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Product reviews for The User's Manual for the Brain Volume II
LCCH News Anne Marshall,
As the title suggests, this second volume of The User's Manual for the Brain builds upon the skills of NLP outlined in Volume I, introducing some of the newer advances in the field that take the reader from the level of Practitioner to Master Practitioner. There is a wealth of information bringing advanced skills to the NLP Practitioner and as such is not a beginner's guide. Rather, Volume II offers a comprehensive manual covering many aspects of advanced NLP practice.
Some of the new material introduced in this volume includes: Meta-Programmes, Meta-States, “Sub-modalites” as meta-level framing, Advanced Meta-Model distinctions, Mind-Lines as conversational reframing patterns, Advanced Time Line Patterns, The Meta-Domains systemic model. The book is further enhanced by the inclusion of some of the new advances in the concepts of meta programmes, meta states and submodalities.
The User's Manual for the Brain Volume II is essentially a step by step guide to systematically integrating advanced NLP skills, presuppositions, models, processes and applications within the four meta domains: Meta-States, Meta-Modalities, Meta-Programmes and the Meta-Model. To this end, a wealth of exercises, scripts and comprehensive discussions are included that allow the NLP practitioner to further enhance and refine their therapeutic techniques.
At the start of each chapter a particular skill or concept is introduced. This theme is then developed to an advanced level before concluding with a summary that encapsulates the main points of learning. Diagrams, flow charts and tables included throughout the text are occasional. One criticism could be applied that there should be more of these to cater for those readers who process more in a -˜visual' modality.
Written clearly and concisely, this textbook is by no means -˜lightweight', and the authors' genuine passion for NLP shines throughout. Bodenhammer and Hall have thankfully avoided using an academic tone, managing to -˜speak' through their writing pretty much in the same way as they would -˜speak' those ideas when teaching on a training course. This very much increases the whole -˜user friendly' tone that is evident upon reading this book.
The authors state that they wish to invite the reader to experience “the adventure of mastery of NLP”. This they say does not come about through the mere acquisition of skills but also requires the development of an attitude, to develop the very spirit of NLP and to become -˜a master in running your own brain'. In my opinion Bob Bodenhammer and Michael Hall have written a book that most certainly lives up to this premise.
The User's Manual for the Brain Volume II is an incredibly informative read, and one may be tempted to fall into the trap of thinking that it could replace attendance at a professional training course. However, it should be remembered that theoretical learning alone does not replace practice, and that a combination of both under professional supervision is required for the development of both skill and experience. Even though the book contains many practical exercises, in order to bring all these fascinating tools to life a partner or study group is most certainly required.
I found the chapter on -˜Practical NLP' a particularly enjoyable read. The authors ask: “When you finally reach a place of mastery, then what? What will that do for you?” To answer these questions they present an excellent overview demonstrating how NLP can be used to create significant and beneficial changes within a variety of areas that include psychotherapy, education, and business, and, of course, within the field of personal growth.
The book does have a comprehensive bibliography. However, it noticeably lacks index that would enable readers who wish to pull together all the relevant strands of information on a given topic to do so. Similarly a glossary of terms, such as is available in Volume I, is missing and would also be greatly welcomed.
From the outset, the authors advise that if the reader wishes to fully master the material contained within The User's Manual for the Brain Volume II they “will need a good dose of courage, boldness and passion, for these patterns will not work their full magic if you attempt to use them while you are hesitating, fearful or unmotivated”. This is certainly not a book for the fainthearted and for anyone new to NLP it will not be an easy read. It is an advanced manual dealing with complex topics and as such assumes that the reader is already familiar with Volume I or has completed an NLP Practitioner course. With this in mind the book is a goldmine of useful information and is to be highly recommended.
Some of the new material introduced in this volume includes: Meta-Programmes, Meta-States, “Sub-modalites” as meta-level framing, Advanced Meta-Model distinctions, Mind-Lines as conversational reframing patterns, Advanced Time Line Patterns, The Meta-Domains systemic model. The book is further enhanced by the inclusion of some of the new advances in the concepts of meta programmes, meta states and submodalities.
The User's Manual for the Brain Volume II is essentially a step by step guide to systematically integrating advanced NLP skills, presuppositions, models, processes and applications within the four meta domains: Meta-States, Meta-Modalities, Meta-Programmes and the Meta-Model. To this end, a wealth of exercises, scripts and comprehensive discussions are included that allow the NLP practitioner to further enhance and refine their therapeutic techniques.
At the start of each chapter a particular skill or concept is introduced. This theme is then developed to an advanced level before concluding with a summary that encapsulates the main points of learning. Diagrams, flow charts and tables included throughout the text are occasional. One criticism could be applied that there should be more of these to cater for those readers who process more in a -˜visual' modality.
Written clearly and concisely, this textbook is by no means -˜lightweight', and the authors' genuine passion for NLP shines throughout. Bodenhammer and Hall have thankfully avoided using an academic tone, managing to -˜speak' through their writing pretty much in the same way as they would -˜speak' those ideas when teaching on a training course. This very much increases the whole -˜user friendly' tone that is evident upon reading this book.
The authors state that they wish to invite the reader to experience “the adventure of mastery of NLP”. This they say does not come about through the mere acquisition of skills but also requires the development of an attitude, to develop the very spirit of NLP and to become -˜a master in running your own brain'. In my opinion Bob Bodenhammer and Michael Hall have written a book that most certainly lives up to this premise.
The User's Manual for the Brain Volume II is an incredibly informative read, and one may be tempted to fall into the trap of thinking that it could replace attendance at a professional training course. However, it should be remembered that theoretical learning alone does not replace practice, and that a combination of both under professional supervision is required for the development of both skill and experience. Even though the book contains many practical exercises, in order to bring all these fascinating tools to life a partner or study group is most certainly required.
I found the chapter on -˜Practical NLP' a particularly enjoyable read. The authors ask: “When you finally reach a place of mastery, then what? What will that do for you?” To answer these questions they present an excellent overview demonstrating how NLP can be used to create significant and beneficial changes within a variety of areas that include psychotherapy, education, and business, and, of course, within the field of personal growth.
The book does have a comprehensive bibliography. However, it noticeably lacks index that would enable readers who wish to pull together all the relevant strands of information on a given topic to do so. Similarly a glossary of terms, such as is available in Volume I, is missing and would also be greatly welcomed.
From the outset, the authors advise that if the reader wishes to fully master the material contained within The User's Manual for the Brain Volume II they “will need a good dose of courage, boldness and passion, for these patterns will not work their full magic if you attempt to use them while you are hesitating, fearful or unmotivated”. This is certainly not a book for the fainthearted and for anyone new to NLP it will not be an easy read. It is an advanced manual dealing with complex topics and as such assumes that the reader is already familiar with Volume I or has completed an NLP Practitioner course. With this in mind the book is a goldmine of useful information and is to be highly recommended.
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15/09/2004 01:00
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