Category: Miscellaneous

10 Jun 2024 07:30

Joined:	20/04/2018
Level:	Gold
Points:	55757

Points:	7

The map is not the territory

Neuro Linguistic Programming or what is commonly called NLP is an applied psychology tool, that is now increasingly becoming famous. It is often confused with NLP, which I understand, is there in IT as well.

I do not even know what NLP means in the IT field, but I have a level one certification on NLP, the applied psychology tool. One of the most important take away from NLP is called "the map is not the territory".

This is an extremely important thing for us to understand. We often go with mental maps -- our own ideas of the world. We have someone for some reason, and refuse to see the brighter side of the same human being. Even when confronted with well known facts of the person, we refuse to budge, and live in our own world.

NLP seeks to brake these barriers. It has too many tools and techniques. The most important of these is to have an open mind and indulge in constructive communication. NLP also places a huge emphasis on the way we communicate with others, and it does venture into what is famously called self-awareness.

The map refers to our own mental maps about anything. For example, we all see the plastic menace around us, but still nurture a thinking that we just need to tolerate this. If we move on from this mental map, we could even form a small society around us to initiate a little amount of awareness in a local school, for example. For, small drops make a big ocean. This would then take us to what is called Goal setting. If we go on understanding that our mental maps are far from the actual territory, that is the actual reality, we would actually move on to do far better things.

For example, we have a short-term goal as "to reduce weight by five kilograms within three months". This would lead us to our diet patterns, to increased walking and so on. This is exactly what is meant by moving away from our mental maps.

There are too many hundreds of examples, but I would stop here. I hope I have explained the basic concept.

#780011

10 Jun 2024 07:50

Joined:	10/12/2016
Level:	Diamond
Points:	109183

Points:	5

The author has very well brought out the concept and what I gathered is that we have to change our mindset for betterment and for that we have to adopt activities which lead us to that better world around us.
It is also true that whenever we want to change our mindset or attitude then there is a great resistance. If NLP technique can help in reducing that resistance and taking us out of that territory then it is something that has to be adhered to. In Psychology subject there are many methods elaborated and prescribed for bringing changes in our lives and sometimes people are kept under the observation and control of experts who can monitor and see their progress. But ultimately what matters is the will and determination of the individual and if that is not there no theory works.
I can share my experience in this regard. We were a batch of 15 people who went for a Yoga camp in a Yoga institute near Bengaluru. We learned many things and were sure that we will be doing that for a small time daily to keep ourselves rejuvenated. Unfortunately nothing like that happened and we lost interest in that after a few days. When later we met with others, everyone told the same story.
So, the point is that it has to come from within and that is the time of enlightenment.

Knowledge is power.

#780017

10 Jun 2024 11:29

Joined:	20/01/2017
Level:	Diamond
Points:	25422

Points:	5

I think people should be ready to take initiatives and steps in their lives in such a way that there is no place for any lethargy physically or mentally. I am more concerned for mental lethargy or mental block that often discourages us to explore the new territories.
People who have mental lethargy perform poorly. They cannot think in future. They do not have a vision for their career and growth. There first response to a new idea is to negate it because their mind is not ready to accept it and they are not ready to execute that even if they are forced to do so.
We often ponder why some people are so successful and some are not. The answer lies in our responses to challenges and new initiatives.
Stubbornness is a disastrous thing in our lives and is the main reason of our failures. We must come out of our shell if we are really interested to perform better in our lives.

Thoughts exchanged is knowledge gained.

#780023

10 Jun 2024 12:32

Joined:	02/06/2009
Level:	Diamond
Points:	145594

Points:	5

Changing the mindset of a person is very difficult even for that individual. One has to cross the resistance that is being applied to our mind for any change proposed. The psychology of human beings is such a strong thing which can't be changed. In this thread, the author is talking about NLP in Psychology, a tool which can change the mindset of an individual. What I understand is NLP is very useful if properly applied in changing thoughts and behaviour of individuals and can help in achieving the results expected. Anxiety and other phobias may also come down I understand. These days some companies are calling trainers and arranging training programmes for their employees in these NLP techniques. There are chances for improvement in the performance of the individual in the workplace and mental happiness.
These days Yoga is gaining importance and many people started attending yoga classes online. My wife attended online classes and these days she does yoga every day for about an hour or so. There is a change in her thinking pattern and she is becoming very stable and has no anxiety at all.

drrao
always confident

#780031

10 Jun 2024 18:31

Joined:	02/01/2012
Level:	Gold
Points:	51633

Points:	4

The map is not the territory is a very old concept which differentiates between perceptions and the reality. Map is something that you perceive and the reality, that is the territory, may be something different.

NLP or Neuro-linguistic programming, though not yet proved scientifically, is said to be a method to identify one's thoughts and perceptions based on his sensory preferences (like some may be guided by what he sees, and some may be guided by what he hears and so on) and then change such perceptions or thoughts through psychological therapy in such a way so as to make him come to terms with reality.

I would request the author to please make the concept clear in a layman's language and also explain as to how the map is not the territory concept is related to NLP. It would then be helpful.

'Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all'.
-Aristotle

#780055

11 Jun 2024 19:26

Joined:	20/04/2018
Level:	Gold
Points:	55757

Points:	5

Saji Sir has already explained it. It is quite simple and it does mean much the same in NLP. Our mental maps are based on our perceptions of the world. We make quick assumptions and presumptions. This has got a lot to do with our conditioning as well. For example, those from the rich classes and the upper middle classes, for whom lives are not at all threatening because of very healthy bank balances -- the Vande Bharat/ air travellers for example -- conveniently classify the slum dwellers as "dishonest" or "unreliable" or "anti social". Yet, there are thousands from this same class who are employed as servant maids, as cooks, cleaners, electricians or plumbers and so on. In the big metros, a good majority of this class somehow manage to grab land in the fringes and first build their huts and then the semi-concrete houses through political influence.

These people are not as a class, anywhere near being "dishonest" or "unreliable". This brings us to a very important concept called "generalization" . In this concept, we tend to quickly generalize our opinions and views about anyone or anything, based on our own assumptions or beliefs. The aforesaid example fits in superbly. The same example also leads to what is called in NLP as "distortion". Once again, we add our own biased views and then base our opinions on such biased view, as everything is distorted and the reality is itself distorted.

The third and most important concept is also called "deletion". Constructive social action never happens because we simply delete something that we do not want to see or hear, or even think about. For example, many city dwellers would prefer to eat only in vegetarian hotels, because they are vegetarian themselves. Hence, when a non-vegetarian friend asks them details of a good hotel in the locality, since we have already deleted all information about this social reality from our collective consciousness, we will never be able to give any useful information to such people.

The same thing holds good for every action of ours. For example, for knee pain, the Kottakkal type of Auyurvedic treatment is said to be the among the best in the world. Yet, those who believe only in the so-called Allopathic treatment, would simply delete any information about ayurveda from their minds, since they are totally close minded. NLP seeks to challenge all these beliefs.

A lot of NLP is about practice, and there are too many training programs that teach and train people. I have merely mentioned the outline. The finer details are always available, even in two-day training programs conducted by various bodies. Any teacher of applied psychology at the PG level would be able to guide anyone. I do not want to give any names, though I know quite a few that are good. As a trained NLP professional, it is unethical for me to advertise or even talk about some agency or the other. Even if one types two-day online training programs on NLP, one can find some detail.

The map is not the territory

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