Meta-Movie Mind Pattern

We have different levels of meaning that affect and drive our experience. This pattern brings a sense of control and ownership to the different levels and aligns them more congruently. We systematically move up through the levels of mind making changes, commission a new movie at producer level – YES! (executive decision); then move back down through the levels and ground the changes in state and action.

The pattern can be run ‘formally’ – explaining the process and metaphor to the client; or conversationally by just holding the structure in mind as you coach, identifying relevant aspects of the clients experience as you go; i.e. ‘sub’ modalities at the editorial level, cognitive distortions and meta-model violations and decision and choice at the writer/director and producer levels.

The Pattern

1) Think of a current problematic or challenging situation.

Elicitation question:

·         What is a current situation or context that you frequently experience that doesn’t serve you well? A situation at work, school, a sports situation, etc where you are not acting or responding at your best?

2) Notice how that runs as a movie in your mind with you as the Actor.

Is it black & white or colour; are you in it or watching it at a distance, what is your role?

What characters are there?

What are they doing, saying, etc. in what tone, pitch and volume?

As you really explore it and notice, what exactly is it about it that makes this a problem?

What cognitive distortions are present in your own internal dialogue?  What else do you notice?

3) Imagine you are now the Editor.

Step back, notice and start to edit how it looks and sounds. Play with changing the colours (brightness, contrast, sharpness, etc); the sounds (volume, tone, pitch, rhythm, etc), until it feels more comfortable or manageable. Change the camera angle, foreground or background different aspects, change the focus of attention.

4) Imagine you are the movie Writer/Director.

Step right back from that movie and as the writer/director change the story.

Decide to change the narrative (cognitive distortions), the outcome and storyline into something more useful and empowering.

Direct each of the characters (perceptual positions/social panorama) and give them the resources they need.

Give the lead character (you) all of the power, resources and strength they need.

5) Now imagine you are the Producer.

As the producer you have the power to choose whether to commission this new movie or the old one.

Does the old one serve you? [NO!]

Do you want that old movie to be constantly running? [NO!]

6) Make an executive decision to run the new empowering storyline.

Will that be ok? [YES!]

Do you want that? [YES!]

Will this new movie empower your life? [YES!]

7) Bringing this executive decision power with you, step back through and align it with the Writer/Director, Editor and Actor. Notice how it’s different.

As the writer/director will you resolve to change the movie, to keep it on track? [YES!]

As the editor, will you resolve to keep the picture, lighting and sound systems congruent with the new outcome? [YES!]

As the lead actor, what new things will you be saying and doing (sensory specific behaviours)?

8) Future pace.

In the days, weeks and months ahead what will let you know you are running/acting in this new movie?

What new understandings, realisations and opportunities are there for the future now (sensory specific)?

9) Check the ecology.

Is this ok, will it empower you and make your life better?

If so, good. If not, go back and change it some more.