In this book the author guides you along the fundamental principles of NLP in an easy to digest, sometimes amusing way. Why demystified? Because according to the author the well-organized presentation of the meta-model as you find it here makes it more accessible. Enriched by to-the-point examples, illustrations, comic strips the author makes some more difficult concepts clear, lively and easy to understand. A summary at the end of each chapter increases didactic value of the book.
The book starts by explaining how people make their model of the world or create “maps” to make sense of the different experiences they are exposed to. As stress narrows one's field of perception, recognizing this process and identifying the preferred representational system is of major importance to create a working relationship and to successful -˜pacing' and -˜leading' and effectively guiding people to alternatives.
Chapter 2 further describes the 4 communication categories -” visuals, tonals, kinos and digitals - in a rather caricatural but amusing way, with some useful ideas as how “a digital person like a visual is dissociated from his feelings (p.63) and the digital system can be seen “as a means of coping through dissociation with feelings that may not be pleasant (p.64).
The processes used in creating our model of reality, are also used in the creation of our linguistic representations of an experience -” the meta model or digital representational system -” language. This process is extensively described in chapter 3 and outlined and illustrated to help the reader integrate this rather complex information. 3 Main categories -” Gathering information, expanding limits and changing meanings -” combine 9 linguistic distinctions. Nominalis-ations f.i. are defined as changing a DS (deep structure) “process” into a SS (superficial structure) event, or changing the verb that is active into a noun that is static or unchanging. Denominalisations in the medical model brings hypertension f.i. back to -˜hypertensioning' and shows how altering language we can change processes of health and disease. (p.96). Special attention is deserved for the separate section on “The Hall Extensions to the Meta Model”, where his emphasis is on neuro-linguistics and neuro-semantics of the Meta Model and of how language is incorporated in everything we do and everything we are (p119-120). Further citation of him emphasizes the fact that “representations will become somatised and govern our neurology and ideas and concepts become embodied in us.” (120)
The visual model shows how movements of eyes are correlated with certain types of information retrieval behaviours: eye accessing cues or EAC model and pays further attention to body posture and minimal cues. Learning to observe these is interesting for all health care workers, and after conscious training become part of your skills: “as you -˜tune' yourself to the people around you, you may find the process of mapping people becomes an automatic part of your own communicative behaviour. Done in this way, almost unconsciously, it can be a tremendously useful means of both gathering important information and gaining rapport.”(156). A concrete schema offers structured guidelines to identify the accessing cues, and after training owning this skill, working automatically in your contacts.
On top of being a good introduction to NLP I recommend this book for all who need to improve communication skills. Professionals working with hypnosis find useful information to become aware of mapping or schema's people construct in life and the processes of mapping. Readers learn about different linguistic patterns, meaning, how to question them and how to change them. By reading the book you develop skills to observe, becoming aware of what you can observe and how. All these is helpful for better fine-tuning the work in hypnosis, the pacing-leading process, the use of language, observing and matching your work with your individual client.

The Magic of NLP Demystified, according to its author, is "the culmination of decades of training and self-exploration within the confines of a specific sphere of study".

The book will be of interest and benefit to anyone whose work or interests include or require effective communication; teachers, trainers, entrepreneurs, managers, mediators, parents, salespersons and, of course, coaches, counsellors and therapists.

It explains some of the basic building blocks of NLP, which can be thrilling for newcomers to discover, and even 'old hands' who are steeped in NLP might enjoy a revisit and, dare I say it? Some revision!

The first edition of this book (1990) was one of the books I most frequently recommended to people who asked me for an accessible introduction to NLP. I was -” and remain -” enamoured of NLP and was (over?) zealous in lauding it whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Byron Lewis met Frank Pucelik and Leslie Cameron (now Lebeau), who took him through 'a powerful therapeutic experience' that had a lasting effect. He wanted to “learn that kind of Magic!” and became a member of a small experimental-research group in California. He joined a growing number of people who were studying the magic of therapeutic growth and change. Two charismatic individuals -” Richard Bandler and John Grinder -” were the epicentre of the group, and the author started to keep notebooks that detailed his learning experiences. In time he developed his own style, and labelled his notes “A Model for a Process Theory of Personality” thinking he had found 'the right track.' In time he realised he had set a trap for himself.

He discovered that his model was continually stretched, extended, expanded, and enlarged. It was also shrunk, crushed, pierced, and mutilated. He created 'a symbolic representation of the wonderful (and enjoyable) contradictions confronting him', and 'recognition of the trap he was escaping'

The book presents models of basic Meta principles which underpin the 'magic' of communication that is intended to influence change. Lewis alerts us to the need to avoid the trap that we might (and I certainly did) fall into if we get snared or limited by a model if we do not remain open to experience.

The book is divided into four sections, all about models:

Pages 5 -” 32 Models

Pages 39 -” 73 The Communication Categories Model

Pages 77 -” 136 The Meta Model

Pages 143 -” 161 The Visual Model

The language is elegantly lucid, despite the inevitable 'jargon' because, for newcomers, the 'technical terminology' can be a tad daunting, but it's well worth staying with it for the wealth of information and inspiration that is to be found within.

The bibliography lists 70 or so books, not all about NLP, but all relevant to what the book is about.

I'd like to quote a paragraph from Tosey and Mathison (2007(1)) that Lewis refers to, because it sums up what, in my opinion, facilitates and enhances the best of what NLP and NLPers should be about. I think this book, like its predecessor, does -” only more so!

“In common with the aspirations of the human potential movement, NLP takes issue with the archaeological emphasis of Freudians, on digging into the past in order to understand the present. NLP is firmly constructivist in the sense that it perceives all experience, including memories, as (re)created in the present” (p.5).

(1)Tosey, P. and Mathison, J. Neuro-Linguistic Programming: A Critical Appreciation for Managers and Developers. Basingstoke, UK:Macmillan, 2009

An especially readable and visually stimulating addition to the literature in the field of NLP

This book should be of immense value to anyone who wishes to perfect their communication skills - therapists, teachers, managers or private individuals, even those with little previous experience of NLP.



Written in a clear no-nonsense style and illustrated throughout by actual examples and case studies, this work would be a valuable addition to any bookshelf.

The new edition of Magic of NLP Demystified is an excellent book that anyone committed to becoming a professional communicator needs to have. It deals with the very heart of NLP--- the language model that makes up the very best Communication Model that anyone has yet to come up with. I'm grateful for the addition to the additional Meta-Model distinctions that I contributed. Byron Lewis has created an excellent update of their foundational work!

Whether you've just fallen in love with NLP or you are an old-timer who was trained many years ago, you'll find great value in
`Magic of NLP Demystified` - as a newcomer you will be enriched by material fundamental to NLP and you'll discover the roots from which many current techniques have grown. More experienced practitioners will gain from a thorough review of the heart of the model brought up to date with links to the latest discoveries in neuroscience. Lewis has produced a highly readable and experiential book, yet it has gravitas that only years of living and teaching NLP can bring. This second edition of the `Magic of NLP Demystified` is a must for every serious student of NLP.

Byron Lewis has offered another fine texture to the tapestry that is NLP through his book `Magic of NLP Demystified`, Second Edition. This book is a very rich and deep presentation of the most important building blocks in Neuro Linguistic Programming and the relationship to Psychology. In fact if you don't understand in depth these patterns then you don't know NLP. This book will very much enhance the map of NLP in the field.

My original copy of `Magic Demystified` is threadbare. Well thumbed and coffee stained it was an invaluable early guide to NLP for me. Now in 2012 I'm delighted that Byron Lewis has revisited the territory. The new distinctions they make offer new insights. I'm going to be returning to this new text many times too. Simple to read but not simplistic Lewis provides an easy way in to the magic of language and change.

I have been using `Magic Of NLP Demystified` as per-study for my NLP Certification programmes since 1995. It is a fantastic, simple to read introduction to some of the most important communication models that Neuro Linguistic Programming has to offer. Whether you are an entrepreneur, teacher, manager, salesperson, coach, parent or just someone who wants to communicate more powerfully, this book will enable you to unlock some of the magic that is NLP!