"I did have a tune repeatedly going around my head (well actually it just stayed in the one place). At first it sounded fine, but later a little discordant. I guess everyone has it at some time or another but just by turning the volume down and hearing it from m u c h f a r t h e r a w a y , I found that ... well, the tune? Where is it? Not here anymore.

And then you might detect coming from the distance, another happiersong, that harmonises a little better. As it gets nearer, it gets louder. And as it gets louder, it gets richer and you think - a choir? A new set of possibilities? And how would it sound if you said it, not just heard it? Would it be easier, or just more comfortable to do this quickly five times in a row, or even faster ten times in a row?

From first principles... a swish is made up of at least one digital and two analogue submodalities (can't remember where that came from, but anyhow). It's clear to most trainers that many people learn their visual submodalities first, although I always feel that it sounds good to say you know how to do any pattern using any other rep system. Richard Bandler asked how you would do a fast phobia cure with someone who's phobic of pictures. And how would you do a kinaesthetic swish?

"So, there are swishes in other rep systems. But also, you don't just have to swish with that tired old 'big picture, little picture' stuff. You can add some mechanics. Tie an elastic band to your picture, and see it stretching out in front of you, until it's way off in the distance, and you can hardly see that little old picture, change it into a little new picture, and let go of the rubber band, allowing the new image to rush towards your face, a sling shot of new possibilities. Feel the tingle as it hits, and note where the new feelings spread in your body. Do it again: take everything that was taught before, let go of it all, and allow something new to appear. Repeat. I've done a very enjoyable Heath-Robinson machine with pulleys and levers and stakes in the ground, all just anchored visually. Play about. T-e-a-s-e the change in.

Here's one I heard from Richard Bandler -- spread your new picture and feeling across a swimming pool and dive into it. You associate when you enter the water.

Play with how your disassociate from the old experience and re-associate to the new. You can enter your new body from any direction. Add special effects when you go in. Do you disassociate from your old self with the effervescent joy of a champagne cork leaving a bottle, or with the slinking stretch and s-l-i-d-e of a cat getting out of bed? Your choice.

Play with the other submodalities you use. Test whether distance and brightness are the most powerful submodalities for you to use. Is an auditory or kinaesthetic swish more powerful, or will a mix of all three do the job better?

And when you do the change, work fast, precisely and powerfully.

InnerBalloons

Last updated: 26 September 1997