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Richard BandlerAmerican writer
Date of Birth: 24.02.1950
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Richard Bandler: Co-Founder of NLP
- Meeting John Grinder and Gregory Bateson
- NLP's Formative Years
- Controversy and Legal Troubles
- Personal Life and Later Years
Richard Bandler: Co-Founder of NLP
Early Life and EducationRichard Bandler was born in 1950 in New Jersey, USA. He earned a Bachelor's degree in philosophy and psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1973. He later pursued a Master's degree in psychology from Lone Mountain College in San Francisco in 1975. Bandler did not obtain a doctorate.
Meeting John Grinder and Gregory Bateson
While attending the University of Santa Cruz, Bandler crossed paths with John Grinder, the eventual co-founder of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Shortly thereafter, they encountered Gregory Bateson, a noted anthropologist and philosopher. Bateson played a pivotal role in the development of NLP by providing its philosophical underpinnings and introducing Bandler and Grinder to Milton Erickson, a renowned hypnotherapist.
NLP's Formative Years
The peak of Bandler's collaboration with Grinder occurred during 1974. Together, they began to model the linguistic patterns employed by therapists such as Virginia Satir, Fritz Perls, and Milton Erickson. This work culminated in the publication of several books, including "The Structure of Magic" (1975, 1976), "Patterns of Hypnotic Techniques of Milton Erickson" (1975, 1977), and "Changing with Families" (1976).
Controversy and Legal Troubles
Bandler's personal life and behavior have been marred by controversy. Accusations of antisocial actions and cocaine addiction have tarnished his reputation. In 1980, his company, Not Limited, reportedly generated over $800,000 in revenue, but by the end of the year, his partnership with Grinder abruptly ended and his wife filed for divorce.
In 1986, Bandler was charged with the murder of a prostitute, Corina Kristen. A three-month trial ensued, with another suspect, James Marino, also implicated. As reported by Mother Jones magazine in March 1989, the jury was unable to distinguish between Bandler and Marino due to Bandler's ability to precisely mimic Marino's gestures, expressions, and voice. As a result, both men were acquitted.
Personal Life and Later Years
Bandler's second wife, Paula Bandler, passed away in 2004. Despite his controversies, Bandler remains an influential figure in the NLP community and has continued to develop and teach its principles. He has authored numerous books and conducted training programs worldwide.
