Unconscious Mind and NLP

The core concept behind the Milton Model in Neuro-linguistic Programming is that the unconscious mind is always alert, and listening to the external world. Suggestions made by the therapist trained in Neuro-linguistic courses can have a hypnotic influence on the patient, provided they are in accord with the openness and uninhibited characteristics of the unconscious mind. The patient might well by oblivious to the surroundings or the actual happenings.

With the aid of indirect suggestions, the therapist can cause the unconscious mind to be actively involved in the therapeutic process. Even a seemingly normal conversation with the therapist using Neuro-linguistic training can have a therapeutic effect on the patient, by employing the unconscious mind using hypnotic trance.

The Milton Model allows the therapist practicing Neuro-linguistic Programming to enter a state of trance, as it helps the therapist to be more open and understanding of the language nuances and choice of words of the patient. A trance can help the Neuro-linguistic therapist listen more attentively what the client is trying to portray, and then see the underlying details and beliefs more clearly.

According to Erickson, the state of being in trance is a common phenomenon. We get involved in certain activities everyday, which cuts us off from the surrounding extraneous stimuli, engrossing our entire attention on a particular pursuit. The activity could be anything that is common, such as watching television, listening to music, exercising, reading a book or working. This immersion can be called a state of trance, and is so common that we generally do not recognize entering this hypnotic experience. In such cases, our attention is captured by the activity, either with some question of through an unusual interesting experience.

When our interest is captured, the left or the right brain takes over, and we tend to give a blank or lost gaze. In some cases when the brain is engaged in an activity such as recalling a name or experience, the eye lids close, the body becomes temporarily motionless, involuntary actions such as breathing, swallowing are subdued, and a state is reached where the conscious mind in impervious to the surroundings until the unconscious mind has finished its thought process or activity. Once the activity is over, the patient comes back to the normal conscious state of reality.

It can be said that we constantly keep on switching between momentary trance and actual reality in our everyday life.

NLP Milton Model Conclusion

The Milton Model of Neuro-linguistic Programming therefore uses this basic phenomenon of being in trance to reach the unconscious mind. It is quite easy to help a client reach a state of trance, using certain non-verbal and verbal methods developed by Erickson. Erickson established the concept that day-to-day experiences such as confusion, engrossment and astonishment are nothing but a state of trance. Using these techniques, and indirect suggestion, the patient can be helped to overcome his problems, fears and bad habits using Neuro-linguistic therapy.

Another technique was the handshake induction. Here the usual pattern of a handshake is interrupted in between, resulting in a light trance. Since the process of doing a handshake is well known and widely recognized, any variation in the method will make the receiver enter a state of wonder or inner search. Any suggestion made at this point will not be heard by the conscious mind. Richard Bandler particularly supported the handshake induction method, and created his own version, which he taught at several Neuro-linguistic training workshops.

The Relationship between the Unconscious Mind and NLP

NLP Milton Model Conclusion

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