I experience Metaphor and using Clean Language like an interactive 3D interface, a touchscreen or even hologram maybe, between the conscious (C) and the other than conscious (OC) part of us. The OC part comes up with a Metaphor based on the sum of experience of a person, be it feelings or sounds or images. How it does that is not really important to me, in fact, I don’t know, just like I don’t know how the ipad works inside. But, the Metaphor it comes up with “on the screen” I understand and can work with.
Once the Metaphor is out on the interface, I can ask CL question to gain more clarity and also to allow the Metaphor to morph and transform so it works for me. It’s the CL question that “force” the OC (like the inside of the ipad) to come up with the changes based on what’s inside the ipad, the sum of our experience. Which means any Metaphor transformations will change automatically something inside the ipad.
For me, working with M and CL is a great way to have the most direct dialog with the OC mind, the bit that really runs the show.
David
25 January 2015
Well put Judy. A useful reference for all us CL students!
I also like Silke’s thoughts very much.
My take based on my limited experience is this:
The power of Clean Language is, as the client or interviewee, the elegant simplicity of CL questions compel you to search inside yourself (going to your inner world or silent mind?).
The result of this is that without any apparent influence from the facilitator you tap creative insights from your own deep well of wisdom, thereby finding your own answers to what’s holding you back, limiting you or what you’d like to change.
The insights we get from this process are translated into metaphors enabling us to make sense of it all and turn what can be complex data into everyday communication we can work with.
The CL facilitator makes a difference by using their skill and experience to listen carefully, ask the right question at the right time and in the the right way so the client is ‘looking in the right direction’.
JR
30 January 2015
Thanks both! I’m currently very excited by the book “Wiser: Getting Beyond Groupthink to Make Groups Smarter” by Cass Sunstein and Reid Hastie, which is helping me to see why Clean Language works with groups, too. Further blog post follows…
Comments from original on judyrees.co.uk
Silke Gebauer
23 January 2015
I experience Metaphor and using Clean Language like an interactive 3D interface, a touchscreen or even hologram maybe, between the conscious (C) and the other than conscious (OC) part of us. The OC part comes up with a Metaphor based on the sum of experience of a person, be it feelings or sounds or images. How it does that is not really important to me, in fact, I don’t know, just like I don’t know how the ipad works inside. But, the Metaphor it comes up with “on the screen” I understand and can work with.
Once the Metaphor is out on the interface, I can ask CL question to gain more clarity and also to allow the Metaphor to morph and transform so it works for me. It’s the CL question that “force” the OC (like the inside of the ipad) to come up with the changes based on what’s inside the ipad, the sum of our experience. Which means any Metaphor transformations will change automatically something inside the ipad.
For me, working with M and CL is a great way to have the most direct dialog with the OC mind, the bit that really runs the show.
David
25 January 2015
Well put Judy. A useful reference for all us CL students!
I also like Silke’s thoughts very much.
My take based on my limited experience is this:
The power of Clean Language is, as the client or interviewee, the elegant simplicity of CL questions compel you to search inside yourself (going to your inner world or silent mind?).
The result of this is that without any apparent influence from the facilitator you tap creative insights from your own deep well of wisdom, thereby finding your own answers to what’s holding you back, limiting you or what you’d like to change.
The insights we get from this process are translated into metaphors enabling us to make sense of it all and turn what can be complex data into everyday communication we can work with.
The CL facilitator makes a difference by using their skill and experience to listen carefully, ask the right question at the right time and in the the right way so the client is ‘looking in the right direction’.
JR
30 January 2015
Thanks both! I’m currently very excited by the book “Wiser: Getting Beyond Groupthink to Make Groups Smarter” by Cass Sunstein and Reid Hastie, which is helping me to see why Clean Language works with groups, too. Further blog post follows…