obligatory rant: NLP, EFT, etc.
Recently, a number of my friends have been enjoying the benefits of NLP, EFT, & related techniques... and I can't remember with whom I have already shared this information; so I thought that I would just repost it here, to insure that everyone is aware of the facts, as far as I know them:
Although Neuro-Linguistic Programming can certainly be a useful technique... IMHO, it has also been criticized, perhaps in large part because the people who developed it have acted in ways that could easily be considered... shall we say, a bit unethical?
...and others have been inspired by their lead
Bandler & Grinder (the "founders" of NLP) have even have had legal battles over the "technology."
...besides, they cribbed most of their good ideas from Milton H. Erickson, Noam Chomsky, Virginia Satir, Gregory Bateson Fritz Perls, and Alfred Korzybski (thanks for catching my glaring oversight, beowulf1723)! Perhaps NLP is one of those quick, easy short cut methods that, in the wrong hands, can easily lead to corruption? That having been said, I would still maintain that NLP can be quite an effective tool, if one is aware of the "dangers."
I would place NLP in a category above EST & Scientology, probably on par with many of the Thelemic splinter groups, in the scheme of cost-benefit analysis of dealing with potential scam artists, as well as effectiveness of techniques...
If someone asked me about developing mental discipline, I would recommend Robert Anton Wilson’s "Prometheus Rising" long before I would mention NLP...
As far as useful applications of NLP go, I have always liked the book, _Monsters and Magical Sticks: Or... There's No Such Thing As Hypnosis?_ by Dr. Steven Heller and Terry Lee Steele -- although they combine NLP with Ericksonian hypnotherapy (here's another good review of the book).
Also, by now many of you have certainly heard about Emotional Freedom Techniques, or EFT (originally developed by Gary Craig as a simplification & improvement of Thought Field Therapy), which combines NLP-like techniques with percussive tapping on the "meridians." In my experience, this method can provide an excellent kinesthetic anchor, which is often absent in many forms of NLP that I have encountered.
I have certainly enjoyed success in utilizing NLP & EFT (thay are definitely tools in my own self-actualization workshop); however, I also recognize that my personal experience is only anecdotal evidence.
Perhaps, when exploring these techniques, you will consider the features which are commonly exhibited by pseudo-science?
For further amusing diversions, perhaps you will peruse Sarlo's Guru Rating Service?
--
And FWIW, when I consulted the I Ching, just now... and I received this divination:
"It is an art, expressing oneself and at the same time not offending the other in any way. Giving him his honor, respecting his views, giving him the room to express himself too.
Unity means also to stay free of black-white thinking. When something is true, it should mean it is life sustaining, but anything 'true' which excludes something else being true, is a sign you are talking of very temporal, short living truths. This is not scientific? Just take a good look at science."
--
Please understand that I am providing this information as a concerned & sympathetic friend, who ultimately only wants everyone to be happy in their utilization of self-improvement techniques. I am not saying that anything will or will not work for you; but I will question how it works to the best of my ability. To borrow some terminology... let's keep it safe, sane, & consensual, folks... alternately phrased, please be aware of the risks!
Although Neuro-Linguistic Programming can certainly be a useful technique... IMHO, it has also been criticized, perhaps in large part because the people who developed it have acted in ways that could easily be considered... shall we say, a bit unethical?
...and others have been inspired by their lead
Bandler & Grinder (the "founders" of NLP) have even have had legal battles over the "technology."
...besides, they cribbed most of their good ideas from Milton H. Erickson, Noam Chomsky, Virginia Satir, Gregory Bateson Fritz Perls, and Alfred Korzybski (thanks for catching my glaring oversight, beowulf1723)! Perhaps NLP is one of those quick, easy short cut methods that, in the wrong hands, can easily lead to corruption? That having been said, I would still maintain that NLP can be quite an effective tool, if one is aware of the "dangers."
I would place NLP in a category above EST & Scientology, probably on par with many of the Thelemic splinter groups, in the scheme of cost-benefit analysis of dealing with potential scam artists, as well as effectiveness of techniques...
If someone asked me about developing mental discipline, I would recommend Robert Anton Wilson’s "Prometheus Rising" long before I would mention NLP...
As far as useful applications of NLP go, I have always liked the book, _Monsters and Magical Sticks: Or... There's No Such Thing As Hypnosis?_ by Dr. Steven Heller and Terry Lee Steele -- although they combine NLP with Ericksonian hypnotherapy (here's another good review of the book).
Also, by now many of you have certainly heard about Emotional Freedom Techniques, or EFT (originally developed by Gary Craig as a simplification & improvement of Thought Field Therapy), which combines NLP-like techniques with percussive tapping on the "meridians." In my experience, this method can provide an excellent kinesthetic anchor, which is often absent in many forms of NLP that I have encountered.
I have certainly enjoyed success in utilizing NLP & EFT (thay are definitely tools in my own self-actualization workshop); however, I also recognize that my personal experience is only anecdotal evidence.
Perhaps, when exploring these techniques, you will consider the features which are commonly exhibited by pseudo-science?
For further amusing diversions, perhaps you will peruse Sarlo's Guru Rating Service?
--
And FWIW, when I consulted the I Ching, just now... and I received this divination:
"It is an art, expressing oneself and at the same time not offending the other in any way. Giving him his honor, respecting his views, giving him the room to express himself too.
Unity means also to stay free of black-white thinking. When something is true, it should mean it is life sustaining, but anything 'true' which excludes something else being true, is a sign you are talking of very temporal, short living truths. This is not scientific? Just take a good look at science."
--
Please understand that I am providing this information as a concerned & sympathetic friend, who ultimately only wants everyone to be happy in their utilization of self-improvement techniques. I am not saying that anything will or will not work for you; but I will question how it works to the best of my ability. To borrow some terminology... let's keep it safe, sane, & consensual, folks... alternately phrased, please be aware of the risks!