The visual squash is a powerful NLP Anchoring pattern that can “re-wire” your brain. Yes, I know it sounds like something that happens after a late night. It is a way of integrating “parts” or aspects of a person that are in conflict. For example, one part of you might want to play, while another part wants to finish an important task.
This Neuro Linguistic Programming pattern takes two separate parts and creates an additional part with more choices. For example, a part that wants to complete the task in a playful manner.
The visual squash is an early NLP Technique. Many overlook and underestimate it in light of other more sophisticated patterns. It is also an easy beginner pattern
To collapse negative anchors
If you have anchored unresourceful feelings, this can be a powerful process. For instance, I might feel irritated when I see roses because it reminds me of an unpleasant event.
Collapsing negative anchors with this NLP technique works best with primary states. It will not work as a Phobia Treatment. This is because the anchor is far too overwhelming. You would need to disconnect the associated response first, although you could use the pattern with unpleasant residue.
One interesting use of the visual squash is to use the framework of one skill to help learn another. As a learning tool, it can produce new insights into both areas.
We often hold skills as separate and distinct fields. We don’t transfer what we have learned in one area to another. For instance, a skill in organizing craft projects transferred to organizing a job application.
- Imagine the problem state in one hand.
- Make a representation that involves seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, tasting. Feel the weight, temperature and texture as though it was real.For instance, “I feel anxious about the job interview. It looks like a black hole, sound squeaky, feels slimy, cool and heavy, smells and tastes like burnt toast”.
- Decide what you would like to have as the desired state.”I would like to feel alert and enthusiastic”
- Make a full representation of the desired state in the other hand, using all your senses.”It looks like a white shiny box, full of interesting things, plays “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, smells and tastes like orange”.
- Go back and forth between each hand, focusing on the problem state then the desired state a couple of times.
- Slowly bring the two hands together when it seems appropriate.
- The representation will fuse and change into something else.
- You can then bring it into some part of your body. This can be the chest, head or stomach etc.
- Test the process by Future Pacing.