By Lynn Buske
The applications for Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), which was introduced in the previous issue, are extremely vast, but the “basic recipe” is very simple. This article will help you learn to do EFT and understand how to apply it to the various issues in your own life.
To get a general feel for it, spend a little time tapping on your body. Drum on your lap, tap on your head or face, tap your fingers together—and notice how it feels. Tapping typically feels good, satisfying, and calming. Tapping brings mental awareness to your body, sends sensory awareness to localized nerves, and sends blood/oxygen to that area of the body.
The specific acupressure points that are tapped on in EFT (and their corresponding meridian), in order you’ll be tapping, and where they are (see graphic: you’ll know you are in the right spot when you find it by how it feels), are:
“Sore spot”: Neuro-lymphatic point (soft indent down from clavicle next to sternum) OR Side of hand: Small Intestine (fleshy part, pinkie-side of hand–not shown)
Inside eyebrow: Bladder
Outside eye: Gall Bladder
Under eye: Stomach
Under nose: Governing Meridian
Chin: Central Meridian and Large Intestine
Collarbone: Kidney
Under arm: Spleen (tender spot below armpit)
Rib: Liver (tender space between ribs under breast–not shown)
Before you begin tapping on a specific issue, there are a couple of things you need to do:
Drink some water, especially if you have eaten sugar. This helps energy flow easier and thus increases the success of the process.
Center yourself. Sit comfortably, become aware of the present moment, take a couple of cleansing breaths, and choose to have an open mind. Do not become attached to “getting rid” of your symptom or controlling where the exercise leads you. This is extremely important.
Choose what you will be tapping on. Whatever symptom is most prominent in the present moment—pain or discomfort, worries, or current frustration/emotion—is the best place to start. You can also simply tap while you meditate or tap in a positive mantra (e.g., “I allow healing into my body,” “I will have an awesome day,” “I receive abundance willingly”). Wait to do more specific painful issues or memories with a practitioner (more on that below).
Rate the current intensity of that symptom on a scale of 1 to 10 so that you can keep track of its progress. You will rate your symptom after every round.
(Note that it does not matter which hand or which side of the body you use, or if you switch sides in the middle of a round.)
The set-up statement: The set-up phrase focuses the mind, validates the negative issue, and connects a sense of self-acceptance to that issue. You will feel how potent this is immediately. If you are using a positive mantra, you do not need the set-up statement.
Tap the karate chop point or rub your sore spot and say “Even though I have this feeling (insert issue here), I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
Then tap, about seven times, on each acupressure point while saying “this feeling.”
Take a deep breath and check your intensity on your symptom.
Repeat with “Even though I have this remaining feeling, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.”
Repeat this cycle until the intensity is a 1 or 0 or you are ready to stop. When the brain wanders away from the set-up phrase (after a round or two), follow it. At this point forget about what to say and just say whatever comes out—even if it seems illogical.
You can do EFT anywhere: waiting in line, at the airport, on a crowded elevator. You can think the words instead of saying them. You can rub the points or you can think of tapping the points instead of actually tapping them, and people won’t know you are doing it, but you will still get the benefits. I find these incognito versions most helpful when I am feeling anxious.
Again, EFT is safe and gentle, but, as sometimes just thinking about a particular issue can dredge up difficult feelings that no one should have to deal with alone, a practitioner can help you navigate through them, neutralize strong feelings (there are more EFT tactics not covered here), and offer support.
How to Find a Practitioner
As you are looking for support for more complicated issues, you will want someone who can best support that particular issue. Look for licensed counselors or family doctors who use EFT in their practice (you can ask reception or look at the doctor’s bio page). For general help with all sorts of issues, check an accredited EFT directory site for certified EFT practitioners. If you find someone you connect to, and they are not local to you, EFT is easy to do over the phone! You can also do a web search for “emotional freedom technique Eau Claire,” ask around, or even post an ad. You want someone you are comfy with who respects what you are looking for and won’t push you but is supportive.
Trust and honor yourself. I hope that you find freedom, healing, peace, and positivity by utilizing EFT.