BackTalk
The Official Journal Of
The Reverse Speech Education And Research Institute (USA)
Revcom – The Society For Reversed Communication Research (Australia)
“Backtalk” is an international journal that reports exclusively on the ongoing research into Reverse Speech. It is produced with the joint effort of Reverse Speech researchers in both Australia and the United States Of America.
Publisher: David J. Oates
FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR
I am sitting here at my desk at half past two in the morning wondering what on earth I’m doing up at such an ungodly hour starting to write Backtalk. Maybe I’m being melancholy. Maybe it’s inspiration – after all I had been in a real deep sleep prior to this and suddenly woke up with a burning desire to write the editorial. But if the truth be known, I guess it’s another bout of insomnia that has been plaguing me for the last few months. I’m sure that some people would love to read more into that than what meets the eye!
I’m feeling like being a little more personal in this editorial than I normally am. This still is a small publication newsletter and I have the right! After all its my magazine, my business also, come to think about it (well, on caretaker loan from God, or the Universe, or whatever other name you care to ascribe to it/she/he).
Let me see, I think I feel like writing about the trappings and downfalls of success. For years I’ve been working and struggling hard trying to get Reverse Speech off the ground – going without food, sometimes no place to sleep, often no money to pay bills, and mostly with just one person (me) endeavoring to tell the world about Reverse Speech while the many others stand on the sidelines cheering me on, sometimes with suggestions but mostly with just criticisms.
I can remember a time only a few weeks ago when I was getting ready for a lecture. I had arrived late and was endeavoring to make it up the stairs struggling with one very large and very heavy suitcase, two small suitcases, three cassette boxes and some other miscellaneous items – in just one trip! Several people (not carrying anything) joined me in my walk and began talking about Reverse Speech, saying what a wonderful job I was doing and how hard I must have worked and how much they also wanted to be involved in this new technology. I’m not too sure what I said, but I guess it must not have been very polite because they walked on past me real quick and headed straight to the lecture hall.
Quite frankly I really wasn’t in the mood to be polite. I was struggling and sweating with at least 150 pounds of luggage (oh why, oh why, did I pick a career that needs so much equipment!!) and they didn’t even bother to offer me help!! And thus ends an excellent lesson on human behavior and one of the main reasons why Reverse Speech remains, and will probably always remain, such a specialized and exclusive career to follow.
It’s bloody hard work, mate! Not much glory and a helluva lot of sweat.
I’ve been told that I’m blocking success – mind you these criticisms have been getting more intense the more successful it becomes, and just last weekend, which was one of the best weekends we’ve ever had, the criticisms were the worst. My wife just laughed as I gave her the application forms for training plus other miscellaneous non-successful items (checks!), saying: “Just keep on blocking it, David!”
Then there’s my stutter. No-one with a stutter like mine should be making a career in public speaking. I know, I’m told every time I lecture! In fact the more my stutter vanishes, the greater the criticisms fly (sound familiar?) I’ve been doing a lot of work on my stutter – self control, knowing my vocal patterns, hypnosis etc. etc. and I’m proud to report that it is almost under control. In fact, last lecture I don’t even remember stuttering. It’s been one of my greatest personal victories the last few months.
So to all those wonderful people out there who mean very well, please don’t come up to me with the latest “you beaut” cure for stuttering and expect me to drop everything to make a personal appointment with just you to have it magically cured. I’m sick of it! ! ! Every lecture, every seminar, every training, someone has the magic answer. Now if it just stopped there I wouldn’t mind so much, but it doesn’t! Some of these people don’t take no for an answer and get very offended and look with disbelief when I stand firm and inform them that I am working on it, thank you very much, I don’t want to change my current program that is working very well, if you think I’m bad now you should have heard me a year ago, and please don’t bother me with your latest cure.
Try this one on for a lesson in human nature. One person I work with has the belief that my stutter is part of my pattern for blocking success (groan!) and that the pills I take for reducing stutter before each lecture actually make it worse. Now really, if they made it worse do you think I would still be taking them? Anyway, during the break this person was so excited I wasn’t stuttering, that he/she ran up to an assistant exclaiming: “He’s not stuttering, he’s not stuttering. That’s because he didn’t take his pills.” The assistant promptly informed them that I had taken my pills an hour before the lecture started. This person did an immediate back flip and said, in virtually the same breath, “Oh. That’s why he’s stuttering so much!” Need I comment? We all hang onto our own belief systems so strongly that if they are dare threatened, our whole behavior can become erratic and irrational.
It’s often been said to me by those who know me well, that I’m a well balanced and congruent person – a comment I do like because I’m working on that one very hard with speech reversals. But one must wonder how true it really is as the success I’m blocking fights me all the time, and I lecture more and more frequently. With each lecture the criticisms increase. In fact we recently made up a list of all my faults as reported to me by well wishers – ego centric, attitude to women, deep seated anger, money hungry (???), martyr complex, prophet complex, very impatient, massive incongruency, stopping people from hearing reversals, low self esteem, too selective in the people I work with (now that one is rapidly becoming true!), too nice, too naive (the FBI is going to get me!?) etc. etc. etc.
With problems like all of these, it’s a wonder I even functionl! Maybe it just means I’m a Scorpio? Who knows? Actually my birthday is October 30, 1955, and I was born at 10:30 pm in a small Australian town called Booleroo Center about 250 miles north of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. (Mother’s maiden name supplied on request.) Boy! I’m glad I’ve finally gotten that published – now I won’t have to answer the question again for the dozens of people who want to get deep insight into my being by doing my charts (and yes, I’ve had my numerology done before).
Finally, here’s an incident that, without knowing it, actually touched a sore point. Apparantly some of my hand movements had been disturbing some people. I rub my nose and touch the corners of my eyes in a peculiar motion – a sure sign of Iying and incongruency so I was told. I watched a video of an offending lecture and to my shock, the suspect hand movements were actually quick, unconscious signals, wiping tears away from my eyes. They occurred as I lectured on reversals found on my children (I miss them terribly, they live in Australia), and also as I spoke of key elements of Reverse Speech history. Some of these occurred in a painful period in the past. The “suspect” signals did not occur as I discussed current events.
So, it sometimes hurts. But generally, I’m learning to laugh at it and I’m puzzled that my real issues are rarely mentioned. I wonder, do other seminar leaders have the same trouble or is it an attitude that only rears its ugly head with Reverse Speech? Personally, I suspect it’s a bit of both. People are great at pulling others down at the best of times and Reverse Speech only seems to make it worse. Sometimes even the very mention of the name “Reverse Speech” sparks off startling reactions.
So much for all mv woes. On the main front, it looks like a great year for Reverse Speech. So far, four training classes have been scheduled. One in Dallas, Houston, Louisiana and Montreal, Canada. I’ve been swamped with requests for tape analysis, so much so that I’ve started to contract the work out to other analysts.
We have two publishers interested in the book and expect to start contract negotiations soon with one of them. So, the book is just around the corner. Stay tuned to this column for further developments.
Reverse Speech analyst, Becky Thompson, is blazing the road by getting her Provisional Trainer Certificate and Developer certificate all in one month! And congratulations to Kathleen Hawkins who was also awarded a Developer certificate. The current training classes are about to finish with nine students in the final graduation class. Most of those have indicated that they want to go onto Master Analyst training in the fall. Watch out America, potential trainers are on the move.
So that’s about all for my column but there is a lot more inside.
Till next issue,
DAVID J. OATES
Research Information
PROMPTING
Some work has been done over the last few months in improving reversal prompting techniques. While reversals can always be located in any given section of tape, it has long be known that the type, frequency and clarity of reversals can be directly influenced by the type of conversation. Only a few unclear reversals occur in public speaking, whereas in normal, relaxed conversations they will be quite frequent and of varying clarity.
The task in conducting Reverse Speech sessions has always been, therefore, to keep the conversation flowing smoothly, with little pre-thought. Now this margin has been narrowed even further. An extra “control” factor has recently been observed. That is, rapport between the individuals speaking.
In situations of high rapport between two people, speech reversals are extremely clear and precise, no matter what the emotional situation. High emotions will increase the frequency of reversal occurrence but not necessarily their clarity. Reversal clarity has now been shown to be directly related to the amount of rapport existing in the conversation. This rapport MUST be genuine – not manufactured. Merely matching sensory systems etc. will not necessarily create the genuine rapport needed for reversal clarity.
Rapport appears the most when people are no longer worrying about it. It just is or is not. It does not necessarily mean agreement. It can exist in situations of intense disagreement where both parties are flowing together in the midst of their disagreement. The secret is in free flowing conversation and becoming one with the speaker.
Having now isolated this common denominator for high reversal clarity, the research will now concern itself with establishing precise methods to create this high rapport in all situations necessary.
LOCATING REVERSALS
In the last issue we reported on different reversals being located by different people. Much progress has since been made on this problem. It all revolves around the tonal nature of the reversal and the beat or rhythm of the reversal. Backwards run speech is literally riddled with speech reversals of varying clarity, tonal construction and coincidental sounds. The hard thing is to recognize the TONALITY and BEAT of the reversal. Reversals that have a distinct melody and constant beat are the clearest and most pleasant to the ear ONCE located and isolated. They also contain the most information and are considered to be the most powerful. BUT they are also the most difficult of all reversals for the newcomer to locate, since their sound is totally foreign to anything we are used to. Commonalities of transcript increase in direct proportion to these reversals being documented.
Students who document differing reversals are locating disjointed reversals with inconsistent beat which can vary considerably depending on the section of tape and conversation being checked at the time. Any one student chosen at random will often be documenting reversals of a similar beat that may vary from reversals documented by another student who may document Students who have been actively studying transcripts and learning to recognize reversals with a constant beat and smooth tonality have the greatest success and learning rate, turning in homework that is more consistent with a greater degree of commonality. The skill to master, therefore, is in recognizing the tonality and this is the task that the Reverse Speech trainer now faces.
Letter From A Satisfied Client
I am constantly amazed by the success stories that filter back to me as a result of someone having a Reverse Speech session. In fact I cannot remember an incident where at least some positive results were obtained and in many cases major brealk-throughs in therapeutic treatment made. It is very common to see someone completely released from an issue that had been plaguing them for years after just one or two Reverse Speech sessions. Some of these people report that even after years of therapy they were no closer to solving the problem and Reverse Speech lifted the lid after a mere half an hour. Such is the case with a woman I recently conducted two sessions with. Her letter to me speaks for itself.
Dear David,
Thought I would take a few minutes to fulfill my promise to you and to let you know some of the experiences I have encountered since our reverse speech work. The effects have been many and marvellous.
From the moment I left your place, after the hypnosis session using the reverse speech metaphors, I began noticing differences within myself. There was more acceptance and peace within me and less fear. I felt free of much of the heaviness and pain within myself by the following day. I had to work daily to hold onto the new feelings for there seemed to be a conflict going on within me between the old and the new and basically I managed to hold onto and expand the new. I now know that the conflict involved the wolf and my struggle to understand it. The resolution came to me during a conversation with a friend just a couple of days ago. I can now see the wolf beside me and sometimes will either talk to the wolf or stroke its head. Sounds funny yet it helps.
One of the nice things I have encountered is that friends noticed a change within me. A couple, who knew I was working with you, stated to me on my visit with them only three days after our hypnosis session that my entire analog had changed. They were amazed and I was greatly pleased. Another friend stated that I was different and there no longer was fear in my eyes. My doctor confirmed this observation and was extremely interested to learn more about this reverse speech technology. Another bit of feedback that I received was from my boss. He stated that my work had improved and that it seemed like all of a sudden a light bulb went on. He and I are communicating better, which pleases me.
Other observations that have been passed along to me or I have noticed follow. I smile more. I appear and feel more at ease with myself and others. I cry almost never now. I seem to be able to think more clearly, be more creative and process data faster. I feel more grown up. I find myself calibrating others with objectivity and clarity. I feel less fearful. I spend much more time in my visual channel instead of getting stuck in Kinesthetic which is a great improvement. I feel strong, energetic and powerful. I am less critical of myself. I find people are reacting differently with me than in the past. I seem to be able to be more objective thereby gaining the ability to stay out of other peoples stuff and gaining a new and more productive outlook for myself. And finally, my time line changed almost immediately, to the point that I put the past behind me and begin living almost totally in the immediate present.
I must add that I have experienced a slight setback during and after my visit with my family at Christmas. I came home feeling off balance and disassociated … upon reflection I contacted Becky Thompson. She and I did two sessions together in which we worked to get me back to feeling centered. We also modified my new time line to make it more workable for me. I want to take this time to thank you for recommending Becky to me. I believe you are right about my having never worked with a really good NLP practitioner. Becky is the best I have encountered to date. She is very smooth and innovative in her approach.
Due to my success with reverse speech I am very much interested in learning more. I believe that it is a very powerful and valuable tool. I also believe that this tool should be used with extreme care and precision. Recognizing these facts and being such a person who would treat the knowledge with the utmost of care and respect I would like to receive training in Reverse Speech technology.
I conclude with my heart felt thanks to you, to Reverse Speech and to me for my courage to experiment with Reverse Speech. I now have the answers I so fervently needed to move forward.
Thank you,
Linda Gooding 2/8/91
Thanks so very much Linda. It’s letters and comments like these that give me a tremendous feeling of satisfaction in my work. You are welcomed to receive training with open arms. You display all the skills, respect and insight that makes good Analysts. All the best,
David Oates
NOTHING IS SECRET
THE LEGACY OF SIMONE
There has been much controversy and mis-information floating around over the last few months about “Simone” and President Bush’s speeches. Just to set the record straight here is an article that accurately documents the series of events that led to this story breaking national press.
In the September 1990 issue of Backtalk we published a series of session transcripts from key players in the Persian Gulf crisis recorded during the first two weeks of Operation Desert Shield. Among these transcripts a mysterious word was heard that had never been heard before in Reverse Speech. The word was Simone. In fact this word appeared not once, but many times on key American speakers, in each instance as they were talking forwards about the Iraqi war machine or U.S. operations in the Persian Gulf. President Bush had a reversal that said: “Simone, Simone in the sands” *; Secretary Baker had a reversal that said “Simone won’t shine“*; Defense Secretary Cheney had a reversal that said “Simone goes in“.* (*** See notes at end of article.)
It seemed apparent to many Reverse Speech researchers that there may be some special significance to this word for it to suddenly appear in Reverse Speech only during the Persian Gulf crisis. It had never been documented before. Was it a code word? Or perhaps a personal metaphor, doing the rounds with Oral Tradition, that described the current situation in the Persian Gulf?
Curious to know an answer to this, I made some discrete inquiries with an acquaintance of mine in Washington DC – Special assistant, Scott Jones, who worked for Rhode Island Senator Claibourne Pell, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Scott Jones is a former naval Intelligence officer who works for Senator Pell in the role of an adviser, investigating new technologies and paranormal phenomenon. Jones had visited me in Dallas in July 1990 to look into Reverse Speech. He had been sufficiently impressed with the technology to travel back to Washington DC and arrange private briefings for me with the FBI and key politicians on Capitol Hill. These briefings were due to take place in November 1990 and he had already sent me my airplane ticket. The “Simone” incident was just a little sideline in an already developing relationship.
Scott Jones then wrote a confidential letter to his long time friend, Dick Cheney, telling him of Reverse Speech and “Simone.” One line in his letter sparked attention: “I mention this situation in case it is a code word that it would not be in the national interests to reveal.”
Obviously someone down the line thought that it was in the national interests because a copy of the letter found its way to the press and almost overnight “Simone” made it to national news desks across the country.
CNN cable news ran the story implying that Reverse Speech was some new secret technology that the Pentagon was being very tight lipped about. Of course if the truth be known they probably had no idea what Reverse Speech was. Other newspapers across the country ran the story with headlines like: “Is The President Hiding Secret Code Words Backwards In His Speech”, and “What is Reverse Speech?”
From a political point of view, the story could not have broken at a worse time. Senator Pell was up for re-election and with the story for the most part being ridiculed, Scott Jones’ assertions seemed to portray a credibility gap. One reporter said to me: “The man’s crazy. Playing tapes backwards to hear voices. Now if that don’t beat all.” No-one ever bothered to state that it wasn’t Scott Jones’ analysis. He hadn’t played the tapes backwards and found the reversals. I had. He was merely doing exactly what his job called him to do. Look into new technologies and report back.
As a result of the incident, my trip to Washington DC was cancelled indefinitely. Reverse Speech was now a political mine field. Scott Jones requested that I drop tbe incident and keep a low profile until it all blew over. I reluctantly agreed but privately I was still curious. What did Simone mean?
Then, in a radio interview I conducted shortly afterwards, someone informed me that “Simone” was actually an Arabic word, spelled “Simoon, that meant a “Dust Storm In The Desert.” Further research revealed that it was an Arabic word that had since been adopted in English. The official Contemporary dictionary definition is: “A hot, dry, dust laden, exhausting wind of the African and Arabian deserts.” The Oxford dictionary goes one step further and calls it “violent. ”
I found this translation, and its significance with the current operations in the Persian Gulf to be more than fascinating, especially considering that it was both an Arabic AND English word. My original thinking was that it described the way the Iraqis had stormed Kuwait in a violent fashion in the sands of the Arabian deserts. I theorized that it may have been adopted as a personal metaphor for the Gulf operations. I subsequently wrote an article on Simone for the November issue of Backtalk but was requested that I not print it. Not wishing to cause unnecessary complications I agreed, and just before Backtalk went to print in November, I pulled the article. Now, in light of recent events I wish I had not. The article was actually quite prophetic in its implications. Here are a few selected short lines from it…
“While we may never know what Simone actually means, there are some interesting possibilities. It may be a code word for an operation in the gulf or a personal metaphor of some description … on a recent radio talk show a caller told me that it is the Arabic word for Dust Storm. The caller cited as his source The Dictionary Of Geographical Terms. Other possible translations are “Desert Wind” or “DESERT STORM.” (my emphasis in this reprint) … ultimately Simone is just another mystery in this new technology of Reverse Speech that may one day be explained.”
Other than that one radio interview and an article in The Rhode Island Providence Journal, I was never mentioned in any of the press reports. I mentioned it briefly in some public lectures for the next two or three weeks and then slowly forgot about it until … The war broke. Chills traveled up and down my spine as it was announced that operation Desert Storm had begun. “Simone!” I exclaimed out loud. I rang some of my students and they had seen it as well. Suddenly excitement in the Reverse Speech community was intense.
Here we had the code name for the current operation in the Gulf being announced in national press THREE months prior to its official announcement. What better proof could we have for the existence and profound importance of Reverse Speech?
During the following week, as watched with interest all the press reports coming out of the Gulf, it slowly dawned on me that not only was Simone a cryptic Reverse Speech code name for Operation Desert Storm but it was also a metaphor that graphically described the way the operations in the Gulf were being conducted. Around the clock, relentless, fast and effective. (Dictionary definitions: exhausting wind, hot, dry, dust laden.)
Then, when the first American POW’s were interviewed, I heard Simone in reverse for the very first time on an Iraqi (see transcript elsewhere in this issue). Shortly afterwards, during Iraq’s short occupation of the Saudi Arabian border town of Kafji, Iraq made an announcement calling Kafji: ” The beginning of a thunderous storm rolling across the desert.” Simone was to be seen everywhere.
Thus we have Simone, a profound lesson in the true nature of Reverse Speech. Simone, the code name for the U.S. operations in the Gulf relayed in national press three months prior to its official announcement. Simone, a metaphor that graphically depicts the whole spirit and feel of the war in the Gulf, both from the American and Iraqi viewpoint. And finally – Simone, the name of my first born twin daughter on whom the first reversal on children was found at four months of age – “Mummy”.
May it live forever in Reverse Speech history!
stiB dna seceiP
THE MAYANS REVERSED
Did you know that some ancient Mayan words were designed to be read or spoken both forwards and backwards? This information was passed on to us by a student in the Houston Analyst training class, Anna Gault. She cites as her source “Secrets Of Mayan Science/Religion” by Hunbatz Men (Bear & Company, Santa Fe, 1990). On page 134 of the book some common Mayan words for speech are quoted: Than – to speak, common or popular speech; pach than – to speak in reverse; ca pach than – to speak twice in reverse. The book then states that new revelations can be uncovered by studying Mayan through pach than, or in reverse.
MIND TRANSFER
Speaking of Houston, an excellent example of the Oral Tradition process in action was discovered in a weekend seminar that was recently held there. Two participants (who had never met before) were talking to each other while recording their conversation. Five minutes into the conversation one of them delivered a reversal that said “New York“. The other person immediately followed with a forward comment of, “I come from Brooklyn.”
Here we see two processes in action. First, an example of unconscious knowledge. The first person had no conscious knowledge that the other came from Brooklyn, yet she delivered a speech reversal that acknowledged this. How did she know that? The answer probably is that the woman from Brooklyn had said it in reverse sometime during the weekend. It has been passed on through Oral Tradition and released by the unconscious mind at the appropriate time. Second, we see a lead reversal that communicates and prompts conversation. New York is delivered in reverse, the other person receives it and immediately responds. Note the actual process.
1st person: “Are you a gypsy?” REVERSE New York (information transmitted)
2nd person: “I come from Brooklyn.” (information received and response)
OUCH
David Oates always seems to get away with publishing other people’s reversals. But what about his? It is said he has an attitude to women. Do his reversals confirm this? Not run now. Man giving the fig; Hey woman! Are you sourced?; I am man. I feel a woman. Interesting. David claims it is his Australian and religious upbringing. Man is the provider, etc. Oh really?!
On the same theme. Here’s some we found in old transcripts back in his single days. Apparently he used to tape some of his dates. I am Lancelot. I’ll be your sweat; Sex is war. Serve this wolf. The wolf thrusts; I will never buy, little one. David claims that the first two are the result of a reversal control experiment that went haywire. But we want to know what was he doing trying to control reversals on a date? Did the woman know what he was doing and what controls did he put in?
Here’s some that his students should be warned about! These were found in the current training classes. You’re not my friends, not in my surf; You are an asshole; I curse this, your busted whirlwind. David claims that he was concerned about these so he worked on them. You went too far David! ! These are some of the latest. I am an asshole; I am a fool. Mmmm!
IS DOWN UNDER DEAD
Things have been very quiet in Australia lately. No news from Brisbane, no articles, no phone calls. So what’s happened to the Reverse Speechers down under? Greg Albrecht from South Australia still reverses hard away with some great stuff (liked your article, Greg) but what about John Suess and Paul Von Stroheim and the rest of the gang. Maybe the recent visit to Texas by Australian institute member, Glenys McKay, scared them all off. What did you tell them, Glenys?
However, there is hope on the horizon. We have one Australian who is going to take the Texas training in April. So we’ll just have to bring all the Aussies over to cowboy land, won’t we!
Aboriginal Reverse Speech And The
Process Of Oral Tradition
By: Gregory James Albrecht
Greg Albrecht, 36 years of age and a bachelor, is one of the pioneering fathers of Reverse Speech. In 1987 he co-founded its first official research project, developed the initial principal of complementarity, co-authored “Beyond Backward Masking” and developed the initial theories for Archtypes and Oral Tradition. He currently works as an English and Aboriginal studies teacher for the High School district of Berri in South Australia.
For the past two years he has spent all his spare time researching Oral Tradition and reversals in Australian Aborigines. As a result he has written a book on the topic and is now preparing a tape series. The first article of a three part series is an extensively edited version of his script for the tape series. All reversals have been verified to be correct.
INTRODUCTION
In this series of articles I will report on findings I have documented during my previous two years of research into the Reverse Speech patterns, metaphors and archetypes of Australian Aboriginal people. I believe some of the evidence gathered gives additional support to the theory of Oral Tradition, which I originally postulated in early 1988. To commence this discussion it will be useful to give a brief history of Aboriginal migration to Australia.
HISTORY OF MIGRATION
Many white fellas assume that Aboriginal people are all the same. This is not true. When Captain Cook first came to this country, there were many and varied groups of Aboriginal people across Australia much like the Europe of Cook’s day. I use the word group rather than tribe because traditional Aboriginal society had a clan rather than a tribal structure. Leadership was through elders rather than chiefs. Each Aboriginal group had its own language. To appreciate this distinctiveness, the Aboriginal group that lived where the present day Sydney Opera house is located, on the shore of Sydney Harbour, did not have the same language as the group that lived on the opposite shore.
Many thousands of years ago there were land bridges which were formed by the last ice age. One connected America to Asia, another did likewise for Australia. The first Indians to enter America walked over a land bridge over 20,000 years ago and filtered down North America as the glaciers thawed. Aboriginal people were in Australia long before this. Archaeological evidence suggests that they were here over 60,000 years ago. Today it is believed that the first people came to Australia from Indonesia or Java and East Asia. Others later migrated from Northern Asia and India.
As a broad overview, two distinctive types of prehistoric people lived in Australia. One was robust in appearance, the other was gracile or delicate and slim in appearance. It has been theorised that these two somehow fused into one to form a human being with modern characteristics. The present day Aboriginal person. T his theory is relatively recent and is based upon the discoveries of skeletal remains found in several ancient burial sites since 1967. As the respected Australian Archaeologist, Josephine Flood, says: “In Australia, pre history is still in its infancy.”
The picture that seems to be emerging from Archaeological evidence is that Australia was settled by two main migrations of people. Some theories state that one migration of Aborigines may have also had some roots in the ancient North Indian Dravidian culture. Josephine Flood, for example, notes links with the Dravidian languages and some Aboriginal dialects. In the 1910 edition Encyclopaedia of Britannica an article noted that Dravidians and Australian Aborigines both used boomerangs and bark canoes. In 1965 Anthropologist, Roland Roberston claimed that Australian Aborigines and Dravidian people had similar themes in their mythologies. After living with Australian Aborigines in the North of Australia, he said…
“How, in this continent which has been isolated for thousands of years, did their Aborigines come to have in their mythologies basic themes which we fnd in the oldest known sources of Central Asia?”
SHIVA – BASE ARCHETYPE
In Aboriginal Reverse Speech we find similar themes. This is evident, in part, by a complex metaphor and archetypal structure that is vastly different from those found in normal Westem culture. It contains, in part, many Archetypes that have their roots in Indian culture. One of the main words that we hear is “Shiva.” Shiva is one of the gods of the Hindu Trinity along with Brahma and Vishnu. He is also portrayed as the creator and destroyer. Shiva is also portrayed in Hindu culture as a cosmic dancer with multiple arms and legs, moving in clockwise in a whirling motion. This motion symbolises the eternal energy that flows through the world and universe. Some examples of Shiva are:
(1) I worship you, Lord Shiva. (From an Australian Aboriginal band.)
(2) Shiva is our Lord. (An Aboriginal boy from the “Daro People” talking during his initiation into manhood.)
(3) I’m Shiva’s nigger. (A chairperson from a South Australian Aboriginal community talking about how his community uses the River Murray for fishing. “Nigger” is a neutral word in Aboriginal reversals, used as a metaphor for themselves. It can be positive or negative depending on the context.)
(4) I love Shiva. (A group of Aborigines having a discussion.)
(5) They’re with Shiva. (A white radio announcer covering the early 1950s first contact with civilization of the isolated Pitjantjatjara people.)
(6) Need him Shiva. (An Aboriginal protesting against mining being conducted on sacred Aboriginal sites.)
The constant appearance of this archetype in its many situations would seem to suggest that it is as basic to Aboriginal reversals as is “The Wolf” and “Whirlwind” in Western Reverse Speech archetypes. In a tape recording of singing I analyzed from an Aboriginal gospel rally, I found an interesting reversal that illustrates the power of this reversal in the Aboriginal mind. Forwards they were singing about the blood saving power of Christ. The reversal said: “He who is Shiva.” (Expansive reversal, third level, connecting “He” and Christ.)
To take this one step further, here are some reversals found on Australian Archaeologist, Josephine Flood. She is talking about how she has been working with elderly Aboriginal people in an Archaeological dig. She expressed her concern that as these people die, vital elements of Aboriginal history and culture may be lost. The reversals, “Poor people. Shiva ill” and “Most frail people, Shiva“, suggests that Shiva is basic to the whole psychology of Aboriginal culture. Here it is used as a direct reference to Aborigines.
Of a similar nature are these reversals. First, one on a white woman, describing how she is helping an Aboriginal community develop a vegetable garden. “Its all for Shiva“. Second, a female reporter questioning a public official about the controversy of substantial Aboriginal deaths in police custody. “I used to shit on Shiva.” (Note use of past tense.)
KRISHNA
The word Krishna, a Hindu God, also a common archetype found on Australian Aborigines. Here are some examples…
(1) I was in love with you, Krishna. (A abused aboriginal woman discussing her experience.)
(2) Get fucked Krishna. (An Aboriginal man in an argument.)
(3) Hail Krishna (Myself teaching a Aborigine class.)
(4) Krishna’s a good fella. (An Aboriginal person speaking forwards in his native dialect.)
(5) You will find me with no respect. You fancy Krishna? He will die. (A white man aggressively speaking out against rights for Aborigines. Forwards he is saying: “They (Aborigines) contribute nothing! Absolutely nothing! The white man has built this country!”)
Hindu legend states that Vishnu, one of the deities of the Hindu Trinity, plucked out two of Shiva’s hairs. One was black, the other white. He placed these hairs respectively in the wombs of two women. The white hair became a God called “Balamar” and the black hair became “Krishna”. Krishna in Sanskrit literally means “The Dark One”.
FINAL
In this first article I have documented two of the key Aboriginal archetypes and discussed some of their connections with Asian culture. In the next issue of Backtalk I will further explore other metaphors and archetypes of the Australian Aborigines and offer some possible explanations for their significance and existence.
Reverse Speech Archetypes
The Building Blocks Of The Mind
BRIDGING THE GENERATION GAP
Here are selected portions of a Reverse Speech session conducted with a Father and Daughter talking about their relationship. Emotions were running rampant during the interaction as each person wrestled with the other. In the midst of the turmoil, Daughter was calling out for Father’s love and Father was wrestling with conflicts of his own concerning his current life’s direction and what he used to do as a teenager.
Ultimately, the session was of tremendous help to them, in particular to the Father. It allowed them to understand the exact nature of dynamics between them and take appropriate action to improve their relationship. It is an excellent transcript to study in detail, as it graphically displays many aspects of Reverse Speech; unconscious dialogue, behavioral prompters,internal strategies etc.
Reversed dialogue, in bold type, is printed exactly as it occurred. Some sections of the forward dialogue have been altered to preserve the general spirit of the conversation. It is documented in the following manner to facilitate its understanding. . .
(1) The precise words of forward dialogue where the reversals occurred is shown by brackets: [ ] Examine the reversed dialogue with the forward dialogue and note the ebbs and flows of conscious and unconscious processes.
(2) All reversals have been rated with their respective clarity from 1 to 5. (Marked in text as “R”. 5 is the clearest and 1 is the least clear.) The strength of their clarity is an indication of the strength of the expression.
(3) The Levels of reversal are shown (marked in text as “L”.) Level 1 reversals are conscious thoughts or perceptions. Level 2 reversals are unconscious perceptions, not recognized on a conscious level, that have a direct influence on attitude and emotional response. Level 1-2 reversals have elements of both – the unconscious filtering down to be detectable on a conscious level, usually as a flash of thought or sensation of “vibes.” Level 3 reversals are archetypes, or base behavior motivators and strategy drivers from the deepest part of “Self” or “The Collective Unconscious”.
TRANSCRIPT
Daughter: “Oh no. I don’t want people to be like me, [then we’d all] be like me and we’d be [messed up] .” I need you (R 3. L 2). We felt fear. (R 4. L 2.)
She is emotional forwards. Backwards she calls for Father.
Father: “Life works in certain ways. [You don’t believe it now but you will believe it someday. That’s what good manners are for]. That’s why we have certain customs and laws … [You have to have a certain amount of privacy] …” Need your sin closer. I must reveal who you are. Reveal Daddy. (R 4. L2-) I’m a go slow Daddy. (R 2. L 2.)
Father talks to Daughter forwards. Backwards there is internal chatter. He recognizes his need to know Daughter and even connect with her “weaknesses”. He pleads for this and, at the same time, calls to know himself. “Self” answers. Note “need” on both Daughter and Father.
Daughter: “Here I was, hurt at school. And you go like, it’s like, [Oh it’s no big deal], you’re not bleeding that bad…” You shit! I need you. (R 2. L 1.)
Daughter is angry forwards at Father. Backwards she repeats previous demands.
Father: “I got there as fast as I could. I’m never going [to be any better either], you know, you expect me, oh yeah, [if you get hurt or anything], you’ll just have to lie there and bleed to death”. Do you love me. (R 3. L 1-2.) I feel her love. I grieve it. (R 2. L I -2.)
In the midst of heated exchanges forwards, backwards Father reaches for Daughter.
Daughter: “I used to like it when we went away. Its like now, [but I mean], we don’t really do anything … like the camp ground, we went to that place and you found that big turtle … [mumbles] … that was fun … Then there was the time I got sea sick [on that thing], on that boat [we were on].” I need that love. (R 4. L 1-2.) I miss that love. (R 5. L 1-2.) I know with love. (R 3. L 1-2.) I want that love. (R 3. L 1-2.)
Forwards Daughter remembers good times they had together. Backwards she continues pleas and begins to connect.
Father: “[It’d be fun to do it again].” I grow to love you. (R 5. L 1.)
Daughter: “I don’t want [to be alive by the time I’m twenty].” He knows I must love. (R 3. L 1-2.)
Daughter knows she has been heard.
Father: “I know I used to do all that (peace demonstrations etc.) as a teenager but I’ve decided I want to be different now. [I want to accumulate things] … [I want to be comfortable]. I want to have a retirement some day.” Will we make the power. (R 3. L 2.) Whirl will fuck the power. (R 2. L 2.)
Forwards Father discusses his teenage years noting how his current life direction is different. Backwards, he questions if this is the way to go. His unconscious mind gives a warning. “Whirl” in this instance is connection to the desire to accumulate etc.
Father: “You say you don’t want to conform but you are conforming with your own peer group. [I mean, you listen to the same kind of music].” You see my cousin. Serving him. (R 3. L 2.)
A complex and powerful metaphor connecting similar emotions to a time in the past. Forwards Father is struggling with his daughter. Backwards, he flashes back to his teenage years, remembers and connects. “Cousin” is a personal metaphor for this man. As a teenager, he used to spend a lot of time with his cousin doing similar things to what his daughter now is. An unconscious reminder – he used to be the same.
Daughter: “We do good things. Someone’s got to say something about where the world is heading. You can’t understand. [You don’t have to], I guess. [I don’t expect you to understand it] … We do it for the good of mankind [and other people but] its not like we’re violent or anything.” You’re holding it, law. (R 2. L 2.) You’re nicer. Now it helps the wine. (R 3. L 2.) There will be love. (R 2. L 2.)
Forwards Daughter talks about her views. Backwards she works through the relationship. Father is rigid (law) but the connection made and it will work.
Father: “I don’t believe that you think everything is bad in the world. [I think you’re Iying] … I think you’re not showing your [emotion, shutting off ].. I just want to know [you’re going to find something] and say this is neat.” I would never hurt. (R 4. L 1-2.) I will get my youth. (R 4. L 2.) Now for the magician. (R 4. L 3.)
Father reassures daughter, decides his course of action and accesses a behavioral changing archetype.
Daughter: “I don’t know whether that can happen but I didn’t say [you said I couldn’t. I said I cannot do that].” I’m a Goddess. I’m the Goddess. (R4. L3.)
Daughter responds to the third level reversal with her own archetype, acknowledging she has the resources. Thus the progression finishes. From pleas for love, to self questioning by Father, to a connection being made and ultimately accessing archetypes for change.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Mr. Oates,
Recently, I had the opportunity to read your Backtalk journal of November 1990. I was very impressed by your work. It appeared to me that this is the beginning of a new era.
I am a chiropractor and NLP consultant. I did get interested by NLP because I do believe that you cannot disassociate mind and body and that many sorts of interference can affect the body state of health, from what chiropractors call a vertebral subluxation to an improper congruency between to subconscious mind and the conscious one. I really believe that the reverse speech is the missing link between the left and right brain congruency.
From what I understand, the reverse talk will probably appear in the mother tongue and I don’t know if you speak French but over here in Quebec most of my patients mother tongue is French. If I am wrong and the mother tongue has nothing to do with reverse talk analysis then fine. But, if I am right, tell me how we could work this out. Because I honestly believe that this technique of yours is too valuable to keep it from those whose mother tongue isn’t English. I would be interested in establishing a working relationship with you and perhaps we could help each other.
M. Belanger (Montreal, Canada.)
Eds Note: Reverse Speech does appear primarily in the mother tongue. We have not as yet trained anyone who is bi-lingual so this is still a largely untapped area. At this stage, though, it would appear that reversals will be in English if the person is “thinking” in English rather than translating. Perhaps we could start some training up in Canada? I will contact you separately.
For David Oates
I attended one of your lectures in Houston last month and I was very impressed with your work. It was one of the most interesting presentations I have ever attended. However, if I may, let me make a suggestion for you. I could not help but notice that you have a speech stutter. I did not find it disturbing but others might. Have you ever considered having someone fix it for you? There are many wonderful ways that this can cured. I can put you in touch with a person I know who teaches deep breathing exercises. This has helped many people in the past.
C. Trapp (Houston, Texas)
Working With Reverse Speech Archetypes
To Change Behavior
One of the original challenges to arise, as I became increasingly confident with using Reverse Speech in therapeutic situations, was: “OK. What now? We know the problem, the source and the cause. What do we now do with it?” Herein lies what has often been a perplexing question for me in my work with Reverse Speech.
There is no discipline more exciting, thorough and direct in revealing behavioral strategies than Reverse Speech. It is all too painfully effective and there have been many occasions when I am left with a client, who has just had the rug pulled out from underneath them, wondering what on earth they can do to fix it. Simply knowing the source of the problem is, in many cases, insufficient to effect change. Unfortunately we were not issued with blueprints for the mind when we were born and the webs and connecting patterns are complex to say the least.
Behavioral strategies can be deeply ingrained and very hard to shake. Many times, people’s operational Metaphors and Archetypes have been carefully etched into the psyche from early childhood. As the child adopts the parents’ Archetypes and creates ones of their own, the building blocks of the mind can become so complex that sometimes it seems that the only solution is to destroy the house and start all over again.
Take for example someone who has difficulties with relationships (based on a compilation of case studies). They may run a sabotage program whereby they fall rapidly in love and then suddenly become scared. Before too long, arguments begin, emotions are electric and the developing relationship collapses with an intensity that is frightening. The person may have run pattern for years.
Reverse Speech analysis may reveal that they have a highly active “Wolf (the part of the mind that is the primordial and instinctive hunter and protector.) At some time in the past the person may have been deeply hurt by a close relationship (albeit parents, friends or lovers). The Wolf, whose job it is to protect the psyche, then becomes constantly on the hunt for similar situations that would also hurt. Recognizing a developing relationship situation, the Wolf may then switch off deep emotions and replace them with surface ones thus causing the person to fall rapidly into a surface love. The person would not know that it is only surface because the wolf has switched off deeper emotions as a protection measure. The Wolf may then begin to test the new partner (remember all of this is most likely on an unconscious level) to see whether the person is worthy, through a variety of subtle (sometimes not so subtle) methods. In the process of testing, the other person’s Wolf is activated (for what ever reasons and patterns of its own) and a self protection game begins between the two parties. War has begun. The Wolf gets hurt. Warning bells ring and the relationship is terminated. But the Wolf knows that the person needs love because other operational Archetypes are also crying out for attention so it begins the process again. Thus the cycle is set.
This is a very simple example. In practice it is never that easy as operational Archetypes and Metaphors become deeply entwined with each other. Behavior becomes extremely complex as each part of the being attempts to be satisfied.
Unraveling it can become a major task. The first step is in understanding what each Archetype is endeavoring to communicate.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Reverse Speech Metaphors and Archetypes are a verbal description of some mental function or part of the mind. (*** see notes at end of this article.) Nor is there any doubt over the Universal significance, or meaning, of each Archetype. I see them occurring time and time again in Reverse Speech in identical situations. While the methods and strategies they each use may be different, their basic purpose is the same.
Take for example, The Wolf. We know that it is the hunter. Individual patterns that each Wolf uses may be different but its basic purpose is still the same. The Archetype “Garden Of Eden” (sometimes appearing in the shortened version of “garden “) refers to our spiritual center, or source of knowledge and wisdom. The Archetype “Satan” refers to the part of us that delivers intense, over bearing emotions that can be destructive. The “Goddess” is the healer, the part of beauty, the part that can be great. Each part works together to create the whole. The Goddess without the Wolf lacks strength and becomes weak and insipid. T he Garden without Satan becomes unprotected – with too much Satan it becomes warped and perverted. And so the list goes on.
So far, more than 50 operational Archetypes and 300 operational Metaphors have been documented in Reverse Speech. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Every part of the being, with its own unique purpose, has an Archetype or Metaphor in Reverse Speech which is a descriptor, or reflection, of its function. The web of interconnecting parts within the mind becomes even greater still.
So knowing all of this, what can be done to instigate change?
Over the years I have experimented with several different methods, including traditional counseling, NLP, hypnosis, alternative therapies, etc. All the time I was searching for something unique. Something that was tailor made for everything that Reverse Speech was all about. It was a constant and endless search, yet this is the way I have developed the entire Reverse Speech technology. Trial and Error. Scratch and see. Being open to recognizing mistakes and moving on to the next possibility.
Throughout this process a very exciting method of instigating behavioral change has slowly been emerging. To call it unique is not correct because it is a combination of everything. What is unique is the way the information is obtained, coupled with a differing approach to its significance and meaning.
I call the technique “Metaphor Restructuring.” Its basic premise states that the Metaphors and Archetypes of Reverse Speech are constant universal parameters. They have been adopted through the process of Oral Tradition as verbal descriptors of complex images within the unconscious mind. These images come together in a variety of differing ways to create, or reflect, the whole individual.
To explain this further, let us suppose that in the previous example of the person sabotaging relationships, a reversal occurred describing her pattern that said: “My wolf works with Satan.” (Satan being the strong, destructive emotion that the wolf uses to protect her.) The basic principal of Metaphor Restructuring states that if the picture is inappropriate to achieve desired outcomes, then let us change the picture that the Metaphor is describing. Maybe in the process of changing the picture the unwanted behavioral pattern may also change.
This may seem to be a wide and sweeping statement but it was the premise that I followed in developing this technique. We are, in effect, going in the back door. Rather than attempting to change the pattern and monitoring the effectiveness of the change through the changing pictures (speech reversals), we are changing the pictures and watching the patterns change as a result. Amazingly, it works – and it works VERY rapidly and effectively. In fact, the success rate has been far beyond my wildest expectations.
It is a simple and highly effective method. The way I achieve it is simple. First, I conduct a Reverse Speech session with the person and locate the patterns with speech reversals. Then I place the person under a light hypnotic trance and quite literally tell them to create a picture of the reversal. Thus the person whose “Wolf works with Satan,” might create an imaginary picture of a wolf working with an image of Satan. I then change the picture using other reversals. Suppose, for example, the person had stated elsewhere in the session that the “Wolf has no sword to find the garden” (sword meaning personal strength), then I would tell the person to create a picture of a sword, give the sword to the wolf, and let the wolf go on “walkabout” (Aussie slang) to find the garden. Satan would be dealt with in some other manner, depending what had transpired in the speech reversals.
The technique sounds simple enough but the steps needed to reach this final outcome are immense. The reversals located must be accurate (you don’t want to work with pictures that don’t exist), the reversal interpretation must be accurate and the patterns must be recognized precisely. It is not a technique for the Reverse Speech novice to use because by doing this, you are accessing the basic building blocks of the unconscious mind. In point of fact, I go into the process with great care and precision. I build into my trance inductions many safety commands. I would rather nothing happen than have the wrong thing happen.
However all the work is worth it. I have people report back to me that they have had Shamanic experiences whilst doing the process. Others have said that it is the most powerful trance they have ever experienced (logical enough if we are indeed working with the basic building blocks of the mind). Many people report immediate and powerful changes in their life (see letter on page 4) and I have seen some people set completely free from burdens they have been carrying around for years.
Thus we have a new and exciting process that I have entitled “Metaphor Restructuring.” It is the latest new arm of research with Reverse Speech still in its early developmental stages but evolved sufficiently enough for me to write this article. It uses people’s own reversals and Archetypes to effect change. The technique is powerful and effective yet still riddled with potential dangers. Nevertheless the possibilities are exciting.
I have not intended to describe it in detail in this article, just give a broad overview. However for those people who don’t know what to do with their reversals, or those who have been working on an issue for years – there is light at the end of tunnel. Change can be effected.
This is the continually evolving world of Reverse Speech.
*** (It is important to note that the approach taken to understand the purpose and significance of Reverse Speech Archetypes is vastly different to the approach traditonally adopted by society’s general perception of Archetypes. Do not get the two confused!
OPERATION DESERT STORM
We had planned to present many significant reversals from operation Desert storm in this issue, but due to a heavy work load it was not possible to prepare the transcripts. We have, however, published a collection of reversals from the first thirty minutes of the war with CNN reporters, and another section where the first American POWs were seen on Iraqi television. All reversals have been reprinted as they occurred without comment.
The research institute has just begun a major research project into Operation Desert storm (for details see page 7) and the initial results of this will be published in the next issue of BackTalk.
THE WAR BEGINS
Peter: “Now we’re seeing a lot of activity in the area of .this refinery. One thing after another. [One bomb, apparantly], coming down in the area…” You must alert the bomb
Peter: “Oops! Now there’s [something on fire]. That was an explosion fairly near our location at, er, [near a mosk in downtown]. We could sort of feel the report [from that].” I’ve known it. I’m lonely. I’m worried. Damn them!
John: “Tonight, [every bomb we have seen] land [seems to have hit something]. They hit the refinery correctly…” Now nuclear war. They are not visible.
John: “They seem to, they have [these, er, laser directed], they, the, the, the guided [bombs systems] now.” They kill with hardly a word. Is this Simone?
Peter: “[Well the anti air craft] fire has died down and it seems to me that there’s been [at least three waves] of aircraft here so far.” Fucking Arab. We fucked Arab.
Peter: “[But as I said, further out] in the city, on the outskirts of the city there seems to be [more explosions taking place, multiple explosions]! ” Hey listen! Fire love. Shell with the bomb. Help me get results.
Peter: ” [Indeed. Its quiet over] there too. But I think its probably just a lull as President Bush follows] through his threat in an attempt to prove to Saddam Hussein that he should leave Kuwait.” They ousted Eden. Don’t shoot them. Nuke them.
Charles Jaco: “[The war With Iraq] began early Tuesday morning as a squadron of U.S. [fighter bombers took off from] the largest U.S. air base in central Saudi Arabia.” Now with the whirlwind. Don’t want to fuck with you.
Charles Jaco: “Colonel Ray Davies said, This is history in the making. [He said, er watched a group of sombre] pilots board their aircrafts, [taxy down the runway] and takeoff.” You must remove the soul. We are at mercy. You all know of my disgust.
Charles Jaco: “The military here in Saudi Arabia has [no further information]. They say all briefings will probably come from Riyadh.” War is here. Ashamed of me.
CNN Front Desk: “The liberation of Kuwait, in the words of the White House, has begun with operation [Desert Storm].” I know you monsters.
Peter: “We have yet to see the bombs fall but its the same pattern of the previous, [at least three raids], that we have witnessed.” We’re stupid. Get used to it.
John: “The anti aircraft [fire is now going toward the South]. We’re looking [out to the west] and we [see the tracer bullets going].” To hell with it. The bastards don’t know Fonzi. Don’t tell ’em it’s yesterday.
John: “The flames might be high [but the tracer bullets are still going] up into the sky.” I know I’d waste it. Bomb Jerusalem.
John: ” [We’ve seen these bombs come down before].” Bomb them often. I must love in Hebrew.
John: “We don’t have any indication [at all that these] anti-aircraft guns are much success.” They use the Lord.
John: “I’ll give another moment to [catch your breath].” I’ll respect it.
AMERICAN POW’S
POW: “..leutenant [Jefferey Morton Zaun], United States Navy… Want my home. You hurt.
POW: ” . . . [I am from attack squadron 35] in the U.S. Saratoga…” They don’t have love there.
POW: “…my mission was to attack H3 airfield in [south western Iraq]…” Error, you still trust me.
POW: “…[I think our leaders] and our people have wrongly attacked the peaceful people of Iraq…” Do you know this hell?
POW: “…I would like to [tell my mother and my father] and my sister that [I am well treated]…” You know now my trouble. Hurts to done it.
POW: “…and that [they should pray] for peace…” Ashamed in it.
Iraq: ” ?????? ” Simone ?????
POW: “…[for the children, please study hard at school]…” Bush robbed your faith, Bush did.