International Gay & Lesbian Review

Emotional Freedom Technique

• Nonfiction
• Publisher: The Loving Brotherhood

Perhaps the most common cause of violence, just after True Belief, is anger and unresolved emotional upset. What would help prevent violence would be a technique for resolving such upset. Of course, for this to work, it is the perpetrators of violence who would have to treat themselves for their runaway feelings. But if we had a society focused on harmony and happiness, instead of one focused on competition, domination, fear, anger, and disapproval, perhaps even would-be perpetrators would be happy to catch themselves before their emotions escalated. Ralph Walker, organizer of The Loving Brotherhood, a contact list for gay men interested in matters spiritual with a monthly newsletter, has recently been promoting a process for resolving emotional upset. It's called EFT. The simple technique of tapping your fingers on your own hand and face and upper body while repeating a verbal affirmation promises freedom from upset, simply by performing the technique. Here's a brief summary of the EFT process: To begin: Do Karate Chop three times to edge of left hand, saying: “Even though I still have this __________, I deeply and completely love and accept myself.” Then say this same phrase once, while tapping: eyebrows, side of eyes, under the eye, under the nose, under the mouth, collarbone, under arms, under breasts. Then, on left hand, tapping thumb, index finger, middle finger, little finger (all on the side toward the thumb) saying the phrase each time.* Then Karate Chop, one time, saying the phrase again. Then, while continuously tapping the Gamut Spot between little and next finger: eyes open, eyes closed, then down hard right, down hard left, upward, and then clockwise, then counterclockwise, and then hum happy birthday, count to five, and hum it again. Repeat the first part (to *) without the karate chop at beginning. Then say the phrase one more time with one final karate chop. Techniques like this are not new. Years ago I was taught a method for releasing emotions by imagining dials in front of your chakras and dialing in certain numbers in a code. This required some training in just what numbers to dial in.

EST taught a technique to release pain and upset. Visualize the thing or sensation that bothers you. Ask yourself a series of questions about its nature (color, shape, etc.). Then let go of it.

These techniques work, I think, in three ways: first, they change the subject from the upset to the intention to be free of it; second, they affirm self-love and acceptance and so release resistance; and third, they literally break up brain patterns and redirect consciousness on a neural level. Such techniques aren't magic. Though they do work magic in the sense of transforming your feelings and saving the day. Certainly we should all learn such techniques, perhaps way back in grade school when we are first learning to deal with ego and blows to ego. If you're interested in pursuing EFT, you'll be surprised how simple relief from both physical and emotional pain can be.

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