In this article you will learn NLP’s popular Parts Integration technique – a useful skill to help you overcome ‘bad habits’, indecision, procrastination and all sorts of internal conflicts.
Emotional experiences throughout life, and especially during the early imprint years can result in the creation of Parts at the unconscious mind. These Parts generate their own values and beliefs, and are responsible for certain behaviours. Overwhelming feelings and reactions, as well as out of control behaviours are the result of ‘Conflicting Parts’.
The NLP Parts Integration technique creates harmony between Parts of the unconscious mind, so that their values are in alignment. A person with ‘Integrated Parts’ is more congruent, empowered and clear in their decisions and actions.
In addition to the technique below, you can watch Jevon Dangeli teach and demonstrate Parts Integration at a live NLP training in this video.
The NLP Parts Integration technique (applied to self)
- Establish the unwanted behaviour or indecision.
. - Then identify at least two opposing Parts – the ‘Good Part’ and ‘Bad Part’, or the Part that wants to change and the Part that keeps doing the problem.
. - Create an image of both Parts, one in each palm of your hands. Any metaphoric representation that symbolizes each Part is appropriate.
. - (a) Fixate your attention on one of the Parts first. Then ask that Part what its intention is for doing what it’s doing. Keep repeating that question on whatever ‘answer’ you get, until you arrive at a positive value like love, freedom, joy etc.
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(b) Fixate your attention on the other Part next. Then ask that Part what its intention is for doing what it’s doing. Keep repeating that question on whatever ‘answer’ you get, until you arrive at a positive value like love, freedom, joy etc.
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(c) Notice that what both Parts want (their highest intention) is either identical or compatible. .Identify which resources each Part has, that would be useful to the other Part in achieving their highest intention. Imagine both Parts now sharing these resources. Have the hands turn towards each other and see the two internal images begin to merge as the hands progessively move closer together.
. - As the hands come together, create a third image that symbolizes the integration of the two former Parts.
. - Bring the new integrated image into your body through placing both hands on your heart, breathing it in and absorbing this whole new experience.
. - Relax for a few minutes and then think about that old issue in light of being a more integrated person now.
. - Consider how you’re going to approach your situation differently in the future, now that you’re fully integrated…
Should you not yet feel fully confident about sustaining the change that the above process facilitates, then perhaps there is another Part that wants to have its ‘say’ on the matter. In such a case, you simply repeat this process until all Parts are ‘playing for the same team’.
aPart from that, remember – you are more than the sum of your Parts.
Written by Jevon Dangeli – NLP Trainer & Coach, MSc Transpersonal Psychology