From: wilkman@med.unc.edu (Alice Wilkman)
Subject: Re: Neuro-Linguistic Programming (FAQ)
Keywords: NLP  NeuroLinguistic Programming 
Organization: UNC-CH School of Medicine
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 18:29:03 GMT

In article <1992Dec11.220141.2970@news.Hawaii.Edu> 
lady@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Lee Lady) writes:
>In article <10378@vtserf.cc.vt.edu> usdgog@vtserf.cc.vt.edu
> (Greg Granger) writes:
>>On the other side of the coin, if the NLP people would like to share
>>something about the NLP process, PLEASE DO SO. 

>In my opinion, one of the best ways of getting an idea of what NLP is
>about is to send a postcard to NLP Comprehensive, 2897 Valmont Rd, 
>Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 442-1102 and ask them to send you their catalog
>of books and videotapes.  Looking through the titles and descriptions
>will give you a much more realistic picture of NLP than listening to late
>night infomercials.  

Or just reading usenet.  I have on posted similar advice in 
the past.  I still consider it to be a simple way to learn a 
little more about NLP.  And for those completely unfamiliar 
with NLP, the NLP Comprehensive founders are highly regarded 
for their pioneering work in NLP training by people in NLP 
and by those who do not dismiss NLP out of hand.  Presumably 
that is mentioned in the FAQ, which I haven't seen.

However, for most people who have access to usenet, another 
relatively easy option is to go to your library and look to 
see if there are any of the NLP books in the collection.  
You may find one or more of the Bandler/Grinder books and 
you can read about NLP from the original sources for 
yourself for free.  And if specific questions arise, there 
are a number of people here who may be able to answer them. 
Or tell you about other people who can.

This issue has come up several times lately, I would like to 
make some clarifications about what you will find in the NLP 
Comprehensive catalog (I have *no* connection with NLP 
Comphrehensive, it is meant solely as clarification).  

Lee Lady has on several occasions implied that NLP is not 
suitable for "self-improvement" type programs, sometimes in 
the same posting where he mentions NLP Comprehensive.  I 
understand that because of his training, especially his 
training in the early 80's with Leslie Cameron-Bandler when 
NLP  was geared mainly toward therapists, he continues to 
stress its usefulness as techniques for therapy, for 
therapists working with clients.  

Without discounting its usefulness in therapeutic situations 
(of which I have no experience), I and others believe NLP 
has much broader usefulness and encourage people to read the 
sources and decide for themselves whether they think it is 
bogus, a waste of time and money, or if it does have value 
for them.  And to do it with the goal of investigating if it 
may help them do whatever it is they do now, in better ways, 
whether that is therapy or anything else.  If you find it 
doesn't sound like something you are interested in, it is 
very easy to avoid learning any more about it.

It is obvious that "live" training can afford experience 
that home study can't and it seems equally obvious that most 
people who want to develop an in depth knowledge of NLP will 
want to get training beyond what is available as home study 
courses or reading. It is not, in my opinion, an absolute 
requirement for people who want to begin to explore what NLP 
has to offer to sign up for live training sessions.

I quote briefly from the NLP Comprehensive Catalog as 
Connirae and Steve Andreas give their view of NLP and their 
goal.  "Traditional models of management and psychology are 
no longer enough.  What's unique about NLP is that it 
enables us to go beyond good intentions; it melds 
competence, compassion, and flexibility to provide us with 
practical means to make changes we want for ourselves, and 
to make a contributions toward improving the condition of 
the human spirit, and ultimately the world."

In addition to what could be considered the basic books of 
NLP and a number of video and audio tapes aimed at people 
with pior NLP training, they offer at least 3 programs that 
are intended specifically for home use by people untrained 
in NLP techniques.

The first is a "The Neuro-Linguistic Programming Home Study 
Guide" a video and book developed by David Gordon, Leslie 
Cameron-Bandler and Michael Lebeau.  Of which the catalog 
states, "Gain a level of understanding that goes beyond a 
one-time seminar experience."

They also offer two 6-tape series that are produced by 
Nightingale-Conant (and also marketed by N-C by direct 
mail).  Both of these series are done by NLP Comprehensive 
trainers (Charles Faulkner is a prime developer of both and 
other NLP trainers also participate) and both are 
unmistakably intended to be used to assist "self 
improvement" at home.

Again from the catalog, "These tapes guide you through 
making changes using proven NLP techniques... You will be 
able to use the patterns on these tapes again and again to 
change different areas of your life"  Of the second set "You 
will learn to get the most enjoyment out of your daily 
life..."

People who want to dismiss NLP on the basis of their own 
experience, on no experience, or the experience of others 
are free to do so.  People who think it may be interesting 
to them will have to do a little work on their own to 
investigate.  I think it is important to have a balanced 
picture of what is being offered by some well known NLP 
Trainers and what they themselves are saying about the 
material they offer. 


>You can do this without worrying that your mailbox will start being
>flooded by junk mail.  However if this is a real concern, simply state on
>your postcard "Please do not add me to your mailing list."  
  
If my experience is typical, NLP Comprehensive, does in fact 
make their mailing list available to others, but not widely.  
Like other mail order concerns, however, if you tell them 
not to give out your name, I feel confident they will comply 
with your request.

In addition, NLP Comprehensive placed in their catalog this 
year a postage-paid post card with the request to return it 
to them if you no longer wanted to receive their mailings.  
I get hundreds of catalogs, this is something I had never 
seen before and I think it is quite commendable and hope it 
becomes the industry standard. (Just my opinion.)

Alice Wilkman
Newsgroups: alt.hypnosis