States and State Management

Question 1

What is a state? A neuro-linguistic state?

Answer 1

1. A mind-body experience, a holistic experience;
2. A primary experience in reference to something in the world.

Question 2

What is a neuro-semantics state?

Answer 2

A state in NS is a higher level state of frames of mind.

Question 3

What do we mean by a stuck state?

Answer 3

1. A state wherein one feels limited,
2. A state with a limiting map that prevents the person from moving forward.

Question 4

What does going meta mean?

Answer 4

1. To step back from something,
2. Move to a higher level,
3. “about, above” something.

Question 5

What are the two royal roads to state?

Answer 5

1. Mind / thinking
2. Body / acting

Question 6

What are the three key ways to access a state?

Answer 6

1. ** Remember** a time … (memory)
2. ** Imagine** what it would be like if… (create)
3. Think of someone who … (model)

Question 7

Define confusion and overwhelm.

Answer 7

1. Confusion: This is where the bits are there but they are not organised. We are confused; our mind is all over the place. Create environment for learning (trance)
2. Overwhelm: We are unable to gather the thought processes needed to progress as there is too much information. Chunk up / use meta-modalities e,g. distance (further) and size (smaller)

Question 8

What is a state interrupt?

Answer 8

A state interrupt is the interruption of a current state.

Question 9

What are five examples of state interrupts in interaction?

Answer 9

1. Change subject abruptly: “What did you eat for breakfast yesterday?”, “What is the time?”
2. Bring up something irrelevant that does not follow e.g. ask to say telephone number backwards
3. Do something that calls attention to itself or something else: T-sign for time-out, spill water on someone.., fall down, stand on one’s head, burp, etc.
4. Use voice e.g. shift to sexy tonality
5. Turn around / away from someone while talking

Question 10

What do the terms “association” and “dissociation” mean in NLP?

Answer 10

1. Experiencing a state / thinking and talking about a state.
2. Stepping in and out of an experience.

Question 11

Why do we discourage the use of the terms “association” and “dissociation” in Neuro-Semantics?

Answer 11

1. “Dissociation” is used in psychology to describe pathology and pathological states - a problem, not a resource e.g. “Dissociative Disorders.”
2. As embodied neuro-linguistic beings, we cannot literally dissociate from our bodies.” Dissociation from one state implies associating into another

Question 12

How does NS define and describe/refer to dissociation?

Answer 12

1. Dissociation means a person is conceptually stepping aside from his or her emotions and thinking about them from a meta position. As embodied neuro-linguistic
2. Preferred terminology: (i.) stepping in an out of states and (ii.) perceptual styles - first perceptual position (associate) or second and third (dissociate).

Question 13

What are five examples of state interrupts in personal context?

Answer 13

1. Humour and laughter are great pattern stoppers. Choosing to see the funny side.
2. Going for a walk or taking time out when stressed or angry.
3. Going a different way to work.
4. Taking a week off from a usual activity such as watching TV.
5. “Sleeping on it” for a creative solution, rather than plodding on.

Question 14

What is the value of confusion and overwhelm as process tools in NLP? When would you use such?

Answer 14

1. Confusion and overwhelm can interrupt old patterns and strategies and
2. Provide the (i.) attention, (ii.) interest and (iii.) motivation to look at something with fresh eyes.