Given that the human mind thinks in metaphors, which are pictures and images that directly influence behavior, personality and life outcomes, through the process of Reverse Speech Analysis these metaphors can be perceived and accessed by the conscious mind and once understood and accepted, any dysfunctional or undesirable metaphors may be prompted to shift and alter at the deep unconscious level. This is achieved through a process of metaphor re-structuring called the Metawalk. As RS’s main vehicle for intervention, the Metawalk denotes the combination of two words and concepts, “metaphor” and “walkabout”, and represents a pictorial journey with a starting and ending point during which the specific metaphors of a person’s unconscious mind are visited and interacted with during a ten to fifteen minute session. After performing the Metawalk, dysfunctional metaphors become re-structured and transformed and a new realm of behavioral and life outcomes emerge (Oates, 2015, p7) which serve both to enhance the Oral Tradition of metaphors and its ongoing legacy in the Individual and Collective Unconscious.Client-oriented therapeutic interventions
What is particular to RS, and what separates it from many other types of therapeutic intervention, is that Reverse Speech Analysis or session work reveals the client’s metaphoric images and structures, confirms the client’s unconscious consent for therapeutic intervention, and determines the client’s instructions and commands around the metaphors which directly inform and guide the design of the Metawalk. Throughout an 9 week structure of session work, the client indicates which metaphors need attention, the client instructs the actions to be completed with these metaphors, and the client confirms whether the intervention was successful and complete or in need of another interaction at another level. Implicit in this process then, is that the client determines the content of the therapeutic intervention while the practitioner merely employs and exercises the necessary tools to perform and complete the procedure. In a sense, the client provides the setting, characters, and storyline, which the Practitioner then integrates into a screenplay to direct and produce the client’s personalized Metawalk, which responds to what intervention the client requires at that particular point in time.Reverse Speech Analysis and Session Work, in 9 short and simple steps:
1. GUIDED RECORDING SESSION I
The client is asked to talk about one or two areas of life that are important to them and which they want to transform. This 25-minute session is recorded and analyzed by the practitioner who identifies and documents key reversals in a written transcript indicating segments of forward speech and its corresponding reversals, accompanied by short audio files that play the reversals at 100%, 85% and 70% speeds.
2. REVERSAL FEEDBACK SESSION I
A second, 55-minute conversation between the client and practitioner takes place approximately one week later. It reviews the key reversals, the possible meanings of their metaphors as outlined by the Reverse Speech Dictionary (Oates, 2012), and the significance and deeper resonances that the reversals may have for the client. Hearing one’s own reversals begins the RS mechanism as they take effect by stimulating the emotions, often causing surprise or confusion or inciting solutions to perceived problems. “Reversals can create an altered state in and of themselves because they seem to talk directly to and access the unconscious mind“ (Oates, 2015, p20). In order for the metaphoric content of a client’s reversals to be fully processed and integrated into the conscious mind, approximately one week of time is required before continuing on to the next session.
3. METAWALK I
In the third week, the first ten to fifteen-minute Metawalk is conducted. The client is asked to enter into a relaxed state and to visualize a series of metaphoric images and landscapes firmly anchored in place using visual, auditory and kinesthetic cues. The unconscious mind is accessed and specific metaphors and their patterns are addressed. If the client hasn’t already noticed adjustments, deep changes now begin to manifest themselves in the client’s life and surroundings. At the end of the journey, an exit induction is performed and the client returns to full awareness and activity. Shifts and adjustments due to the Metawalk are generally perceived immediately following the journey, may fade after a couple of days, only to return and begin to grow again one or two weeks later (Oates, 2015, p43). An audio recording of the Metawalk is sent to the client with instructions for it to be listened to once a day, preferably before bedtime, for a maximum of seven days.
4. GUIDED RECORDING II
In the fourth week, a second 25-minute conversation is recorded with the client as a prelude to conducting the second Metawalk. Reversals from the unconscious mind gleaned from the first recording are reviewed that give direct instructions and guidance, as based on one of the main premises behind Oates’ work where he affirms that, “the unconscious mind has all the answers it needs to heal any dysfunctional metaphors” (Oates, 2015, p20). This second recording session is conducted in a way that encourages the appearance of reversals from the deeper parts of the self. The practitioner establishes rapport, speaking slower and softer while emphasizing the words for which answers are sought. Specific questions are asked that guide the conversation during which the client is asked to speak, albeit their conscious mind may not know exactly what to say. The reversal’s original wording is used exactly, the voice tone is altered, and particular words are emphasized in order to isolate them from the surrounding speech. The process acts as an induction and a series of embedded commands that directly addresses the unconscious mind obtain specific metaphoric instructions for change (Oates, 2015, p21). The reversals from this session are shared with the client and used by the practitioner to identify the images, commands and unconscious consent required to map out and compose the client’s next Metawalk journey.
5. REVERSAL FEEDBACK II
During week five, the new reversals are shared with the client so that an integration on the conscious level may take place. A deeper conversation about metaphors is possible now and due to practice, the client's ear for listening to the reversals is usually noticeably improved. This allows for an easier listening experience, especially if reversals are a little longer (5+ words).
6. METAWALK II
Complete instructions as to what this next Metawalk needs to accomplish is given by the reversals found in the second audio recording. The nature of the reversals are usually more exploratory and a noticeable step beyond the initial group of reversals. This metawalk typically begins to revisit old landscapes in a new way, which begin to establish and integrate new thinking and behavioral patterns.
7. GUIDED RECORDING III
A final 25-minute conversation is recorded to determine what changes have taken place and what final work needs to be done. The client is asked about the Metawalks and how they felt about them, and key dysfunctional reversals and their original reasons for doing the RS process are revisited. Any new shifts and changes that have been noticed are reviewed, and any additional changes that would like to be seen are discussed.
8. REVERSAL FEEDBACK III
The 55-minute conversation in week eight depends entirely on the reversals found in the final audio recording. Any outstanding issues around the existing metaphors are identified and shared and a final metawalk is conducted the next week to tweak, incorporate and anchor these changes. In a majority of cases, this set of reversals show successful changes relating to the original reasons for having done the session work, but may now reveal a whole new and deeper layer of dysfunctional metaphors beyond this initial intervention. In these situations, an new round of session work is recommended to the client.
9. FINAL METAWALK III
In most cases, the final Metawalk is performed that addresses any loose ends that might be remaining and solidifies new metaphoric structures that are emerging. This final Metawalk is listened to during one week’s time, after which the full round of RS session work is considered complete.Practical details.
Because RS is currently being practiced by just over a dozen certified practitioners around the world, clients should expect their intervention to be via an internet-based telecommunications software program such as Zoom or Skype, which provides simultaneous interactive voice calls from computers, mobile phones or similar communication devices. The client will be expected to use a headset with microphone or similar, and have a strong 4G/5G signal or solid broadband internet connection to ensure a clear connection for uninterrupted and smooth voice recording by the practitioner. In preparation for all calls, clients are asked to be at a location free from interruptions and background noise. While the Metawalks are conducted, clients are asked to repose horizontally on a comfortable bed, sofa or similar in order to facilitate full relaxation. Appointments for all sessions start punctually and clients are asked to be mindful of respecting the start and end times. Though the session may end earlier, requested time slots are 30 minutes for a Metawalk listening, 45 minutes for an audio recording, and 60 minutes for all remaining sessions.
It is the client’s responsibility to advise the practitioner of any reactions they may be having as a result of their RS intervention. Clients have reported such passive reactions as: changes in sleeping patterns and an increase in dreams, sleep talking and sleep walking; restlessness or tensions in relationship dynamics as emotional states are magnified; physical tiredness or drowsiness in response to heightened states of awareness and creativity; and even the presence of new odors in the house and other common living spaces. Active reactions may include symptoms such as: transference or recognizing your own faults in other people around you; denial or a shutting down reaction in the face of external stimuli; intense anger perceived by other people as being illogical or unjustified; and finally, a strong need for isolation or severing relational ties (Oates, 2013, p28).
Before the start of the RS process, clients are asked to sign and submit two original copies of the Analysis/Session Work Release Waiver. Session work may be repeated as frequently as once a year, as new and continuously evolving challenges reveal deeper and more hidden particularities of the deep unconscious mind.
The ease, elegance and effectiveness of re-structuring metaphors using the RS technique and its Creation Session complement is set to revolutionize how human beings approach our own hard-wiring. If we revisit Oates’ Reverse Speech theory of the Oral Tradition (Oates, 2014, p9), and consider that essentially every time we open our mouths to communicate we speak with others in reverse and pass on our acquired metaphors, then the re-structuring of dysfunctional metaphors not only impacts the deep unconscious mind of the individual undergoing the RST session work but the entire Collective Unconscious of all human beings within that individual’s sphere of direct influence. In this way, Reverse Speech becomes one of the greatest contributions to humankind as we know it and is set to forge an unprecedented path in making real strides in personal and human development for the benefit of all. Referenced Works
Oates, David John (2015). Reverse Speech Practitioner Training Manual. Copyrighted 2007 by David John Oates (108 pages).
Oates, David John (2015B). An Introduction to Reverse Speech Therapy. Presentation held in London, UK on June 27, 2015.
Oates, David John (2014). Reverse Speech Analyst Training Manual. Copyrighted 2012 by David John Oates (172 pages).
Oates, David John (2013). Reverse Speech Investigator Training Manual. Copyrighted 2011 by David John Oates (170 pages).
Oates, David John (2012). Reverse Speech Metaphor Dictionary. Copyrighted 2012 by David John Oates (66 pages).
Wilber, Ken (2015). The Next Level of Spiritual Awakening. Online master class held March 10, 2015. http://mindvalleyacademy.com/store/beyond-seeking/online-training/replay