AAA, somehow anything truly worth discussing tends to be at least a little controversial. That tends to get some people (like me) a bit over entusiastic at times. I so strongly feel these ideas (NLP, hypnosis, etc.) are leading edge technologies to real human progress, and often see misinformation obscuring them that I get just a smidge riled.
So, I'm glad that this group is up for this kind of discussion, and I must, at the least remember there are numerous view points, each having legitamate (at least in the eye of the beholder) value. Thank you.
As far as the article about Bandler goes, I don't even pay attention to such stuff. That's why I totally ignore the news, even in my trading. I won't even watch CNBC for a joke, because of misleading (purposefully or not) information. You see an article like that, and it's in print, and some evidence is sighted, and we as humans are conditioned to believe it. Worse, we are trained to focus on what is worst in people. I may be slanted, because I have met and spent some time with Bandler. I know when somebody is trying to gracefully pull the wool over me and when someone is truly caring. It shows. Bandler cares. That's why I try what he suggests. The article may or may not have some truth in it. Facts are easily distorted. But, if Bandler was a murderer and he invented, oh, lets the automobile. Would that prevent you from using a car. I think not. I can hear your argument, we're not talking things, but psychology. I submit that we've been hornschwagled to think psychology and spirituality are different and unique and unknowable. I contend only peope interested in controlling what you and I choose to do spread such malarky.
Presuppositions (it's in print and here are the "facts" so it must have happened) are built into so much of our society. They are truly dangerous. Hitler used them, religous fanatics use them, our government uses them, all for what I would describe as evil purposes. Presups in and of themselves are not evil of course, but if you are not vigilantly aware of how they can affect your thinking, without you even realizing it; then that's dangerous.
Tripack- There is no difference. Hypnosis is essentially a tool to bypass your thinking, objective, conscious mind ( the mind that is judgemental, doubting, and fearful) to submit instructions directly to your unconscious or subconscious mind, which will follow all directions you give it in the most literal sense. Hitlers speechs were a form of hypnosis (and boy did they work) and when you drive down the road and zone out and don't realize where you've been the last 2 minutes, that's hypnosis also. In my opinion, the vast majority of people claiming expertise in the areas don't know a trance from a hole in the ground. This can account for a lot of legitamate skeptism.
Marketsurfer- I can't tell you exactly how I got my info, and I wouldn't stake my life on it, but I'm almost positive (as sure as any human can be). If it's not Jones, and can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt, it's an individual who made trading profits of $500,000,000 (million with an M) in one day. Understand, by his own admission, earns little from his seminars. If you ever attended one you'll know why, they are incredibly expensive to put on. His income comes from coaching people like 2 president, a Princess, many major professional sports figures, etc. etc. He get a cut of increased earnings, and it's a lot. Supposedly he's worth over 400M himself.
But I digress far too much hear. I'll be gone for a few days, but look forward to elitetraders members challenging my mind to dig deeper for some answers to your questions.