Meta-Programs have several definitions in the field of NLP and Neuro-Semantics.
In traditional NLP, meta-programs are known as “thinking patterns” or “perceptual filters”.
They are patterns of thinking that have been used over and over again by an individual so much that they have become automated, and therefore they filter what people perceive through their senses.
There are 60+ meta-programs mapped out in the field of Neuro-Semantics.
An Example of a Meta-Program:
The most commonly recognized meta-program is the optimism-pessimism meta-program.
Someone with an optimism meta-program will use this “perceptual filter” to perceive an experience completely differently than someone with a pessimism meta-program.
These two people could be at the same party with very similar external experiences, and yet have completely different internal experiences.
Why Meta-Programs are Important:
Being able to expand our own meta-programs allows us to experience the world in a much richer way, to become more aware of our weaknesses so we can strengthen them, see beyond our own blind spots, communicate better with a wider range of individuals, unleash the latent potential in ourselves and others… the list goes on.
I like to think of this in terms of the acronym FREE.
Flexibility – Expanding your meta-programs allows you more flexibility in how you perceive the world and in how you respond to the world.
Rapport – Expanding your meta-programs allows you to build rapport with a wider range of individuals, those individuals who were previously on the opposite side of the spectrum as you.
Expand Others – Awareness and flexibility with meta-programs allows you to facilitate others to expand their meta-programs and therefore e
Evolve – Expanding your meta-programs and the meta-programs of others allows us to evolve by choice rather than by chance.
More information on using meta-programs for personal development, communication and coaching below.
A Short List of Some Other Meta-Programs
Global-Specific
Options-Procedures
Introvert-Extrovert
Need-Desire
Internal locus of control-External locus of control
Decisions based on relationships-Decisions based on facts & figures
Driver Meta-Programs
Meta-programs tend to be contextual. That is, someone may have one end of the spectrum in one context and the complete opposite end of the spectrum in different context.
For example they may be optimistic when it comes to their work life but pessimistic in their personal life, or vice versa.
When someone utilizes a meta-program in a way that is generalized across all contexts we refer to that as a driver meta-program.
There is No Such Thing as a “Bad” Meta-Program
An important thing to recognize about meta-programs is that there is no such thing as a bad side of a meta-program — all sides of the meta-programs can be useful depending on the context.
When someone is preparing to receive a surgery it may be preferred to have an optimistic meta-program. But the mechanic is checking my airplane before takeoff I pray that he has a pessimistic meta-program! I wanted him working extra hard and filtering his experience for ‘what could go wrong’ rather than just saying, “Ah, I’m sure everything will just be okay!”
Therefore as a Neuro-Semanticist, we aim to become flexible in our use of meta-programs within our neurology and we coach others to become more empowered/have more choice in how they perceive their circumstances. We also aim to install the most resourceful side of the spectrum in the appropriate contexts.
The Neuro-Semantics Update on NLP
In Neuro-Semantics we recognize meta-programs as solidified meta-states.
When we apply a state at a meta-level, and that state becomes habituated – it operates as a perceptual filter (a meta-program).
For example, if we feel a state of ‘need’ about a pair of new shoes. And they we feel that same state of ‘need’ about a piece of jewelry, and then a new car, and then a new computer, etc. eventually that state of ‘need’ will become habituated as ‘just the way we think about things’. It will become a meta-program.
Then that ‘necessity meta-program’ will operate at a meta-level to our primary level thinking strategies, as a thinking pattern that filters our perception of the outside world.
If it generalizes even farther across most all of the contexts in one’s life it will become a driver program.
Meta-Programs for Personal Development:
As a Neuro-Semanticist we always apply this knowledge to ourselves first before we apply it to others. This gives us a sense of personal power and congruency.
If we, as individuals, are stuck on one side of a meta-program as opposed to the other we are effectively filtering out half of the universe!
It inhibits our communication with people who have the other side of the meta-program activated (as you will see more in the next section), it creates rigidity in our thinking, and overall gives us a lack of choice in how to respond.
When we can expand our meta-programs we unleash massive amounts of our human potential because we are able to see things we weren’t able to see before, we are able to communicate and build relationships with a wider range of individuals and overall we will have more flexibility in how we respond in the world.
See the law of requisite variety.
Meta-Programs in Interpersonal Communication:
Because meta-programs operate as perceptual filters there are two sets of meta-programs to be aware of in any communication – Yours & Theirs.
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and all you want to hear is the big picture and they keep rambling and rambling on about all of the ‘unimportant’ details?
Or maybe you have been on the other side of that experience. You want all of the ‘juicy’ details and the other person keep speaking in vagaries and short ungrounded sentences?
In expanding your meta-programs you gain the ability to understand others better, to build better relationships, communicate in a way that allow others to understand you better and you can become more influential – because you can communicate with others in a way that they like to be communicated with and in the way that they like to be influenced.
Meta-Programs for Coaching:
After we expand our own meta-programs we close off many of our personal blind spots. We can perceive entire dimensions of reality that we were just moments ago unable to see. When we have this meta-perspective we become much more able to see these blind spots in those who we communicate with and those with whom we coach. Expanding meta-programs creates large level shifts in our lives and unleashes large amounts of latent potential because of how pervasive they are. Because they are at a meta-level they govern large portions of our experience. There are many patterns in the field of Neuro-Semantics for expanding meta-programs in ourselves and others.
Do you have any questions about meta-programs? Leave them here: https://www.facebook.com/perceptionacademy/posts/1417814458370710
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