Starting to Anchor

[hiddeninclouds]

Hello All!

First I would like to say thank you all for being here :) This site seems to be a wonderful resource. I began studying hypnosis / NLP a few months ago and with each book I've read it seems like I need to read another two! So far I have read Hypnotherapy by Elman, Patterns of Erickson one and two (Does a Patterns vol 3 exist?), NLP 1 The structure of subjective experience by Bandler, Grinder and Dilts. And I intend to read many more of the books referenced in these books, most likely moving onto Structure of Magic one and two next.

Recently (due to comments by Elman) I've attempted to get rid of the 'need to read more before acting' type attitude. So I've been trying to anchor my smoking behavior in order to trigger the 'states of smoking' without tobacco. I realize that if I were to try to stop smoking this would be a bad approach (treating symptoms not problems) But for my fun little experiment what I've been doing is touching anchor 1 while taking in smoke, touching anchor 2 while taking in that trail of air following the smoke and finally touching anchor 3 on exhale. I was wondering if anyone had any comments or suggestions based on what I'm studying and how I've tried to apply some of it.

[Terry]

Anyone can read books on "how to paint a picture", and purchase few art supplies. Having done this, and planning to paint a country scene, how would you expect your painting to turn out?
The paragraph that got you thinking is intended to point out that book ready, while of value to some degree, can and often i overdone to the detriment of proper training and practise. Do you assume that your mind is of so little value that you have no need to spend too much money to learn how to direct is properly, or perhaps you feel that it is so old that it knows pretty much how to direct itself with just a little book reading on your part to start it into motion? Well fact is, it does need skilled direction if you are to attain all you hope for in your life, but note I said "skilled" not intelligent.
Many are intelligent enough to be able to direct their own mind, but not skilled enough to do the job properly, and I suggest you fit that pattern. The answer of course is to take training locally, but if that is not to your likeing, be prepared to fail because that is the end result of self help without the prerequisit skills, and any attempt to "help" you from a distance is no better than reading one more book, totally useless without the abilities you need and lack.....

[hiddeninclouds]

Thanks for your comments Terry! I agree that I need more than book learning, but I'm intimidated by the idea of investing money in the wrong training (someone who lacks 'correct' knowledge or who lacks teaching ability, not to mention that I've formed the idea of this training costing much more than the books). In addition to that, my background is in computer information systems. My learning of these skills went something along the lines of six to seven years of book learning and self exploration followed by four years of working with others and applying what i've learned. There is no doubt that I grew more quickly by doing than reading but I feel that without that base knowledge (reading) I could have never accomplished the learning I gained in applying what was read. I live in the Chicago area. Anyone know where I can be properly trained without paying an arm and a leg?

[Connie]

I don't know what he charges, but I do know a Richard Bandler certified Licensed Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming™in the Chicago-land area.

He's a terrific guy (I studied with him). If you're serious, send me your information via PM and I'll forward it on to him.

[Don]

I agree with all of the advice given. I would also suggest that rather thinking in terms of one training being the be-all and end-all (and therefore must be the bestest and greatestest thing ever!), that you consider the idea of just doing one training, and a few months or a year later taking another. NOTHING is perfect. It may be that some training aren't as good as others, but you'll learn from every one you take.

I'd just like to comment a bit on your "experiment." It seems to me like you're saying there are some benefits to smoking, and you'd like those benefits without the perils of actual smoking. That way you can quit smoking but still get the supposed benefits.

The thing is, as long as you see benefits in smoking, your unconscious mind will have no reason for you not to smoke. Your efforts will actually reinforce your smoking. Bad choice, my friend, bad choice.

I would respectfully suggest that you consider instead figuring the behaviors you want independent of smoking. When you can anchor those behaviors you will no longer see any sort of benefit in smoking from a conscious or unconscious level, and be able to stop.

[Poodle]

Yes - for starters. There is a problem in that a book cannot teach you how an apple tastes, how to ride a bike or numerous other things. There is a reason is is called Neuro (brain - sensory systems) Linguistic (language) Programming. You are leaving out the sensory systems and language so you really can't program. How do you know exactly how to do a K anchor? What exactly does it feel like? Don't know do you as books cannot explain that. It is something that needs to be felt in person and taught in person.

Also in Chicago lives the "grand lady of NLP" and she also teaches hypnosis and is the only person in the USA authorized to teach DHE. I certainly would have no problem putting my learning in her hands. Her husband passed on in January and I don't see any trainings scheduled until Fall with her. Surely you can save up enough money to go by then.

Just remember - it's about like a computer - GIGO!! -- and we all know what that means, huh?

The books make a whole lot more sense after you have had traiing. We LOVE books and it seems as if we are all constantly buying more. To answer your question, no there is not a Patterns 3. You may wish to go with some of the out-of-print ones now like Trance-formations and Frogs Into Princes - both by Bandler & Grinder and available used on places like Amazon.

Pood

[Terry]

Well first of all, what do you call, an arm and a leg? Ten dollars for a loaf of bread would be "an arm and a leg" while $40.000.00 for a top of the line car would be very reasonable. What value do you place on your mind?
Have you actually made any enquiries as to availablity or cost. If you have not, I am left to wonder why you would presume anything if it was important to you.

[hiddeninclouds]

Connie, thanks for your input, I look forward to hearing from you.

Terry, at this point it was an assumption of good training being costly, though I"ll admit that I don't have enough information.

Don, How does chemical addiction interact with suggestions? Elman gave me the impression that attempting to stop smoking via unconscious suggestion will only be effective for a month or so.

Poodle, thank you for the book recommendations. Who is the "grand lady of NLP"?

[Don]

HIC:
Well, you know what happens when you make assumptions! ;)

Hypnosis has been documented for uses as a powerful anesthetic for over 150 years. If it can allow incredible surgery without pain, don't you think the mind can have an effect on chemical dependency?

Smoking cessation is a standard use of hypnotherapy. If is wasn't permanently effective, it wouldn't be a major source of financial income for hypnotherapists all over the world.

[hiddeninclouds]

The view I reflected on regarding smoking was from Hypnotherapy By Dave Elman. Do you know of any reason why he expressed this conclusion?

[Terry]

Not having read that book, I can only assume that you misread. Yes such can happen when proper techniques are not used, but I doubt Elman was commenting on poor quality therapy, so I must conclude that it is your interpretation that is at fault.
In the early days of my practise, I did indeed have failures such as you suggest but that was when I was less skilled and knowledgable than I am now. Later I understood why, but such insight comes with training, practise, and the building up of knowledge. You have still to walk that path, and until such time as you do, discussion has no value. Want answers go to the source, in this case Elman and ask instead of asking us to explain what someone else meant by what you read....

[hiddeninclouds]

Terry, you've sold me on training education :)

Does anyone know the name (and ideally contact information) of this 'grand lady of NLP' located in the Chicagoland area?

[Poodle]

You have a pc. Look for NLP Trainers in the Chicago area. You also have phone books. Actually, I believe she is a NLP Master Trainer. Look also for hypnotists. I think she's in a suburb but as I said before she doesn't have anything scheduled until Fall that I saw. When you have exhausted ALL of your available resources, then feel free to PM me.

Have fun!!

Pood :)

[hiddeninclouds]

Poodle, are you referring to Barbara Stepp?

[Soren K (existing)]

Is a lightbulb a lightbulb ?
:)

[Merlin]

hiddeninclouds,

Elman was long ago.
He passed from us in the '60s.
He had the unfortunate belief that hypnosis is ineffective for smoking.
Guess what? he died a chain smoker.

Much has been learned since Elman's death over 40 years ago!

Anchors are more effective (for your described application) if there is emotional charge to them. The more emotion, the better.
There probably is not much emotional charge to your smoking.
So, choose something else.
Better still, for anchoring, take an NLP class.

[hiddeninclouds]

Perhaps this question is jumping the gun (things I will read, and will learn more about come fall), but I attempted another anchor this past weekend. I was watching my sister graduate college with my family. My mother was so proud that she was tearing. So when they called her name, i paused for about one and a half seconds and then attempted to establish an anchor to that 'tearful proud feeling' my mother had by lightly touching her shoulder. My testing of the anchor later seemed like it wasn't planted. My initial impressions were that perhaps I didn't let the emotion hit it's peak, or maybe I didn't pace correctly or created too much awareness of what I was doing (I got my mothers consent to do this). Any thoughts?

[Soren K (existing)]

Any thoughts? Go see Barb. :)

[hiddeninclouds]

Go see Barb. :)

I intend to in Oct :) But this stuff is just too interesting to keep out of my mind till then

[Poodle]

in large cities there are often meetings of NLPers. Check everything you can find (net, newspapers, etc.) to find out if there are any in your area. I seriously doubt if anyone attending would not help you with a K anchor. It's one of the beginning things one learns in NLP. After you learn it, you'll be wondering: Why did I think it was sooo difficult when it is sooo easy. It's because like everything in life, one has to learn how. You need an instructor and lots of classmates with whom to practice. Another nice thing about live trainings is that the teacher is always there to correct anything that may go awry.

Have fun and I just know you will totally love our world!!

Pood :)