Meta, Milton, Metaphor: Models of Subjective Experience
In the beginning was the Meta Model. Richard Bandler and John Grinder's brilliant linguistic methodology for exploring and influencing a client's model of the world — in the direction of sensory experience. Then came the Milton Model. The linguistic art of utilising non-specific and conceptual experience for therapeutic ends. The marriage of these two models produced an offspring: Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). But what if there was another type of experience — metaphoric and symbolic — never coded by Bandler and Grinder?
Symbolic Modelling: an overview
Certain aspects of our subjective experience seem best suited to metaphoric and symbolic expression. To bring this type of experience to consciousness requires a method which is compatible with the nature of metaphor. This article was written as a step towards establishing such a methodology: Symbolic Modelling
Ethics of Change Work
A response to a request by John Grinder (co-developer of NLP) for information about David Grove's work and Symbolic Modelling as examples of processes that involve "transactions that are designed to provoke change without the imposition of the agent’s own material."
Modelling Robert Dilts Modelling
 This extensive report describes both the product of Penny Tompkins and James Lawley's modelling of Robert Dilts, and the process by which they arrived at their model. It includes 9 video clips, transcripts and a host of source material.
In previous works, I have described the role of "metaphors" as language (The Secrets of Magic, 1997) and as meta-level phenomena that sets higher frames or meta-states over primary states (Meta-States Journal). Doing this enables us to engage in a much higher level kind of thinking; we are then able to think about one thing in terms of another.
Steve Andreas on Symbolic Modelling
Steve Andreas has generously allowed us to reproduce the pages of his new book, Six Blind Elephants, where he analyses Clean Language and Symbolic Modelling. Following
the extract James Lawley's response to Steve's original manuscript
contains some valuable distinctions about clean questions and a clean methodology.
Comments on It Certainly Ain't Clean
My discussions with Andrew Austin and Steve Andreas on the similarities and differences between Andy's Metaphors of Movement process and Symbolic Modelling/Clean Language.
The Mirror Model
'CONVERSATIONAL CHANGE' is a seminar subject dear to the
heart of many who wish to affect or direct others. What do
we mean by 'conversational'? What kind of 'change'? Is it
possible for anyone to use the same kind of transformational
language as a therapist or counsellor and get away with it?
Which of these questions are open and which are not?
Reflections on the Mirror Model
The 'Mirror-model' was developed in 1998 as a means of introducing
a self-reflective, non-interpretative model of conversational change
into Organisational Healing's NLP Practitioner and Master
Practitioner trainings.
Part 1 of this article is a summary of that development, and has a
few thoughts about adapting a rigorous therapeutic modality to the
wider world of conversational change.
Part 2 will offer a detailed example
of how you can use the frames and the questions with a client.
The 2 parts can be found on separate pages in this article.
Identity Change with Grovian Metaphor
Grovian metaphor is a therapeutic change technique created by New Zealander David Grove.
James Lawley and Penny Tompkins as Master Modellers extended David Grove's work beyond to include educational and business settings.
If NLP is to develop and grow into the new millennium it will need to assimilate into the syllabuses new technologies of change such as the work of Grove, Lawley and Tompkins.
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