Keith Try this: The "this" that starts the third sentence refers to the inductive process of arriving at a set of design variables. Further, you ask whether the three processes, a) a process akin to the kind of unconscious assimilation of patterning b) their deployment during imitation, and c) the unconscious editing that spontaneously occurred. Yes, these are three ways that Bandler and I (JG) arrived inductively at the set of design variables that took the form of the New Code in my case and presumably, the DHE in Bandler's case. The confusion we managed to induce in you was not intentional. Finally, you say, "I would like to understand why this information is actually more important than other points made in the book." We are not of the opinion that this information is more important than other points made in the book. The information offered is our attempt to alert the readers to the benefits of less words and more actions - this inductive development of the set of design variables through the processes enumerated are the natural consequence of years of intense research (modeling) and application of the patterns modeled. It is intended to get people off their ass and doing things so that the unconscious has adequate material to make such generalizations. John and Carmen