Myths and true stories about the origins of NLP

The history of NLP is full of exciting twists, brilliant ideas, and fascinating people. In this episode of the NLP Podcast with Stefan Landsiedel and Marian Sefferer it is about the myths surrounding the emergence of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. You will learn who was really involved in the development, what predecessors NLP had, and why some stories remain shrouded in secrecy to this day.

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The true origins of NLP

The official history of NLP begins in the 1970s with Richard Bandler and John Grinder at the University of Santa Cruz. But the roots go back much further. Already 1933 formulated Alfred Korzybski in the context of his 'neuro-linguistic training' the famous sentence 'The map is not the territory' – a central foundation of later NLP.

Also Noam Chomsky indirectly influenced NLP with his transformational grammar. His linguistic models inspired the later Meta-Model of Language, which is now considered a core component of many NLP trainings. Grinder, himself a linguist, picked up these ideas – but in the early NLP textbooks, these sources were often not mentioned to emphasize practical application.

The three founders – and who is often forgotten

Many believe that NLP was only developed by Bandler and Grinder. But there was a third man: Frank Pucelik. Only years later did his name reappear in the professional world when he pointed out that he was significantly involved in the early experiments. Neither Bandler nor Grinder contradicted him – they indirectly confirmed his role.

Why Pucelik was forgotten

Frank Pucelik was part of the Santa Cruz group in the early years, which experimented with language, behavior, and perception. Later, their paths diverged – partly due to personal conflicts, partly due to the increasing commercialization of NLP. Today he is officially referred to as Co-Founder of NLP – a late but deserved recognition.

Flower Power, experimental spirit, and the spirit of the 70s

The birth of NLP took place in a time of upheaval: the 1970s. Psychology, spirituality, freedom, and self-experience were the big themes. Groups met to explore new ways of consciousness together – often with music, meditation, or even drugs. In this atmosphere, what later became known as NLP emerged: an experimental mix of language, behavior, psychology, and observation.

Richard Bandler was a mathematics student and drum teacher at the time. Through his work on transcripts of Fritz Perls (Gestalt therapy), he discovered his passion for change work. Together with Grinder, he began to analyze and systematically model the language of successful therapists – without academic barriers, with much curiosity and a willingness to take risks.

Anecdotes from the wild early years

The early NLP groups experimented with unusual exercises to better understand human experience. In the book 'The Wild Days of NLP' many of these stories are recorded – partly amusing, partly shocking. One participant was symbolically 'nailed to the cross' and had to free herself – a radical experience meant to promote inner strength and self-determination.

These experiments show the spirit of that time: Experience before theory. The group wanted no dogmas, but results. Many of today's NLP techniques, such as the Anchor Fusion, originated from such practical attempts. Originally, it was not intended to dissolve negative emotions, but to create 'inner silence' – inspired by shamanism and the teachings of Carlos Castaneda.

Between science and provocation

Bandler was a brilliant, yet provocative character. Stories like that of the "Jesus Patient," whom he "healed" in an unconventional way in a psychiatric hospital, showcase his experimental style. Some methods would hardly be ethically justifiable today – yet they made the radical approach clear: to lead people to new insights through targeted provocation.

John Grinder, on the other hand, was the calm observer. He had a linguistic background and is said to have worked for intelligence agencies at times – training that sharpened his observation and analysis skills . The combination of Bandler's intuition and Grinder's structured thinking made NLP a unique model of communication.

Disputes, separations, and co-founder debates

Success soon led to conflicts. Bandler and Grinder fell out over rights, licenses, and authorship. Lawsuits, public disputes, and the split into various NLP schools followed. Since then, many official documents have carried the term "Co-Founder of NLP", to avoid favoring one side.

Bandler's personal life also remained turbulent – from murder suspicions in the 1980s to rumors of hypnotic persuasion in the courtroom. There was never any evidence, but the myth lives on. Grinder, on the other hand, withdrew from the public eye for a long time and now dedicates himself to spiritually influenced coaching forms.

Conclusion: What we can learn from the history of NLP

The history of NLP is as colorful and multifaceted as the model itself. It shows that great innovation often arises where people are willing to experiment, fail, and think anew. NLP was never just a method – it was and is an adventure of perception.

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Tip: Whether Korzybski, Chomsky, Perls, Satir, Erickson, or the three founders – all contributed to creating a tool that still helps millions of people communicate more consciously, clearly, and successfully. World of NLP If you want to dive deeper into the history and philosophy of NLP, you will find on the numerous lectures and interviews with trainers and pioneers. The platform is your access to the modern NLP world – four weeks free