Hi,
I was wondering if you do EFT are the effects meant to be immediate? Is it possible that the effects can become visible like hours or days after you've done the original EFT?
Secondly, does what I say at each tapping point matter? If it does, what are you meant to say at each tapping point?
Thirdly, what happens if I just hold the meridian points without saying or thinking anything? I was only holding the meridians...
1) Side of the eye
2) Below the eye
3) Below the nose
4) Below the chin
and I was feeling some energy movements... are those significant at all? The movements were small though, not like the ones you'd get if you were tapping so I was thinking perhaps this isn't doing anything.
Thanks.
(1) For some people, the effects of EFT are immediately obvious, but delayed reaction is not uncommon - some people (including me) often notice shifts only some hours or even days after the session. Also, the effect is cumulative - you may not experience a significant change following just one tapping session, but those who tap regularly over time typically report finding their lives transforming for the better overall.
(2) Yes it does matter what you say at each point. The standard recommendation is to describe the problem that is bothering you in that moment as specifically as possible (without it being over-long). If there is more than one thing on your mind, pick one and focus on that; using the words to describe what you are experiencing in the moment (feelings, sensations, images, thoughts etc).
HOWEVER, if you are overwhelemed or have experienced serious trauma it can be too much to focus on the specific details of the problem or memory - it may be unmanageable to do it on your own, so you may want to get help from a qualified practitioner.
If working on your own seems too challenging and emotionally overwhelming, and for whatever reason you can't get external help but you would like to continue helping yourself, I would keep it simple and focus either on (a) physical sensations; or, even better (b) a metaphor of your experience - i.e. when you feel like this it is like what? what does the problem resemble? Allow an image or symbol to come to mind, e.g. it could be like a mountain on your shoulders, or a monster, or a deep dark lake etc - just allow your imagination to come up with the symbolic representation of the problem and tap on that, observing the changes in the image and changing your words at each round to describe what is happening with the image in the moment.
It is also possible to work with problems indirectly, using the so-called Tearless Trauma Technique (if you search this term on or just google it, a description should come up). Also, you can "Borrow Benefits" with EFT by watching someone else's tapping session, e.g. on YouTube, and tapping along, without consiously focusing on your problem apart from at the very beginning and the very end (search "Borrowing Benefits" for further explanation). Contrary to the popular belief, great Australian EFTers David Lake and Steve Wells postulate that quantity of tapping is as important as quality - sometimes people don't tap because they can't think of the "right" words - but they suggest to keep tapping anyway, with or without words, as the volume of acupoint stimulation in itself makes a difference to our energy system.
3) Holding meridian points without words can be helpful generally for relaxation, for calming down, I often teach this to people to improve sleep. This approach is known in EFT community as "Touch & Breathe". It is nice and soothing to take a deep breath in and out at each point, making the outbreath a little longer than the in-breath. It is less likely to facilitate significant shifts than tapping, but is great for calming yourself, slowing down and relaxing generally.
website has a good free manual you can download which takes you through the basics, plus many excellent articles on various aspects of EFT.
Hope this helps
Masha
A most helpful reply Masha! Some very helpful information here.
(1) For some people, the effects of EFT are immediately obvious, but delayed reaction is not uncommon - some people (including me) often notice shifts only some hours or even days after the session. Also, the effect is cumulative - you may not experience a significant change following just one tapping session, but those who tap regularly over time typically report finding their lives transforming for the better overall.
(2) Yes it does matter what you say at each point. The standard recommendation is to describe the problem that is bothering you in that moment as specifically as possible (without it being over-long). If there is more than one thing on your mind, pick one and focus on that; using the words to describe what you are experiencing in the moment (feelings, sensations, images, thoughts etc).
HOWEVER, if you are overwhelemed or have experienced serious trauma it can be too much to focus on the specific details of the problem or memory - it may be unmanageable to do it on your own, so you may want to get help from a qualified practitioner.
If working on your own seems too challenging and emotionally overwhelming, and for whatever reason you can't get external help but you would like to continue helping yourself, I would keep it simple and focus either on (a) physical sensations; or, even better (b) a metaphor of your experience - i.e. when you feel like this it is like what? what does the problem resemble? Allow an image or symbol to come to mind, e.g. it could be like a mountain on your shoulders, or a monster, or a deep dark lake etc - just allow your imagination to come up with the symbolic representation of the problem and tap on that, observing the changes in the image and changing your words at each round to describe what is happening with the image in the moment.
It is also possible to work with problems indirectly, using the so-called Tearless Trauma Technique (if you search this term on or just google it, a description should come up). Also, you can "Borrow Benefits" with EFT by watching someone else's tapping session, e.g. on YouTube, and tapping along, without consiously focusing on your problem apart from at the very beginning and the very end (search "Borrowing Benefits" for further explanation). Contrary to the popular belief, great Australian EFTers David Lake and Steve Wells postulate that quantity of tapping is as important as quality - sometimes people don't tap because they can't think of the "right" words - but they suggest to keep tapping anyway, with or without words, as the volume of acupoint stimulation in itself makes a difference to our energy system.
3) Holding meridian points without words can be helpful generally for relaxation, for calming down, I often teach this to people to improve sleep. This approach is known in EFT community as "Touch & Breathe". It is nice and soothing to take a deep breath in and out at each point, making the outbreath a little longer than the in-breath. It is less likely to facilitate significant shifts than tapping, but is great for calming yourself, slowing down and relaxing generally.
website has a good free manual you can download which takes you through the basics, plus many excellent articles on various aspects of EFT.
Hope this helps
Masha
Ah ha! Your post really helped me. Thanks a lot. I've seen enormous improvements in the last few days since using words at each point instead of just tapping to a reminder word.
Ah ha! Your post really helped me. Thanks a lot. I've seen enormous improvements in the last few days since using words at each point instead of just tapping to a reminder word.
Glad you are noticing a difference, MrEnergetic! 🙂 Whilst EFT is often described as a simple technique (and indeed you can teach the basics to a five year old child in about 10 minues - though it often takes quite a bit longer with adults in my experience ;)) and even with the most basic understanding you can achieve some results, to get the best results it is important to pay attention to the wording.
Masha
I´m glad you are now feeling results. It´s also good to measure the way you are feeling with numbers, as it helps keep you on track.
Thanks everyone!
Glad you are noticing a difference, MrEnergetic! 🙂 Whilst EFT is often described as a simple technique (and indeed you can teach the basics to a five year old child in about 10 minues - though it often takes quite a bit longer with adults in my experience ;)) and even with the most basic understanding you can achieve some results, to get the best results it is important to pay attention to the wording.
Masha
Haha yeah... eventually those five year old's will be giving me psychotherapy and telling me what to tap to 😮
It felt just amazing as this heat radiated out of my body! It was like I stepped out of steam room I was stuck in for the last few months. Cold air feels sooo good! I never thought I'd be so happy of the freezing cold as I am today.
I´m glad you are now feeling results. It´s also good to measure the way you are feeling with numbers, as it helps keep you on track.
Yeah I was originally using a number scale but now since this issue is so complicated and it has so many elements to it which come together I changed how i'm recording everything. Now I'm just writing down what I tapped to originally, then as I tap more images come to mind and more thoughts come to mind related to those images. Then I just write them down as bullet points underneath whatever I tapped to so that I might be able to find more issues, or common ground which might need covering.
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Thank you both for your support and help.
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I've got some more questions which I think I might need help with... do you mind my asking for your help?
I've got some more questions which I think I might need help with... do you mind my asking for your help?
No problem, keep asking, would be happy to help.
Re. the 1-10 rating scale - it can be useful, but if you are working with images / metaphors then it sometimes becomes irrelevant; in this case just keep tracking the quality and the general mood of the images that you are getting - as these transform, you know that changes are taking place.
Masha
Great!
No problem, keep asking, would be happy to help.
Re. the 1-10 rating scale - it can be useful, but if you are working with images / metaphors then it sometimes becomes irrelevant; in this case just keep tracking the quality and the general mood of the images that you are getting - as these transform, you know that changes are taking place.
Masha
Great these questions have really been perplexing me.
If I use an enormous set-up statement which I can't shorten, will it still work?
I can't remember a lot of the reasons why I have my issues how can I recall them or find them? I've tried EFT tapping to 'Even though I can't remember why I have this feeling...' but I still can't get anything. The feelings are thought provoked so I series of thoughts created scary images in my head and left me in tatters but I can't remember those chain of thoughts because they were insignificant in what they were but caused me damage and overwhelming fear holistically. (This is also the reason I can't think of a decent set-up statement which is short because it's so complex that it's impossible to have a short set-up statement and the only set-up statement I can think of would be half a page long...)
If I can't get it all in one set-up statement... will handling different elements individually eventually lead to a holistic resolution of the issue? Especially if the issue had three parts to it. A before, during and after part. I feel sometimes the only way to create a dynamic setup statement which will cover the span of the events rather than three set-up statements for before, during and after.
I did EFT a while ago and it made me worse. I don't remember what set-up statement I used now the symptoms are persisting from the use of EFT how can I recover? I was forcing a feeling onto myself whilst EFT'ing and I got stuck in that mode.
I just feel it's impossible to get all of the issues together into one set-up statement. There are just way too many. I can't remember everything now it's impossible. I can't even find the issues.
Thanks.
Great these questions have really been perplexing me.
If I use an enormous set-up statement which I can't shorten, will it still work?
If your set-up statement is truly "enormous" and you can't shorten it, it probably means you are trying to tackle an issue in one go that is far too big. Don't attempt it.
I can't remember a lot of the reasons why I have my issues how can I recall them or find them? I've tried EFT tapping to 'Even though I can't remember why I have this feeling...' but I still can't get anything. The feelings are thought provoked so I series of thoughts created scary images in my head and left me in tatters but I can't remember those chain of thoughts because they were insignificant in what they were but caused me damage and overwhelming fear holistically. (This is also the reason I can't think of a decent set-up statement which is short because it's so complex that it's impossible to have a short set-up statement and the only set-up statement I can think of would be half a page long...)
You don't have to remember everything that happened, our subconsious mind knows when it is appropriate and when it is not to show up the memories. The scary images you mention that as you say left you in tatters suggest to me that you are pushing too hard - stop digging for memories, as and when they are ready to come up they will do so spontaneously, if you keep pushing there is a risk that you may re-traumatise yourself. The popular EFT myth (upheld by even the most experienced EFTers) is that "you must find the core issue/specific memory for it to work) - first of all this is not true, secondly, it can be dangerous too dig for specific memories for some people, and you can work with serious issues through metaphor/bodily sensations more safely without knowing what they are - please see the link I provided above to Jess Mor's transcript on her work in EFT - she describes exactly that situation eloquently.
If I can't get it all in one set-up statement... will handling different elements individually eventually lead to a holistic resolution of the issue? Especially if the issue had three parts to it. A before, during and after part. I feel sometimes the only way to create a dynamic setup statement which will cover the span of the events rather than three set-up statements for before, during and after.
It is hard to say without knowing more details, if you want to p.m. me with a more specific description I will try to answer more specifically. In general, you would NOT attempt to lump before, during and after together - if you are using the Movie Technique you need to split the memory into individual scenes containintg emotional peaks - I am guessing there will be more than one peak in the event, so doing it all in one sentence would definitely be inappropriate. BUT see the proviso above that sometimes it is not safe to go directly into the memory (at least on your own).
Will answer the rest a little later, my battery is running out and I don't have the lead with me!
Masha
I've made more progress 🙂
If your set-up statement is truly "enormous" and you can't shorten it, it probably means you are trying to tackle an issue in one go that is far too big. Don't attempt it.
You don't have to remember everything that happened, our subconsious mind knows when it is appropriate and when it is not to show up the memories. The scary images you mention that as you say left you in tatters suggest to me that you are pushing too hard - stop digging for memories, as and when they are ready to come up they will do so spontaneously, if you keep pushing there is a risk that you may re-traumatise yourself. The popular EFT myth (upheld by even the most experienced EFTers) is that "you must find the core issue/specific memory for it to work) - first of all this is not true, secondly, it can be dangerous too dig for specific memories for some people, and you can work with serious issues through metaphor/bodily sensations more safely without knowing what they are - please see the link I provided above to Jess Mor's transcript on her work in EFT - she describes exactly that situation eloquently.
Masha
Ok, I stopped digging for the memories now. But sometimes the memories don't come out by themselves and I need to think about them and bring them forward. About 40% of the times I do the EFT the memories come right out by themselves.
I always start with a specific memory and after that other ones start coming out themselves. Is that the right way to go about doing it or should I have a blank mind and let everything flow by itself right from the beginning?
Thanks 🙂
Ok, I stopped digging for the memories now. But sometimes the memories don't come out by themselves and I need to think about them and bring them forward. About 40% of the times I do the EFT the memories come right out by themselves.
I always start with a specific memory and after that other ones start coming out themselves. Is that the right way to go about doing it or should I have a blank mind and let everything flow by itself right from the beginning?
I would suggest to just keep it simple and work with what is in the moment, especially as in your previous post you mentioned that you had an experience of feeling worse with EFT and the symptoms persisting (see your quote below) - it possibly means that you are trying to hard and pushing yourself into areas that are not ready to be explored at the moment.
You don't have to start with "a blank mind", start with whatever is bothering you in the moment, and stick with the "here and now" symptoms just for the moment. If a memory comes up and you feel that you'd like to tackle it, then OK work on it, but don't try to do too much in one go.
If you feel you need to stop either because you ran out of time, of feel you had enough but the intensity is still high, you can use the metaphor of a "container" to put the problem away just for now - imagine, if there was a container of some sort where you could place the remaining problem/intensity, what would it be like? It could be anything from a tupperware box or a jam jar to filing cabinets, pirate chests, tankers etc. Also imagine where you would like to put it for now - e.g. on a shelf, in the cupboard etc, or you could send it to the moon, to the bottom of the ocean or the top of the mountain (the only rule is that you cannot destroy it). Then tap on the description of the container and its location - e.g. "Even though I have this locked metal safe in the cellar, etc". As and when you are ready to continue to work on this problem, you can imagine yourself retrieving it from the container (tapping before you do it if necessary).
I did EFT a while ago and it made me worse. I don't remember what set-up statement I used now the symptoms are persisting from the use of EFT how can I recover? I was forcing a feeling onto myself whilst EFT'ing and I got stuck in that mode.
Do not force yourself to do anything, go easy! If the side-effects are persisting and you are concerned about them, feel free to p.m. me with a few more details and I will try to help if I can.
I just feel it's impossible to get all of the issues together into one set-up statement. There are just way too many. I can't remember everything now it's impossible. I can't even find the issues.
Yes it is impossible, so stop trying to do it!
Give yourself some slack now, allow things to flow more naturally.
Masha
I've been tapping to this vague statement
Even though I have this feeling I deeply and completely accept myself
Even though I have this feeling of I deeply and completely accept myself
Even though I have this feeling of in my I deeply and completely accept myself
I don't know if that's good enough but memories have been coming back to me which date back a long, long time most of which I don't even remember properly but the improvements I'm seeing now are small but I think it's working since they're all coming out by themselves and they are not reconstructions I'm just consciously making up because they're so detailed and 'real'. Keeping my mind clear has brought back memories by itself which I didn't even know were significant. Sometimes the memories which come back to me aren't 'real' ones which happened but almost like dreamed up symbolic memories which I still get a reaction out of.
I think I've finally realised what the issue (or more like issues) actually was as well. It was nothing like what I thought it was originally. Completely different that's why the memories coming back to me are dating back from so long ago and that's why it wasn't working properly.
I hope it's working anyway I'm seeing improvements but I think it might take some time before a significant improvement begins to show.
Appreciate your help. Thank you.