The Structure of Magic (book)

by Richard Bandler and John Grinder

I found this book to be very helpful in understanding the meaning-functions of language (as opposed to the functional parts of language like noun, verb, etc.). Based in research in linguistics, hypnosis, computer software and psychotherapy, the authors analyze the specific language that famously effective therapists (Virginia Satir, Gregory Bateson, and Milton H. Erickson, M.D.) used and why it works. They discovered some amazing things about how the mind processes language and how language can influence and shift the perception grids (my own term) operating in people.

Expect it to be a bit dense, this isn’t a one-sitting read. I think it took me several months to read it the first time, and I probably only understood about half of it then. Several readings later, the concepts have become much more understandable and even more exciting.

To a hobbiest or student linguist, this book is worth its weight in gold.

Cheers,
–Katin