Book Review of ‘The Spirit of NLP’ by L. Michael Hall
Target Audience
The target audience is likely to be that of Practitioners and Master Practitioners (and above) with an interest in gaining a deeper understanding of the areas of Programming, Linguistics and Neurology. The book is based on Master Practitioner and Trainer Training that the author undertook with Richard Bandler, and it attempts to encapsulate content that distinguishes the Practitioner from the Master Practitioner.
Summary of Content
The book is structured in three main sections (on Programming, Linguistics and Neurology) and contains a series of chapters that may be read either in isolation or in combination that each provide valuable material over and above what you would find in most Practitioner and Master Practitioner training.
Information is provided on such topics as developing an internal propulsion system, trance, meta-model, reframing, neurology, submodalities, meta-programs and time-lines.
Recommended Features
There are many features to be recommended in this book. Highlights include:
NLP Master Practitioner States: The author presents a short overview containing his thoughts on becoming a Master Practitioner and particularly the Master Practitioner states that do so much to develop the attitude and spirit of NLP. This, for me, was one of the most valuable parts of the book.
Developing an Internal Propulsion System: This is an eclectic but invaluable chapter that outlines the various components (compulsion and aversion) and mechanisms that make up a “propulsion system”. In particular, the chapter provides some deep insight into how we might be able to structure our experience in such a way that we are “passionate about using everything you receive from the world in order to learn”. This is powerful stuff that sets the tone and bar high for the remainder of the book.
Meta-Model: The author presents a fascinating view of the meta-model as a frame for moving to the model of the model [of the territory], to exploring the actual process of modelling and that the meta-model “enables us to stay put of our own map while we gain accurate, useful, and precise information about the other person’s model of the world”. The chapter provides material that enables the reader to progress from the unconscious pavlovian meta-model response to a specific language pattern to being able to be more selective about the piece of information we are attempting to elicit at any one time.
Mastering NLP Neurology: This chapter contain extremely useful material on the domain of neurology and particularly recognising and working with the fact that we represent information in our heads and how our internal representations comprise part of a structure involving sensory-neurological and linguistic-neurological formats. This really attempts to get behind the reason why “neurology” is such a core part of NLP, and offers further insight into how NLP can develop and expand the way we code out internal representations.
Visiting More Exotic and Empowering States: This chapter provides an extremely useful and meaty chapter on states and how to (for example) interrupt non-productive states and access states that keep you “resilient, learning, highly-motivated and at your best”. Additional information is provided on such gems as chaining states, setting sliding anchors, and creating “designer” states that embody and facilitate excellence.
Personal Impressions
This book is a collection of chapters on a wide-range of topics related to NLP, and whilst the content of each chapter is varied and eclectic, the structure of the book is coherent and effective. The style is not always accessible, and some of the exercises scattered throughout the book would benefit from additional explanation.
However, the book promises a great deal and for me … it delivers – in spades. Within, behind and beyond the word of the text … you will indeed find the Spirit of NLP. This book must be considered as a must read for anyone interested in getting to the real heart of the attitude behind NLP, and should be required reading and a core text on any Master Practitioner training.
You can buy a copy of the book here.
Tags: attitude of NLP, empowering states, internal propulsion system, internal representations, interrupting non-productive states, L. Michael Hall, language patterns, map is not the territory, meta-model, meta-programs, motivation, neuro-linguistic programming, neurology, reframing, Spirit of NLP, submodalities, time-lines, trance
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