[Neurons] 2026 Neurons #7 THREE META-LEVELS OF PROBLEM-SOLVING

[Michael Hall]

From: L. Michael Hall

2026 Neurons #7

February 16, 2026

Problem Solving Expertise #9

                                                          

THREE META-LEVELS

OF PROBLEM-SOLVING

 

Once you are ready to begin a meta probe into the meta-levels of the
mind-you begin the journey to where we create meaning and where we create
problems (Neurons 2026 #7).  For problem-solving expertise, we use a
problem-solving principle, namely, that problems are always generated by
some kind of erroneous thinking.  The particular erroneous thinking may be
simple or complex.  This leads to the three categories of meta-levels
wherein we create problems in our mind with ever-increasing complexity of
meanings.

 

1st Level: Direct Thinking   (Representing a mental movie and editing it)

We create some problems by mis-representing things or by editing them in
such a way that we create all sorts of distortions.  By learning to rapidly
detect first level problems, you can also quickly solve them.  Here when you
change the code (i.e., edit) you can sometimes create immediate change.
This is the magic of altering representations and their cinematic features
(alias, sub-modalities) (Sub-Modalities Going Meta is an entire book on this
subject).

 

Here also sometimes we have simply mis-applied a perfectly legitimate way of
thinking so that in another context, one where it doesn't work, it creates
mental and emotional blocks.  Probably the most common example is coding a
negative representation or simulation associatedly.  When you step into that
movie, you find yourself locked into the pain and suffering of that
scenario.  Solution?  Step out, un-associate from that movie, step into
another state (e.g., observing, learning, curiosity, etc.).

 

Here also are some simple linguistic meanings that delete, generalize,
and/or distort.  The Meta-Model linguistic distinctions of cause-effect,
complex equivalence, identity, metaphor, etc. create problems on this level.
"He drives me crazy."  "When she rolls her eyes that means she's mocking
me."  Solution: Intentionally re-edit your movie, ask the precision
questions of the Meta-Model for each of the linguistic distinctions to
reframe the meaning.

 

2nd Level: Layered Thinking (meta-level meanings about the first level)

Moving to the second level means going meta to your experience (e.g.,
meta-stating) so that in thinking-about-your-thinking you generate all of
the sorts of 'beliefs' in your Meta Place.  Because every second-thought
implies an acceptance of the first thought as real or true, then
structurally it is a belief-a reality-defining construct.  It may take the
form of a belief, a value, decision, intention, identity, memory,
anticipation, permission, etc.  Now we have a more complex problem
construct.

When this happens several times, the layering sets up gestalt states and
gestalt problems.  These are states or problems which are more than, and
different from, the sum of the parts.  Now we have new inexplicable problem
gestalts.  It may result in double-binds, paradoxes, 'personality'
disorders, and all sorts of pathological states.  These problems are more
complex than level one problems and do not immediately disappear with
re-editing or reframing.

 

Solution: Unpack the layers, model both the horizontal and vertical
strategies, and/or revisit the original event to remap it (e.g., change
personal history, decision destroyer, movie rewind).  When you first learn
problem-solving at this level, anticipate devoting an hour.  When you
eventually develop expertise in problem-solving, you can reduce the time
perhaps 15 to 20 minutes.  This is usually the purview of coaching.

 

3rd Level: Assumptive Thinking (presuppositional, unconscious meanings)

While eliciting 2nd level problem meanings can be challenging, they are
typically easy compared to the 3rd level.  That's because the meanings a
this level were originally develop outside-of-conscious awareness.  As they
were embedded in language itself or in the cultural rituals, you took them
on and began living them without any awareness of them.  Here are your
assumptions about the world (good, bad, neutral), about knowledge
(epistemology), about being (ontology, who you are), etc.

 

To elicit these assumptions, infer.  Infer what is implied in order to
identify and express the hidden and invisible implications.  These are far
more ingrained in mind and body as we have inhabited them for many, many
years, sometimes from early childhood before we could think in terms of
words and language.

 

Solution: Make educated guesses about "what has to be true or accepted" in
order to say, think, feel, or do something.  Use numerous 'unconscious'
technologies to call forth the hidden assumptive frames (e.g., finishing
sentence stems, run an imaginary experiential probe, run a thought
experiment, ask 'if the frame was a game, what are the rules?,' find a key
metaphor to play with, etc.).  Because these are deeper (or higher) in the
meta levels, this often requires therapeutic problem-solving, so refer to a
good therapist.  In this way you are retrieving the core construct, the
schema that is causing the problem.  Unpack and dismantle the bundle to
separate out the levels.

 

We may say that at the first level we have a problem, at the higher levels
we find the problem.  At the higher levels we are drawing back the curtains
of the inner world of meaning to identify the ultimate 'problem,' generally
a problem of a problem.  What's important to know is that all problems do
not occur at the same level.  Therefore also, not all symptoms occur at the
same level.   The higher the level, the deeper the problem's conceptual
construct lives within and the deeper the symptom.  That will be the subject
of the next blog.

 

                                           

 


 

1000338493

 

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