Articles
Perceptual Positions
One of the most important aspects of how we perceive the world is our perceptual position. By perceptual position, we mean the viewpoint from which we are seeing the world. While the concept of a perceptual position may be new, most of us have had a lifetime of experience with it even if we haven’t thought of it in this way. Using different perspectives, or perceptual positions, on any issue is a foundation for wisdom because each perceptual position gives us different information.
First Position: Self
The most common viewpoint is our own; that is, we see the world from the viewpoint of ourselves as an individual. In this perceptual position I am fully associated, which means I am in my body, feeling what my body feels, seeing what my eyes see, and hearing what my ears hear and any self-talk, things I may be saying to myself. This perceptual position is fairly obvious, and in NLP is known as First Position, or Self Position. For example, if I am seeing the situation with my own eyes and feeling what my body feels, I am in First, or Self, Position.
Second Position: Other
The next perceptual position is the one spoken of in the old adage, before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his moccasins. This is the viewpoint of someone else, and in NLP is known as Second Position, or Other position. For example, if you and I are interacting in some way and I shift to seeing the interaction from your viewpoint, based on your values and personal history, and perhaps feeling what you are experiencing, I am in Second or Other, Position.
Third Position: Observer
The next perceptual position is the viewpoint of someone in the audience. This is the viewpoint of a neutral third party, not a participant in the interaction. In NLP it is known as Third Position or Observer Position. For example, if you and I are interacting in some way and I shift to seeing the interaction from the objective viewpoint of someone in the audience who does not know us personally instead of my Self, I am in Third or Observer, Position.
Fourth Position: Relationship
While the first three perceptual positions are the ones generally discussed in NLP, there are at least two others I have found of value. The Fourth Position is from the viewpoint of the relationship between us. If you and I are interacting in some way, then there is a relationship of some type between us. It may be brief and of limited importance, such as the relationship between a customer and an employee at a fast food restaurant, or it could be an important, long-term relationship like a family relationship. Fourth Position is useful for the more important, long-term relationships; for brief interactions Third Position works equally well. For example, if you and I are in some type of family relationship and I shift to seeing our interaction from the viewpoint of the relationship between us instead of my own personal viewpoint, I am in Fourth, or Relationship, Position. Because it is from the viewpoint of a concept, the energy of a relationship, rather than a person, Relationship Position may seem more abstract than the first three positions, but it can be very powerful and important when exploring the dynamic of the relationship.
Fifth Position: Spirit
Finally, there is another perceptual position that I have found extremely valuable, and recently I realized it is what NLP would call Fifth Position. Fifth Position is more abstract than the first four, which is the reason it is not one of the first four. Fifth Position is the perceptual position of Spirit. There are other names for Spirit; God, Jehovah, Allah, Great Spirit, Angels, and the Cosmic to list a few; pick the name you like best. Whatever you choose to call It, Fifth Position is the perceptual position of pure Spirit, the viewpoint of all knowing, unhindered by personality limitations, fear, or Time. Fifth Position is the viewpoint of the Divine that knows all, loves all, wants the best for all concerned, and does not have a personal agenda. Whenever I need to see the bigger picture or pattern, I go to Fifth Position and see it far more clearly than I do from Self Position, with its personal agenda, limitations, and concerns. Then, to the extent of my ability, I act from the knowledge gained from Spirit Position to achieve the best outcome for all, which objectively will also be the best outcome for me in the long term even if my personality subjectively would prefer something different.
How to Do It
Here is an exercise you can do with a partner to explore the concept of perceptual positions. The more you practice, the easier you can do shift your perceptual position and gain more insight.
- Take a moment to remember an unpleasant situation where there was an argument or your feelings were hurt (but not the worst thing that ever happened to you!).
- Remember the situation by stepping back into it. Remember what you saw, what you heard, and what you experienced from your own viewpoint. This is Self Position.
- Briefly discuss with your partner your feelings and your perceptions of the other person and yourself.
- Now visualize floating up and out to a neutral position, like being in the audience watching this situation between yourself and the other person as if you were on stage. Notice how the other person looks, acts, sounds, moves, breathes, etc., and consider any information you may have about their personal history and values. Also notice how you look, act, sound, move, and breath while on stage interacting with the other person. This is Observer Position.
- Now visualize floating up from the audience and floating down into the other person. Become them as fully as possible by adapting their viewpoint, psychology, physiology, personal history, and values. Replay the situation from the other person’s perspective. This is Other Position.
- Now visualize floating up and out to the side, like being in the audience, and again watch this situation between yourself and the other person as if you were on stage. Watch both of you interact. This is Observer Position again.
- Return to your own viewpoint, or Self Position, and again see the situation completely.
- What has changed? Note the new information you now have.
After some practice you can explore Relationship and Spirit Positions in addition to Observer and Other Positions.