EDUCATION
From Ordinary Teenagers to
Extraordinary Young Adults
How NLP is playing its part
in transforming youngsters
By Jeffrey Leiken MA
S
o many of the most accomplished, significant innovators and of Joseph Campbell and his model of the ‘Hero’s Journey’. Helping
leaders in world history have fascinating and multifaceted life people to discover their own unique path and to unlock life’s possibilities
stories, often beyond the field in which they became famous. If can re-ignite their inherent draw towards the flame of a meaningful life,
there’s one common denominator, it’s that they didn’t follow the paths rich with substance. It can inspire them to make a positive contribution
their particular society prescribed – they made different choices. despite the negativity – and even stupidity – of the world around them.
Such people often possessed similar aspects of character, typically with We live in a world that is dominated by science and rationality. There’s
extraordinary depth and adeptness. They had the resilience to bounce a sense of magic and wonder inherent in early childhood that is usually
back from set-backs, the composure to handle criticism and pressure sustained by truly successful people who lead seemingly magical lives,
and the confidence to risk failure and rejection. They also possessed the but too often that wonderment is crushed in modern youth by years of
instinct to make excellent decisions, ones that allowed them to know left-brain learning overload and endless messages that equate how much
when to stop or when to keep going in spite of the challenges they faced. we make materially to our sense of value and worth as humans. The
Of course, there’s no guarantee that anyone’s kids will become the message is ‘if it can’t be touched, it doesn’t exist’ or, at least, ‘it doesn’t
next Leonardo da Vinci, Churchill or Einstein or, more recently, Branson count for much.’
or Gates. However, if they can learn to rely on their innate capacity for Yet the experience of the HeroPath trainers shows that most people
resilience, composure, confidence and decision-making, they will own still secretly yearn for some sign that in fact their dreams can come true,
critical life skills to propel them towards fulfilling their unique potential that doors will open to them if they follow the path of their heart, that
for personal success in whatever they choose to do. true love exists… and not just in the imaginary world of the movies.
Unlike academic pursuits and the training of the intellect, which
can emerge from a classroom, such life skills can only be learned and Why focus on teenagers?
embodied by embracing experiences and being open to proper guidance. Today’s teens and young adults are coming of age in a world far more
Most successful people say they learned what it takes to thrive in life chaotic than the one in which we grew up. Remnants of 9/11, wars
through their real-life experiences and through the guidance and input of against invisible enemies and global economic collapse permeate the
wise elders and mentors. daily news. In addition, the average teenager now spends nearly six hours
Too many kids in the modern world are not getting enough of either a day staring at screens. This equates to spending almost 20 years of
the experiences it takes to develop true depth of character, or the their lives engaged with a machine rather than with the natural world.
guidance to ensure these experiences will be of practical and valuable use The long-term implications of this are deeply concerning in light of
in their lives. the abundant research on the effects of this sensory deprivation and
technological addiction. How can anyone develop the capacity for
The Hero’s Path true intimacy when their idea of intense emotion is ALL CAPS in a
Five years ago a unique programme was set up in London to address text message?
this gap. Created to offer real-life training to teenagers and young adults This age group is hungry for something more. They are less jaded
seeking to lead lives of true personal fulfilment, HeroPath is based on the by the corruption of the modern world and more willing to dive in and
MythoSelf
®
process created by NLP Trainer Joseph Riggio, and includes embrace the learning HeroPath offers. Their desire for confidence and a
training in things as diverse as the potent interpersonal communication sense of internal control makes the heroic model compellingly attractive
skills of NLP, the wisdom contained in classic mythology, and the somatic to them. They are yearning to connect with adults who can guide them
awareness taught by, among others, Moshe Feldenkreis. to generate the calibre of results they want in their lives. Teenagers who
The name ‘HeroPath’ comes from the pioneering work and wisdom have attended HeroPath workshops have consistently given positive
20 | Autumn 2009 - rapport
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