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Using Energy Psychology For Getting Free From Fear, Anxiety And Other Negative Emotions.
Using Energy Psychology For Getting Free From
Fear, Anxiety And Other Negative Emotions.
In the last 35 years a number of new forms of psychotherapy have become very popular among psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors and other health professionals who work with human emotional, mental, physical and spiritual harmony.
Just a few of these methods are:
TFT Thought Field Therapy
EFT Emotional Freedom Techniques
BSFF Be Set Free Fast
TAT Tapas Acupressure Technique
EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
WHEE Wholistic Hybrid of EFT and EMDR
Sedona Method
Freeze Frame - from the Hearth Math Institute
Hooponopono - from the Spiritual teachers of Hawaii
We are labeling these methods generically as Energy Psychology. In this book we will discuss specifically EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) developed by Gary Craig.
What Health Care Practitioners Around the World Say about EFT
?"EFT offers great healing benefits." Deepak Chopra, MD
I frequently use EFT for my patients with great results." Some day the medical profession will wake up and realize that unresolved emotional issues are the main cause of 85% of all illnesses. When they do, EFT will be one of their primary healing tools ...as it is for me. Eric Robins, MD Co-author of Your Hands Can Heal you."
EFT has been, for me, the single most effective technique Ive used in my 45 years of practice as a psychiatrist. Ive had success with panic, social anxiety and many other disorders. Curtis Steele, MD, Canada
In my 50 years as a practicing psychiatrist, EFT has proven to be one of the most rapid and effective techniques Ive ever used. Henry Altenberg, MD, USA
"EFT is at the forefront of the new healing movement." Candace Pert, PhD Author of Molecules of Emotion.
"By removing emotional trauma, EFT helps heal physical symptoms too." Norm Shealy, MD Author of Soul Medicine.
"EFT is destined to be a top healing tool for the 21st Century" Cheryl Richardson Author of The Unmistakable Touch of Grace.
"EFT is a simple, powerful process that can profoundly influence gene activity, health and behavior." Bruce Lipton, PhD Author of The Biology of Belief
"EFT is easy, effective, and produces amazing results. I think it should be taught in elementary school." Donna Eden Co-Author of The Promise of Energy Psychology.
The EFT is working just great for me, it is night 13 of falling asleep without the pain of the Invisible Chronic Illness (fibromyalgia) and this is a phenomenal record for me. Since 1991, the onset of this illness, I have not had two pain free nights in a row. You are very much appreciated and a great big "Thank you." Janet Cole
In addition to several emotional issues, I have used EFT for impressive relief for many physical problems including Hiatal Hernia, Candidiasis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. The process is gentle and often provides benefits where other methods fail. Raul Vergini, MD Italy
I have found EFT to be so useful that it has become the centerpiece of my practice. I have used it successfully on a long list of emotional issues, including paranoid schizophrenia. Interestingly, when the emotional issues subside, physical ailments often enjoy simultaneous relief. I have seen this with the symptoms of fibromyalgia and MS as well as for swallowing problems, back pains, hemmerhoids, acidity, breathing problems, stomach pain, vaginitis, headaches, joint pains and stomach problems. Sonia Novinsky, Ph.D., Brazil
Here is a partial list of psychosomatic problems that have responded positively to EFT are the following:
? Weight Loss ? Anxiety/Panic Attacks ? Eating Disorders ? Relationship Issues ? Anger Management ? Childrens Behavior ? Dyslexia ? Allergies ? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ? Asthma ? Insomnia ? Multiple Chemical Sensitivities ? Pain Management ? Womens Issues ? Mens Issues ? Self Worth/Self Esteem ? Abundance ? Sports Performance ? Spiritual Connection ? Phobias ? War Trauma (PTSD) ? Sexual Abuse Trauma ? Addictions ? Depression ? High Blood Pressure ? Fibromyalgia ? Migraine Headaches ? Chronic Fatigue ? Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder ? Cancer ? Parkinsons Disease ? Muscular Dystrophy ? Multiple Sclerosis ? Rheumatoid Arthritis ? Cystic Fibrosis ? Diabetes ? Hepatitis C ? ALSLou Gehrigs Disease
Common aspects of Energy Psychology
Regardless of their different approaches, all forms of energy psychology have some of the following aspects in common
1. We can employ them by ourselves on ourselves.
2. These methods, as a rule, generate quick and often permanent results.
3. They can be employed directly on any emotions including fear, anxiety, emotional and physical pain as well as anger, guilt bitterness and rejection.
4. They can be used to reduce physical symptoms and in some cases remove even the causes of psychosomatic illness.
5. They can also aid us in getting free from chemical addictions such as nicotine, caffeine, sugar, chocolate and even heavy drugs.
How is this done?
1. We focus on the emotional or physical disturbance we want to release and evaluate how intense it is. We establish the Subjective Units of Disturbance, in which we evaluate the intensity of our emotion, desire or physical discomfort from 0 to 10, where 0 means there is no disturbance at all and 10 means that it is extremely high. In this way, we develop the ability to objectivity the disturbance as something separate from ourselves and have a sense of how much it increases or decreases or whether the problem exists at all.
2. The second step is to accept whatever we are feeling and to accept ourselves with whatever we are feeling. Acceptance is basic for freeing up the energy for change. We can use an affirmation like even though I have this (__________ specific emotion or problem), I love and accept myself. This is done in order to let go of any shame of anger that we have concerning our feelings. Some of us tend to suppress or ignore our emotions.
3. The next step is to be willing to let go of the emotion or disturbance. This is not always the case. We may have a subconscious need to hold on to our pain, anger or problem for various reasons that are discussed in detail in the book Free To be Happy with Energy Psychology and at www.HolisticHarmony.com.
4. We then focus directly on the emotional or physical disturbance concerning a certain stimulus, such as an event, behavior, situation, idea or even a thought in our mind about the past or future. It might even be the result of chemical or hormonal changes.
Each particular emotion or state of mind is a habituated energy structure, which was learned in the past and reproduces itself whenever our older programmed brain synapses are activated creating the message that we are in danger. In spite of our logic and wisdom, we are forced by these habituated energy fields created by our outdated, but certainly active, programming, to feel anxiety, fear, hurt, anger, guilt and the repercussions of these emotional disturbances on our bodies, minds, relationships and happiness. This is especially true when we subconsciously or consciously believe that our security, self-worth, freedom or pleasures are in danger.
5. The next step is to change our energy state while we are focused on the particular emotion, disturbance, physical pain or discomfort. This is done in various ways, depending on the particular technique and also the various versions of each technique. Some of the techniques include tapping on certain acupuncture points in order to get the energy to change. Others depend on placing our hands on certain energy centers. Others are based on alternative eye movements. Some focus on developing alternative perceptions of what is happening.
When we successfully change our emotional state in relationship to specific stimulus that then changes how we react emotionally, chemically, hormonally and electronically to that specific situation. This means that our hypothalamus excretes different peptides and our brain creates new synapses in relation to the same stimuli, which until now was disturbing to us. When this is done a number of times, this new more positive perception and reaction become our new norm.
How do we employ EFT?
In this section we will give only the bare basics concerning how to do EFT. If you would like more information, we would suggest the book Free to be Happy with Energy Psychology and or the sites www.emofree.com or www.holisticharmony.com/eft/index.asp
Step 1. The Setup
a. We bring to mind the emotion or physical problem we want to free ourselves from.
b. We estimate the SUD or subjective units of discomfort (or disturbance) from 0 to 10, where zero means no discomfort, emotion or pain whatsoever and ten means the highest we can imagine.
c. Now we correct for psychological reversal or resistance to feeling better, just in case it is present, by tapping on the side of the hand at the point on the hand where we would hit a piece of wood if we were hitting it with a karate chop.
1. We tap on the side of the hand while repeating three times the phrase, Even though I have this (fill in your emotion or physical problem) _______, I deeply and profoundly love and accept myself.
2. Then we tap on the side of the other hand repeating three times, I choose to be free from this ______ (fill in your emotion or physical problem). You can also use in place of the word choose, the words want, agree, deserve or accept or - it is in my benefit to be free from ____(fill in your emotion or physical problem).
Step 2: The Tapping Sequence
We are now ready to tap on the eight points so as to remove the disturbance in the energy field.
These points are usually the beginning or end points of the acupuncture meridians (energy channels) and can be seen on the accompanying diagram. We tap on them about seven times each in this sequence. It really does not matter how many times you tap. It should however be more than five.
This initiates the flow of energy through these energy channels, thus correcting the disturbance in the energy field associated with that problem. Tapping should have a good pace - not too slow - and with an abrupt percussive hit on each tap. But never too hard, painful or in anyway damaging.
Except for the point in the top of the head, where we tap with all the fingers of both hands, we tap with the tips of the index and middle finger of each hand. The area covered by these two fingers is larger than the area of the points themselves and gives us a safety factor of hitting on the point when we tap. We have modified the process and tap with both hands on the same points symmetrically placed on the right and left side of the body. This can be done with alternative tapping which stimulates the right and left hemisphere of the brain as we tap. This alternative stimulation is also very useful in changing the energy field and in a way combines the methods of EFT and EMDR.
Reminder Phrase
As we tap at each point, we can verbally, or perhaps mentally in cases where we do not want to be heard, repeat the reminder phrase. The reminder phrase is simply a declaration of which emotional energy field we are tapping on. This helps us to be focused on this particular energy field as we tap, correcting it with our tapping.
Thus, the reminder phrase will mention the emotion, physical problem or desire we are tapping for and perhaps also the stimulus for that.
For example:
Fear of heights.
Fear of speaking in front of others
Fear of being abandoned
Fear of not having enough money.
Fear of being attacked.
Fear of old age.
Fear of failure.
Fear of losing a loved one.
Fear of losing my job.
Anger when they correct me.
Pain in the lower back.
Anxiety about this test.
The points
Refer to the accompanying diagram to see where the points are located. We are also mentioning, for those interested, the acupuncture meridians and the numbers of the points where we tap. It is not necessary to know or understand these.
In our modified version, we usually tap in this sequence:
1. top of the head (Governing Vessel, point #20) and on the line connecting the top of the head with the center of the forehead. This is done with all the fingers so that the acupuncture points on the ends of the fingers and thumbs are also stimulated by this process.
On the rest of the points we tap with the index and middle fingers of each hand.
2. The corner of the eyebrow where it unites with the bridge of the nose. Referred to as EB Eyebrow point. (Bladder Meridian 2)
3. The side of the eye on the temple. SE - side of eye. (Gall Bladder 1) Here we can also tap towards the back and behind the ears.
4. Under the eye at the upper part of the cheek bone. UE - under eye. (Stomach Meridian 2)
*5. Under the nose and above the lip. UN - under nose (Governing Vessel Meridian 25 - 26)
*6. Under the lower lip and above the chin. Ch chin (Conception Vessel Meridian 24)
* When tapping on these two points on hand can be above the lips and the other below.
7. Under the armpit on the side of the body approximately level with the nipples. UA - under arm (Spleen Meridian 21)
8. Under the collarbone and directly to the left and right of the sternum. This is in the soft spot just below the collarbone (the highest horizontal bone on the front of the body) and to the side of the sternum (the vertical bone in the center of the chest) CB - collarbone point. (Kidney Meridian 27)
9. On the side of the hand where you would hit a piece of wood if doing karate. KC - karate chop point. (Small Intestine Meridian 3-4)
This is the same point we tapped on while correcting for psychological reversal.
The following points that are the ends of the fingers are stimulated when tapping on the top of the head with all the fingers. If , however, you prefer, you can tap on them separately.
a. On the outside of the thumb at the point where the nail unites with the skin. (If you place your palms on your abdomen, the part you tap on will be turned up towards your head.) Th - Thumb point. (Lung Meridian 11)
b. On the outside of the index finger at the point where the nail unites with the skin. (If you place your palms on your abdomen, the part you tap on will be turned up towards your head.) IF - index finger. (Large Intestine Meridian 1)
c. On the outside of the middle finger at the point where the nail unites with the skin. (If you place your palms on your abdomen, the part you tap on will be turned up towards your head.) MF - middle finger. (Circulation - sex Meridian 9)
d. On the outside of the little finger at the point where the nail unites with the skin. (If you place your palms on your abdomen, the part you tap on will be turned up towards your head.) BF - baby finger. (Heart Meridian 9)
Except for the points above and below the lips, all of the rest are located on the right and left sides of the body. We suggest that you tap alternatively on the right and left.
We do this process of tapping from the top of the head down to the karate point three times as we focus on the emotion.
Evaluating the SUD
We now focus on the thought, emotion, desire or physical problem, which was disturbing us, and evaluate where our SUD (our degree of disturbance) is.
We seek to determine whether it has:
a. Risen? (It can sometimes - but seldom)
b. Stayed the same?
c. Dropped? (Which means we feel less disturbed when we focus on this.)
When the SUD Does Not Go Down
If it has risen or stayed the same, then we perform the next round exactly as the previous. Having now measured our present SUD, we perform:
1. The set up; rubbing or tapping with the appropriate corrective phrases for possible psychological reversal (this is even more important now, because, as the discomfort has not subsided at all, there is greater possibility of the presence of psychological reversal).
2.The sequence tapping the twelve points repeating the reminder phrase.
Having done a second round, we then again evaluate and if the disturbance still has not come down - which is rare, we do exactly the same again.
If we are not getting results, then we will need to seek to understand why. Refer to the sources mentioned above or consult a EFT practitioner for help.
When the SUD Does Come Down
When the SUD comes down even slightly we alter the process slightly.
1. In the setup while rubbing the sore spot or tapping the side of the hand, we now refer to the problem as remaining _____.
For example the phrase might be:
Even though I have this remaining fear of heights (spiders, snakes, darkness, elevators - whatever it might be), I deeply and profoundly love myself.
or
Even though I have this remaining pain in my lower back, I deeply and profoundly love myself.
The word remaining here is important because it allows our tapping to address the specific energy field, which is remaining. Also it psychologically reminds us that the discomfort is less and falling.
2. In the step 2 sequence, while tapping on the twelve points we refer to remaining ______
Examples:
Remaining fear of heights
Remaining fear of elevators.
Remaining anger
Remaining lower back pain.
At this point we complete our round.
We now check the SUD again.
Whether it has gone down or not, we now continue with the setup and reminder phrases which refer to the remaining _____.
We can repeat stages 1 and 2 as many times as we need to until the emotion or physical problem has been seriously reduce or eliminated.
Once we have reduced the emotion or physical problem, we then move on to the balancing process.
Step 3 - The Balancing process
This is the strangest part of the procedure. Some people feel silly when they first perform it. It, however, plays the role of balancing the energies and the activity of the right and left hemisphere of the brain between tapping sequences.
We tap on the groove created by the bones leading from the wrist to the knuckles of the smallest two fingers (ring finger and little finger). The tapping is done in the groove towards the knuckles. (Thyroid 3)
As we tap around three to five times a second, we make the following movements and procedure.
1. Keeping the head straight, we look hard down right.
2. Keeping the head straight, we look hard down left.
3. Keeping the head straight, we make circles with the eyes to the right.
4. Keeping the head straight, we make circles with the eyes to the left.
5. We hum a few bars of any song (Gary likes Happy Birthday) (two to five seconds)
6. We count from one to five out loud (unless you do not want to be heard)
7. We hum a few bars of any tune again. (Two to five seconds)
This may seem silly, but it does help to balance the energies. When we hum and count and hum, we activate the two hemisphere of the brain.
In this way most people will have become free from their specific problem in one to five rounds. If you do not, consult the sources below.
STAGE FOUR Once we have diminished the disturbance and balanced the energy, we are now ready to install the positive perception, idea or belief, that frees us from that particular emotion. Some of these alternative perceptions are discussed in this book. We choose the new positive idea that we want to strengthen and then repeat stage two, tapping on all the same points in the same way, while having in mind the stimulus but at each point as we tap, we now repeat to ourselves (verbally or mentally) the new belief or perception. Focus on feeling and believing what you are repeating.
We continue this until we are able to bring to mind the stimulus and still be able to be in touch with the new belief.
STAGE FIVE: Once we have succeed in this we can balance the energy once again as described stage 3.
STAGE 6: We can now employ any method of altering our state of mind such as Freeze Frame, Sedona or Hooponopono, or deep relaxation with positive thoughts and projections. (All are described in this book.)
Here are some web addresses for further investigation of these methods.
Energy Psychology in general http://www.HolisticHarmony.com/seminars/
And http://www.holisticharmony.com/eft/index.asp
TFT Thought Field Therapy (http://www.tftrx.com/callahan.html)
EFT Emotional Freedom Techniques (http://www.emofree.com)
BSFF Be Set Free Fast (http://www.besetfreefast.com/)
TAT Tapas Acupressure Technique (http://www.tatlife.com/)
EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
WHEE Wholistic Hybrid of EFT and EMDR
(http://www.wholistichealingresearch.com/selfhealingwheeandother.html
Sedona Method (From Lester Levenston and Hale Dwoskin) (http://www.sedona.com/)
Freeze Frame (From the Hearth Math Institute) (http://www.heartmath.org/)
Hooponopono (From the Spiritual teachers of Hawaii)
(http://www.hooponoponotheamericas.org/index.htm)
