Mind lines: Lines for changing minds

Book Summaries
By L. Michael Hall and Bobby Bodenhamer
Mind lines connect language to things and events that carry meaning. There are s
even basic mind-shifting directions and 26 mind line patterns, which reframe rea
lity.
Check out Mind-lines: Lines For Changing Minds at Amazon
Robert Dilts identified 18 key reframing patterns in Richard Bandler (learned fr
om Virginia Satir, Fritz Perls, Milton Erickson and Frank Farrelly), and called
them Sleight of Mouth patterns.
Michael Hall s mind lines model sorts and extends these patterns into seven catego
ries based on his Meta states model.
Language powerfully affects mind and emotional states. Although words are almost
totally powerless to change our external reality, they have almost complete pow
er over our internal reality. A tiny idea can start a revolution or trigger depr
ession.
Framing and Reframing
We can change our perceived reality by using the process of framing and reframin
g. Nothing inherently means anything; it is only our associations.
Bandler and Grinder called the Meta model and Milton model change patterns refra
ming. Every mental image has both an internal content and format and an external
environment or context
Content inside the box. Details of the external behavior and the internal st
ates. How else can I view this? What other perspectives could I use? What are so
me viewpoints others might use?
Context outside the box. Setting a higher frame on the belief or ideas i.e.
Meta stating. Out framing the external behavior or the internal state with some
other concept, ideal meaning. In what context would this behavior be useful?
Content reframe changes the meaning of an experience. A context reframe changes
the perception of the problem while keeping the meaning
The one who sets the frame governs the experience. Someone or some idea always s
ets the frame. Awareness of the meaning process gives us control over it.
Conversational reframing
Sleight of mouth patterns are about persuading others and ourselves conversation
ally. The model, based on the Meta model, persuades by transforming meaning. We
also use them to repel ideas and maintain our beliefs
A conversational reframe is a quick way to redirect our brain to a new point of
view. It avoids resistance
Beliefs
Beliefs often relate to shoulds . They are our assumptions about causation and mean
ing. They confirm our models of the world. Beliefs become organizing frames of r
eference that allow us to focus on what s important. They are the validated though
ts that encode our sense of reality that get manifested in behavior.

A belief has at least two levels of thoughts

A set of representations about something
Thoughts of confirmation and validation about these representations. You can
think all kinds of things without believing them. You cannot change a belief me
rely by changing the submodalities, it needs conviction. Beliefs feel real and a
ct as commands to the nervous system. The yes validates the thoughts.
The Mind Line Patterns
De-framing
De-framing enables us to take meaning apart by testing stability. We want to exp
ose the faulty logic and unuseful consequences
Make it more specific. We create beliefs by
rting. They depend on vagueness. We can use the
f the belief or meaning.
Sequence examine the logic and structure.
up the program. We can say this means that, or

generalizing, deleting and disto

Meta model to test the reality o
If the logic doesn t hold, it messes
this causes that.

Content reframing
Here we are changing the meaning inside the box by saying that an event, experie
nce, person or idea is not one thing but another. We call them new names, we red
efine them, and we substitute one term for another.
content reframing redefine the external behavior call it a different name
content reframing
redefine the internal state. What the internal state reall
y means is What the internal state really causes is
and 6. Reflexive reframing Here we are turning either the external behavior
or internal state to self or listener. The purpose is to reality test the idea o
r beliefFor example, saying mean things makes you a bad person . What a mean thing t
o say.
Counter framing
Here we are reversing meaning in order to create fresh meanings. How is the whol
e thing the opposite of what you thought? When a belief becomes a frame of refer
ence, we move through life searching for evidence for it. You can find evidence
to support just about anything.
Counter examples
Here we are reality testing beliefs by examining at what times or places it
doesn t occur. I lack energy . To do what? At what times, according to what standards
?
Pre-and post-framing
Here we are learning to play with the concept of time, consequences, intentions
and causation.
Positive prior intention framing
Invite the person to find more effective ways to accomplish the positive int
ention. By guessing the positive intent of people s behavior, it shifts attention
from negative behaviors.
Positive prior cause framing
We are usually skilled in identifying negative things that cause us to do th
ings blaming and justifying
First outcome framing
Discovering the future consequences of our behavior. This is a more confront

ational stance
Outcome of outcome framing
Changing our time frames alters meaning. What will the behavior could cause
over time?
Eternity framing
How does the behavior fit in the overall picture of your whole life? How wil
l this look 50 or 100 years from now? The small size of our fear in a larger per
spective
Out framing
Context reframing is Meta stating. In what situation is the behavior useful
model of the world framing is the ability to hold our maps more tentatively.
Notice what happens when you say this seems like my X . Or how long have you thoug
ht this car belonged to you? Our internal representations of things are not the
things.
criteria and values
When we reframe something as valuable it allows us to reorganize ourselves i
n terms of that value. You can texture the state of anger so it becomes somethin
g valuable and useful, for example respectful anger. Stress causes me to eat choc
olate . Is avoiding stress more important than being healthy?
Allness or universality framing
What if everyone did this all the time? This pattern pushes the belief to it
s limits. We typically expressed beliefs in absolute terms. Allness words don t make
room for exceptions.
Necessity framing
We typically use one particular style to frame our world.
Necessity
obligation and force (have to, must, ought to)
Possibility opportunities and desire (get to, want to, desire to)
Impossibility lack of possibilities or options (can t, won t, it s impossible)
We can use Meta Model questions to challenge this framing. What would happen
if you did? What stops you?
Identity framing
There is no such thing as sameness. We live in a world of processes; nothing
is static. Can you describe self without using the to be (am, is, are) verbs? W
hatever we identify with sets a self organizing frame. For instance I am an accou
ntant begin to see yourself as only that
Framing all other abstractions
What principle would empower this person? What idea will make this belief mo
re empowering?
The unreality frame uses words such as seems, appears, thinks, looks lik
e. These words imply doubt and loosen up our beliefs.
The self and other frame emphasizes the word you . It suggests that your mo
del of the world is different from my model of the world. So for you it seems th
at being late means I don t care?
The tonal emphasis frame emphasizes different words to change the meanin
g. So you think being late means I don t care? is different from So you think being l
ate means I don t care?
In English we ask a question with a rising inflection at the end of a se
ntence. A command has falling inflection. We are going to breakfast? Is different
from we are going to breakfast . You can embed a question or command in a sentence
so it is received unconsciously.
Time Zones frame distinguishes current situations that are now occurring
from situations in the future or past. For example have you always thought about
it this way?
The realization frame acknowledges the changes we make. We often don t rea

lize the difference our efforts make, we discount our achievements and progress.
How does it feel to realize this?
Ecology framing Is this belief useful, empowering, limiting, balancing, enha
ncing? Does this way of thinking serve you?
Analogous framing

reframing using Metaphors and Stories

metaphor framing
Involves conveying a message in terms of something else. Telling a story tha
t has a similar structure to the problem. Stories are less threatening than advi
ce.
Additional mind lines
Both and framing
Instead of either/or, we find a middle ground that includes both options
Pseudo word framing
A real word has to function as a symbol of something. Failure is some vague th
ing to avoid. You can fail but not experience the nominalized entity of failure.
Is it a legitimate concept you want in your world?
Negation framing
Command negation
do not X. You first have to represent it and then make it g
o away. Don t think of pink elephants dancing in the ocean. You can also frame a t
hing as invisible by creating and setting a negation frame. This can loosen up b
eliefs.
Possibility and as if framing
What would it be like if? If it were possible, what would you be thinking, f
eeling, doing?
Systemic and probability framing
Linear thinking enables us to sort and separate, sequence and program so we
can create models and step-by-step procedures. Non-linear thinking enables simul
taneous information. It connects previously separate and fragmented elements
Decision framing
We often theorize, analyze, diagnose and talk but don t decide and take action
to do something. Deciding literally means cutting one thing from another. When
we say yes to something we are saying no to another, we cut off our options. We cu
t away what is important from what is unimportant.A clear cut decision empowers
us to act on our decisions. We can also stand back to look at what decisions are
currently driving our actions.
Using Mind Lines (Conversational Reframes)
When you offer someone a mind line, you are playing with meanings. You therefore
need sufficient rapport, pacing and trust and respect. What are the benefits of
the belief? What difficulties and limitations has it created?
Is the difficulty simple or complex? A phobia is a simple anchored response. Low
self-esteem is complex with associations, levels and meanings.
Problem states can undermine and limit our effectiveness. Make sure you reframe
your own stuff.