I’ve been asked a few times recently what the positive influences on my work and philosophy have been and what things I recommend. Here are some of those things, people, workshops, books, etc. This list is in no particular order and is by no means exhaustive.
- R.D. Laing. Basically, everything written by R.D. Laing. I devoured his work in my late teens, and his work still influences much of what I do today.
- Charles Faulkner. His work on metaphors of movement is the single biggest influence on my client’s work.
- Thomas Szasz. In his early work, before his involvement with the CCHR, Szasz presented an excellent argument against the accepted principles and practices of psychiatry.
- Frank Farrelly. I was lucky to have read Frank’s book, “Provocative Therapy”, before I had ever heard of NLP. So many NLPers I meet seem to think that Frank Farrelly’s PT work evolved out of NLP rather than the other way around.
- Joseph Riggio‘s “Mythoself” work. When I first attended a Mythoself programme, my reaction was less than positive. I think I might have been “the problem child” of the group: I didn’t get it. Then, three days later, whilst working with a client, it “clicked”. I’ve been an advocate ever since.
- Geoff Burch. Regarding self-employment and Going It Alone, Geoff is a realist, funny and the real deal when it comes to self-employment advice. Buy all of Geoff Burch’s books. Just do it.
- John La Valle. John La Valle’s “Sales and Marketing” workshop was so good that I did it twice.
- Bandler and Grinder. Pretty much everything they co-wrote.
- Gregory Bateson. “Steps to an Ecology of Mind” is easily one of my favourite ever books. I think I have read it 4 or 5 times now.
- Pretty much everything by Timothy Leary, Robert Anton Wilson, the Subgenius group, and John C. Lilly.
- Paul McKenna. McKenna’s CD, DVD, and book products are consistently of an exceptional standard, and it is clear to see why in the UK he is the market leader in hypnotherapy products and training.
- Steve and Connirae Andreas. Pretty much everything they wrote, as well as Connirae and Tamara Andreas’ “Core Transformation” work.
- V.S. Ramachandran. Ramachandran’s work in neurology is groundbreaking, especially with regard to his work in treating phantom limb pain. Also, on a neurological theme, Oliver Sacks, Harold Klawans, and Joseph LeDoux.
- Milton Erickson. I was lucky in that Southampton University used to have a lot of Erickson’s “monographs” and transcripts of his small group seminars. Brilliant.
- Aleister Crowley. I was part of a number of Qabalistic groups for a few years throughout my 20’s and studied and practised pretty much all of Crowley’s work, along with Israel Regardie, Dion Fortune, and other Golden Dawn writers. Later, I found the work of the “Chaos Magicians,” including Peter Carroll and Phil Hine.
- Jack Trout and Al Ries. Their work on marketing and branding is without equal.
More to follow…
