5. A developmental perspective
“In response to a Universe in flux, living systems are forever adapting, learning and evolving…” Metaphors in Mind p36.
From this perspective the client is like a newborn baby – it’s in his nature to learn, grow and develop. He will attempt new behaviours and, in these attempts, will find new things to attempt.
One consequence of this perspective is an expectation that the client’s desired outcome is likely to change as the client self-models.
Suggested reading:
Wilber, Ken, Integral Psychology
Wilber, Ken, Sex, Ecology, Spirituality, Shambala, Boston, MA, 1995
Wilber, Ken, A Brief History of Everything, Shambala, Boston, MA, 1996
6. Modelling as the principal methodology
“Modelling is a process whereby an observer, the modeller, gathers information about the activity of a system with the aim of constructing a generalised description (a model) of how that system works. The model can then be used by the modeller and others to inform decisions and actions. The purpose of modelling is to identify ‘what is’ and how ‘what is’ works – without influencing what is being modelled. The modeller begins with an open mind, a blank sheet, and an outcome to discover the way a system function – without attempting to change it.” Metaphors in Mind p22
Metaphors in Mind compares the modelling process to reverse-engineering, as described in Pinker (How The Mind Works, W W Norton, New York, 1999).
Metaphors in Mind goes on to say that Symbolic Modelling differs from traditional modelling in three ways:
What is modelled – the organisation of a Metaphor Landscape
Who is modelling – both the client and the facilitator
How self-modelling is facilitated – by using Clean Language.
The origins of NLP lie in a series of modelling projects carried out by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. A description of the process is given in Whispering in the Wind (Grinder and Bostic St Clair 2002), and the results are documented in the NLP “classics” listed below. Symbolic Modelling was itself the outcome of Penny and James’s NLP modelling project.
Suggested reading: The Modelling process
Grinder, John and Bostic St Clair, Carmen, Whispering in the Wind, 2002
Gordon, David and Graham Dawes, Expanding you World: Modeling the Structure of Experience, 2005
Dilts, Robert, Modelling with NLP
Suggested reading: NLP “classics”
Bandler, Richard and Grinder, John, The Structure of Magic I, Science and Behaviour Books, Palo Alto, CA, 1975
Bandler, Richard and Grinder, John, Patterns of the Hypnotic Techniques of Milton H. Erickson, M.D. Volume 1, Meta Publications, Cupertino, CA, 1975
Bandler, Richard and Grinder, John, Frogs Into Princes, Real People Press, Moab, UT, 1979
Grinder, John and Bandler, Richard The Structure of Magic II, Science and Behaviour Books, Palo Alto, CA, 1975
Grinder, John, DeLozier, Judith and Bandler, Richard and, Patterns of the Hypnotic Techniques of Milton H. Erickson, M.D. Volume 2, Meta Publications, Cupertino, CA, 1977
Status of this document
This is a work in progress. All comments, amendments, additions etc are welcome. Please join the discussion at www.cleanforum.com
