earned her license as a Master Practitioner. The following year, we both attended
Charisma Enhancement™ and Trainer Training so that Debra could earn her
license as an NLP trainer. Joel’s license was renewed at that time.
Since then, we have continued to train with Richard Bandler,
John La Valle, and other Master
Trainers to ensure that our knowledge and skills remain current. See
Why You Should Train with SCS for our continuing education and
what it means for the training you’ll receive from SCS.
Why You Should Learn NLP
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NLP is usually considered a form of brief therapy because it produces significant, lasting change so quickly.
In addition to therapy, its other principal applications are in education—where it is used to facilitate
learning—and business—where it is used to build rapport, improve understanding and group function, and to
promote sales through meeting client needs.
| Neurolinguistic Programming is often considered the “step child” of the branch of
clinical psychology referred to as brief therapies. The two most common complaints
about NLP are that it doesn’t work and that it works too well. The NLP “tools” are
based on careful observation of what works, but—as is true for any subtle tool—those who
have not learned appropriate use, may not achieve the desired result. Many of the techniques
originally codified into NLP are taught to members of the CIA, the FBI, and various state bureaus
of investigation. Trial lawyers often receive additional training in NLP skills. The techniques
definitely work. See “Secret
Sway” for an overview.
Do they work too well? Because the techniques work so well, NLP has been called “manipulative.”
People sometimes say that as though it’s a bad thing. Because all human interaction involves
influence in one way or another, we are “manipulating” each other constantly. The main questions
are whether we are doing so well or badly and to what purpose. Ethical communication
requires both skill and good intentions. Even with the best of intentions, unskillful communication
may have untoward consequences. |
For example, English is full of what are called negative commands. Most people
use them without understanding their influence. Consider the following:
Don’t think of elephants.
If you are like most people, you ignored the directions and thought of elephants. Most people
also use that same construction when they really do expect others to do what they are
saying:
- Don’t worry about it.
- Don’t look now.
- Don’t forget to pay the bills.
- Don’t give me a second thought.
One of the reasons that negative commands tend to produce the opposite of what was
intended is that the conscious and unconscious (or other-than-conscious) minds
process information differently. “Negatives” may be common in language, but they do
NOT exist in nature. The conscious mind understands what is meant by,
“Don’t touch me,” but what the unconscious mind hears is, “Touch me.”
Is it any wonder that people often get their signals crossed....
Negative commands do, however, have valid uses. The validity is determined by whether the
command serves a useful purpose. Consider the following:
- Don’t you feel good about that now....
- Don’t you want more for yourself now....
- Don’t you have something better to do for yourself now....
- Don’t you feel better now....
- Don’t laugh now....
- Don’t take my word for it.
Because negative language is processed differently by the conscious and unconscious minds,
an individual’s initial reaction might not match his or her subsequent behavior change.
You can't not disagree with me about that, can you... But don’t take my word for it; experiment
with these language patterns to see how others respond. And that might surprise and delight you, and
you might find yourself wanting to know even more.
How Much More Can You Learn?
One of the best known aspects of NLP is the recognition that subjective
experience, what goes on inside a person’s brain, is comprised of
visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (touch, smell, and taste) representations of
the person’s experience with the external environment. If you have ever ridden a
bicycle, for example, you can probably picture what the bicycle looked like. You can
probably picture yourself riding the bicycle.
You may also be able to recall what you were able to see while riding. You may be able
to recall some of the things you heard while riding, and you undoubtedly remember what
it felt like to ride. If you ever rode by a pig farm or a chocolate factory, you may
have memories for smells as well.
One of the main contributions of NLP is understanding how the structure of
subjective experience influence behavior. Our internal representations influence
our behavior and our ability to enjoy life. The structure is the
programming of Neurolinguistic Programming. Most of the programming is
below the level of conscious awareness. We may not know, for example, that the size, brightness,
and closeness of an image influences how we feel about the content of the image.
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Most of our unconscious programming is self-validating: We believe it, and when we view the
external environment, we look for evidence that supports our beliefs. If we believe that
others are not trustworthy, we will look for evidence that proves they aren’t trustworthy.
As Robert Anton Wilson says, the brain has two main functions, “The Thinker thinks; and the
Prover proves.”
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Unconscious programming is self-validating. Perceptual frames are set early in life and then operate below the
level of conscious awareness.
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NLP will enable you to change your unconscious programming, to replace limiting beliefs with
those that will better serve your purpose. Because it works so well, it allows you to eliminate
unwanted behaviors and replace them with new behaviors that will allow you to create what we
call Holistic Wealth: abundance for body, mind, and spirit. NLP is your
key to better health, more happiness, greater self-awareness, and more awareness of others as well.
This is one of the reasons NLP is so effective in facilitating positive, generative change.
It is also the principal reason that we incorporate neurolinguistics in all SCS training
and encourage those who train with us to complete Practitioner and Master Practitioner
Certification as part of your personal and professional journey.
NLP Training—Practitioner and Master Practitioner Certifications
When you study NLP with SCS, your certification is through NLP Seminars Group International,
and your certificate will be signed by Richard Bandler
and John La Valle, signatures recognized and respected all over the world.
For more information, about NLP Seminars Group and The Society of NLP,
see NLP Institutes and click on
the appropriate links.
Comprehensive, Innovative Training
SCS trainings are designed to ensure success. The most common comment following
training is that “SCS changed my life.” One of the principal benefits
of NLP is that your training with SCS will allow you to
choose your behavior with greater conscious awareness. You can imagine how
your life will change when you have a better understanding of your own
motivations and those of others.
NLP training with SCS is serious fun. We believe that you will
learn best while you are having a really good time. Because behavioral and mental flexibility
are the principal cornerstones of success, we have adapted a number of exercises from
the improv show, “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” to S T R E T C H
your flexibility and increase your behavioral options.
You will learn everything considered foundational for NLP, such as eye-accessing cues,
calibration, timelines, metaprograms, anchoring, submodality shifts, and the advanced
language patterns (Metamodel and Milton Model). You will also learn all the foundational
interventions, including the SWISH, Visual Squash, the Fast Phobia Cure, and the New Behavior
Generator.
The NLP Attitude—and Holistic Wealth
You will also learn the differences between remedial and generative change and
how to ensure that your own learning continues long after the workshop has ended. And, perhaps most
of all, you will learn what Richard Bandler
has called The NLP Attitude.
If you have attended other workshops in the past, you probably know the tendency for the
information and the applications you learned to fade after you leave the workshop setting.
We will whatever we can to ensure that the NLP Attitude goes with you when you leave, that you
will have the knowledge you need, the attitude necessary, and the desire to apply what you know.
We call that combination Holistic Wealth, because it encourages abundance on all
levels—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. It also enables you to share that
abundance with family, friends, and clients or patients.
For more information about our philosophy of training, see
Why You Should Train with SCS.
For the most convenient time and location for training, see the
SCS Training Schedule, or call/write
now by email
or phone (269) 921-2217 for more information.
