We tend to generally think that 'things' are in a constant state of flux and we can learn to accept disorder/lack of stability (flux/entropy) and then go on to "FLEX" our minds and skills/etc. to 'build into our worlds' productivity, empowerment, etc. The intent of the "Neuro-Logical" use is to focus in on the idea that we are operating in somewhat of a 'logical' way neuro-logically. Not necessarily that there's such a thing as 'logical levels' in reference to "Mind", but, that we can recognize in our actions and re-actions, as Korzybski noted, some apparent (higher & lower order) pattern and structure to the 'psycho-logics' we are applying and utilizing in our lives, at work and play. And, I have built a bit upon what I think Robert Dilts has accomplished with his focus on Neuro-logical levels. I like the metaphor.

Human-Engineering in the context I use. Korzybski coined "Human Engineering" in 1920's or thereabouts. He abandoned the term as it was being used as the forerunner to what we now refer to as "ergonomics". He intended to represent GS as Human Engineering from what I have determined. As you can see I add the hyphen (-) to emphasize that you "can't separate the human from the engineering". These activities go on simultaneously and spontaneously (instantaneously). And, we can be more intentional and focus our attention and direct these energies (processes) we are applying within and without. (See AK's book Manhood of Humanity) - BTW it is online at questia.com as is Science & Sanity).

If you can visualize, well, it is said you will understand it better and maybe make it whistle and shine. ;) Even Einstein needed the benefit of 'visualization' for his work to get accepted in his day. Korzybski does use 'visualization' to mean a more sensory-data driven and un-adulterated way of representing "the real-world" so to speak of happenings-events-etc.

Another key skill is the art of using 'systems thinking' and perceptual positions much more thoroughly and elegantly than usual. MY opinion. I think there is a lot more work & play to be done with the perceptual positions than we realize consciously. I have always included something akin to the 'triple description' (Grinder's words) - work with perceptual positions I have been doing for over 10 years - in what I do with a bit of a twist from his model. That's another article I feel coming out of me.

It allows you the structure to 'structure', inside and outside (therefore we can structure our structuring). We are taking into account that, of course, it is 'mind' and we are always clear that we know that 'there is no such thing as mind', it is all brain and processes and that these are probably unique to you and that is ok. (This is akin to our "knowing that "there's no such thing as hypnosis" either, right?). "Your mind works perfectly fine, just giving you signs, action signals, for you to 'go and do' what it is that it takes to get what you want in life." Read the signs and then human-engineer (or continue to design) a way of being and doing that is going to support and evolve you and your life keeping eco-logics "in mind" all the time.

 

"Spiral Theory" is an original idea of Alfred Korzybski (duly noted as THE father of General Semantics) that was very undeveloped in his writings. (Manhood of Humanity, page 233)

This theory which I call the "spiral theory" represents a suggestive working mechanism of the time-binding energy and is in accord with the latest scientific discoveries. It explains the processes of all the mental and so-called spiritual energies which have been such a puzzle to humanity, and it also explains other phenomena which, until now, have had no scientific explanation whatever. (Manhood of Humanity, page 234)

Korzybski equated "spiral theory" in so many ways with what he called "time-binding" - our capacity to 'bind in time' (record, remember, pass on) our learnings, accomplishments, achievements, etc. so that those who come after us (for us those who came before) could benefit from our experience(s). That way we evolve as a race/culture/society/etc. and give and provide service, value and benefit to the world/humanity/mankind (and animals/plants too :). I have built upon solid foundation provided by Korzybski and what he has given us and developed a working model/methodology that integrates not only GS principles and methods, but NLP, hypnosis, the solution-focus and strategic therapies (focusing on the ideas of persuasion & performance excellence/improvement). These all coming together to create NeuroTechnics™ of which the "spiral theory" is a central concept.

 

What Spiral Theory does is represent the 'streaming of thought-feeling-evaluation-etc.' (etc. here used denotes whatever processes you are doing 'inMind'). It reflects that out of each thought-feeling-evaluation-etc. (t-f-e-etc.) arises the next t-f-e-etc. each affecting the physical self (Korzybski's words - physico-chemical effect on the person/body) and ending up creating an "Effect" on the person and the next t-f-e-etc. that emerge. Thus the 'spiral nature', ever-widening effect (and also the circularity/feedback - like a looping effect). This happens in an ever-widening spiral of knowledge and "growth" - some call "Spiral Learning" - indicative of our ability to do what Korzybski (AK) called - 'time-binding'. The goal being "to accelerate exponentially" the growth, learning, knowledge, experience, etc. mankind makes so as to serve & benefit the person & the planet.

Korzybski urged us (Science & Sanity) not to 'reverse the natural order'  imposing our maps/meanings, taking it too far from first order, the level of what we have to come to call sense-data. We are forewarned to keep in mind constantly that we are "making this stuff up" as we go, that the models are just that, models, maps, approximations, etc. and that it is important to be reminded to be 'conscious' of how we think-feel-evaluate-etc., of how we abstract and what value and meaning we do assign to events and happenings in our lives.

Is it not "true" of you, that you think, in a continuous stream of thought, that either helps or hinders you? I think it is  enough to think well/artfully, much less have to "think through" (and/or with) 7+/- matrices (and I believe "one unknown") that are color coded like a "rainbow" and then do 3-5 exercises with 4-8 steps each to get it "right"? Too complex for me. What about the "law of parsimony" & "natural order" (AK refers to in GS)? One of, if not the primary, goals is to not impose & to not confuse "mind-made maps" with the territory? Goodness. :)

In my opinion what we require & need to develop are our abilities to human-engineer 'in-the-moment' & 'on the fly', what we want & need mentally-emotionally-behaviorally as to resources to achieve greatness in life and our life's work. Of course, there needs to be a plan, and a strategy with state-control and skills. These are all a part of the mix... and simple processes at that (in and of themselves). "Overly" complex and resource-consuming exercises and models prohibit flow and optimum performance even though the intent is for just that. 

When is the last time that you personally stopped and did an exercise and run patterns to produce desired effects in your life other than at a seminar? Have you launched or entered " the matrix" to make a change or an impact in an 'area' of your life today or yesterday or the day before yesterday? I know I haven't and don't.

From a neuroscience standpoint we think we know that our brains are always conducting processes of t-f-e-etc. At least until we "coagulate" or expire. Although, we don't know exactly how... we try to approximate it with our so-called mental 'models'. We don't "really know" or can't predict the exact processes the brain is doing or does (and how and when it will do what specifically from a behavioral perspective), yet, we 'act as if' we do and make the effort to become better at modeling, behaving, performing, persuading, etc. " more intentionally by design". What seems to matter and make a difference is whether you have a model to do something with your mind-brain-body that gets the results YOU desire... in the moment - when you need it most.

We always need to keep in mind our consciousness of abstracting (COA) and realize that with those behaviors falling into the class of  'instances of conditioning' we lapse and slip into what could be referred to as "the matrix". What we truly need are "instances of awareness" (Milton Dawes, GS) to assist us in being more present and alert as to how we think-feel-evaluate-etc. and how the world around us operates.

The key problem is to eliminate, first, the semantic disturbance called identification or the confusion of orders of abstractions, and similar disturbances of evaluation. This elimination is attained physiologically through the development of the consciousness of abstracting, which leads to proper evaluation, visualization without semantic disturbances. In other words, we must find means by which higher abstractions can be translated physiologically into lower abstractions, uniquely connected with the translation of the dynamic into the static and vice versa. (Science & Sanity pg 304)

To me, we need to make it simpler with fewer elements to deal with and models that are streamlined. Less is sometimes much more. That is what I am attempting to do with NeuroTechnics^SM and related models and methods. The question becomes "will & do you actually use the model, or find the model useful daily, in every day life?". I can tell you that the "capacity of the spiral" (only humans have) is used all the time, whether we are conscious of it or not. Once you are 'conscious' and more present, "you know" that you are responding-reacting to "things"  and building 'maps'/constructs of "things" (not the event-happenings themselves) in the spiral nature we have. Then you "open your eyes", awaken (knowing you know) to the streaming of yours and other's consciousness and realize a great gift we have of inquiring about and "reading" self and other and directing our own 'minds'. You begin to realize that we are always 'structuring' our minds and lives and having and making an impact on not only self but other as well.

It may be added here that the "spiral theory" explains how our reactions can be accelerated and elaborated by ourselves, and how truly we are the masters of our destinies.

"Because we can find no place in our philosophy and logic for self determination shall we cease to be scientists and close our eyes to the evidence? The first duty of science is to appeal to fact and to settle later with logic and philosophy. . . ." Conklin.

There will be no difficulty in the settlement of facts with the new philosophy of "Human Engineering."
 (Manhood of Humanity, page 242)

Are you a reader, conscious of your thinking-feeling-evaluating-acting-etc., of that which drives your life? Animals are not readers. They do not have the capacity to time-bind, the capacity of the 'spiral', to inquire, to read, track, utilize & negotiate t-f-e-etc. We do!

The animals are not time-binding, they have not the capacity of the "spiral"; therefore, they have not autonomous progress. At the same time, it will be obvious that if we teach humans false ideas, we affect their time-binding capacities and energies very seriously, by affecting in a wrong way the physico-chemical base. This energy is so peculiar that it embraces, if I may use the old expression, the highest ideals (when the time-binding energy is unobstructed and is allowed to work normally), and also the most criminal ideas (when the time-binding energy is obstructed by false teachings and in consequence works abnormally). We cannot make animals moral or immoral because they have not this time-binding capacity. Whereas human progress can be very seriously affected by false ideas; in other words, the biolyte of false teachings in the animal dimension must be very different from the biolyte of true ideas in the human dimension. Nature or nature's laws happily cannot be completely deviated from or violated--the time-binding energy cannot be completely suppressed in the time-binding class of life. (Manhood of Humanity, page 234)

What model(s) you 'train your brain' with and prefer to operate from are most likely determined by 'fit & feel for you' and the environment and effect it helps you create and generate in and on your life. Some prefer many different models &/or to create their own synthesis of models (from whence NeuroTechnics™ has come).

"Keep It Simple Spiral" (KISS), make it easier to focus on what really matters to you, the thoughts-feelings-evaluations-etc. you are doing right now, even as we speak. Focus on the process, not so much on the model(s).

 

Don't forget to remember that "your mind works perfectly fine, just giving you signs".
It just goes on...  as does our learning.

Catch my VIBE? :)

Again, thanks for the question!

Elvis Keith Lester, MA, LMHC, NCC, CNT
Trainer of NeuroTechnics^{SM
Elvis@execulearn.com}

From Manhood of Humanity, 1921 Pgs 233, Alfred Korzybski (AK), E. P. Dutton & Company, 1921

Question Two: