So if I just start telling people about EFT, that’s just a weird combination of letters that holds no meaning. And the fact that it stands for Emotional Freedom Technique? Yeah, that’s about as illuminating as a firefly in a black hold. Yes, it sounds good, who wouldn’t want emotional freedom, right? But it doesn’t really explain what it can truly do or why I’d be so darn passionate about it that I’d tell everyone, start a business, or spend my time blogging about it! So here’s the answer about what EFT is – and what it can do!
As far as I know, acupuncture is a pretty familiar term for everyone. We conjure up an imagine of someone lying shirtless, face down on something like a massage table while there are extremely long, thin needles sticking out all over them – or even on their face. This image brings any number of emotional responses for each of us – from fear of those needles and potential pain, to envy over the feeling or relief from pain that person is experiencing. The technique is used by those who study it for years and only those experts can do it. It is effective, and it not only works on the body, but on the energy system as well. Accupressure is a similar technique involving those points on the body, which are then held in patterns for a desired effect.
The same theoretical background for the practice of acupuncture and accupressure is shared with EFT – with some very important differences. The similarity is that EFT works also on our energy system to correct disruptions that are to blame for the issues and ailments we carry around with us. They both have powerful effects, and they are both useful for things beyond physical pain and injury. But those differences are what I love about EFT!
First of all – no needles!! Who wouldn’t love that? Then there’s the fact that it can be used successfully, with anyone. My 4 year old has thrown some tantrums that would have had Mother Theresa cursing him out, lasting an hour at times – but when we “tap on it”, those tears quiet after one round, the sniffles begin after the second, and a third has him pulling away to show me a toy and we’re on with our day like nothing happened! What parent wouldn’t want tantrum tears (or scraped knee tears!) over that quickly?!?
Now, imagine anything you or a loved one have been struggling with, no matter how big or small. Got one? Or two, or three or more? EFT can help with any of those issues, in some way or another, completely or in a major way. It isn’t going to cure a fatal disease, don’t get me wrong. But it can lessen or ease pain or other symptoms associated with it, help with sleeping, lower recovery time from surgeries – the possibilities are endless. It shouldn’t replace medical treatment, but I’d say it most definitely should work with it. And it should be used wherever we can imagine it might help.
My favorite thing about EFT is that I can teach you the technique and then you can use it for yourself, trying it on anything and everything. In our traditional skill building or therapy sessions, we talk and talk, we teach how to help train ourselves to test the reality of our thoughts, notice our thoughts, and then pattern things differently so we don’t act in harmful ways. With EFT, we get a real, concrete, efficient tool that works quickly – that doesn’t require a session to use. Yes, a practitioner is important because there are many things we can help you to work through and directions we can guide you to, but what good is all that if you still get upset or feel a strong craving without a good coping strategy to use? One session and you have that technique. Future sessions will help you eliminate it, and as with anything, your own work will determine your success, but it’s always there with you to help whenever you need it.
That’s what EFT is, that’s why EFT is something I’m so passionate about, and that’s why it’s become my mission to bring EFT to everyone who is willing to try it. One round is done in seconds, not hours, days, weeks, months, or years. The seemingly effortless changes we can begin to make towards goals we’ve partially given up accomplishing, the almost instant, drug free pain relief, or the release of negative emotions so we don’t carry them with us to ruin our day – that’s what EFT is to me.
I’ve made my list of things I’d like to improve and change. Aren’t you ready to tackle yours yet?
Tap Into Empowerment 