Introduction to submodalities.

by Roy Kim. rkim@changework.com

Copyright 1999 by Roy Kim.

Have you ever wondered about how some people can literally "leave their problems behind and

look forward to a bright future" while others have a "roadblock" that prevents them from moving

on? You probably know someone who can be described as "down right silly" or people who are

"just left of center." Sometimes, people get upset at you because your "standing in their space." and

I'm sure you have heard of people who "carry heavy burdens".

You probably have heard of these expressions or something similar. What you and other people

are probably describing are various "submodalities" of experience.

Submodalities are the descriptive details that control the primary mode of sensory perception.

That is to say, that the more detailed your description of one or more of you five senses and what

happens with it, the more you can affect the persons perception of reality.

We know what makes up our environment based on our five senses. We also know what's real

based on our RECALL of our five senses from previous experiences. Remember, the mind doesn't

make a distinction between what is happening at the moment through the five senses and what is

recalled through them.

 

With that said, lets begin with the five senses. The primary modes are the five senses.

They are: Sight (Visual), Hearing (Auditory), Touch (Kinesthetic), Smell (Olfactory), Taste

(Gustatory).

Our learning and experiences are stored in our memory as floating pictures (or holographic

representations) in specific locations relative to our present position (where we sit or stand face

forward). By changing the verbal description of these floating pictures, we can change or effect our

perception of reality of those experiences.

 

To get a better idea, let's start with something simple in the VISUAL MODE:

(I suggest you do this in a place with few distractions and a clear mind.)

1. make a picture of a pleasing experience that you enjoyed in the past.

2. determine if your in the picture doing the activity (first person) or observing yourself doing

the activity.

3. if your doing the activity, step out of the picture and see yourself doing the activity or

see yourself seeing yourself doing the activity, as if your watching a movie of yourself in a theater.

4. describe in visual terms, the qualities of the picture:

a. how big is the picture from you?

b. how far away is the picture from you?

c. is it color or is it black and white?

d. is it a still or is it a movie?

e. is it bright or is it dark?

and so forth...These by the way are know as Visual Submodalities.

5. Also, describe how does looking at the picture make you feel.

 

OK, you can now have lots of fun...

 

Start by:

6. Alter the submodality of size...bigger/smaller

a. when you make the picture bigger, how do you feel?

b. when you make the picture smaller, how do you feel?

7. Alter the submodality of distance...far/near

a. when you bring the picture closer, how does it make you feel?

b. when you move the picture further out, how does it feel?

8. Change the color...color/black-n-white

a. when it's in color, how do you feel?

b. when it's black-n-white, how do you feel?

 

Your results may vary, yet you should notice a change in your feelings towards the event.

It will either increase or decrease JUST by changing the description of the quality of the picture,

you affect how you feel about your experience.

 

Obviously, there's more. With a similar process, we can deal with the submodalities of sound and

how it can effect you and there are a plethora of patterns and techniques (timeline, swish, etc) you

can use (or create) to cause tremendous change within yourself and others.

Indeed, this understanding is very powerful for those who gain the proper knowledge on how

the basics work.

For more information, send e-mail to info@changework.com

[Back to Home]