Milton Model – Comparison with Meta Model and Language Patterns

Comparison of Meta Model and Milton Model

In a certain way, the Milton Model of hypnotic language represents a reversal of the Meta Model. The Meta Model aims to bring clarity and precision into communication. The Milton Model, on the other hand, deliberately seeks to be vague and ambiguous in order to evoke associations and activate resources.

• The Milton Model is, in terms of language, the exact reverse of the Meta Model. While the Meta Model trains us to use specific language, the Milton Model provides guidance for using vague and unspecific language. The vague expressions we question using the Meta Model—namely deletions, generalizations, and distortions—are exactly the linguistic forms we intentionally use in the Milton Model.
• The goal when applying the Meta Model is to collect precise and specific information (moving from surface structure to the deep structure of language and experience). This allows lost information and experiences to be "rediscovered." In other words, it is primarily about processes of becoming aware.
• The Milton Model is quite different. It offers us a wide variety of ways to form sentences full of deletions, distortions, and generalizations. The listener finds the missing information within themselves and thus develops their own meaning for what is heard.
• The use of vague language forms aims to induce and maintain a trance state, in order to bring the other person into contact with the hidden, unconscious resources of their personality.
• In other words: Both approaches ultimately share the goal of making "forgotten" or "unconscious" experiences and resources accessible again. However, the paths to achieving this are opposite.

Milton Model Language Patterns

This section lists numerous language patterns from the Milton Model and explains them using examples.

The following language patterns are not only about suggesting certain sensations, but mainly about giving the client space to find the missing information within themselves and thereby develop their own meaning for what is heard. At the same time, the use of vague language patterns aims to induce and maintain a trance state, in order to bring the other person into contact with the hidden and unconscious resources of their personality.

Generalization

• Universal Quantifiers (universal terms):
  You've always had a feeling that all possibilities are open to you, because even if you never really knew it, everyone has always told you so, and therefore...
• Modal Operators (words of possibility or necessity):
  and you can allow yourself to already be capable of doing what you will soon be able to do, even if you still have to wait a bit until....
• Lost quotes, "universal" rules, quotes within quotes:
  it’s good to relax, because after the work is done, one may rest, because my father always told us how my grandmother used to sit by the fireplace and declare that it was time to go to sleep, and then she remembered that....

Various Forms of Deletion

• Simple Deletion:
  Information is missing. Example: You can move on, let go, he came back....
• Deletion of Comparison:
  It’s already better, easier, more, it’s more pleasant to relax even more.
• Unspecific Reference:
  The reference to what and/or who is being referred to is missing.
  
  • something..., many people..., "one", some..., anything, certain things..., something inside you
  • the rock cries, tree; sea, prince, animal, ... (symbolic reference)
  • the eye, ear, heartfelt, breathtaking, up close (organ language)
• Unspecific Verbs:
  Verbs such as learn, solve, change, think, know, experience, understand, remember, experience, become aware, are relatively unspecific. When someone says: "You can learn," it remains unspecific how learning should happen, and the client can use their own "experience" of learning.
• Nominalizations:
  Words that turn a process into a thing, such as life, relationship, ability, problem, experience, ... By using nominalizations, the other person is given the opportunity to insert their own personal experiences.
  I assume that there were difficulties in your life before, for which there seemed to be no solution at first. And sometimes, there was a surprise when suddenly, like out of nowhere, a change occurred that was positive.

Distortion (Fantasy)

Mind reading/Experience reading (matching - pacing); Example: You can hear my voice while your breath flows in and out evenly, and you’re sitting here on this chair; maybe you also see something interesting before your inner eye.

• Pay attention to feedback and use it; calibrate
• Utilization of changes (e.g.: and this frowning is also part of an important experience for you)
• Indeterminacy: Example: Maybe you're asking yourself ..., this might be something you like, or not ..., somewhere, somehow, it could be

Cause-Effect

This language pattern invites the listener to believe that something else necessarily happens because of a fact.

• "While" creates a temporal connection: While you continue to breathe, you let go more and more.
• Verbs of causation like make, let, cause, create, help, etc., establish the strongest type of cause-effect connections.

The sound of my voice makes you even more relaxed.
Since you are deeply relaxed, you may start to feel good.

This pattern is very effective when linking a behavior the client is already experiencing (pace) with a new behavior (lead).

Presuppositions

Presuppositions are unquestionable statements. They are beyond attention. Linguistically, they are what remains even if the entire sentence is negated.

• Apparent choice: Would you prefer to mow the lawn or practice the piano?
• Presupposing question: And I wonder how well you can relax today.
• Temporal sequence: Would you like to go into trance now or in 5 minutes?
• Numbering: Perhaps you're wondering which area of your body will relax first?
• Time-shifting words: You can continue to relax.

Indirect Commands

Indirect commands can be marked by pauses, tone of voice, and gestures.

I don't know when you will feel better.
And even in this quiet state, it is possible to learn something decisive.
It should be noted that indirect negative commands work just like positively phrased commands.
I don't want you to feel too calm.
You don't even need to listen to me.