EFT,
Emotional Freedom Techniques, involves tapping on various
points on the body while using specific verbalizations
to eliminate or reduce all kinds of pain and suffering.
It's amazingly simple and easy to learn, and yet its results
are phenomenal. The techniques can be combined with deep
inner healing. They can also be used on their own or in
combination with many other modalities.
The technique
works with the human energy system, which circulates through
our bodymind in channels or meridians. You tap on specific
points to stimulate the free flow of energy through the
meridians. As you tap on a point, neuro-receptors under
the skin convert the pressure to an electrical impulse
that is transmitted to the brain. This is combined with
the power of mind or intention. As you focus on a specific
problem, you send out your intention for healing it. At
the same time, you create a physiological response by
tapping on the points. This process has its roots in ancient
Chinese medical understanding of meridians and energy
systems: in acupressure, in acupuncture, in meditation,
in prayer, in the great healing modalities of the world.
In the same
way that a computer responds by having a human being tap
on its keys, or a television responds to remote control,
so too can signals be given to the energy system of the
human organism.
The Energy of the Universe
The entire
universe is made of energy. It is the basis of all that
is. This energy exists as the substrata of all existence.
It is electromagnetic and intelligent, and we can experience
how it is organized into systems by looking at all the
forms around us - especially human systems. Tapping on
gateways to the channels in which energy flows is a key
to allowing energy to flow more freely, to create healing
and open the gateways of human consciousness.
Everything can
benefit from an increased flow of healing energy and from
the intention of the mind to heal. Here are some of the
human issues that have been positively influenced by working
with energy: addictive cravings (food, cigarettes, alcohol,
drugs), allergies, anxiety and panic attacks, anger, compulsions,
depression and sadness, dyslexia, self image and self
esteem. Other issues are: fears and phobias, grief and
loss, guilt, insomnia, negative memories, nightmares,
pain, physical symptoms (fibromyalgia, arthritis, back
& neck pain) and other physical healing. Other situations
helped with tapping are: peak performance (golf, public
speaking, performing in public), post-traumatic stress
disorder, sexual abuse issues, all kinds of fears and
phobias (bridges, being alone, claustrophobia, computers,
dentists, flying, driving, elevators, heights, needles,
public speaking, fear of snakes or spiders) and many more.
You could speculate
at length as to how and why this special tapping technique
works. One important explanation is that it works to create
a free flow of "chi" or energy in the body's
energy system. Energy is the life force of the universe.
It's the electromagnetic field that underlies all that
is, the vitality in all creation. We are working with
this energy field when we use this technique.
The human energy
field is similar to other kinds of electrical systems.
When there is a disruption in a mechanism, you notice
static or noise. In the case of humans, you notice various
kinds of impediments or problems. When you are able to
dissolve the static or noise, you can help the mechanism
to run smoothly, with fewer disruptions. Your TV or computer,
for example, runs more smoothly by making some adjustments.
So, too, does the human energy system. Almost as if you
had a remote control or a keyboard, you can "tap
in" the appropriate code, which will create more
peace in the system, help the energy to smooth out and
work optimally.
Brain Signals, Words and the
Bodymind
There may also
be a biological component to the success with tapping
techniques. By tapping on acupressure points, you are
stimulating and releasing endorphins, the pleasure chemicals
that send well-being signals to your brain. There is the
additional component of language in the tapping process.
You don't simply tap; you talk, as well. You talk about
the original dilemmas, and your phrasing focuses the healing
process.
Now this is
very interesting, as you would think that tapping alone
could put the bioelectrical system back into alignment.
But there is another component. When we verbally state
the problems, we are speaking to the consciousness in
the specific areas or issues of our bodymind. Combined
with tapping, there a powerful healing response created
by the synergy of both the words and the tapping.
Many metaphysicians and yogis have spoken about consciousness
in the organ systems and in the entire human system. They
have talked about the consciousness in all organ systems
that responds to a mind/body approach to healing.
Yogi Ramacharacka,
in his book, The Science of Psychic Healing,
has said: "…the organs, parts, and even cells
of the body have 'mind' in them…. This 'mind' in
the cells, cell-groups, nerve centres, ganglia, etc.,
responds to a strong thought impression from outside…."
What the yogi is saying is that there are communities
of cells in each organ system that have their own collective
consciousness. So the liver may have its own consciousness,
as may the heart and lungs. One may feel sluggish and
need to "awaken." Another may feel congested
or may be carrying stresses and hurts from onslaughts
of the past.
This is very significant, as there is a potent mind/body
connection at work in the human organism. Still even more
significant is that these systems respond powerfully to
"thought impressions" and prompting from both
within and without.
Many healers
have seen over and over the power of verbal suggestions
on the cells of the physical body and on the emotions.
In addition, the practice of mindfulness, in which we
pay attention to whatever is at hand, brings a powerful
awareness to the issue and creates significant change
through that attention.
Electrical Pathways
We combine this
verbal attention with a natural physiological response,
which comes from tapping on energy points. What we get
is a combination of electricity, biology and consciousness.
The smoothing out of the electrical pathways, combined
with the biochemical production of endorphins and other
biochemical elements, combined with our connection with
consciousness - all create a powerful healing response.
We're working here with specific acupuncture points and
the ancient healing pathways called meridians. We are
also contacting the consciousness of the bodymind with
our words and with our intention.
You might even
say that each time we state the issue, it is like a tiny
"prayer" sent in the direction of the distress.
And the tap is like a knock on the door of the bodymind.
Whatever may be the explanation for how it works, it works.
Intention and Mind Power
Many people
have asked whether their own intention or that of the
practitioner plays a role in this process. And the answer
is most definitely: "Yes." Intention in the
world of healing means that the mind or consciousness
is clearly focused upon the work being done. This flow
of consciousness gives direction to the healing power.
When mind and the healing power are in alignment and are
focused upon something, the healing power goes to work
in a natural even stream of healing that flows from the
unseen Source. The one who is focusing the conscious power
is then a vehicle for the universal energy to flow through.
In this work
with energy therapy, the power of the healing mind is
of great importance. It is not simply that the acupressure
meridians are tapped or that you are saying the appropriate
words. It is that you are connected with the source of
healing, and this becomes an intentional process.
Experiments
have been done to show the contribution of the energized
healing mind. One of the most noted is with the pendulum.
The mind can tell it to move a certain way to indicate
either "yes" or "no." Amazingly, the
pendulum feels the urgings of this charged consciousness
and sways to the left, to the right, up and down or in
a circle. This is known as "ideomotor action."
In the field
of healing, there is always the use of mind power. The
everyday mind and ego get out of the way, and the power
is turned on enough so that it communicates vibrationally
to the recipient. The recipient can be your own self or
another. In the tapping, the vibration of the words and
the energy in the fingertips or simply in the mental attention
can move matter and form in the direction of healing.
This is an important
part of the process. It involves bringing one's self into
a high state of faith, focusing the mind intently, and
getting the ego out of the way to set free a flowing steam
of healing energy.
Healing and Prayer
This leads
us naturally to the important topic of prayer. It too
requires that the conscious mind or ego be moved aside
for the moment, and another level of thought that is infused
with spirit remains.
In a way, the tapping process, itself, can be seen as
a form of prayer. While tapping, you are, in a way, knocking
at the doors of consciousness, "asking" that
life situations be released and relieved. These prayers
often bring rapid results. In a way, the process can be
seen as a form of supplication to the universe. It is
a way of bringing focused consciousness to bear upon the
difficulties of life. The verbalizations can be seen as
requests for results, entreaties to the Self to bring
release.
To manifest
prayer, we become aligned or harmonized with the universal
flow from which the fruits of all requests are received.
We need to balance and open the energy pathways, eliminating
any constrictions in our self-worth that could keep the
flow from coming. Priests, and others in prayer, by the
way, often tap on themselves as they pray: third eye,
two collarbone points and heart center.
Origins of the Energy Therapies
A Stanford
engineer named Gary Craig developed EFT, Emotional Freedom
Techniques. He had a lifelong interest in helping people
overcome their emotional limitations. For years, he worked
with NLP, Neurolinguistic Programming. Then he discovered
the Callahan Techniques, which were later named Thought
Field Therapy, the product of many years of intensive
research by psychologist Roger Callahan, Ph.D.
In the late 1980's, Dr. Callahan had combined elements
of quantum theory, kinesiology and acupressure and had
discovered how to apply them to the treatment of emotional
disturbance in which he could bring rapid relief for trauma,
addiction and phobic disorders.
His first treatment
was with a woman who had a severe phobia of water. One
day, after a year and a half of conventional treatment,
out of curiosity, Dr. Callahan decided to tap her on one
of her acupressure points. He'd been studying the body's
energy system, and he tapped her on the bone under the
eye, a point for stomach distress, as she'd been complaining
about discomfort in her stomach.
He was astonished to find that she immediately told him
her phobia was gone. She had run to a nearby swimming
pool and had begun to splash her face with water. She
then ran to the deep end of the pool, and Dr. Callahan
stayed close by her for safety. She was able to go into
the water, and her phobia was completely gone. It never
returned.
Dr. Callahan
found that he could create these amazing results with
many of his patients. He began to develop and refine his
notable discoveries. He created a number of different
formulas or algorithms to apply to various issues. The
algorithms were quite complex.
In the late
1990's, Gary Craig found that certain meridian spots had
been identified as "shortcut" tapping spots,
and his work with many people confirmed for him that you
didn't need so many algorithms. In fact, he found that
a simple method of tapping for everything would be just
as good and often, for him, better. He found that the
method often works in minutes and can be applied to a
wide variety of people, such as children and others who
may not want to talk about their issues.
According to
Gary, EFT covers "a wide variety of problems with
one elegant routine." He feels that all the energy
meridians are connected and intertwined so that tapping
a few of them sends balanced energy down all of them.
He says, "Tapping on the energy system while being
tuned to an emotional problem is an extraordinary healing
technique that is deserving of the Nobel Prize. Its impact
on the healing sciences is bound to be enormous."
Gary Craig's web site, www.emofree.com,
contains his writings and other information about EFT.
Though they
differ on how to do the work, both Gary Craig and Roger
Callahan have a similar philosophy on the causes of emotional
distress. They believe that thoughts are constantly creating
patterns of electrical energy that result in emotional
experiences through the release of hormones, neurotransmitters
and other chemicals in the body. Thoughts change the body's
electrical state. When there is a disruption in the body's
electrical flow, we feel it. When the electrochemical
disruption is removed, the distress stops. The tapping
processes neutralize disruptions in the body's electrical
system, which then stops the chemical chain reaction and
frees you from emotional and physical discomforts. Gary
Craig believes that "the cause of all negative emotions
is a disruption in the body's electrical system."
Since these
discoveries, others have made their contributions to the
field of energy therapy. The variations are numerous (including
the combination of hypnotherapy with energy therapy).
Some of the other variations are included here as well.
It remains to be seen how the work will evolve. Suffice
it to say that the contribution is an enormous breakthrough
in the field of human transformation.
Combining EFT with Hypnotherapy
EFT techniques
can be used before and during hypnotherapy. When done
during hypnotherapy, it is often used as a release technique
for emotions and other issues that may come up. If you're
interested in knowing more about this, the book Extraordinary
Healing will answer many of your questions. Many practitioners
of various persuasions are adding EFT to their work, as
it adds deeper dimensions and creates more profound results
in the great healing work they do.
Marilyn Gordon
Marilyn Gordon,
BCH, CI is a hypnotherapist, teacher, speaker, healer,
school director and author with thirty years of experience
and a diverse and expansive background in teaching and
healing. She is the award-winning founder and director
of the Center for Hypnotherapy Certification in Oakland,
California, has been recognized in 14 Who's Whos, appears
on radio and television, and gives numerous workshops.
She is the author of her newest book, Extraordinary
Healing: Transforming Your Consciousness, Your Energy
System and Your Life. She works in the area
of profound mental-emotional-spiritual transformation.
She does her best to bring compassion, inspiration and
love to all she does. Her purpose is to work with love
to amplify the good and talents in others and to help
them heal mind and body, and to uplift people in all
ways.
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