Neuro–Linguistic Programming (NLP)
What is NLP?
Neuro–Linguistic Programming (NLP) encompasses the three most influential components involved in producing human experience: neurology, language and programming. The neurological system regulates how our bodies function, language determines how we interface and communicate with other people and our programming determines the kinds of models of the world we create. Neuro–Linguistic Programming describes the fundamental dynamics between mind (neuro) and language (linguistic) and how their interplay affects our body and behaviour (programming).
A Pragmatic School of Thought
NLP is a pragmatic school of thought – an ‘epistemology’ – that addresses
the many levels involved in being human. NLP is a multi–dimensional
process that involves the development of behavioural competence and
flexibility, but also involves strategic thinking and an understanding
of the mental and cognitive processes behind behaviour. NLP provides
tools and skills for the development of states of individual excellence,
but it also establishes a system of empowering beliefs and
presuppositions about what human beings are, what communication is and
what the process of change is all about.
At another level, NLP is about self–discovery, exploring identity and
mission. It also provides a framework for understanding and relating to
the ‘spiritual’ part of human experience that reaches beyond us as
individuals to our family, community and global systems. NLP is not only
about competence and excellence; it is about wisdom and vision.
Although there are numerous presuppositions in NLP, in essence, all of
NLP is founded on two fundamental presuppositions:
- As human beings, we can never know reality. We can only know our perceptions of reality. We experience and respond to the world around us primarily through our sensory representational systems. It is our ‘neuro–linguistic’ maps of reality that determine how we behave and that give those behaviours meaning, not reality itself. It is generally not reality that limits us or empowers us, but rather our map of reality.
- Life and ‘Mind’ are Systemic Processes. The processes that take place within a human being and between human beings and their environment are systemic. Our bodies, our societies, and our universe form an ecology of complex systems and sub–systems all of which interact with and mutually influence each other. It is not possible to completely isolate any part of the system from the rest of the system. Such systems are based on certain ‘self–organizing’ principles and naturally seek optimal states of balance or homeostasis.
All of the models and techniques of NLP
are based on the combination of these two principles. In the belief
system of NLP it is not possible for human beings to know objective
reality. Wisdom, ethics and ecology do not derive from having the one
‘right’ or ‘correct’ map of the world, because human beings would not be
capable of making one.
Rather, the goal is to create the
richest map possible that respects the systemic nature and ecology of
ourselves and the world we live in. The people who are most effective
are the ones who have a map of the world that allows them to perceive
the greatest number of available choices and perspectives. NLP is a way
of enriching the choices that you have and perceive as available in the
world around you. Excellence comes from having many choices. Wisdom
comes from having multiple perspectives.