Metaphors in Mind: Transformation through Symbolic Modelling

171 Pages·2000·16.748 MB·English

by  James Lawley, Penny Tompkins

METAPHORS IN MIND
Alsoby James Lawley and Penny Tompkins
A Strange and Strong Sensation (DVD) "
Transformation through Symbolic Modelling
James Lawley
and
Penny Tompkins
~
The Deueloping Company Press
---------------------------------------------------------------,
,------------. .•
This bookis dedicated to
DAVIDGROVE
who has paid due diligence tohis craft.
Published by The Developing Company Press, 2000
www.cleanlanguage.co.uk
Reprinted 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005
Distributed byAngloAmerican Book Company Ltd.
www.anglo-american.co.uk
Copyright ©James Lawley and Penny Tompkins, 2000
The authors assert the moral right to
be identified as the authors ofthis work.
Acatalogue record for this book
is available from the British Library
ISBN 0-9538751-0-5
and the Library ofCongress, NO.2002491763
Allrights reserved. Nopart ofthis book may be
reproduced, stored in aretrieval system ortransmitted,
in any form orby any means electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording orotherwise, without the prior
permission ofthe publishers.
Metaphors inMind has been translated into Italian.
Mente eMetafore (ISBN 8-8815001-2-4) is available from:
Gruppo Editoriale Infomedia
www.infomedia.it
r,t./1.•,r.r..•
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CONTENTS
FOREWORDbyDavid Grove ix3
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS x2i1xiii
INTRODUCTION
.,'"
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I BACKGROUNDKNOWLEDGE
,1 Metaphors WeLive By
2 Models WeCreate By
II THE HEART OFSYMBOLICMODELLING
3 Less is More:Basic Clean Language 51
4 Clean Language Without Words 83
III THE FIVE-STAGEPROCESS
5 Stage 1:Entering the Symbolic Domain 101
-_._~--- --~6--Stage_2.:..ne.YeloI1ing.sYJIlbolicPerceptions_ 121
7 Stage 3:Modelling Symbolic Patterns 146
8 Stage 4:Encouraging Conditions forTransformation 173
9 Stage 5:Maturing the Evolved Landscape 210
IV IN CONCLUSION
10 Outside and Beyond 235
V ANNOTATEDTRANSCRIPTS
Castle Door 253
Jubilee Clip 261
Lozenge 273
APPENDIX:Summary ofClean Language Questions 282
NOTES 285
BIBLIOGRAPHY 303
INDEX 309
ABOUTTHEAUTHORS 317
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Foreword
An eighteenth century botanist planted a willow sapling in a barrel
after first weighing both the sapling and the soil.After the sapling had
grown for five years, he weighed the tree and discovered that it had
increased in mass by 195pounds. Upon weighing the soilhe was sur
prised to find that it had decreased in weight by only 13ounces. The
question is,where dida 195pound tree come from ifnot from the soil?
The only answer is, out ofthin air!
And it isbydelving into thin air itself that we discover an explana
tion for this mystery. During the light of day a tree absorbs carbon
dioxide through its leaves. Then at night, during the dark phase of
photosynthesis, the carbon dioxide molecule is separated into one
carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. The tree releases the oxygen
atoms back into the air and forms the carbon atoms into a six carbon
simple sugar ring which is a building block for cellulose. The hidden
beauty inthis system isthe deconstruction, release and recombination
of basic elements from one structure to another. The mass and
structure ofthe tree isthe result ofthis mysterious process.
ix
x Metaphors in Mind
Just likebuilding blocksofacarbon atom that have been re-combined
toformmore complex compounds, Penny Thmpkins and James Lawley
have synthesized elements from a variety of sources such as Neuro
Linguistic Programming, Clean Language and systems thinking- and
added both mass and structure. Although my original work was in a
therapeutic context, their synthesis has made it available toothers who
have taken it into the fields ofbusiness, education, health and social
services. Ihave tremendous admiration forthe innovative work they ,'::.
Acknowledgments
'- have developed.
My first encounter with Penny and James appeared tomaterialize
out ofthin air. Penny's tenacious 'won't take noforan answer' style and
James' inquiring, penetrating questions formed myinitial introduction
to them. My life continues to be enriched by our ongoing interactions.
'Developing' is a word that Istrongly associate with both ofthem. Not
only is it the name oftheir company, but it also describes what Ihave
come torecognize as aconstant theme which they apply tothemselves
Our thanks to Lynne Preston for pinning us down to start writing at
as well as the clients with whom they work.
7:00am on 1stAugust, 1997 and her continued faith ever since.
I congratulate Penny and James oncompleting this valuable book.
Our early drafts benefited from the supportive comments of:Tom
The immense degree ofdedication and devotion that they steadfastly
Allport, Clive Bach, Gilly Barton, Dee Berridge, Roger Butler, Judi
maintained during the course ofthis project has resulted in a richly
Buttner, BobJanes, Gina Sanders, Graham Smith, Hugh Smith, Sheila
stimulating text that gently escorts the reader on a captivating
Stacey, Wendy Sullivan, Caitlin Walker and Thomas Zelenz.
journey. Beprepared forthis bookto launch you on apersonal journey
Thanks also toAnn Kritzinger for steadying our nerves about the
ofchange and development. The parade ofthought provoking concepts,
publishing process, Ruth 'the proof' Shadwell, Judy Strafford for her
stories and challenges contained within will provide a reliable travel
artistic talent and Chris Tidy for graphic design advice.
ling companion to accompany you along the way.
Particular mention is due to Richard Stacey who reviewed the
entire manuscript with his characteristic clarity and precision.
David J. Grove
An extra special thanks to Philip Harland who read every word,
4July, 2000
twice, and whose skilful feedback contributed to us learning the art
and craft ofwriting. His gentle challenges prompted us to reconsider
and refine our descriptions and his encouragement kept us goingwhen
it seemed like the project would never end.
Norman Vaughton, a great teacher and raconteur, helped fill the
gaps in our knowledge ofDavid Grove's early work. And conversations
with Steve Briggs stimulated our ideas and broadened our view of
David's approach. Weare alsograteful toBrian van der Horst forintro
ducing us tothe ideas ofKen Wilber at just the right time.
xi
k ic.
xu
Wealso appreciate Charles Faulkner, whose ownwork inmetaphor
has significantly influenced ourthinking, notleast during ourlongchats
invarious Hampstead and Highgate cafes.ABCharles says,''We'rewalk
ingdown different sides ofthe same street." And what anexciting street
it is.
Acknowledgement alsoto CeiDavies whohas made such avaluable
contribution in supporting David Grove and helping make his work
available to the public.
"
We continue to learn from our students and from members ofthe Introduction
London Clean Language Practice and Research Groups. Wethank them
forhelping us sharpen our skills and test our ideas.
And lastly, we are grateful toour clients whose courage has inspired
every page, and who continually remind us to expect the unexpected
and totrust the wisdom in the system.
"James, Iknow you'll ask ahundred questions about this workshop,
and Idon't think I'llbeable toanswer asingle one.But Idoknow this
guy David Grove is doing something special. I'vejust had one ofthe
most profound experiences ofmy life. Why don't you postpone your
holiday and come and see him? Maybe together we can figure out
what he's doing."
Unbeknown to Penny, this telephone conversation was to decide
the direction ofour lives forthe next five years.
David J. Grove, M.S.
David Grove is a New Zealander whose unique psychotherapeutic
approach, experience and style make him one oftoday's most skilful
and innovative therapists.
In the 1980s he developed clinical methods for resolving clients'
traumatic memories, especially those related tochild abuse, rape and
incest. He realised many clients naturally described their symptoms
inmetaphor, and found that when he enquired about these using their
exact words, their perception ofthe trauma began to change. This led
him to create Clean Language, a way ofasking questions ofclients'
metaphors which neither contaminate nor distort them.
xiii
XLV Metaphors in Mind Introduction xv
Initially David Grove specialised in 'healing the wounded child
When clientsexplorethis worldanditsinherent logic,their metaphors
within'. These days his interests have widened to include nonverbal
and way ofbeing are honoured. During the therapeutic process their
behaviour, perceptual space and inter-generational healing. He is
metaphors begin to evolve. As this happens their everyday thinking,
constantly developing new ideas and creative methods which continue
feeling and behaviour correspondingly change as well.
to fascinate and inspire us.
Some clients benefit just from having their metaphors developed
with afewcleanquestions. Forsomethe processleads toareorganisation
Our contribution oftheir existing symbolic perceptions, while forothers nothing,short of
To"figure out" what David Grove was doing we used a process called atransformation oftheir entire landscape ofmetaphors willsuffice. As
a result clients report that they are more self-aware, more at peace
modelling. This involved observing him work with clients (including
with themselves, have amore defined sense oftheir place inthe world
ourselves) and spending hour after hour poring over recordings and
and are more able to enrich the lives ofothers.
transcripts. We looked for patterns in the relationship between what
he was doing and the way clients responded that contributed to the
changes they experienced. Wecombined these patterns into ageneral What you will learn from this book
ised model which was tested and fine tuned-cycling through
What doyou doas atherapist, teacher, doctor or manager when your
observation, pattern detection, model construction, testing and revising
client, student, patient or colleague says "It's like I'm hitting myhead
many times.
against abrick wall" or"I'msowound upIcan't seestraight" or"Things
While our model isbased on David Grove's work and incorporates
keep getting ontop ofme"?
many ofhis ideas, he has a different way ofdescribing his approach.
Doyou ignore the metaphorical nature oftheir communication? Do
Our model was derived more from our observation of him in action
you unwittingly introduce your ownmetaphors (''Why doyou continue
than from his explanation ofwhat he does. It was also shaped by our
punishing yourself?" "Ican tell you're stressed." "How does that make
desire forothers tolearn the process easily and forittoapply toarange
youfeel?")?Or doyou take their metaphors as an accurate description of
ofcontexts in addition to psychotherapy.
their way ofbeing inthe world and ask questions within the logicofthe
As well as employing many ofDavid Grove's ideas, we have also
information -without introducing any metaphors ofyour own("Andis
drawn upon cognitive linguistics, self-organising systems theory and
there anything else about that brick wall?" "And what kind ofwound
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). The result is a process called
up is that?" "And whereabouts ontop ofyou?").
Symbolic Modelling. This book describes how to dothe latter.
When using Symbolic Modelling you give your clients, students,
Symbolic Modelling in a nutshell patients or colleagues an opportunity to discover how their symbolic
perceptions are organised, what needs to happen for these to change,
Symbolic Modelling is a method forfacilitating individuals to become
and how they can develop as a result. In order to do this proficiently,
familiar with the symbolic domain oftheir experience so that they
you need tobe able to:
discover new ways ofperceiving themselves and their world. It uses
Clean Language to facilitate them to attend to their metaphoric •Attend to client-generated verbal and nonverbal metaphors
expressions so that they create a model of their symbolic mindbody • Communicate via Clean Language
perceptions. This model exists as aliving, breathing, four-dimensional • Facilitate clients to self-model
world within and around them. • Beguided by the logicinherent in their symbolic expressions.
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xvz Metaphors in Mind Introduction xvu
Our primary focus in this book is psychotherapy. And while we
And finally
describe a complete process that can be used in its own right, many
Like learning toplay the piano, noamount oftheory orobservation can
therapists and counsellors have found ways to combine Symbolic
substitute for the actual experience ofyour fingers moving over the
Modelling with their preferred approach. In addition, in Chapter 10
keyboard. Our main purpose inwriting this bookistoencourage youto
wedescribe how Symbolic Modelling isbeing used ineducation, health
and business. useSymbolic Modelling because onlythen willyou discover howmuch
your clients can benefit from this approach.
And itis not only your clients whowill benefit. As aresult ofusing
Structure of the book
Symbolic Modelling we have developed acute listening and observa
We have arranged the book in five parts. Part I provides theoretical tion skills, an improved ability toretain and recall information and an
and background knowledge about metaphor, modelling and self increased capacity tothink systemically and at multiple levels.
organising systems. Part Il introduces the basic questions, philosophy Also,being facilitated tomodelourmetaphors and patt~rns has been
and methodology ofClean Language. Part III contains astage-by-stage an indispensable part oflearning tofacilitate others to model theirs
description of the Five-Stage Therapeutic Process, with extensive not to mention the gift ofour ownpersonal development. .
client transcripts to illustrate and explain how the process unfolds. In Yet perhaps the most unexpected benefit of regularly facilitating
Part IV we describe a number of applications ofSymbolic Modelling Symbolic Modelling has been learning tobecome comfortable with 'not
outside the field ofindividual psychotherapy. Finally, Part Vcontains knowing', to be in the moment with whatever is happening, and to
annotated transcripts ofour work with three clients. trust the wisdom in the system.
How to use this book
Wehave designed the booktobe used iteratively. This means that you
will benefit from revisiting each chapter with the accumulated knowl
edge gained from reading later chapters, and from having put into
practice what you have learned. In this way the book is like a travel
guide. It gives useful information about the places you are about to
visit, what to look out for,and ifyou reread it after you return, it will
mean somuch more.
Youdonot have to begin this book at the beginning. Depending on
your preferred learning style there are various entry points. Youcan
start with Part I if you like general concepts and theory first. If you
prefer to learn by doing, the information in Part Il will enable you to
start practising immediately. Ifyouwant tofind outhowyou can apply
the model in avariety ofcontexts, gotoPart Iv.And ifyoulearn best by
first seeing an example ofthe entire process, start with Part V.

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Metaphors We Live By
Metaphor isperhaps one of man's most fruitful potentialities.
Its efficacy verges on magic, and it seems a toolfor creation
which God left inside His creatures when He made tll-em.
Jose Ortega y Gasset
Imagine you are standing behind Michelangelo. Heisstanding infront
ofalarge block ofmarble, hammer and chisel in hand. He knows there
isa sculpture in the stone, yet has noidea what the final creation will
look like. How doyou support Michelangelo to transform the marble
into awork ofart and in the process transform himself?
Onthe surface this bookis about anew approach topsychotherapy
called Symbolic Modelling. But really it isabout anew way ofthinking
about the process ofchange-of artfully facilitating the Michelangelo's
who are your clients totransform themselves.
In Symbolic Modelling a client's metaphors are the raw material,
the marble, out of which their creation emerges. Your role is to
facilitate them to use their metaphors and symbols for self-discovery
and self-development. Before learning the skills required to do this,
some background information will be useful. Therefore this chapter
covers:
The Symbolic Domain ofExperience
Metaphor and Symbol Defined
How the Symbolic Domain is Expressed
Metaphor and Cognition
3