The Meta-Model was first described by John Grinder and Richard Bandler in their book Structure of Magic vol. 1.  In their observation of successful therapists, like Virginia Satir, they began to notice systematic use of certain language patterns that allowed these therapists to ask just the right question and enabled them to often get right to the heart of the matter.  This page describes the meta-model patterns.

Introduction

John Grinder was a professor of linguistics at the University of California at Santa Cruz, and his area of speciality was something relatively new at the time called Transformation Grammar.  The meta-model is based loosely on some of that model of linguistics, particularly the notion of surface structure and deep structure.  

Basically, surface structure describes the words being used, and deep structure represents the intuition a person has about the words that enables them to make sense of it.  The surface structure and deep structure are different, in that the surface structure contains deletions, distortions, and generalizations.  These 3 processes, while essential to functioning in the world, can also allow people to walk around with limitations in their view of the world.  For example, if someone walks up to you and hits on the head, and then another person, you might conclude that you should avoid all people because "People always hit me on the head."  It might useful for preserving ones safety in certain situations, but not very useful in forming wonderful and long-lasting relationships.  The meta-model provides a way for you to open up possibilities in what people say... 

The Model

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