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Sourcebook of Magic: A Comprehensive Guide to NLP Change Patterns

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Those of you who missed the 1st edition of this excellent book, there is now a second chance to pick up this modern classic.

The premise of the work is that many NLP books are available that contain, within extensive "padding", only a few patterns, some books just one or two. Hall achieves his goal of separating the wheat from the chaff admirably with all the objectivity of a Haynes car manual leaving this pragmatic work refreshingly academic yet accessible. Like a cookbook it is reference driven allowing the practitioner access to these powerful patterns without the contingency of having to wade into battle against the author's literary aspirations.

What are these patterns?
Most of these patterns are primarily action orientated, simple exercises to be run through step by step with regard to specific ends. The other few are, more fundamentally, explanations of NLP assumptions, such as the principle of well formed outcomes.

Hall begins by introducing the reader to an overview of NLP and levels-of-processing that is indispensable, as within the instructions to the patterns he falls back on a few technical concepts with out further explanation, such as "test and future pace".

Then we come the patterns themselves, organised roughly according to their level of processing, the book allows you to easily select a pattern for your goal. Included patterns are; collapsing anchors, resolving internal conflict, chaining states, becoming intentionally compelled, responding to criticism, healthy eating, spinning icons.....

The second edition adds to the first; some simplification of the procedures and a little more detail as to the cognitive / behavioural mechanisms used in the patterns, and a deserved revision of the introduction. In the first (and second) edition Hall asserts that there may be as many as 200 distinct patterns and surely some that haven't been invented (or should that be discovered?) yet. So I was expecting some new patterns in the 2nd ed. but it's the original 77.
I don't know how I would start to define the distinction of a unique pattern (as opposed to a variant) anyway. I find it unlikely that at a computational - cognitive level there are 200 modes of action, so it's safe to assume the all of the building blocks are here for you. Hall hints that, a list of patterns touted as "exhaustive", would promote dogma and stagnate inventive development, through his legitimate assertion that all the patterns are largely prototypical and are easily extended and adapted.

Without being overly complex, this book is dense.

I bought this book recently, and even working on the first pattern, I noticed a significant mental shift, when I ran the pattern through my own neurology. I have used that pattern many times, and just feel very calm. It could also be called the Law of Attraction pattern.

A complaint of many NLP books is that they are difficult to read or the concepts are difficult to grasp. I can assure that this book is not difficult to follow, if you have a basic grasp of NLP. I highly recommend it. I wonder if you find this review helpful.

I find this book immensely helpful as a resource for the 77 NLP Patterns, and also because of the NLP introduction at the beginning.
L.M.Hall outlines the different levels at which we process information highlighting the truth about sub-modalities. He then goes on to describe, "The Mechanism of Change" and how the magic works.
With each pattern he provides an explanation of when to use it and precisely how.
An excellent resource for those who, like me, need all the patterns in one book.

Halls work is original and, as the title says, comprehensive. His work on meta-states is transformative.

My first thought is that this book is a bit advanced for the beginner but is still a useful tool in anyones changework library.

Dantalion Jones

I find this book really helpful in the way it starts with a really useful summary of the power of NLP, moves into the main section which organize the different patterns according to what they apply to (states, strategies, languaging, etc) and then wraps it all up with a section on how to use the patterns in the overall dance of NLP.

There is a tremendous amount of interest currently in A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61). NLP creates a bridge between where most of us are, with all the voices, beliefs and limiting decisions playing in our heads, and where we'd like to be - that space of inner peace that Tolle so eloquently describes.

As a practitioner of NLP and other modalities to help myself and other people achieve greater inner quiet and peace, I know that it can seem to be a long step between our current reality and A New Earth. NLP makes the transition not only possible, but easy, interesting and fun.

After studying dozens of NLP books, we decided to use this one as the text for our local NLP study group.

This book creates a great framework inside of which all the patterns make sense and can be done more effectively, and each pattern has a great introduction and a script for those just starting out.

I highly recommend this book, and invite everyone not only to read it, but to put it into practice.

Cheers,

Craig Pinegar
GrassRootsNLP.com

For those interested in NLP and communication theory and putting it into actual practice, this is one of the very basic books that should be in everyone's library.

This books is a fantastic desk reference to any NLP practitioner. It is structured perfectly to be able to flip to the required pattern that you need. Also the patterns are laid out so that you can write or develop your own style of performing the pattern, this is done by giving you an understanding of the process of the individual pattern.

Simple put. I recommend it.

A sourcebook that has daily implications. Used and read on a daily basis. I dont think you will outgrow the concepts available for you to try it on yourself and anybody else.

Each element is relevant and challenging, complete in its description and yet flexible enough for you to experiment. I plan to have it as a constant companion.

I Purchased this book not to long ago, and so far so good! I have found it very very helpful. Although it might be a little much for a beginner. I was actually told to pick this copy up by a friend of mine, Doc Barham, aka Coach Hollywood, a Los Angeles Life Coach and NLP Master Practitioner. Anyone looking to advance their communication skills, i would highly recommend this. Enjoy!