Free Your Emotions and Your Mind Will Follow

Episode 108

Emotional Freedom Therapy or EFT is the brainchild of Gary Craig, a retired engineer from Stanford University. He took a more complicated technique that involved tapping on acupuncture points in a number of specific sequences and simplified it into one remarkably effective process that literally releases emotional blockages from your body.

We visited with Yang Chu Higgins, a certified EFT therapist and learned about this intriguing technique.Yang Chu and his partner Yamin Chehin have a company called Vytal Pathways, visit them at www.vytalpathways.com to learn more about the services that they offer.

Back Story on EFT

First there was TFT or Thought Field Therapy. This was developed by a psychiatrist named Dr. Roger Callahan.


(Here he is looking dapper as a TV doctor.) The story goes that he as working with a patient named "Mary" who had such a strong fear of water that she could not even get into bathtub without experiencing severe anxiety. (I hate it when that happens.) Although he had tried many anxiety reduction techniques with her, progress had been slow and discouraging. Mary could not even approach the swimming pool on the grounds of his office, or allow water to contact her body, without experiencing near panic.

One day, while they were working with this fear in his office, Mary indicated that the fearful feeling was located in her stomach. There happens to be an acupuncture point located directly under the eye, which in traditional acupuncture, is linked to the stomach meridian, and accordingly Dr. Callahan asked her to tap on that point. He did so on the assumption that this maneuver might balance a possible disturbance in her energy system and thereby help her lessen her stomach symptoms.

Mary agreed to tap under her eye and did so. Then a totally unexpected thing happened. Instead of merely experiencing relief from the stomach symptoms, she called out in surprise that her fear of water was suddenly gone! Callahan didn't take this too seriously at first because it seemed unlikely, but when he saw her get up and run toward the swimming pool and when she reached it begin to splash water on her face, he took notice.

At this point he became somewhat alarmed because he knew Mary couldn't swim and he ran after her to make sure she didn't fall into the pool. It turned out, however, that strange as this might seem, the process of tapping under her eyes while she was talking about her fear of water, had led to the elimination of her fear on a permanent basis -- -- a dramatic instance of what Gary Craig, who was later to develop this surprising discovery of Callahan's into the tapping method known as EFT, calls a "one minute wonder".

Consistent with, and probably influenced by psychiatrist John Diamond, M.D,'s earlier discovery that stimulation of certain acupuncture points can bring about changes in emotional states as well as in physical conditions, Callahan decided to explore the possibility of using strategic tapping on certain meridian points to treat other phobias.

Not all the phobias that Callahan then tried this out on yielded to the tapping procedure as rapidly as Mary's had (although surprisingly some did!), but her experience marked an important turning point. A new technology had been born, that of systematically tapping on strategic spots on the body, while repeating key phrases out loud. This system could bring about beneficial changes in one's emotional state, and thereby treat psychological problems.



Dr. Callahan used specific sequences of acupoints for different emotional problems. According to him, there was a correct sequence for every emotional issue and this could be determined for a particular individual through the use of muscle testing. Later he devised specific tapping sequences which he called "algorithms",which were considered targeted treatments for various emotional problems. Using this method of treatment, which he originally called "The Callahan Techniques" (now it is known as "Thought Field Therapy" or "TFT" Callahan achieved some remarkable results in his clinical work over a period of years.

The problem with Callahan's system is its very time consuming and you have to learn a whole mess of algorithms. It occurred to some other people who practiced this technique that there might be an easier and quicker procedure and one that people could easily do at home.

Gary Craig's Innovation: EFT

Engineer and personal performance coach, Gary Craig (pictured to the right), developed , in the mid-1990's, a single algorithm method called Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

When Gary worked with EFT, he found it to be every bit as effective as the more elaborate and time consuming approach that Callahan had developed, and also easier to learn. He then proceeded to construct what is presently the leading website in the energy psychology field, www.emofree.com, and is the acknowledged master of the technique he developed. Through his classic Basic EFT Course (13 videos on CD, 1 audio on CD and 1 EFT Manual on CD) he brought this method to the world, and today he continues to innovate with new variations of EFT which increase its effectiveness

Here's a basic picture of the points used.




If you go www.emofree.com you can download a free version of the manual which gives you a good basic introduction to how to do it.

The Process Is Simple

First, identify the issue. Second use an affirmation to clear any subconscious resistance you may have. t goes something like this -- Even though I (fill in this blank with your issue), I deeply and completely accept myself. Third, tap through the sequence of acupuncture points you see in the picture.

In my opinion, its better to work with someone who has some experience with the technique the first few times, it will save you lots of trial and error. After that you can do it at will and literally free your mind from emotional and physical issues that you may have had for years.

Great for mild to moderate depression.

Anxiety.

And even road rage, all you crazy drivers.


That's all for now. I'm out to follow my bliss. (Tap, tap, tap)