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When we look to make lasting change in our lives, look no further
than the most resourceful place to find change: within ourselves.
It is the most obvious and easiest place to start, but in our day and
age, big pharma is sure to offer you a magic pill.
But everyone knows that drugs sometimes work for some people and
almost always produces side effects. So what are people
trying? Many pleasantly surprised individuals found the courage to
overcome the negative stereotypes associated with hypnosis
to find a lasting cure for their problems.
Hypnosis and hypnotherapy can help you discover and utilize all your resources to make lasting, profound improvements in your life. You can discover the power of suggestion to the open door to better health, well-being and opportunities. With hypnosis and hypnotherapy, a sense of control and calm can be felt as early as the first session. Below is a list of issues for which hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective: habit change, weight loss and general self-improvement, etc.
Everyone has already experienced hypnosis and not even know it. According to Grinder and Bandler: "you already know a great deal about hypnosis under other names, or under no name at all". Hypnosis is quite a common trance state that we all zip in and out of every 90 minutes or so. Anyone who's day-dreamed or been in a TV-trance or an elevator trance has been in hypnosis. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy can be experienced by anyone who can understand the spoken language and can follow instructions. Hypnosis and hypnotherapy has helped children as young as three years of age overcome common childhood problems. Young or old, hypnosis can be utilized by all people to better themselves. At The New You Hypnotherapy, we are experts in hypnosis. We use the latest knowledge and research on hypnotherapeutic techniques to promote lasting change. We respect your privacy and confidentiality and endeavour to provide the highest standard of professional service. Hypnotherapy is an adjunct modality that uses hypnosis and can be applied in conjunction with traditional treatment models. 
The use of hypnosis has spanned across thousands of years but the
recognition of hypnosis as a medical adjunct was brought to light by
Anton Mesmer. Read our blog entry about this interesting piece of history on hypnosis.Since the time hypnosis was 'discovered' there have been many advances made in the techniques and applications of hypnotherapy. A highly influential psychiatrist, Dr. Milton Erickson (1901 - 1980), considered to be the father of modern-day hypnosis, believed that all his patients had the full resources to create their own solutions. Over the course of his sixty-year practice he helped over 30,000 patients discover their own cures through hypnosis. For more info go to. www.abetterlife-perth.com.au |
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[Contact] The New You Hypnotherapy in Toronto, Mississauga & | Brampton: 905-812-9500 |
Saturday, 9 November 2013
Saturday, 19 October 2013
- SECONDHAND SMOKE
- ADS+VIDEO
- QUIT
- GET INVOLVED
- SUCCESS
- RESOURCES
Millions of Californians continue to be exposed to secondhand smoke at work and home.
Secondhand Smoke Is Toxic
Secondhand smoke is both the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar and the smoke that is exhaled by smokers. It can stay in the air long after a cigarette has been put out and can be involuntarily inhaled by nonsmokers.
Secondhand smoke kills tens of thousands of Americans every year and causes serious life-threatening illnesses to thousands more. In 2006, the California Air Resources Board classified secondhand smoke as a "Toxic Air Contaminant" in the same category as asbestos, cyanide and arsenic2 - all of which can lead to serious illness and death.2
The U.S. Surgeon General says there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
Children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. In fact, secondhand smoke exposure can cause asthma in children who have previously not had any symptoms.2 Other health effects on children from secondhand smoke exposure3 include:- Low birth weight and lung problems in infants
- Acute lower respiratory tract infections (bronchitis and pneumonia)
- Middle-ear infections
- Chronic respiratory symptoms or problems
For More info www.abetterlife-perth.com.au www.ntpages.com.au/therapist/10426 www.ntpages.com.au/therapist/30463
Friday, 18 October 2013
Why Do Stutterers Not Stutter When Singing
by Bob Bodenhamer
Over the years I have been asked many times, “how is it that a PWS does not stuttering when singing?” I have heard several explanations such as the value of “cadence” in the music makes it possible to structure the PWS’ voice with the beat of the song and this helps fluency. I have heard others speak about the “flow of air” through the vocal cords while singing that permits fluency.
There may very well be truth in both those replies, but the following one makes more sense than any that I have heard:
“Why don’t British singers sing with a British accent?”
Or
“Why stutterers don’t stutter when singing?”
I just found quite by accident a very interesting article entitled “Why don’t British singers sing with a British accent?”
By Joram on “Answering squeebs’s question”
It is found at:
askville.amazon.com/British-singers-sing-accent/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=1351524
I have copied and pasted the full article below (Bold & italics Bob’s):
“Because singing forces the singer to pronounce “true” vowel sounds.
English vowels are the same, no matter where you’re from. Speaking employs gliding vowels…transitions from one to the next. Singing is phrased such that vowels are held longer (to the note), which more or less erases regional accents. In singing, vowels tend to sound more like their true sounds (monophthongs), rather than diphthongs.
“Imagine the difference between accent disappearance in, say, an Andrew Lloyd Weber song, vs. a Cake song, if sung by the same person. The Weber track (Memory, to take an annoying example) would almost entirely mask any accent because vowels are held for a relatively long time. In Comfort Eagle, on the other hand, the words are barely sung…almost spoken over the music. Any regional accent would come through quite strongly.
“And of course, it’s possible to maintain or manufacture an accent when you sing (anyone who’s ever heard Charlie Daniels or Randy Travis knows that). But it may take some effort. The Proclaimers are a particularly egregious example pointed out by one commenter on the topic.
(Bob says, Randy Travis is a country music singer. He is from Marshville, NC about 60 miles from me. We have very similar accents when we talk. I sure wish I could sing like him.)
For more info go to http://www.abetterlife-perth.com.au/hypnosis.shtml
Over the years I have been asked many times, “how is it that a PWS does not stuttering when singing?” I have heard several explanations such as the value of “cadence” in the music makes it possible to structure the PWS’ voice with the beat of the song and this helps fluency. I have heard others speak about the “flow of air” through the vocal cords while singing that permits fluency.
There may very well be truth in both those replies, but the following one makes more sense than any that I have heard:
“Why don’t British singers sing with a British accent?”
Or
“Why stutterers don’t stutter when singing?”
I just found quite by accident a very interesting article entitled “Why don’t British singers sing with a British accent?”
By Joram on “Answering squeebs’s question”
It is found at:
askville.amazon.com/British-singers-sing-accent/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=1351524
I have copied and pasted the full article below (Bold & italics Bob’s):
“Because singing forces the singer to pronounce “true” vowel sounds.
English vowels are the same, no matter where you’re from. Speaking employs gliding vowels…transitions from one to the next. Singing is phrased such that vowels are held longer (to the note), which more or less erases regional accents. In singing, vowels tend to sound more like their true sounds (monophthongs), rather than diphthongs.
“Imagine the difference between accent disappearance in, say, an Andrew Lloyd Weber song, vs. a Cake song, if sung by the same person. The Weber track (Memory, to take an annoying example) would almost entirely mask any accent because vowels are held for a relatively long time. In Comfort Eagle, on the other hand, the words are barely sung…almost spoken over the music. Any regional accent would come through quite strongly.
“And of course, it’s possible to maintain or manufacture an accent when you sing (anyone who’s ever heard Charlie Daniels or Randy Travis knows that). But it may take some effort. The Proclaimers are a particularly egregious example pointed out by one commenter on the topic.
(Bob says, Randy Travis is a country music singer. He is from Marshville, NC about 60 miles from me. We have very similar accents when we talk. I sure wish I could sing like him.)
For more info go to http://www.abetterlife-perth.com.au/hypnosis.shtml
Gil Boyne-----Hypnotist Extraordinaire
GIL BOYNE, 1924-2010
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“Gil Boyne, you have single-handedly created a new profession in America;
the profession of Hypnotherapy!”
the profession of Hypnotherapy!”
William Unger, Asst. Director, California Council for Secondary Education
Milton Erickson is known for helping to popularize the use of hypnosis to reach the subconscious in psychiatry. Part of his genius was his ability to rapidly assess the needs of the client and work within the client's map of reality.
Dave Elman had no formal training in medicine or psychology, yet he taught Hypnotherapy to more physicians, dentists, anesthesiologists, and psychiatrists than any other instructor in modern times.
Gil Boyne has made numerous original contributions to the contemporary practice of hypnotherapy. He has brought to the counseling professions an awareness of the “inner wisdom” of the human psyche. He teaches that the “inner creative mind” not only knows all the questions but knows all of the answers as well.
During his almost 50 years of Hypnotherapy practice and teaching, he created Transforming Therapy™, a pragmatic methodology that focuses on rapid results, instead of attempting to prove theories. His commitment is to the client's internal problem solving ability.
Boyne's Transforming Therapy™ facilitates the clients discovery of their spiritual nature, and teaches them how to direct their creative intelligence to solve their own problems and conflicts.
There are many practitioners who feel that Boyne's greatest achievement has been the thousands of Hypnotherapists worldwide who began their career by training in his courses.
About Gil Boyne, from Recognised Leaders and Experts in the Hypnotherapy Profession...
Thoughts and Feelings about Gil Boyne
As an individual who is passionate about a life purpose of coaching individual and community development, I have immersed myself in the teaching of masters in this field.
When I decided to pursue my fascination with Hypnotherapy, I spoke to a few of my peers. My criteria was "who eats, sleeps, walks and talks hypnotherapy?"
Gil Boyne's name came up most often and those who mentioned him, with much certainty, assured me that he was number one in the world.
With these referrals I embarked on the most magical journey. Unlike most of those on the Diploma course, I had not received any formal training from a school of Hypnotherapy and I was amazed to discover how many practitioners of long experience found Gil's teachings led them to feel they had been somewhere between underperforming and short-changing their clients.. I was mesmerised by Gil's integrity, for here was a wise man who, had been doing what he does for many years, with evidence-based results and still loving it, passing on his wisdom to me, a young and passionate apprentice.
I continue to use what Gil shared with me to compliment my existing skill set. The greatest added value came from being in the presence of a true master and having the certainty of his beliefs touch me to carry into my own life and career.
I am truly blessed and grateful for all that I have shared and continue to share with Gil Boyne's teachings. I continue to connect with our collective bliss and to inspire young people to realise much more of their true potential.
When I decided to pursue my fascination with Hypnotherapy, I spoke to a few of my peers. My criteria was "who eats, sleeps, walks and talks hypnotherapy?"
Gil Boyne's name came up most often and those who mentioned him, with much certainty, assured me that he was number one in the world.
With these referrals I embarked on the most magical journey. Unlike most of those on the Diploma course, I had not received any formal training from a school of Hypnotherapy and I was amazed to discover how many practitioners of long experience found Gil's teachings led them to feel they had been somewhere between underperforming and short-changing their clients.. I was mesmerised by Gil's integrity, for here was a wise man who, had been doing what he does for many years, with evidence-based results and still loving it, passing on his wisdom to me, a young and passionate apprentice.
I continue to use what Gil shared with me to compliment my existing skill set. The greatest added value came from being in the presence of a true master and having the certainty of his beliefs touch me to carry into my own life and career.
I am truly blessed and grateful for all that I have shared and continue to share with Gil Boyne's teachings. I continue to connect with our collective bliss and to inspire young people to realise much more of their true potential.
Harry Singha
Founder and Chairman
Youth Coaching Academy
University of East London
London, England
Founder and Chairman
Youth Coaching Academy
University of East London
London, England
Words cannot describe the gratitude I feel toward Gil Boyne. Approximately 20 years ago I attended his classes in hypnosis/ hypnotherapy. Without a doubt, studying with Gil Boyne was a true turning point in my life. His knowledge, ability and ease of style are incomparable. He is indeed the Teacher of Masters and the Master of Teachers. Most of the best known and successful workers in our field started with Gil Boyne. The investment that I made in his courses has come back to me in millions of dollars. For anyone looking to build a solid foundation in hypnosis/ hypnotherapy, make the pilgrimage and study with Gil. You will thank yourself for the rest of your life.
Marshall Sylver
Hypnotherapist, Motivator Author-"Passion Power and Profit" Las Vegas, NV.
Hypnotherapist, Motivator Author-"Passion Power and Profit" Las Vegas, NV.
“A NEW APPROACH TO HYPNOTHERAPY
There are only a few people in each generation who are willing and able to confront the current anachronistic psychological models with original and radical thinking. Gil Boyne is one such person. Since the early 1950s he has applied his genius to helping others transform their lives through the "renewing of their mind." For nearly fifty years, Gil Boyne has shown us that change is most effectively accomplished when we use the trance state to contact and direct our "inner creative intelligence."
There are only a few people in each generation who are willing and able to confront the current anachronistic psychological models with original and radical thinking. Gil Boyne is one such person. Since the early 1950s he has applied his genius to helping others transform their lives through the "renewing of their mind." For nearly fifty years, Gil Boyne has shown us that change is most effectively accomplished when we use the trance state to contact and direct our "inner creative intelligence."
His hypnotherapy training and instruction has provided thousands of students with the essential knowledge and skills required for success as as contemporary clinical hypnotherapists. I am personally grateful to Gil Boyne, for his training and continuing mentoring. His instruction and his advice on developing a practice and marketing my services helped me to become a highly effective practicioner. I feel that every serious student and practicioner of hypnotherapy should have the opportunity to study with Gil Boyne, the creator of modern Hypnotherapy.”
Tim Simmerman
Director, Hypnotherapy Academy of America, Sante Fe, New Mexico
Director, Hypnotherapy Academy of America, Sante Fe, New Mexico
“I highly recommend that anyone who has never taken a course with Gil Boyne to take advantage of his trainings in Santa Fe. Gil is one of the few true Living Masters of the work today. To watch him work is to see the culmination of almost 50 years of self-developed knowledge and skill brought together in a ballet of highly effective teaching. For many years, Gil Boyne was, and in many eyes still is, the finest instructor in the work. This is an opportunity to acquire special knowledge and wisdom from an individual who is truly a pioneer and innovator in our work. Gil has tremendous knowledge and insight in our profession that can be gained only through many years of experience and many thousands of hours of individual and group sessions. He has created many of the therapeutic interventions we use daily in our work today. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a Master!”
Gerald Kein
Director of one of the most successful Hypnotherapy Training Institutes in the USA.
Omni Hypnosis Center, Deland, Florida
Director of one of the most successful Hypnotherapy Training Institutes in the USA.
Omni Hypnosis Center, Deland, Florida
“Nearly half a century ago Gil Boyne began molding the field of hypnotherapy into something much greater than it had ever been. He learned from early pioneers in hypnotherapy including Elman, and trained with Fritz Perls, developer of Gestalt Therapy, as well as pioneers of other forms of therapy. His brilliance goes far beyond his early instinctive recognition and integration of many of the most profound insights in hypnotherapy and psychotherapy. What has emerged is the incredible speed and effectiveness of his "Transforming Therapy."
Gil Boyne has had an immeasurable impact on the profession of hypnotherapy. The range and depth of his influence is astonishing. Beyond his therapeutic breakthroughs he has revolutionized the profession with his instant induction techniques. He created the first registration and certification program for hypnotherapists. He founded and developed the first hypnotherapist organization with serious standards for training, the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners. He created the first International Annual Conferences for hypnotherapists. Time and again he has led the charge throughout the United States to defeat attempts at restrictive legislation.. He created the first publishing company devoted exclusively to hypnotism books, Westwood Publishing Company.
Gil Boyne has had an immeasurable impact on the profession of hypnotherapy. The range and depth of his influence is astonishing. Beyond his therapeutic breakthroughs he has revolutionized the profession with his instant induction techniques. He created the first registration and certification program for hypnotherapists. He founded and developed the first hypnotherapist organization with serious standards for training, the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners. He created the first International Annual Conferences for hypnotherapists. Time and again he has led the charge throughout the United States to defeat attempts at restrictive legislation.. He created the first publishing company devoted exclusively to hypnotism books, Westwood Publishing Company.
I was fortunate to take Gil Boyne's hypnotherapy training in 1968. As I developed my practice, he was exceptionally generous with his guidance and wisdom. After ten years of a practice, I founded one of the first state-licensed hypnotherapy schools in 1978. My therapy and teaching is strongly influenced by Gil Boyne, as are my books, Become the Dream and Regression Hypnotherapy. His live therapy films are an important part of an advanced level of my classes and I am grateful for his mentoring over the years.
Gil Boyne is one of a few in history to have had a profound impact on the field of hypnotherapy. I urge all hypnotherapists who have not yet studied and trained directly with Gil Boyne to seize the opportunity to attend his courses and experience a great teacher and leader who has so powerfully affected the world of contemporary hypnotherapy.”
Randal Churchill
Director, Hypnotherapy Training Institute,
Corte Madera (San Francisco area), California
President, American Council of Hypnotist Examiners
Director, Hypnotherapy Training Institute,
Corte Madera (San Francisco area), California
President, American Council of Hypnotist Examiners
“Gil Boyne is a Premier Therapist and a Teacher's Teacher, who. also trained more hypnotherapists in America than any other teacher to date. I received my early training with Gil when I was a graduate student, and vividly remember the demonstrations at his Hypnotherapy Institute in Los Angeles.
Gil resurrected and republished the lost work of Dave Elman to share with the rest of the world. Charles Tebbetts was a 72 yr. old sign painter when he went to Gil to overcome insomnia. Charles went on to train with Gil, then to work for him and eventually became widely known for his Training Institute in Seattle and for his books on hypnosis.
In a career spanning almost fifty years, Boyne has become America's best known and loved hypnotherapy teacher/trainer Gil has evolved as a special kind of personal therapist, and teaches his unique model of "Transforming Therapy"worldwide.
In a career spanning almost fifty years, Boyne has become America's best known and loved hypnotherapy teacher/trainer Gil has evolved as a special kind of personal therapist, and teaches his unique model of "Transforming Therapy"worldwide.
Throughout the USA as well as in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei and Tokyo many physicians and therapists remember him as the man who introduced them to the world of hypnotherapy. You may train with other teachers, but Gil is the one you will remember most.”
Ed McClelland
Hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner
New York, N.Y.
Hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner
New York, N.Y.
“Gil Boyne's Master Course in Clinical Hypnotherapy has been a memorable experience. Boyne, who has become a a living legend in the hypnotherapy world, takes his students on a journey of true emotional and spiritual transformation in just six weekends. Gil is the only therapist who has videotaped a comprehensive library of his successful hypnotherapy sessions and follow-up interviews. The videos are shown to students on a giant screen and interspersed with Gil's insightful commentary. Gil's unique "Transforming Therapy," shows its potency in liberating clients from a wide range of emotional traumas and physical ailments. I have trained in many forms of counseling and therapy, yet I found this course especially worthwhile. Gil's personal magnetism and belief in “Transforming Therapy" is worth far more than all the gimmicks, techniques, and theories of hypnosis which abound. The videotapes, sets of audiotapes, books and manuals given as class materials made this course an incredible value. This is one training course that I can recommend with absolute confidence. Details available on the Internet at gil-boyne.com or email gilboyne5@aol.com”
My best regards,
Don Robertson
Clinical Hypnotherapist
Harley St. London, UK
Don Robertson
Clinical Hypnotherapist
Harley St. London, UK
“Gil Boyne is a Master! He is and always will be my main Hypnosis mentor. He made a powerful and lasting impact on me, both as a teacher and as a friend. The professional and social time I spent with him many years ago continue to be highpoints in my life. His brilliance continues to be felt globally through his personal work and the work of his many gifted students."
George Bien
is one of America's most renowned hypnotherapists, He teaches and practices in New York City and teaches Hypnotherapy throughout Southeast Asia on a regular basis.
is one of America's most renowned hypnotherapists, He teaches and practices in New York City and teaches Hypnotherapy throughout Southeast Asia on a regular basis.
Dear Gil,
I think of you every day and your pictures in my office keep me humble. They are a constant reminder that no matter what I achieve you are still the greatest Hypnotherapist there ever has been! Your professionalism will always be the level to which I aspire. I can never thank you enough for all the help and inspiration you have been to me over the years. Training with you has been *the* major highlight of my life. God bless you and all my fondest love,
I think of you every day and your pictures in my office keep me humble. They are a constant reminder that no matter what I achieve you are still the greatest Hypnotherapist there ever has been! Your professionalism will always be the level to which I aspire. I can never thank you enough for all the help and inspiration you have been to me over the years. Training with you has been *the* major highlight of my life. God bless you and all my fondest love,
Arone Eldan, BA. CHT.
St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
My training was with the legendary Gil Boyne & Dr John Butler, PHD, principal instructor for the Hypnotherapy Institute of Britain and Medical Lecturer at King's, Guy's & St.Thomas Medical Schools.. Gil is one of the true pioneers of Clinical Hypnotherapy training with 55 years of experience in the field and having trained over 15,000 hypnotherapists world wide. He has worked with many stars of the entertainment and sports worlds including Sylvester Stallone, Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, and many more...
Gil has also worked with the U.S. Special Forces (Green Berets) on a special mission, "Operation Velvet Hammer". His development of 'Transforming Therapy' and his subsequent book takes you on a journey of true emotional transformation. His teaching methods, based on video taped real therapy sessions, often left me breathless. There seems to be a sense of wonder in the air when Gil walks in a room. He is truly a "World Class 'Master"who while in his eighties still attracts people from around the world to his Master classes I am proud & privileged to be his protege.
Gil has also worked with the U.S. Special Forces (Green Berets) on a special mission, "Operation Velvet Hammer". His development of 'Transforming Therapy' and his subsequent book takes you on a journey of true emotional transformation. His teaching methods, based on video taped real therapy sessions, often left me breathless. There seems to be a sense of wonder in the air when Gil walks in a room. He is truly a "World Class 'Master"who while in his eighties still attracts people from around the world to his Master classes I am proud & privileged to be his protege.
Andrew Hughes
Hypnotherapist, Chesterfield, U.K.
Hypnotherapist, Chesterfield, U.K.
Gil Boyne is a living legend -- almost a cult figure.
In 1980,Gil Boyne founded the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners which has become the largest State Chartered non-profit organization of its' kind. He has worked with numerous state legislatures to fight restrictive laws and was the first to structure an in-depth training program that focused on regression to cause. He has been the consistent inspiration in leading the profession to upgrade its educational standards. If it were not for his legislative work the profession may not have survived intact to this day. As well as creating a new approach to hypnotherapy practice, Gil Boyne has been the right man at the right time and the entire profession will be forever in his debt.
Gil Boyne has the most profoundly laudatory testimonials from the leading professionals in the field I have ever seen.
In 1980,Gil Boyne founded the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners which has become the largest State Chartered non-profit organization of its' kind. He has worked with numerous state legislatures to fight restrictive laws and was the first to structure an in-depth training program that focused on regression to cause. He has been the consistent inspiration in leading the profession to upgrade its educational standards. If it were not for his legislative work the profession may not have survived intact to this day. As well as creating a new approach to hypnotherapy practice, Gil Boyne has been the right man at the right time and the entire profession will be forever in his debt.
Gil Boyne has the most profoundly laudatory testimonials from the leading professionals in the field I have ever seen.
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Director, Hypnotism Training Institute of Los Angeles
Founder and CEO, Westwood Publishing Company Founder and Director, Hypnotherapy Counseling Center Co-Founder, British Council of Hypnotist Examiners Executive Director, American Council of Hypnotist Examiners |
1959: Technical Director on feature motion picture film, “The Hypnotic Eye.”
1960: Writer and Technical Director for television pilot fim, “Above and Beyond.”
1961: Writer and Technical Director for television pilot film, “The Eleventh Hour.”
1981: Doctor of Humane Letters - honorary degree awarded by Newport University, Newport Beach, Calif., for his lifetime achievement in Mind Sciences.
1982: Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree awarded by the University for Humanistic Studies in San Diego, Calif., for his exceptional contribution to the Humanistic Sciences.
1990: “Lifetime Achievement Award”awarded by the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners.
1992: Doctor of Philosophy, in Transpersonal Psychology honorary degree awarded by Westbrook University, New Mexico.
1992: “American Eagle Leadership Award” given in recognition of Thirty-Five Years of Exceptional Leadership to the Profession of Hypnotherapy awarded by the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners.
1996: Named as One of Glendale's 100 Most Influential Citizens (Glendale News Press, Feb. 28) Honoring individuals who had the ability and the courage to effect change in education, religion, charity, sports, law enforcement, and politics.
1997: Honorary Life Member awarded by the New Zealand Hypnotherapists Association.
1997: Fellowship award for distinguished service awarded by the Australian Academy of Hypnotic Science.
1998: Post Graduate Diploma of Psychotherapy awarded by the Australian College of Clinical Hypnotherapy
April 8, 2000: Gil Boyne was inducted into the International Hypnosis Hall of Fame, at Valley Forge, PA. He received the special award, “MAN OF THE CENTURY.” This award symbolizes global recognition for his innovative genius in the therapeutic and healing applications of Hypnotherapy.
June, 2000: Awarded Fellowship by the National Council for Hypnotherapy (UK)
May, 2003: “Lifetime Achievement Award,” by the Royal Hong Kong Hypnotherapy Association
2007: Honorary degree "Doctor of Religious Education" awarded by Lorland University, Bakersfield, CA
For more information go to http://www.abetterlife-perth.com.au/hypnosis.shtml
For more information see
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
The 10 steps to mastering NLP
1. Understand what you’re getting into
Mastering NLP is not an easy thing to do. Many – or more accurately – most people can’t even manage to control their brain enough to get them out of bed on time in the morning – let alone completely revamp the inner workings of their conscious mind. The lifelong pursuit of mastering NLP is nothing short of the lifelong pursuit over mastery of the self. This short guide will point you in the right direction towards that path.
2. Know what NLP is
Much disinformation has been spread about NLP, and for good reason; it’s dangerous. Not dangerous to you and me of course, but dangerous to the institutions which rely on people having problems to make money. The pharmaceutical industry, professional psychiatrists, psychologists, and the enormous “self-help” industry all rely on you needing someone or something, usually a product, to make you better.
3. Know how NLP works
We all know the story of the pink elephant. I say pink elephant and you think of a pink elephant. It’s inevitable. This simple idea of Garbage In Garbage Out (GIGO), to take a term from the computer industry, can be seen as the same exact basis for NLP. Instead of finger-pointing blame to your problems and then prescribing a solution (usually a pill), NLP recognizes that there is input coming into your brain, recognizes your ability to change it, and then gives you a technique with which to do so.
4. Know the history of NLP and how it has evolved over time
Richard Bandler and John Grinder perhaps did not know what they were getting into back in 1975 when they created NLP. Today NLP has spawned into a multi-million dollar business with practitioners all across the world. While NLP has evolved extensively into the modern day, it is always a good idea to go back and look at the origins of the techniques you see today.
5. Learn from the masters
When you think of NLP masters you might think of people like Tony Robbins, Paul McKenna, and Derren Brown. While these people have popularized NLP to the mainstream, if you are looking to master the basics it is probably best to look elsewhere. People like Connie Rae Andreas, Robert Dilts, Charles Faulkner and Shlomo Vaknin have all written excellent books about understanding and eventually mastering the concepts behind NLP.
6. Know that there is no one way to master NLP
Once you start to get involved very deeply with NLP you will start to learn that NLP is as open ended and rife with possibilities as the human mind itself. Want to eliminate fear completely? It is possible. Want to create your own “magnificent obsession” for working out? There is a skill for that. Think you can’t master astrophysics? Think again. Everyone has their own path and their own preferences; pick yours and use NLP as a tool, not as a bible.
7. Experiment
Once you understand the basics it is time to get dirty. If you are focusing on yourself get ready to get in touch with your innermost thoughts and emotions. For some people it may be the first time they’ve ever challenged their internal beliefs about the way they see the world, how they operate and what their capable of. I mean this as no exaggeration, it may be very scary what you can potentially find.
8. Create your own interpretation
Once you have begun to get familiar with how your brain works and have mastered the techniques already laid out by the founders of NLP, you are going to want to branch out. Remember there is no dogma for NLP. In the field of trying to consciously control how your brain works and subsequently creating a map, or an operating manual for the human brain, we are just beginning to scratch the surface.
9. Extend your limits
This is where things really get fun. When you realize that there is no limit to the potential of the human mind, what will you do? If you could become anyone you wanted, who would you be? If there is something that has not been done before, why not do it? For most people this too much. Learning a technique or two for eliminating a phobia will suffice for your layperson, but when it comes to mastering NLP, the ceiling is non-existent.
10. Have fun
This is probably the most important step. In between conquering the world, your fears and your craving for that coconut cream pie, remember the adventure will be what you make it. How you take to NLP should be exactly how you would ideally like to feel about life itself. Don’t make it “work”, don’t make it rigid, have fun and make it your own. This is where your success will come from.
NLP Video – Richard Bandler – What is NLP? Neuro linguistic programming.
For more information, see http://www.abetterlife-perth.com.au/hypnosis.shtml
1. Understand what you’re getting into
Mastering NLP is not an easy thing to do. Many – or more accurately – most people can’t even manage to control their brain enough to get them out of bed on time in the morning – let alone completely revamp the inner workings of their conscious mind. The lifelong pursuit of mastering NLP is nothing short of the lifelong pursuit over mastery of the self. This short guide will point you in the right direction towards that path.
2. Know what NLP is
Much disinformation has been spread about NLP, and for good reason; it’s dangerous. Not dangerous to you and me of course, but dangerous to the institutions which rely on people having problems to make money. The pharmaceutical industry, professional psychiatrists, psychologists, and the enormous “self-help” industry all rely on you needing someone or something, usually a product, to make you better.
3. Know how NLP works
We all know the story of the pink elephant. I say pink elephant and you think of a pink elephant. It’s inevitable. This simple idea of Garbage In Garbage Out (GIGO), to take a term from the computer industry, can be seen as the same exact basis for NLP. Instead of finger-pointing blame to your problems and then prescribing a solution (usually a pill), NLP recognizes that there is input coming into your brain, recognizes your ability to change it, and then gives you a technique with which to do so.
4. Know the history of NLP and how it has evolved over time
Richard Bandler and John Grinder perhaps did not know what they were getting into back in 1975 when they created NLP. Today NLP has spawned into a multi-million dollar business with practitioners all across the world. While NLP has evolved extensively into the modern day, it is always a good idea to go back and look at the origins of the techniques you see today.
5. Learn from the masters
When you think of NLP masters you might think of people like Tony Robbins, Paul McKenna, and Derren Brown. While these people have popularized NLP to the mainstream, if you are looking to master the basics it is probably best to look elsewhere. People like Connie Rae Andreas, Robert Dilts, Charles Faulkner and Shlomo Vaknin have all written excellent books about understanding and eventually mastering the concepts behind NLP.
6. Know that there is no one way to master NLP
Once you start to get involved very deeply with NLP you will start to learn that NLP is as open ended and rife with possibilities as the human mind itself. Want to eliminate fear completely? It is possible. Want to create your own “magnificent obsession” for working out? There is a skill for that. Think you can’t master astrophysics? Think again. Everyone has their own path and their own preferences; pick yours and use NLP as a tool, not as a bible.
7. Experiment
Once you understand the basics it is time to get dirty. If you are focusing on yourself get ready to get in touch with your innermost thoughts and emotions. For some people it may be the first time they’ve ever challenged their internal beliefs about the way they see the world, how they operate and what their capable of. I mean this as no exaggeration, it may be very scary what you can potentially find.
8. Create your own interpretation
Once you have begun to get familiar with how your brain works and have mastered the techniques already laid out by the founders of NLP, you are going to want to branch out. Remember there is no dogma for NLP. In the field of trying to consciously control how your brain works and subsequently creating a map, or an operating manual for the human brain, we are just beginning to scratch the surface.
9. Extend your limits
This is where things really get fun. When you realize that there is no limit to the potential of the human mind, what will you do? If you could become anyone you wanted, who would you be? If there is something that has not been done before, why not do it? For most people this too much. Learning a technique or two for eliminating a phobia will suffice for your layperson, but when it comes to mastering NLP, the ceiling is non-existent.
10. Have fun
This is probably the most important step. In between conquering the world, your fears and your craving for that coconut cream pie, remember the adventure will be what you make it. How you take to NLP should be exactly how you would ideally like to feel about life itself. Don’t make it “work”, don’t make it rigid, have fun and make it your own. This is where your success will come from.
NLP Video – Richard Bandler – What is NLP? Neuro linguistic programming.
For more information, see http://www.abetterlife-perth.com.au/hypnosis.shtml
Friday, 3 May 2013
From: L. Michael Hall
2013 Meta-Coach Reflections #13
April 4, 2013
WHAT DO YOU DO
ABOUT
AN ANTI-LEARNING PROGRAM?
I recently read several books by Chris Argyris, an original thinker about management, leadership, learning, change, etc. I was particularly interested when he described an anti-learning process which he called “a defensive structure.” Such defensive structures can be in both individuals and groups and as such work as formidable obstacles against learning. It is not only that we do not learn, it is that in such conditions, we cannot learn. There are structure that prevent learning. It operates like an antidote to learning.
Now have you ever had those kind of thoughts about another person, a client, a group (an organization or company) or even about yourself?
“What’s wrong with him, can’t he ever learn?” “I’ve told her a dozen times and she still doesn’t seem to get it!” “The group just keeps having the same argument over and over and we don’t ever seem to learn or move on. What’s going on?”
If you have ever experienced a situation like that, there is a strong likelihood that an anti-learning program (frame) was at work at a meta-level operating outside-of-conscious awareness. If the behaviors, languaging, and responses keep happening and it seems like learning is never achieved, it would probably be a good guess that there is a governing frame that is actually forbidding it.
Now if this is the case, how could a person or a group get themselves into that kind of quandry? Surely no individual or group would set something like that up on purpose! Woudl they? Surely, that kind of a thing would have to come about inadvertently, accidently, and as an unexpected consequence of something else. But what?
This is where Argyris’ description of it as a “defensive structure” is so useful. This suggests that the structure is there defending us against something. It must be a defense against some threat or danger. Given that, what would be some threat or danger to learning? Would it not be that what we would learn would be a perceived threat to our sense of self whether to ourselves or in the presence of others? So let’s make a list. It could be a threat or danger to —
∙ Being right: What if we learn that we are wrong about something?
∙ Being honest: What if we learn that we have been dishonest about something? That we lied, or betrayed a value?
∙ Being moral: What if we learn that we have done someone wrong? Violated them or hurt them in some way?
∙ Being ineffective: What if we learn that our hard work and extra hours amounted to nothing, was ineffective, didn’t achieve our objectives, etc.?
∙ Being less than we thought: What if we learn that our management was just mediocre, our leadership was less than inspiring, that the role that we cared so much about has been a disappointment?
In these ways and many more, what if we discover something which we do not want to discover about ourselves? Can we face the truth? Can we embrace a negative evaluation about ourselves or something we did or cared about? Ah, yes, it is here at these kinds of things that we most often find ourselves weak and vulnerable and so we build up defenses against them. We do not want to learn about such. Such things are “hard” truths— things are hard to hear, hard to see, and hard to say.
And, besides, we want to be positive, don’t we? We want to be an optimist, to look on the bright side of things, to be hopeful, and encouraging, and we don’t want to be a gloom-and-doom type of person, so it is in this way that we inadvertently and not-intentionally build up assumptive frames that work outside of our awareness to keep these hard truths away from us. And it is these defensive structures that operate as anti-learning programs.
Now does any of this have any relevance to coaching? You bet it does! This now gives you another distinction to make regarding your clients. It gives you more questions to ask:
What do you want to learn? What learning do you need to make to be more successful?
What do you need to un-learn? What old learnings are now in the way?
What do you fear learning? What anti-learning tendencies or frames might be holding you back from learning?
Picking up on the double loop of learning from Bateson and the MRI group, Argyris talked about superficial learning. This occurs when a person learns too fast. Well, at least it seems too fast. Something happens and a person quickly jumps to a conclusion, makes a new learning, and off he goes. Yet if there is no double-loop of learning, that is, no stepping back to examine the frames you used in your first learning, no asking, “What framed led me to draw the conclusions that I did?” “How did I interpret things in that way?” “How accurate or useful is that?” then the first learnings may be too shallow, too superficial, and unuseful in the long run.
For more information, see: Hypnosis
2013 Meta-Coach Reflections #13
April 4, 2013
WHAT DO YOU DO
ABOUT
AN ANTI-LEARNING PROGRAM?
I recently read several books by Chris Argyris, an original thinker about management, leadership, learning, change, etc. I was particularly interested when he described an anti-learning process which he called “a defensive structure.” Such defensive structures can be in both individuals and groups and as such work as formidable obstacles against learning. It is not only that we do not learn, it is that in such conditions, we cannot learn. There are structure that prevent learning. It operates like an antidote to learning.
Now have you ever had those kind of thoughts about another person, a client, a group (an organization or company) or even about yourself?
“What’s wrong with him, can’t he ever learn?” “I’ve told her a dozen times and she still doesn’t seem to get it!” “The group just keeps having the same argument over and over and we don’t ever seem to learn or move on. What’s going on?”
If you have ever experienced a situation like that, there is a strong likelihood that an anti-learning program (frame) was at work at a meta-level operating outside-of-conscious awareness. If the behaviors, languaging, and responses keep happening and it seems like learning is never achieved, it would probably be a good guess that there is a governing frame that is actually forbidding it.
Now if this is the case, how could a person or a group get themselves into that kind of quandry? Surely no individual or group would set something like that up on purpose! Woudl they? Surely, that kind of a thing would have to come about inadvertently, accidently, and as an unexpected consequence of something else. But what?
This is where Argyris’ description of it as a “defensive structure” is so useful. This suggests that the structure is there defending us against something. It must be a defense against some threat or danger. Given that, what would be some threat or danger to learning? Would it not be that what we would learn would be a perceived threat to our sense of self whether to ourselves or in the presence of others? So let’s make a list. It could be a threat or danger to —
∙ Being right: What if we learn that we are wrong about something?
∙ Being honest: What if we learn that we have been dishonest about something? That we lied, or betrayed a value?
∙ Being moral: What if we learn that we have done someone wrong? Violated them or hurt them in some way?
∙ Being ineffective: What if we learn that our hard work and extra hours amounted to nothing, was ineffective, didn’t achieve our objectives, etc.?
∙ Being less than we thought: What if we learn that our management was just mediocre, our leadership was less than inspiring, that the role that we cared so much about has been a disappointment?
In these ways and many more, what if we discover something which we do not want to discover about ourselves? Can we face the truth? Can we embrace a negative evaluation about ourselves or something we did or cared about? Ah, yes, it is here at these kinds of things that we most often find ourselves weak and vulnerable and so we build up defenses against them. We do not want to learn about such. Such things are “hard” truths— things are hard to hear, hard to see, and hard to say.
And, besides, we want to be positive, don’t we? We want to be an optimist, to look on the bright side of things, to be hopeful, and encouraging, and we don’t want to be a gloom-and-doom type of person, so it is in this way that we inadvertently and not-intentionally build up assumptive frames that work outside of our awareness to keep these hard truths away from us. And it is these defensive structures that operate as anti-learning programs.
Now does any of this have any relevance to coaching? You bet it does! This now gives you another distinction to make regarding your clients. It gives you more questions to ask:
What do you want to learn? What learning do you need to make to be more successful?
What do you need to un-learn? What old learnings are now in the way?
What do you fear learning? What anti-learning tendencies or frames might be holding you back from learning?
Picking up on the double loop of learning from Bateson and the MRI group, Argyris talked about superficial learning. This occurs when a person learns too fast. Well, at least it seems too fast. Something happens and a person quickly jumps to a conclusion, makes a new learning, and off he goes. Yet if there is no double-loop of learning, that is, no stepping back to examine the frames you used in your first learning, no asking, “What framed led me to draw the conclusions that I did?” “How did I interpret things in that way?” “How accurate or useful is that?” then the first learnings may be too shallow, too superficial, and unuseful in the long run.
For more information, see: Hypnosis
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
The Magical Nature of Beliefs By L Michael Hall Ph.D.
Introduction to Neuro Semantics Published 22/04/2013
The Magical Nature of Beliefs
Be careful what you believe!
What you believe will work as a self-fulfilling dynamic.
L. Michael Hall, Ph.D.
What is a belief? It is a thought which is embedded within a reality-confirmation frame. When we embed a thought inside a confirmation of reality, we create a phenomenon of the mind that we call a “belief.” And when we create a belief, we not only think of something, but we treat our thought as real. We attribute a meaning of reality to it.
So with a belief, with any belief, we frame our first thought as real. And to do that we frame it within another thought, a higher thought, so that it becomes a context (a mental context) for how we interpret the first thought. Then, having done that, we then begin to experience the content of our belief as being real so that from the inside-looking out, it has and gives off us all of the sense (and senses) of being real. What is the heart of beliefs? We construct “reality.” We create our inner sense of what’s real and what is not by the beliefs that we invent and adopt.
Reality-Endowing Perspective
It is in this way that beliefs are reality-endowing perspectives. In the creation of beliefs (e.g., in believing) we meta-state our thoughts with a higher level thought-and-feeling of various aspects of reality. That is, we bring the following states (mind-body states) to our basic idea:
“This is real.”
“This is actual.”
“This is the way it is.”
“This X is the meaning of Y.”
“This exists.”
“Things work this way.”
“This X leads to this Y.”
It is in this way we create beliefs about what is (what exists), how things work, the way we and others work, and the meaning of things— what is important (values), what to go for (intentions, outcomes), and how to feel or experience things (emotions).
These reality frames about ourselves, others, the world, what exists, what causes what, etc. describe how we confirm our thoughts. We confirm that our thoughts are legitimate, real, and actual. And it is this process of confirming that engages and elevates our thinking to the level of beliefs. Thoughts are at the first level— just representations in our mind of things. Beliefs are second thoughts about those first thoughts. Then we create beliefs about our beliefs.1
Mere thought only gives us ideas—content information about things. But we may or may not interpret such thoughts as real or valid. We may think that our thoughts are untrue, unreal, fantasy, wishful thinking, science fiction, myths, lies, and so on. These second thoughts about our first thoughts prevent us from treating them as something to direct our lives. We don’t act on such ideas. They do not refer to anything real. Or, just as equally we could say that these frames stop us so we do not “believe.”
Action Oriented
It is when we “believe” in an idea that we then act on it as a legitimate map about reality. We frame it as real—actual—legitimate and so we respond as if it is. All beliefs have this as if quality precisely because beliefs are not empirical thoughts, but operate at a second level to our first thoughts about the empirical world. That’s why beliefs do not have to be true, real, actual, or empirical to be believed. We all have, and do, believe things that are not true. Some of them hurt us; some help us.
Did you catch that? Beliefs do not have to be true, real, actual, or empirical to be believed. This is incredible!
Also, we can and do believe lots of things that we can’t “prove” to the satisfaction of all fair-minded people. In fact, this provides one way to determine if a thought is a belief or a first level representation of what you can see, hear, feel, smell, taste, etc. (empirical).
“Do all fair-minded people accept it?”
“Do non-believers accept it?”
If not, then you are working with a belief and not empirical information. And this is true regardless of the strength of your belief.
We do not “believe” in things that are empirical— things that we can see, hear, touch, and measure. At the primary level empirical things are the brute facts that all fair-minded people agree upon. Empirical things are simply accepted as existing. Even an unbeliever will acknowledge such. We study them so that we can more fully understand them. If the subject is not empirical and cannot be seen or measured, it is not a brute fact, but a belief fact.
When we believe, we think that we have enough or sufficient “proof” to go with our belief and to act upon it. We live our lives by thousands of beliefs simply because we have to assume that many things are so in order to take action. Otherwise we would be paralyzed from acting. Otherwise we would never get out and do anything.
Everyday we take actions believing that we will be able to do something, that what we do is important, and that our actions will bring forth the results we want, results that will make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. We don’t know that for sure. We act in belief that probability is on our side.
All of the Multiple Layers of Beliefs
All of this highlights that in believing we can have different degrees of evidence, different levels of beliefs that some are only one level away from the empirical things of brute facts and some are many levels away. We also have beliefs about our beliefs. We believe our beliefs are more sure, or less, more valid or less valid. This speaks to the strength of our beliefs.
How strong do you believe that?
Do you have any question or doubt about that?
Do you have some doubt? Will your doubt stop you?
Is your belief strong enough to get your through?
What else do you need to believe about that in order to step forward and act on that belief?
Do you have any limiting beliefs about that belief stopping you?
What would be the most powerful belief that would empower your first belief?
Beliefs are higher level frames or meta-states about our thoughts and ideas that embed our thoughts within the content of what we believe conviction that it is valid and legitimate. Beliefs then create our validity-frames. With them we see the content of the ideas that we believe as valid, real, and true. Beliefs govern our mapping of what’s true. We never believe what’s not true for us. If you think that something is not so, does not exist, is not true— you cannot believe it and you cannot believe in it. It will not govern your actions or mobilize your mind-body system. On the contrary you may dis-believe it— believe that it is not so. And we dis-believing you prevent it from commanding your neurology.
The Magic of Self-Fulfilling
All of this combines to create the self-fulfilling prophesy nature of beliefs. Whatever you believe, you will tend to see, hear, and experience. If it is possible to bring something into reality, then it is belief that mobilizes your mind-body to do so. Of course, not every belief can do that. You can believe all day and night that you can fly with your arms like superman but without that mechanism for flight in your neurology (unlike a bird or bee), your mind-body system will not be able to actualize that belief.
Beliefs create a self-fulfilling prophesy because a belief is a “command to the nervous system” abut what’s real.2 If you believe something is dangerous to your well-being, that belief will command your neurology to make the threat-to-your-being real and actual to you on the inside. It will organize the messages of your thoughts and ideas so that your nervous systems are informed about what’s happening and to mobilize your skills and resources to cope with that threat. That’s why your whole fight-flight system (the General Arousal System) is activated with all of the corresponding responses in your brain stem and body.
Creator Powers
The self-fulfilling prophesy nature of beliefs create both powers and problems. Beliefs that we can learn, that others have resources, that people are basically good, etc. enables as to call new realities into being. Whether things were that way originally, they become that way by our beliefs. But we can also believe in things that undermine us and sabotage the quality of our lives. If we believe that we are worthless, scum of the earth, that we will never amount to anything, that we don’t deserve to success, that others are cruel and want us to fail, etc., we similarly call those toxic experiences into existence.
Jesus noted this self-fulfilling nature and principle of beliefs when he said, “Be it unto you according to your faith.” Psychologically, the general principle is that life will work for you as you believe it will work for you. And that becomes even more true of your beliefs-in-yourbeliefs, for your higher level beliefs which comprise your belief sytems. It is by our beliefs that create our inner sense of reality, our inner maps about things, and then from there we create our our experience of reality. Beliefs endow us with creator powers for good or ill.
The Structure of Fanaticism
Beliefs are important at every level. And this becomes especially important if or when we believe in the validity of our beliefs. Do that and you have a command inside your Matrix of frames that will close your mind to seeing counter-evidence to your beliefs.3 You then become so sure of your beliefs, so confident, so convinced, that you may not even recognize your that your thinking at this level are beliefs. You may even say, “That’s not a belief, I know that.” And of course, at this stage you have moved into fanaticism.
In this, believing is one thing, but believing-in-the-rightness-of-your-beliefs is an entirely different thing. This is what does semantic damage to us because it shuts down the mind. It closes our minds. It sets a belief bias that colors the world and prevents us from detecting errors and making corrections. And this is true for every theological belief, philosophical belief, even for scientific beliefs about things.
Breaking through Beliefs
So can a strong absolute, even fanatical belief, be broken through? How could that happen? It typically happens when life does not work according to our beliefs.
Now generally, life operates according to our beliefs unless or until something intrudes into our life to rock our world in a way that prevents our beliefs from fulfilling themselves. It’s at those moments that reality hits and we crash and we begin to reconsider things.
At the same time, most of us actually work hard to protect ourselves from such. We insure that reality will not intrude by avoiding encountering experiences and people and books that would question our beliefs. That’s why we hang around people who believe as we believe, we read books and magazines that agree with our viewpoint, avoid experiences that would require a different belief, turn off TV programs we dislike, etc. We seek out people, books, and information that will reinforce our current beliefs. The self-fulfilling nature of beliefs drives this kind of behavior.
No wonder those who believe in something can become so sure, so absolute, and so fanatical. No wonder they close off any possibility that they could be wrong. That’s the question I ask people who knock on my door or come into my life who are so absolutely confident.
“Could you be wrong? Is that a possibility? If you could be wrong come in and let’s talk; if you can’t be wrong, please go and get some more life experiences.”
Confirmation Bias
If there’s no possibility that one could be wrong, then the person has shut the door of his or her mind to disconfirming information. Why is that? As they have become “true believers” to use Eric Hoeffer’s term, they have become fanatics. They can only see what their beliefs allow them to see. In this, beliefs create blindness of the mind so that a person can become blind to any information that differs from their understandings.
Belief Creation
It is because a thought does not have to be real or true or even legitimate to be believed that we can, and do, believe things that are wrong, false, untrue, hurtful, toxic, limiting, unsane, and even insane. This makes the quality of our beliefs of critical importance. It highlights our responsibility for choosing good, healthy beliefs that support our self-actualization, enhance our life and relationships, and empower us for continual development.
Ultimately no one is responsible for our beliefs, but ourselves. That’s because you and I only have the power to create them for ourselves. And what is the power that creates a belief? It is the power of confirmation. We confirm thoughts so they become beliefs. We confirm beliefs into existence— we call them into being, and when we do, we commission them to become commands to our nervous system, to set self-organizing attractors so that the belief will then create us in its image.
How is your power to create and to destroy beliefs? How skillfully competent are you at decommissioning limiting beliefs that do not serve you well? How easily and gracefully can you identify a limiting belief and pull it apart so that it is undone as a belief? So that it becomes a mere thought that does no semantic damage to you? How skilled are you in catching less-thangreat beliefs as you think and speak and reframe them on the spot? To do so is true mastery.
The Structure of Beliefs and Proof
Once you recognize the structure of a belief —a reality-confirming frame of a thought, then disconfirming the old and confirming the new gives you a quick, elegant, and powerful way to change beliefs. How? Say “No” to the old that de-commissions it and “Yes” to the new that enriches your responses. “Yes” and “No” make up the structures of the frames that generate reality-validating and dis-validating.
Yet merely saying “Yes” once to a thought will not suddenly transform it into a life-enhancing belief. We have to say “yes” to it repeatedly.
“Yes, I want to believe that! Yes, that would enrich my life. Yes, that would be nice.
Yes I am beginning to believe that. Yes I have some ideas about how that could be true and valid.”
Yes confirms. Yes welcomes an idea into our mind and enables us to begin to believe it. As we then say Yes to it for more reasons— this engages the higher levels of the mind to come up with understandings, explanations, and reasons for the belief.
Beliefs are like that—they need reasons for validation. The slow way to create a belief is to work with content, that is, to identify specific content information about something that enables us to make sense of the idea and to validate it. We can validate an idea with content by giving another person reasons to believe it. Yet this approach puts the belief at the disposal of the quality of the reasons, the logic of the reasons, and how the belief fits into the person’s networks of beliefs. If the new belief fits into the existing Matrix of beliefs makes sense (is meaningful), and matches the person’s way of reasoning (his or her logic and use of logic), then the new belief will go in and be accepted fairly easily.
Conversely, the less it fits into the person’s philosophies of life, basic understandings, and current belief systems and the more it differs from one’s way of thinking, the less it will make sense and so the more difficult it will be to take on and install as one’s belief.
That’s why the long, slow, and hard way to change beliefs is to argue, persuade, or reason ourselves or another into the belief. This content approach is how most people primarily attempts to alter beliefs, change beliefs, and take on new beliefs.
The Structural approach is to dis-validate the old with a No to clear mental-and-emotional space filled up by the old belief and to then validate the new belief with a Yes. Once this is accomplished, then the person’s own higher understandings will self-organize to find and invent supporting reasons and philosophies. And this mostly occurs outside-of-our-consciousness awareness. Because of this, the structural approach makes the process smoother and more elegant.
What is the FBI within the structural approach? It is that our beliefs lie embedded within higher frames, level upon level. So where ever there is a belief, there are higher frames-by-implication or FBI frames holding it in place. These are the premises, presuppositions, and assumptions that we operate from, mostly unconsciously, that support the belief. So when we confirm a new thought so it evokes a new belief, the higher levels, the presuppositional levels of our understandings, philosophies, etc. go to work to come up with acceptable explanations for our new belief. You can see this in others when they begin “justifying” their beliefs with legitimate and illegitimate reasons. It is not the content of the justifying that creates the belief, but the process of justifying— the process of finding and/or creating reasons.
“Proof” is in the mind of the beholder — in the mind of the believer. What “proves” a belief for you? What confirms it? ?What gives it validity and credibility for you? What makes it worthy of your trust? What do you use? For many people, credibility arises from the number of times they have heard something, or the emotional intensity, or if they read it in a book, or if an expert said it, or if there were numbers and statistics connected to it, or if they read it in a book, or if it seems practical, or if it fits into one’s referent group, etc. All kinds of things can be used for “proof.” Again, it is not the content of the proof, but the fact that we are “proving” to ourselves its validity and giving ourselves some reason to say Yes to it. It is the proving process that creates the “proofs.”
What convinces you?4 Are you easily convinced of things or do you tend to resist being convinced? Are you automatically convinced and give everything the benefit of the doubt? Are you that naïve and trusting? Or are you never convinced and have to be continuously convinced to consider same new idea at every moment? Are you that skeptical?
Because “proof” can consists of all kinds of things, what convinces one person will not convince another. What is proof for one person doesn’t persuade another in the least. What is proof for one leaves others empty and totally skeptical. It’s not the content of the proof that does the magic of creating a belief, but the presence of something that serves for a person as “proof.”
Believing and being a Believer
The bottom line is that we are all believers. Some believe in a higher intelligence called God; some believe that there is no God. Both are believers. No one has proof; each calls upon all kinds of evidence that for them are convincing. But both believe. Either is a choice. What is not a choice is whether to believe or not to believe. We don’t have that choice. Believe we must — and believe we do about a thousand things. So being a believer, the choice is whether you bring an absolutism to your belief or recognize that they are human maps— fallible, liable to error, and make them open to correction and refinement.
Summary
Beliefs are magical things —they are thoughts and yet they are more than thoughts. They are awarenesses and yet they are more than just awareness. Beliefs make up the construct of the Matrix of our minds—how we come to know and understand things, give meaning to things, and work inside our mind-body system to create energy, emotions, and actions.
The “magic” of beliefs is that they command our Neuro-Semantics thereby incorporating our ideas into our very neurology. The “magical” of beliefs can also be seen in their self-fulfilling nature—how they color our world and blinds us to what doesn’t filter the beliefs.
Author
L. Michael Hall, Ph.D. is a cognitive psychology who has turned his attention to the structure of experience through studies in NLP and Neuro-Semantics. For more about “beliefs” see his book, Sub-Modalities Going Meta and Mind-Lines.
For more information on this post: www.neurosemantics.com
For further information: contact Ross and Marie at www.abetterlife-perth.com.au
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