“The “Levels of Understanding” is a tool for cognitive understanding organized by Robert Dilts, a leading figure in the third generation of NLP. It helps us clearly understand the external and internal worlds. The “Understanding Levels Integration Method” developed based on the “Levels of Understanding” can help individuals break through confusion and connect with the deep power of their subconscious, making life planning more effective.
Prepare six sheets of paper, each labeled: Environment, Behavior, Capability, Belief/Value, Identity, and System. Arrange the six sheets in a straight line on the ground with a small gap between each. The visitor stands outside the “Environment” paper, ready to begin.
Before using this technique, a goal or an issue to be addressed must be defined. This goal can be anything troubling, confusing, or concerning in the visitor’s life.
This technique can be done alone or guided by someone else. The following words are a rough guide from the counselor to the visitor, and the visitor does not need to reveal the content of the goal; the counselor can still achieve results.
Simple Steps:
Environment → Behavior → Capability → Belief and Value → Identity → System → Identity → Belief and Value → Capability → Behavior → Environment
1
Preparation
“Now you stand at the starting point of these six sheets, ready to use this technique to help yourself improve. Please first close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and calm down.” (The counselor guides the participant to breathe deeply, synchronizing their breath with the participant’s deep breathing.) “Now, silently repeat the ‘goal’ you want to achieve with this technique in your mind, so you clearly understand what this goal is. When you are ready, please nod your head to let me know I should continue.”
2
Environment
“Now you step onto the ‘Environment’ paper; please think about the people, events, things, time, and place related to your ‘goal’. What people are involved in this goal? In what place or environment? What time-related issues are involved, for example: when do you want to achieve the ‘goal’? When do you expect changes to occur? What items are involved in this goal? Please take your time to think through all these environmental factors one by one. No need to rush; you have plenty of time. Only when you have completely considered all the relevant environmental factors should you nod your head to let me know to continue to the next step.”
3
Behavior
“Good, now please take a step forward and stand on the ‘Behavior’ paper. Please think about what you are currently doing regarding your ‘goal’? How did you do it in the past? Please think through your current methods. Only when you have completely thought through the past and present methods should you nod your head to let me know to continue.”
4
Capability
“Now please take a step forward and stand on the ‘Capability’ paper. Here, please think about the different methods you have considered in the past or are considering now? I also want you to think about what abilities you have that can help you achieve your goal? Also consider what abilities you may still need that would be helpful? You have plenty of time, so take it slow and think it through in detail. Only when you have completely thought through this should you nod your head to let me know to continue.”
5
Beliefs and Values
“Now, step forward onto the ‘Beliefs and Values’ paper. Here, I want you to think about what this goal should look like? What significance does it hold? What is the most important aspect? What can this goal bring you? What do you want to gain from it?”
“That’s right, I want you to think about the beliefs and values surrounding this goal. You know that most beliefs and values reside in our subconscious, so we can feel them, but it is not easy to articulate them in words. So, do not try to find a verbal description; I want you to relax your whole body and mind, take a few deep breaths, and focus your attention on a point in your subconscious, saying: ‘Let me feel the beliefs, significance, and what is important about this goal…’ Repeatedly speak to your subconscious like this, to clarify the information it has for you.”
“Alright, take a few more deep breaths to allow some of the information you wish to know to rise from your subconscious. Concentrate on that point in your body and invite your subconscious to communicate with you. You have plenty of time, so take your time to communicate with your subconscious. When you feel some information rising from within your body, nod your head to let me know how to continue guiding you.”
“Good, you have sensed the information from your subconscious. Some people may know what that means in words, while others may only have some vague feelings or just sensations. None of this is important; just continue to relax and let your subconscious provide you with information. Only when you feel that your subconscious has given you enough information should you nod your head to let me know to continue guiding you.”
6
Identity
“Now, please step onto the ‘Identity’ paper. Here, most of the information that rises from the subconscious cannot be expressed in words or clearly understood. Just relax yourself and focus your attention on a point in your subconscious, repeatedly saying to yourself: ‘What kind of person am I? What kind of person am I in my life? How does this goal help me achieve this identity?'”
Relax yourself and say to your subconscious: ‘Please let me know (repeat the above phrases), take your time, let your subconscious communicate with you. Some people will see some images, hear some sounds, and others may have feelings rising. Whatever you feel, when you receive that information, and when those feelings arise, nod your head to let me know.’
When you feel that the information from your subconscious is complete and clear, nod your head to give me a signal to continue guiding you.”
7
System
“Now, please step onto the ‘System’ paper. At this level, most of the information cannot be expressed in words. I want you to take three deep breaths, relax completely, and focus your attention on your subconscious, inviting it to help you feel the power of this level.”
“This level refers to your relationship with the world. Focus your attention on your subconscious, asking it to communicate with you, letting you know the meaning of your existence in this world, the impact you can have, and how you can feel it? Do not attempt to find a verbal understanding; the information at this level transcends words. Many people receive information from their subconscious as a beam of light, some colors, or even just a feeling.”
Just relax, and repeatedly say to your subconscious: ‘Let me feel what the deepest power in my life is like.’ Do not try to think of anything deliberately; just stay relaxed, focus your attention on a point in your subconscious, and communicate with it. When you have that feeling emerge, nod your head as a signal for me to know.”
“Good, that feeling has emerged; continue to relax, making it more pronounced so you can feel it more clearly. Now I want you to take a few deep breaths, feeling how this feeling expands and warms within your body with each inhale.”
“This is the deepest power in your life. This power can help you achieve clarity, success, and happiness in your life. Continue taking deep breaths, expanding this feeling with each inhale until it fills your entire body, flowing into your limbs, reaching your fingertips and toes, up to your head until it reaches the top. This power is what you need, the strength that supports you to do your best in everything, your deepest power.”
Now it connects with you, and you can use it at will in the future. I want you to take one more deep breath, see if you can maximize this power, yes, just like that. Enjoy this feeling, enjoy the feeling of connecting with this power. When you feel ready, I want you to slowly turn 180 degrees while still standing on the ‘System’ paper.”
“Good, now with this deepest power in your life, I want you to think about your relationship with the world. Feel how you share this world with others, how you and everything else combine to make this world. Feel how your inner strength affirms your relationship with the world. When you feel ready, nod your head to let me know to continue guiding you.”
8
Identity
“Good, now please step forward onto the ‘Identity’ paper. With this deepest power in your life, think about what kind of identity would allow you to effectively use this power? What significance does your existence hold in this world? How can you make a positive and good impact on the world? In your life, who do you see yourself becoming because of this? You do not need to speak or even think of words; just allow your subconscious to communicate with you in various ways, giving you messages to help you understand your identity.”
“Do not rush; slowly feel the messages emerging from your subconscious. Only when you feel ready should you nod your head to let me know to continue guiding you.”
9
Beliefs and Values
“Good, now please step forward onto the ‘Beliefs and Values’ paper. Think about what beliefs and values best support your identity, allowing you to effectively use that deep, powerful strength. What significance does that hold? What is truly important?”
“Only when you feel ready should you nod your head to let me know I can guide you to continue.”
10
Capability
“Good, now please step forward onto the ‘Capability’ paper. Think about how, with effective beliefs and values supporting you, with the appropriate identity, and having that deep, powerful strength, you can utilize your capabilities. Consider all the options you have, think about the various abilities you possess, which ones can help you the most? Which ones are the most useful? How many new options can you identify? What emotional state best supports you?”
“Just take your time to think it through; you have plenty of time, so no need to rush. Only when you are fully prepared should you nod your head to let me know to continue guiding you.”
11
Behavior
“Good, now please step forward onto the ‘Behavior’ paper. Think about how you will use your deepest strength, combined with your identity, to realize your beliefs and values, and to utilize your capabilities to take the most appropriate actions. What do you plan to do? What is the first step?”
“Take your time to think it through; only when you are fully prepared should you nod your head to let me know to continue guiding you.”
12
Environment
“Good, now please step forward onto the ‘Environment’ paper. Think about how to utilize your deepest strength, combined with your identity, to realize your beliefs and values, and to use your capabilities to take the most effective actions that bring you the greatest success and happiness. What in your environment can best assist you? For example, what people, what things, when, and where? Identify the elements in your environment that best align with your direction and can provide you with support.”
“Take your time to think it through; only when you are fully prepared should you nod your head to let me know to continue guiding you.”
13
Completion
“Good, now please step forward, close your eyes, take a breath, and feel the sensation of this moment, feel the inner strength and the clarity of many things. Take your time to feel it, then turn around and look at these six papers, visually repeating each step you just walked through, using your gaze without moving your body, reflecting on the inner changes and feelings you experienced while standing on each paper. Take your time; no need to rush. When you are done, let me know, and we will discuss the process you just went through.”
Learning NLP can help you achieve mental maturity. We look forward to your participation in Teacher Dai Zhiqiang’s latest NLP course – NLP Advanced Practitioner
If you want to know more details and learn some practical psychological techniques to enhance your quality of life, from December 23 to 27, 2020, in Guangzhou, study psychology with Mr. Dai Zhiqiang, a psychological mentor, and enhance your “support ability”. Flexibly use powerful psychological tools to become your own psychological counselor.
