Mindset Mastery

What is Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)?

EFT is a new discovery that has provided thousands with relief from pain, diseases and emotional issues. Simply stated, it is a unique version of acupuncture except you don’t use needles. Instead, you stimulate well established energy meridian points on your body by tapping them with your fingertips- while you are psychologically tuned in to an issue. The process is easy to learn and can be practiced by anyone.

It launches off the EFT Discovery Statement which says…

“The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system.”

And current medical research is now suggesting that….

“85% of all physical pains and diseases are caused by unresolved negative emotions.”

After thousands of years of studying our body’s energy pathways, we now know that imbalances, or blockages, in the flow of energy can result in both emotional and physical difficulties.

Although this idea has been largely ignored by Western healing practices we now see that this is why EFT often works where nothing else will.

Although there are many different types of Energy Therapies out there (Acupuncture, Reiki, Polarity to name a few), EFT is unique in that it is an Energy Psychology. It combines the gentle tapping of acupressure points with the psychological “tuning in” to the problem.

The Basic Recipe

1. The Set Up statement – Choose the condition or issue you would like to address with EFT.

2. Write down your set up statement and focus on the sensation in your body as you are tapping.

3. Measure the intensity of the condition or issue as it exists now while you are tuning in.

4. Rate the intensity on a scale of 1 to 10 to begin.

5. While tapping on the karate chop point on the outside of your dominant hand, say the set up statement three times. For example: “Even though I have this pain, I totally and completely love and accept myself.”

6. Keep your eyes open and speak the set up statement out loud.

The Tapping Sequence & Reminder Statement – Tap each of the points on the face, under the arm, inside the wrists and crown of the head 5 – 7 times while repeating the Reminder Statement. For example: “This pain, this pain, this pain.” Repeat this sequence three times.

Here are the tapping points:

1. Eyebrow point – at the beginning of the eyebrow, just above the nose.

2. Side of the eye – on the bone bordering the outside of the eye.

3. Under the eye – on the bone directly under the eye.

4. Under the nose – in the center of the area between the nose and top lip.

5. Chin – in the center between the bottom lip and the bottom of the chin.

6. Collar bone – the junction where the collarbone, sternum and ribs first meet.

7. Under the arm – on the side of the body approx. 4 inches below the armpit.

8. Inside the wrists – tap the inside of one wrist against the other.

9. Crown of the head – toward the back of the head, just before it goes vertical.

Testing the Results

1. Measure your progress with EFT by observing the level of intensity and note the change. If the issue is less severe, but still noticeable, change the Set-Up Statement to something like this:

“Even though I still have some remaining pain, I totally and completely love and accept myself.”

2. Then repeat the Tapping Sequence with an altered Reminder Statement such as: “This remaining pain, this remaining pain, this remaining pain.”

3. Keep repeating this process until the intensity of the issue has dropped below 3. When there is very little remaining, tap one more time around with the statement:

“I now choose to fully overcome this issue, and I totally and completely love and accept myself.”

What to do when EFT appears not to be working:

1. Drink plenty of water before, during and after practicing EFT.

2. Be persistent – continue to practice every day until the issue begins to diminish.

3. Be specific – continue to fine tune your set-up statement.

4. Hidden or shifting aspects – allow the process to unfold and keep going with the tapping.

5. Remove watches, jewelry, tight clothing or anything that might interfere with the process.

6. Practice EFT while undisturbed – turn off the cell phone, TV or music.

Psychological Reversals

When we are aware of some resistance to what we desire, or even when we are not aware of the specifics, we can use Reversals to clear the way for the conditions and circumstances we desire.

1. While tapping on the karate chop point, try a Set Up statement such as: “Even though I don’t really want to exercise more, I totally and completely love and accept myself.”

2. Continue with three rounds of tapping with the Reminder statement: “Don’t want to exercise more.” Then move on to the Choice Method.

The Choice Method

The Choice Method is a terrific technique to use to “erase and replace” limiting beliefs. Use this method only when the Basic Recipe has effectively gone down below a 3.

1. Tap away the limiting belief, emotion or pain: “Even though I have this pain in my left shoulder, I total and completely love and accept myself.” Continue until the level of intensity comes down below and 3.

2. Create a Choice Statement and tap 2 or 3 rounds on the first part, or negative part: “Even though I have this pain in my left shoulder, I now choose to move my shoulder freely with ease and comfort.” The reminder phrase would be “pain in my left shoulder”.

3. Tap 2 or 3 rounds on the second part, or positive part, of the statement: “I now choose to move my shoulder freely with ease and comfort.”

4. Alternate the negative and positive statements on each tapping point, ending with a positive statement: “Pain in my left shoulder.” (first point). “I now choose to move my shoulder freely.” (second point) “Pain in my left shoulder.” (third point) “I now choose to move my shoulder freely.” (fourth point)

If you find it difficult to say “I totally and completely love and accept myself” or any of the other positive affirmations, then buffer the statement with “I really want to love and accept myself”, or “I now choose to start trusting and forgiving myself”.

It’s important that you don’t stop because you start to “feel better”. Keep tapping until you’re feeling great and the issue has been put to rest.

Personal Peace Procedure

1. Make a list of every troubling event you can remember. Trust that whatever arises is ready to be released, even if some events don’t seem to cause you discomfort currently.

2. Give each event a specific title – as though it were a movie.

3. When your list is complete, choose the largest trees in the forest and apply EFT to each of them until you can laugh about it or it loses its charge. Stay with it as the layers unfold and continue to apply EFT.

4. Do at least one movie per day, preferably for 3 months. It takes only minutes per day observing how your body feels, any improvements in symptoms and in your relationships. Be persistent with your practice and you may experience great relief without going all the way through the list.

5. If you are taking medications and decide to discontinue them, please consult with your physician.

EFT Resources:

www.emofree.com Gary Craig’s extensive site with workbooks, DVDs and case studies.

www.learneft.org This is the site for Michelle Leuschen, MS, the trauma specialist I trained with.