http://tappingqanda.com Answers to the most common (and uncommon) questions about using the tapping protocols to regain control of your health and well-being. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:00:35 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Gene Monterastelli and TappingQandA.com EFT/Tapping Q & A with Gene Monterastelli Answers to the most common (and uncommon) questions about using the tapping protocols to regain control of your health and well-being. Answers to the most common (and uncommon) questions about using the tapping protocols to regain control of your health and well-being. No EFT/Tapping Q & A with Gene Monterastelli eftqanda@gmail.com http://tappingqanda.com/2010/09/questions-and-answers-about-tapping-pod-40/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/09/questions-and-answers-about-tapping-pod-40/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:00:35 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2891 Emotional Freedom Techniques Community Radio. In the most recent show Gene answered questions from beginners and practitioners alike from all over the world.]]> http://tappingqanda.com/2010/09/questions-and-answers-about-tapping-pod-40/feed/ 0 Gene MmonterasetlliGene host's a radio program every other Tuesday @ Emotional Freedom Techniques Community Radio. In the most recent show Gene answered questions from beginners and practitioners alike from all over the world.Gene host's a radio program every other Tuesday @ Emotional Freedom Techniques Community Radio. In the most recent show Gene answered questions from beginners and practitioners alike from all over the world. On this show Gene tackles for bigger questions This week Gene answered: Should I be working with a practitioner and how do I choose one? I have seen some other tapping protocols that don't use the same points that are taught in the EFT manual. Is it okey if I use other tapping points or will this mess things up? I have heard you talk about in the past that you don't trust what a client says about their issue? What do you mean by this and with this in mind how do you work? I want to quit smoking. I tap on "Even though I am a smoke I love and accept myself" This makes me feel a little less stressed about quitting smoking, but I still smoke as much as ever. What can I do? Listen to or download Podcast 40 (39m20s) Subscribe via iTunes To listen to the podcast click the above link to open player. To download the podcast right click the link and choose "Save As". Having trouble downloading a podcast? Watch this video. Important Links: Check out information on all the Emotional Freedom Techniques Community Radio programs Ask a question for a future show. http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/creativity-boosting-techniques-that-accelerate-tapping-success-aka-how-to-keeping-tapping-when-it-gets-boring-or-stale-part-3-of-4/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/creativity-boosting-techniques-that-accelerate-tapping-success-aka-how-to-keeping-tapping-when-it-gets-boring-or-stale-part-3-of-4/#comments Sat, 28 Aug 2010 10:00:42 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2764 PSYBlog had a very interesting two part series (via kottke.org) which explored 14 of ways we can become more creative and more efficient problem solvers. In this four part series I am going to explore how we can apply many of these insights to tune into our issues in new ways (plus a few of my own).]]> http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/creativity-boosting-techniques-that-accelerate-tapping-success-aka-how-to-keeping-tapping-when-it-gets-boring-or-stale-part-3-of-4/feed/ 0 Gene MmonterasetlliMechanically tapping/Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a very easy thing to do. All you need is to provide stimulus to the tapping points plus tuning into the issue at hand. The tapping part is easy; what can be hard is the tuning in part. Often we are so close to an issue or we have been working on an issue that it is difficult to see it clearly. Recently Jeremy Dean's PSYBlog had a very interesting two part series (via kottke.org) which explored 14 of ways we can become more creative and more efficient problem solvers. In this four part series I am going to explore how we can apply many of these insights to tune into our issues in new ways (plus a few of my own).[This article is part of a four part series on how to get create with tapping when you are stuck or bored with tapping. A new part willed be added every few weeks. See the parts that have been published so far and check back regularly to see the full series.] photo by Brian Mechanically tapping/Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a very easy thing to do. All you need is to provide stimulus to the tapping points plus tuning into the issue at hand. The tapping part is easy; what can be hard is the tuning in part. Often we are so close to an issue or we have been working on an issue that it is difficult to see it clearly. Recently Jeremy Dean's PSYBlog had a very interesting two part series (via kottke.org) which explored 14 of ways we can become more creative and more efficient problem solvers. In this four part series I am going to explore how we can apply many of these insights to tune into our issues in new ways (plus a few of my own). Obviously not all of these are going to work for every issue, but by having a complete menu to choose from you are going to find new ways to approach the issue. Two Problems Are Better Than One (via part 2) People solve many problems analogically: by recalling a similar old one and applying the same, or similar solution. Unfortunately studies have found that people are poor at recalling similar problems they've already solved. In a counter-intuitive study, however, Kurtz and Lowenstein (2007) found that having two problems rather than one made it more likely that participants would recall problems they'd solved before, which helped them solve the current problem. So don't avoid complications, gather them all up; they may well help jog your memory. How to apply to tapping: As this study points out, sometimes we are not successful by being specific (and something we can't even get specific). One of the ways I like to deal with this is through a simple basket process. I close my eyes and start tapping (moving from point to point every few seconds). I take a few deep breaths and imagine a large wicker basket. Then one at a time I place all the issues I am currently working on into the basket. I am not spending a great deal of time going into detail with each issue, but just seeing the general idea of the issue going in. Once I have added everything to the basket I do a number of simple steps. First, I recognize that all of these issues exist because on some level my system thought they were helpful at some point. I let me system know that many (if not all) of these issues/idea have fulfilled their task and they can move on. Second, I recognize that many of the ideas/issues are burdens that I have picked up for others. It is a high act of love to pick something up for someone else, but it is a higher act of love to release and heal these burdens. Finally, I ask the system what insight and information it has to help me get past the issues that are left in the basket. I am often shocked at the amazing insight and information that is brought forward in these moments. Fight! Fight! Fight! (via part 2) We tend to think that when people are arguing, they become more narrow-minded and rigid and consequently less creative. But, according to research by Dreu and Nijstad (2008), the reverse may actually be true. Across four experiments they found that when in conflict people engaged more with a problem and generated more original ways of arguing. Being in social conflict seems to give people an intense motivated focus. So, to get creative, start a fight. How to apply to tapping: One of my favorite types of tapping is argument tapping. In argument tapping all you do is give voice to each sides of an argument. As you move from point to point you state the opposing point of view. For example, if you are trying to decide if you should take a new job you might tap like this: eb: (con change) I am worried I am not going to like the new job se: (pro change) But I know I need to leave the job I am in e: (con change) But you aren't going to know anyone at the new job un: (pro change) You didn't know anyone when you started your current job and you made friends ... Think Love Not Sex (via part 2) Forster et al. (2009) found that when experimental participants were primed with thoughts of love they became more creative, but when primed with carnal desire they became less creative (although more analytical). While it certainly isn't the first time that love has been identified as a creative stimulus, psychologists have suggested a particular cognitive mechanism. Love cues us with thoughts of the long-term, hence our minds zoom out and we reason more abstractly and analogically. Sex meanwhile cues the present, leading to a concrete analytical processing style. For creativity, abstraction and analogy are preferred. How to apply to tapping: Start your tapping sessions on an emotional high. There are couple of ways of doing this. You could either tap to a list of things you are thankful for or you can tap while thinking of the people you love (or both!). (I go into a much large discussion of why this happens in the free audio Gratitdue v. Poverty.) By taking a few minutes to do this type of tapping you are going to release a great deal of the general edge and emotion you are feeling. By doing this type of work you are clearing some of your emotional clutter which help you to see things clearer which help you see a path to healing much clearer. (Here is another possible way to achieve the same thing in the free audio Clearing The Deck http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/power-of-forgiveness-pod-41/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/power-of-forgiveness-pod-41/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:30:54 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2917 http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/power-of-forgiveness-pod-41/feed/ 0 Gene MmonterasetlliOne of the most powerful tools in transformation is our ability to forgive ourselves and others. When we forgive we are not saying it is ok. We are not saying we want to have the same thing happen again. What we are saying is that we are choosing to no longer be emotionally entangled in the past. Forgiveness is one of the steps of moving from reliving to remembering. In this show we will explore the power of forgiveness and how we can us tapping to make forgiveness of others and ourselves an important part of our transformation. One of the most powerful tools in transformation is our ability to forgive ourselves and others. When we forgive we are not saying it is ok. We are not saying we want to have the same thing happen again. What we are saying is that we are choosing to no longer be emotionally entangled in the past. Forgiveness is one of the steps of moving from reliving to remembering. In this show we will explore the power of forgiveness and how we can us tapping to make forgiveness of others and ourselves an important part of our transformation. Listen to or download Podcast 41 (23m58s) Subscribe via iTunes To listen to the podcast click the above link to open player. To download the podcast right click the link and choose "Save As". Having trouble downloading a podcast? Watch this video. http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/and-i-choose-this-for-my-reality/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/and-i-choose-this-for-my-reality/#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:00:08 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2705 http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/and-i-choose-this-for-my-reality/feed/ 2 Gene MmonterasetlliOne of the common mistakes we make when assessing a situation is making a generalizations. We say things like, "Everyone at work hates me!" or "Nothing I do is good enough for my boss!" It is obvious with a few moments of reflection that these statements aren't true. Sure, there might be one or two people at work we don't get along with, but it is not "everyone". The problem with these types of generalizations is they move us to a place were we are responding to them as if they were true. (The words we say out loud have that much power.) If I walk into my workplace believing that everyone hates me I am going to act in a particular way. If I walk into my workplace believing that I don't get along with Bill and Mary. I am going to act in a different way.[In this series we examine the importance of the words we use and how changing our vocabulary can change our mind giving us opportunity for transformation. More articles can be found in this series @ Tools: Words] photo by Brett Farmiloe One of the common mistakes we make when assessing a situation is making a generalizations. We say things like, "Everyone at work hates me!" or "Nothing I do is good enough for my boss!" It is obvious with a few moments of reflection that these statements aren't true. Sure, there might be one or two people at work we don't get along with, but it is not "everyone". The problem with these types of generalizations is they move us to a place were we are responding to them as if they were true. (The words we say out loud have that much power.) If I walk into my workplace believing that everyone hates me I am going to act in a particular way. If I walk into my workplace believing that I don't get along with Bill and Mary. I am going to act in a different way. In the first situation I am going to come in ready for a fight at every turn while in the second situation I am going to know the two people I need to avoid through out the day if it is possible. Those are two dramatically different emotional states. In addition to the generalization that we can have about what others think and feel we can also fall into the trap of generalization about ourselves. For example we can have generalization about our own actions and outcomes, "I fail at everything I try!" One of the most troublesome of these generalizations about ourselves we can have is when we assign a characteristic of a group to ourselves. These types of generalizing can be about (but not limited to) our gender, race/ethnicity, age, job, and family. For example: You know that men aren't very good with talking about their emotions. You know how fiery the Irish can be. People my age can't learn all this new technology. EFT practitioners are just bad at marketing themselves. The men in my family have never been lucky in relationships. These types of generalization (like all generalization) often have a seed of truth in them. They become problematic when they are taken as total truth. If I believe that, "The men in my family have never been lucky in relationships" then it is going to be very easy for me on a subconscious level to sabotage myself. Because I "know" it isn't going to work out in the end I might as well end it now to avoid future pain. It is amazing how a simple statement that we would just toss off as a fact the same way we would say "It is sunny today" can so dramatically affect our behavior. I have found a very simple way that we can take the power out of these phrases. We can do this by bring our own responsibility to these statements. All we need to do is add, "...and I choose this as my reality" to the end of the phrase. When we do this we are changing from a member of a group with a characteristic (which we are a victim of) to being a person who is choosing our own reality. Notice how much different each of these phrase feel when we add that phrase on to the end: You know that men aren't very good with talking about their emotions and I choose this as my reality. You know how fiery the Irish can be and I choose this as my reality. People my age can't learn all this new technology and I choose this as my reality. EFT practitioners are just bad at marketing themselves and I choose this as my reality. The men in my family have never been lucky in relationships and I choose this as my reality. When we choose something it means that we can change it. I am not longer at the mercy of the whims of fate, but I am back in control. If I want to keep that as my reality, great(!), but it is my choice. If I want to be something else I can choose that as well. When we take responsibility for our situation then we control our situation. When we control our situation we can become who we want to be. http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/creativity-boosting-techniques-that-accelerate-tapping-success-aka-how-to-keeping-tapping-when-it-gets-boring-or-stale-part-2-of-4/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/creativity-boosting-techniques-that-accelerate-tapping-success-aka-how-to-keeping-tapping-when-it-gets-boring-or-stale-part-2-of-4/#comments Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:00:29 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2760 PSYBlog had a very interesting two part series (via kottke.org) which explored 14 of ways we can become more creative and more efficient problem solvers. In this four part series I am going to explore how we can apply many of these insights to tune into our issues in new ways (plus a few of my own).]]> http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/creativity-boosting-techniques-that-accelerate-tapping-success-aka-how-to-keeping-tapping-when-it-gets-boring-or-stale-part-2-of-4/feed/ 1 Gene MmonterasetlliMechanically tapping/Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a very easy thing to do. All you need is to provide stimulus to the tapping points plus tuning into the issue at hand. The tapping part is easy; what can be hard is the tuning in part. Often we are so close to an issue or we have been working on an issue that it is difficult to see it clearly. Recently Jeremy Dean's PSYBlog had a very interesting two part series (via kottke.org) which explored 14 of ways we can become more creative and more efficient problem solvers. In this four part series I am going to explore how we can apply many of these insights to tune into our issues in new ways (plus a few of my own).[This article is part of a four part series on how to get create with tapping when you are stuck or bored with tapping. A new part willed be added every few weeks. See the parts that have been published so far and check back regularly to see the full series.] photo by Ali Edwards Mechanically tapping/Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a very easy thing to do. All you need is to provide stimulus to the tapping points plus tuning into the issue at hand. The tapping part is easy; what can be hard is the tuning in part. Often we are so close to an issue or we have been working on an issue that it is difficult to see it clearly. Recently Jeremy Dean's PSYBlog had a very interesting two part series (via kottke.org) which explored 14 of ways we can become more creative and more efficient problem solvers. In this four part series I am going to explore how we can apply many of these insights to tune into our issues in new ways (plus a few of my own). Obviously not all of these are going to work for every issue, but by having a complete menu to choose from you are going to find new ways to approach the issue. Path Of Most Resistance (via part 1) When people try to be creative they usually take the path of least resistance by building on existing ideas (Ward, 1994). This isn't a problem, as long as you don't mind variations on a theme. If you want something more novel, however, it can be limiting to scaffold your own attempts on what already exists. The path of most resistance can lead to more creative solutions. ◊ For insight: because it's the path of least resistance, every man and his dog is going up and down it. Try off-road. How to apply to tapping: One of the reasons I love EFT/tapping is because we can gently creep up on an issue. We don't have to throw ourselves right in the middle of the emotion to do work. Sometimes we can prevent our own progress because we are proceeding so cautiously that we aren't making any progress at all. If this is case you might consider going all the way and really getting after an issue. There are some obvious risks to taking this approach. If we dive in headfirst we get into an emotional state that is overwhelming which prevents any progress at all or we could open an emotional issue that we then carry with us for a great deal of time after our tapping time. I would only recommend this type of approach with a skilled practitioner. Being a skilled practitioner is more than just being able to lead clients to healing, but also being able to recognize possible pit falls helping you to prevent them or to pull you back when you have become consumed with your emotions. Re-Conceptualisation (via part 1) People often jump to answers too quickly before they've really thought about the question. Research suggests that spending time re-conceptualising the problem is beneficial. Mumford et al. (1994) found that experimental participants produced higher quality ideas when forced to re-conceive the problem in different ways before trying to solve it. Similarly a classic study of artists found that those focused on discovery at the problem-formulation stage produced better art (Csikszentmihalyi & Getzels, 1971). ◊ For insight: forget the solution for now, concentrate on the problem. Are you asking the right question? How to apply to tapping: We become very comfortable with our own story. When someone asks about the work we do we can effortlessly jump in to a quick description of our work. The same is true with our family, our significant other, where we grow up and the like. It is no different with the issues of our lives, especially for the ones that have been present for many years. There a times in client session where I can hear my client hit the play button to start to tell me the story they have told many times before. The have told the story ("I all started when I was 7...") so many times that they aren't even listening to the words they say. It just becomes automatic. These stories about our issues might have been true at one point, but as more time passes and we keep telling the same story it is less and less likely to be accurate. If you find yourself in this type of rut I would recommend two tactics. First, retell your story (your explanation of why you are the way you are), but think about every statement to see if they are true. I am not just talking about the fact as we know them, but also (and most importantly) the motivation we have assigned to others peoples acting. For example, it is true a co-worked showed up 10 minutes late to the meeting. When I tell the story I say that Sally showed up to the meeting 10 minutes late because she doesn't respect me. The second part of that statement might or might not be true. If we have been telling the story for a while we probably are just taking it as fact and no longer looking to if it is true. Take every part of your story/explanation a take it apart to see what it is true and what is not. Second, image what it would be like to re-explain the situation to someone who has no understand of what is going on. I often do this were I image I am explain the situation to an alien from another plant who has just made it to Earth. Since they have no understanding of how humans behave I need to be very clear in articulating everything that is going on. I can't assume they know anything at all. This will force me to look at each of the statements in detail which will provide me the opportunity to see things in a new way. Counterfactual Mindset (via part 2) Conjuring up what might have been gives a powerful boost to creativity. Markman et al. (2007) found that using counterfactuals (what might have happened but didn't) sometimes doubled people's creativity. But counterfactuals work best if they are tailored to the target problem: Analytical problems are best tackled with a subtractive mind-set: thinking about what could have been taken away from the situation. Expansive problems benefited most from an additive counterfactual mind-set: thinking about what could have been added to the situation. How to apply to tapping: You can use this approach for things that have happened in the past, things that are happening right now, or things that might (!) happen in the future. All you need to do is replay in your mind the situation while making a few changes. You can do this in both a subtractive and additive way. You can add resources or people to the image. This would look like imagining the same situation unfolding taking out or adding one or two people. How would things be different with these changes? When we do this we will see our current issues in a new light, gain insight in to new outcomes, and/or see the root issue in a new way. http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/letting-go/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/letting-go/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:00:27 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2700 http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/letting-go/feed/ 0 Gene MmonterasetlliOften times when we are approaching transformation we look to adding new skills and resources (to do new things) or to heal past wound (that have us trapped in the past). These are great paths to pursue with our work, but they are not the only paths. Many times we are carrying emotions, memories, or beliefs from the past that are no longer useful in the present. We also choose to carry burdens and problems for our loved ones. Letting go of these no longer useful burdens can quickly open us for healing of the issues we face in this moment. photo by Melanie Milliken Often times when we are approaching transformation we look to adding new skills and resources (to do new things) or to heal past wound (that have us trapped in the past). These are great paths to pursue with our work, but they are not the only paths. Many times we are carrying emotions, memories, or beliefs from the past that are no longer useful in the present. We also choose to carry burdens and problems for our loved ones. Letting go of these no longer useful burdens can quickly open us for healing of the issues we face in this moment. When I am working with clients one of the first things I have them do is to let go of anything extra from the past that they don't need now. To do this I have them simply scan their system. While they are scanning the system I have them look for anything that they are holding on to that is no longer useful. I have them simply say (as they tap): "At one time these thoughts, feels, and emotions were useful...they were there to serve some purpose...they have done their job and are no longer needed...because they have done their job I thank them...and let them pass on...if they are needed again in the future...they can come back...but they have done all they need to do...I also recognize what I am carrying for others...it is a high act of love to carry someone else's burden...but it is a higher act of love to let it go...I am not giving it back...but I am releasing it." Just this short set of tapping/Emotional Freedom Techniques(EFT) will quickly bring the system to calm and balance to deal with what is at hand. By releasing the excess we can see the true issue at hand. Another great way to achieve this state is to tap to a poem like this: Letting Go by Suzanne Marshall Lucas Giving up is merely quitting. Letting go is sweet release. Giving up is cries of anguish. Letting go is perfect peace. Giving up is hard and heavy. Letting go is loose and light. Giving up is simply failure. Letting go, success in sight. Letting go I train my blueprint for a perfect pure design. Giving up is very human. Letting go is most Divine. Giving up is death at sundown. Letting go, the Rising Sun. Giving up is "there, it’s over." Letting go, "I’ve just begun." http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/something-that-needs-a-cool-name-but-doesnt-have-one-bonus-pod/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/something-that-needs-a-cool-name-but-doesnt-have-one-bonus-pod/#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:15:19 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2895 Quantum Techniques. I use this with many of my clients at the end of sessions, especially when we have done powerful work. This is a great way to relax anytime of day, but is perfect for the end of the day or right before bed time. The techniques is less than three minutes long and after you listen to it once you will have it mastered because it is so easy.]]> http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/something-that-needs-a-cool-name-but-doesnt-have-one-bonus-pod/feed/ 1 Gene MmonterasetlliThis is a technique that I developed from some of the resources from Quantum Techniques. I use this with many of my clients at the end of sessions, especially when we have done powerful work. This is a great way to relax anytime of day, but is perfect for the end of the day or right before bed time. The techniques is less than three minutes long and after you listen to it once you will have it mastered because it is so easy.This is a technique that I developed from some of the resources from Quantum Techniques. I use this with many of my clients at the end of sessions, especially when we have done powerful work. This is a great way to relax anytime of day, but is perfect for the end of the day or right before bed time. The techniques is less than three minutes long and after you listen to it once you will have it mastered because it is so easy. Listen to or download Bonus Pod (4m30s) Subscribe via iTunes To listen to the podcast click the above link to open player. To download the podcast right click the link and choose "Save As". Having trouble downloading a podcast? Watch this video. http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/creativity-boosting-techniques-that-accelerate-tapping-success-aka-how-to-keeping-tapping-when-it-gets-boring-or-stale-part-1-of-4/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/creativity-boosting-techniques-that-accelerate-tapping-success-aka-how-to-keeping-tapping-when-it-gets-boring-or-stale-part-1-of-4/#comments Sat, 07 Aug 2010 10:00:00 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2752 PSYBlog had a very interesting two part series (via kottke.org) which explored 14 of ways we can become more creative and more efficient problem solvers. In this four part series I am going to explore how we can apply many of these insights to tune into our issues in new ways (plus a few of my own). ]]> http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/creativity-boosting-techniques-that-accelerate-tapping-success-aka-how-to-keeping-tapping-when-it-gets-boring-or-stale-part-1-of-4/feed/ 3 Gene MmonterasetlliMechanically tapping/Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a very easy thing to do. All you need is to provide stimulus to the tapping points plus tuning into the issue at hand. The tapping part is easy; what can be hard is the tuning in part. Often we are so close to an issue or we have been working on an issue that it is difficult to see it clearly. Recently Jeremy Dean's PSYBlog had a very interesting two part series (via kottke.org) which explored 14 of ways we can become more creative and more efficient problem solvers. In this four part series I am going to explore how we can apply many of these insights to tune into our issues in new ways (plus a few of my own). [This article is part of a four part series on how to get create with tapping when you are stuck or bored with tapping. A new part willed be added every few weeks. See the parts that have been published so far and check back regularly to see the full series.] photo by Maureen Flynn-Burhoe Mechanically tapping/Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a very easy thing to do. All you need is to provide stimulus to the tapping points plus tuning into the issue at hand. The tapping part is easy; what can be hard is the tuning in part. Often we are so close to an issue or we have been working on an issue that it is difficult to see it clearly. Recently Jeremy Dean's PSYBlog had a very interesting two part series (via kottke.org) which explored 14 of ways we can become more creative and more efficient problem solvers. In this four part series I am going to explore how we can apply many of these insights to tune into our issues in new ways (plus a few of my own). Obviously not all of these are going to work for every issue, but by having a complete menu to choose from you are going to find new ways to approach the issue. Psychological Distance (via part 1) People often recommend physical separation from creative impasses by taking a break, but psychological distance can be just as useful. Participants in one study who were primed to think about the source of a task as distant, solved twice as many insight problems as those primed with proximity to the task (Jia et al., 2009). ◊ For insight: Try imagining your creative task as distant and disconnected from your current location. This should encourage higher level thinking. How to apply to tapping: You can use this issue in two ways. First, imagine you are having your same issue, but place yourself having the issue in some distant place. Make this place distinct from your daily life without any of the people you normally interact with. Notice what happens to the issue in this new context. Is it stronger, weaker, or do you have insight about the issue? Second, image yourself in a complete safe (and a place that you can leave anytime you want) space. It might be an empty room or it might be just a vast empty space. As you experience your issue in a space that is disconnected from everything else is it stronger, weaker, or do you have a new insight about the issue? Fast Forward In Time (via part 1) Forster et al. (2004) asked participants to think about what their lives would be like one year from now. They were more insightful and generated more creative solutions to problems than those who were thinking about what their lives would be like tomorrow. Thinking about distance in both time and space seems to cue the mind to think abstractly and consequently more creatively. ◊ For insight: Project yourself forward in time; view your creative task from one, ten or a hundred years distant. How to apply to tapping: You can use this to find information about the issue as well information on how to transform the issue. First, see yourself one, five, and ten years from now. How is the issue impacting your life now? Is it the same or is it different? If it is different, different how? What new information and insight do you have about the issue? Second, see yourself one, five, and ten year from now without the issue. How does it feel to be free of the issue? Ask this future you how it was able to make this transformation. Use Bad Moods (via part 1) Positive emotional states increase both problem solving and flexible thinking, and are generally thought to be more conducive to creativity. But negative emotions also have the power to boost creativity. One study of 161 employees found that creativity increased when both positive and negative emotions were running high (George & Zhou, 2007). They appeared to be using the drama in the workplace positively. ◊ For insight: negative moods can be creativity killers but try to find ways to use them—you might be surprised by what happens. How to apply to tapping: When we are tapping we can become very frustrated with the lack of progress. Many times this frustration can become full blown anger. Anger is a powerful emotion. It exists as a power to defend ourselves. Why not tune into this power solve your problem. I would recommend tapping on something like this: Right now I am very angry...I am very mad...I am mad because things are going the way I would like...I am mad because I am stuck in this place...I am angry because I don't know where to go next...I know this anger is a part of me that very powerfully wants better...I know this anger is wanting me to be healthier and more peaceful...the anger is fighting for me...It is just not being very effective...Right now I want my anger to transform into something more useful...I want to use its power not to just fight off the perceived attack...but instead become a force to look for solutions to the issue at hand...I know my anger has power...now is the time I tap into it. http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/7links-7-free-resources-you-might-have-missed-but-should-check-out/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/7links-7-free-resources-you-might-have-missed-but-should-check-out/#comments Sun, 01 Aug 2010 10:00:45 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2855 ProBlogger recommended an exercise for bloggers that would allow an writer to remind their readers of what they have to offer. The exercise has two goals. First, it is to remind your long time readers of some of the better resources that have been created. Second, to introduce new readers to resources in the archive.]]> http://tappingqanda.com/2010/08/7links-7-free-resources-you-might-have-missed-but-should-check-out/feed/ 2 Gene MmonterasetlliDarren over at ProBlogger recommended an exercise for bloggers that would allow an writer to remind their readers of what they have to offer. The exercise has two goals. First, it is to remind your long time readers of some of the better resources that have been created. Second, to introduce new readers to resources in the archive. photo by Jodi Green Darren over at ProBlogger recommended an exercise for bloggers that would allow an writer to remind their readers of what they have to offer. The exercise has two goals. First, it is to remind your long time readers of some of the better resources that have been created. Second, to introduce new readers to resources in the archive. It was a fun activity for me to go back look through what is on the site. Here are the seven resources that I think you should check out for one reason or another. 1) Your First Article: Making It Routine This was the third article I ever wrote on tapping and the first one to appear here. This is a topic I still talk to my clients about regularly. I think finding ways to make anything helpful part of our daily routine is one of the biggest struggles we face. I reference this article and these principles all the time. 2) Article You Enjoyed Writing The Most: The Stages of Awareness This is the first article I wrote where I felt like I was doing a higher level thinking beyond "This is how you tap for issue X". It was also the first time I ever really learned something I didn't realize I knew before writing. This concept has transformed the way I understand the healing process. I always teach this concept to my advanced students. 3) Article That Had A Great Discussion: Lessons That We Can Learn From Gary Craig's Announced Retirement This article generated the most discussion and conversation in the comments and through personal e-mails. The reasons are obvious. Gary is beloved, many can see the amazing contributions he gave to healing, and many were stunned by the suddenness of the announcement. 4) Article You Wish You’d Written: Tapping For Trauma w/ Gwyneth Moss (Podcast) This interview blew me away. Gwyneth's approach to the hows and whys of trauma is succinct. It is easy to understand and very useful. In under 30min she transformed the way I work with trauma big and small. 5) Most helpful Article: What If I Don't Completely Love and Accept Myself This felt like I was revealing a dirty secret. When I shared this, people came out of the woodwork saying, "Yeah, I have a really hard time using the set-up phrase as well." By bringing the idea to light it gave other the chance to wrestle with what this means. 6) Article title that you are proud of: Why I am Giving Up Self Improvement In The New Year The article itself contains an idea that is very personal and has been very powerful in my own healing and growth. I wanted to make sure people checked it out. I thought the title was counterintuitive enough that I thought it would peak interest. 7) Article That You Wish More People Had Read: There Is No Such Thing As An Emotional Act (Is this true?) The content of this article was a total revelation to me. It took me more than a week to just the basic idea down in a form that I thought was understandable. Understanding the facts of how our conscious mind is so easily over run by emotional responses is very import in helping us understand how and we why act as well as making it easier for us to by easy with ourselves as we grow and heal. This is something I wish all my clients understood. http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/get-a-good-nights-rest-tap-along-bonus-podcast/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/get-a-good-nights-rest-tap-along-bonus-podcast/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:00:55 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2795 http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/get-a-good-nights-rest-tap-along-bonus-podcast/feed/ 1 Gene MmonterasetlliIt seems like every client I have been working with for the last week and a half has asked me about tapping to help them to sleep. Daily stress is a very common cause for disrupting sleep because the system is busy trying to solve the problems of the previous day and is consumed with the worries of tomorrow. In this very simple tap-along audio you will get the chance to prepare the system for a great night of rest and relaxation. Not only do we spend time with being physically tired but also with emotional exhaustion and mental fatigue. photo by Matt MacDonald It seems like every client I have been working with for the last week and a half has asked me about tapping to help them to sleep. Daily stress is a very common cause for disrupting sleep because the system is busy trying to solve the problems of the previous day and is consumed with the worries of tomorrow. In this very simple tap-along audio you will get the chance to prepare the system for a great night of rest and relaxation. Not only do we spend time with being physically tired but also with emotional exhaustion and mental fatigue. Let me know down in the comments below if this helps you out. Listen to or download this Bonus Podcast (14m15s) Subscribe via iTunes To listen to the podcast click the above link to open player. To download the podcast right click the link and choose "Save As". Having trouble downloading a podcast? Watch this video. http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/the-stories-we-have-been-told-about-success/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/the-stories-we-have-been-told-about-success/#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:00:22 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2601 http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/the-stories-we-have-been-told-about-success/feed/ 2 Gene MmonterasetlliMany times we are making choices and responding to the world based on the expectations that we have received from friends, family, and cultural norms. These expectations might not be useful to who we would like to become. In many cases they can stop our progress. Here is a very simple Emotional Freedom Techniques(EFT)/tapping technique that can be used when dealing with the expectations that we have received from others. photo by Jen Watson Many times we are making choices and responding to the world based on the expectations that we have received from friends, family, and cultural norms. These expectations might not be useful to who we would like to become. In many cases they can stop our progress. Here is a very simple Emotional Freedom Techniques(EFT)/tapping technique that can be used when dealing with the expectations that we have received from others. I have been working with "Martin" for a while. He wanted to see transformation in what he did for a living. He felt as if there was a higher calling for his life that he had not been able to figure out. After a number of very successful sessions Martin plateaud. Martin had come to a much clearer vision of what he wanted his life to look like, but for some reason he just couldn't act. As we were talking about this the wall he had bumped into he said, "I know what I need to do, but I am stuck on all these stories of what at 35 year olds life is suppose to look like." The instance he said those words I had the flash of a book in my imagination. I instructed Martin start tapping and to image that we was sitting at a table with a blank book and a pen on the table. I then asked him to start to write all of the stories that had been given to him about what a 35 year olds life should look like. I told him to take his time, to write as much as he needed, if he needed another book because he had filled the first it would just appear on the table, and asked him to let me know when he was done writing. I check in with him ever few minutes for the next 20 minutes as he wrote and wrote and wrote. After filling five books he let me know that he was done. I then asked him what we should do with these books. "Do we lock them away? Put them on a shelf for later use? Destroy?" He replied, "I am not one who thinks that it is a good idea to burn books, but in this case I will make an exception." [Important Note: Early in my practice I would have simply instructed my client to try to destroy the book in his imagination because that is what I would have wanted to do. I have learned over time that client's system knows what is the best way to proceed. I will give options, like I did in this case, to spark the clients imagination, but I leave the next step up to them.] In his imagination he poured gasoline on the books and lit them. I asked Martin if the books were burning. He said, "No". At this point we started to explore the different reasons why it was hard to let go of the stories in those books. We discovered that part(s) of him felt: If the stories were let go then the people who passed those stories along would also be let go. If the stories were let go then there would be no guidance at all. What if the stories were let go, but needed later they couldn't be found? What if the stories were really right? One at a time we tapped on these issues. After we cleared all the issues Martin tried again to burn the books. This time he was successful and felt a great sense of relief and freedom. The Process The process itself is very easy to be repeated. Start tapping and just move from tapping point to tapping point every few seconds. Image yourself sitting at a table giving yourself permission to write all the stories that have been given to you about what the world thinks success is for you. If you need more books they will appear. After the writing is done ask your system what you need to do with these books so that you can be free from others stories so that you can write your own. If you are unable to complete the step of freeing yourself tap on the issues that are making it difficult for you to let these stories go. Do what your system needs to release these stories. http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/getting-specific-with-eft/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/getting-specific-with-eft/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:00:47 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2606 Rod Sherwin shows very simple way of using four questions to help us to get more specific.]]> http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/getting-specific-with-eft/feed/ 3 Gene MmonterasetlliOne of the biggest problems with getting results while tapping with Emotional Freedom Techniques is we impede our success because we are not specific enough. In this article Rod Sherwin shows very simple way of using four questions to help us to get more specific.One of the biggest problems with getting results while tapping with Emotional Freedom Techniques is we impede our success because we are not specific enough. In this article Rod Sherwin shows very simple way of using four questions to help us to get more specific. photo by Jake Bouma One of the consistent guidelines from EFT Founder Gary Craig was to identify specific events to tap on for broad emotional issues such as depression, stress, anger, and anxiety. I recommend a few rounds of EFT initially focusing on the general feeling because it helps to take the edge of the intensity of the issue and feel safer about dropping deeper into the feelings and core issues. Being generic will help relieve the intensity but if you want the issue gone for good you want to get to specific events. This initial tapping on the general feeling might include: "Even though I feel...I acknowledge how I feel” “Even though I feel...and it seems so global, I'm curious about exploring this issue from the safety of where I am right now” “Even though I feel...I choose to feel safe and secure in exploring this issue in more detail" Repeat the above tapping for a few rounds until you feel ready to explore the issues in more detail. Once you do feel ready to continue, it's time to get specific with these key questions: What? When? Where? Who? The first question, “What?”, is to identify something that has happened (or is still happening) that you feel contributes to the general issue with which you are dealing. Sometimes a memory or event will come into mind while you are doing the initial tapping described above. Go with that memory even if you can't see a logical connection because you subconscious has brought it up for a reason. Once you have identified the event, write down a title for the event. Just one sentence to describe it, like a title for a movie. The second question, “When?”, helps you locate the event in you own personal timeline. How old were you when the event occurred? What year was it? Were you still at school? Were you at college or university? What was your occupation at the time? Was it before or after you got married; had your first child? All of these questions help you fix the event in time. Write down the answer to “When?”. Next is “Where did the event happen?”. Was it at home, work, or school? If it was in the home, was it in the bedroom, kitchen, lounge room, or back yard? If it was at work, was it in the bosses office, the kitchen, a meeting room? If it was a school, was it in the common room, science lab or playground? Again these questions help make the event specific. You do not necessarily need answers to all of these questions before you start tapping as tapping on what you do remember will sharpen the memory anyway. When working with clients, I continuously see more and more details about a memory emerge as we tap on an issue until we have dealt with every aspect. The final question to investigate is “Who else was there?” This can be the most emotionally charged question, so if even the thought of answering this question makes you uncomfortable, do a few rounds of tapping until you comfortable continuing. See if you can identify everyone who was in that memory as it can be useful to tap while focusing on each of them in turn. If someone was absent and should have been there, write them down as well to tap on the feelings that come up when you tune into them in association with this memory. Now that you have identified the what, when, where, and who, you can combine them all into one tapping set-up phrase or break them up and use each snippet of information as you progress through the tapping points. After a few rounds, check through the questions again to see if you have more information, the emotional charge has changed in some way or you are done with that aspect all together. Asking what, when, where and who helps you identify a specific event related to a general issue, clear all aspects the event, and give you emotional freedom from this memory. It will also contribute to the generalisation effect of healing related events. http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/do-no-harm/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/do-no-harm/#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:00:59 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2674 http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/do-no-harm/feed/ 0 Gene MmonterasetlliThe Hippocratic Oath (or some oath similar to it) is taken by most medical doctors in the western world. It is believed that it is based upon an oath written by the father of western medicine Hippocrates in the 5th century BCE. I am not a doctor and I never give any medical advice, but I think there is a lot that we as practitioners can learn from the Hippocratic Oath.[Note: This article is part 2 of 4 in the series "4 Principles I Never Break As A Practitioner". In this series I am discussing four of the fundamental principles I never break in running my business. A new article will be added to the site every two or three weeks. You can read the full series and you can check out all the free practitioner resources.] photo by Taber Andrew Bain The Hippocratic Oath (or some oath similar to it) is taken by most medical doctors in the western world. It is believed that it is based upon an oath written by the father of western medicine Hippocrates in the 5th century BCE. I am not a doctor and I never give any medical advice, but I think there is a lot that we as practitioners can learn from the Hippocratic Oath. Here it is in the modern version (Written in 1964 by Louis Lasagna, Academic Dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University): "I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow. I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism. I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug. I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery. I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given to me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God. I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick. I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure. I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm. If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help." Share Knowledge One of the things I love about the tapping community is the general willingness to share. Gary Craig deserves a great deal of credit for fostering this spirit in the ways he shared Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) from the very beginning. This tradition in continued through articles, blogs, videos, and forums. I know my knowable base and skill set have grown because the great generosity of others. I think we should all strive for a generous spirit when it comes to sharing our knowledge and experience. The first three articles in this series talk about the many ways we can share our knowledge and participate in the community. Art and Science There is a great deal of talk in the tapping community about the "art of delivery". This is such an important concept. The art of delivery is all about how we interact with our clients in terms of building relationship, guiding the healing process, and teaching new concepts and skills. Client work is not some math equation in which you enter in a few pieces of data and know what the next step is. No two clients are the same and no two issues are the same. Some clients aren't very good at talking about what they are experiencing. They just know something isn't right. Often time our job as practitioners is simply to provide our clients a safe place to share their struggles and help them to find vocabulary to describe what they are experiencing. In addition to spending time learning about new techniques and how to approach different types of issues we also need to spend time developing our skills to work with and understand people. I many times my clients know the next step on their healing path and simply need the space and safety to discover what that next step is. Being Able To Say "I don't know." People come to us because we are the experts. We have skills, experience, and perspectives that our clients don't have. Because of this we are able to help our clients down the healing path. I love the fact that my clients are willing to trust me with the issues they are facing in their lives. Often times this can be a very humbling experience. Because of this trust I want to do everything I can to help my clients. It can be a very scary moment when we run in to an issue that we don't know how to help. We want to be helpful, we don't want to let our clients down, and we don't want to look like we aren't capable (hurting our chances to help them again in the future). Even with these desires it is very important that we are able to say, "I don't know." This does not mean that we have failed our clients. Instead we have served them by not creating a false sense of expectations of what is going to be accomplished and we are keeping them safe be doing work we are not comfortable or qualified to do. Here are a list of phrases that every practitioner should add to their repertoire: I don't know I don't know, but you should check with... I don't know, but I will do some research on that topic. Some of these moments where I have admitted that I didn't know what the best approach should be have been some of the best learning experiences for myself. I have been forced to research new ideas and to reach out to other practitioners I trust for their wisdom and expertise. Working With People Not Issues One of the reasons I believe that I am good as a practitioner is because of the experience I can draw on. There are a number of issues that I have worked with for years. Because of this I can often find my way to the root cause of issues faster than I could have even just one year ago. Being able to see patterns can be a very helpful tool but we can't get so wrapped up in what we believe is going on that we miss what is truly going on. When we work with clients we are working with a person with an issue they would like to see transformed, not working with an issue that needs to be fixed. Just because a client is describing an issue you have worked with hundreds of times before doesn't mean it is the same issue or experience as your other clients. It is important we keep our past experiences in mind, but we can't loose sight of whom we are working with. Do No Harm The modern version of the oath has replaced the phrase "do no harm" with "avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism". Personal, I like "do no harm". It seems silly that we need to be reminded of something like this, but it is very easy to get very wrapped up in the work we are doing and the issues that are at hand that we forget about consequences of our work beyond this moment. It is important that we keep our clients full life in mind when working with them, not just our time with them. We need to make sure that we are leaving them in a healthy place at the end of a session to issue they are going to be safe and healthy for the rest of day. It does us no good to searching for painful past memories if we don't have the time to work with them. We also need to be sure that we are not leaving our client so exhausted at the end of a session that they are not going to be able to do what they need to do the rest of the day. When I am working with particularly emotional issues I am continually checking in with my clients to insure they not only have enough energy to continue our work, but also that they are in a place to do what they need to do for the rest of the day. Conclusion I think Hippocrates was right in his desire to insure all of those involved in healing we reminding themselves of that they are truly called to do and why they are called to do. We would also do ourselves (and our clients) a great service if we reminded ourselves of the same thing from time to time. If you have thought our idea that should be part of a practitioners understanding of mission please add it below in the comments. In part three if the "4 Principles Series" we will look at the most important thing to keep in mind when working with a clients: Becoming the trusted expert. Note: Gene enjoys helping new practitioners build their practice and current practitioners grown there practice. Let Gene know if you would like to chat about how he could help your practice today. (And yes, the consultation is free)] http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/reinforcing-progress-by-recognizing-progress/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/reinforcing-progress-by-recognizing-progress/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:00:11 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2590 http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/reinforcing-progress-by-recognizing-progress/feed/ 2 Gene MmonterasetlliSometimes we make progress with our tapping that is so sublet that we don't even notice it. Other times we make such a radical change that it is impossible to believe we had the problem before. We don't have to recognize the progress we are making. The simple fact that we are progressing and growing is reward enough for doing our tapping work, but there are some befits to recognizing our progress. photo by David Goehring Sometimes we make progress with our tapping that is so sublet that we don't even notice it. This is much like going on a long walk. Because the pace is so slow you don't realize how far you have gone. Other times we make such a radical change that it is impossible to believe we had the problem before. This is something that always makes me smile. I will be working with a client on an issue that is so gripping it is the only thing they can think of. After doing some work I will ask them to tune back into the issue and they will say something like, "Oh, we don't have to worry about that, because that isn't really an issue." We don't have to recognize the progress we are making. The simple fact that we are progressing and growing is reward enough for doing our tapping work, but there are some befits to recognizing our progress. 1) Encouragement By seeing our progress we are going to keep working for more. It is very easy to be caught in our current emotional state. When it feels bad it is hard for us to recognize how much better thing are now than they once were. We when can take the long view and see our progress it encourages us to keep doing work. With many of my regular clients every few weeks we have a conversation about the progress they are making because it is so easy to miss. 2) See what works When we recognize progress in one area of our life we are willing to use the tool set in another. When we can see how tapping directly helped with our fear of speaking we are willing to use it on our procrastination. 3) Insight to be shared When we can see the transformation that we are going through and why it is happening then we are able to share that experience with others. As we grow and change we can help other to do the same. How To Reinforce One of the skills I have taken from my hypnosis training is the recognition of the power of repeating an insight or change. By revisiting a thought again and again we can create a pattern that becomes our default position. We see that with our negative self-talk. Why not use it in a positive way? A great way to do this is to tap on the insight and growth of the most recent session. All you need to do is complete and tap on the following phrases. This will help you to gain all the benefits of reinforcing your progress, plus give you great positive phrases to tune into. I know I have changed because I now feel.... I know I have changed because I now believe... I know I have changed because I now know... http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/psychological-reversal-2/ http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/psychological-reversal-2/#comments Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:00:31 +0000 Gene Mmonterasetlli http://tappingqanda.com/?p=2509 http://tappingqanda.com/2010/07/psychological-reversal-2/feed/ 0 Gene MmonterasetlliOne more time, what is the deal with psychological reversal and how does it relate to secondary gain?One more time, what is the deal with psychological reversal and how does it relate to secondary gain? photo by Hartwig HKD A friend of mine was working on a writing project and she called to get my perspective on psychological reversal. Here are my reflections. What is psychological reversal? The entire body system and each piece of the system (such as a muscle group, organs, and individual muscle) have an electromagnetic current and frequency associated with it. It is this electromagnetic energy that manages much of the healing and growth inside they system. For example, when we cut our finger the brain does not think over and over again, "Heal the finger. Heal the finger. Heal the finger." until the finger is healed. Instead, the electromagnetic field around the finger changes. The body then responds to this new electromagnetic frequency in a number of ways. As white blood cells are floating by they encounter this new frequency, much like an alarm, and spring to action to create a scab to stop the bleeding. The skin cells respond to this new frequency buy building new cells to repair the wound. As the state of the wound changes the frequency will continue to change giving they parts of the system information to continue the healing until the cut is healed. The electromagnetic frequency associated with the system (and each part of the system) has a current flow like any other current in nature. In the example of a magnet there is a north and south poles. If the current changes the directions it flow in a magnet the poles switch ends. When we are psychologically reversed there is a reversal in the direction of the current in part or all of they system. When the current is reversed it is impossible for the system to create the frequency that will instruct the system to heal. What is secondary gain? Secondary gain is the name of the benefits that come from a certain issue. When secondary gain is present it is harder for us to change because we are losing the benefit from the issue. Here are a few examples: Pretend I am a smoker. As a smoker I am reasonably allowed to leave my desk every two hours for a 10 min break. If I quite smoking I will not be able to take these breaks. Pretend that I am widower with adult children. I fall and hurt my hip. Now my kids are calling me each night, meals on wheels are coming by twice a day, and the pastor for my church is stopping by Sunday afternoon. If I get well I am going to lose all of this attention and be lonely once again. As you can see in both of these examples, on a subconscious level the system is able to name something that is a gain by having this issue. For that reason the system is going to want to protect that gain by preventing the healing. How are psychological reversal and secondary gain related? Once the system recognized that there is gain in an issue it is going to do everything in is power to insure we don't lose that gain. The conscious mind might look at the smoking situation and think, "Yes, it is too bad that when I get better I am going to lose the attention I am currently receiving, but it is well worth it to lose the constant pain and to know that it is not going to develop into something much worse that could create long term health issues." The subconscious do not think in these cost benefit terms. Instead the subconscious mind thinks very simply in terms of protection. It is simply trying to protect the system from losing this newfound attention. In this situation one of the ways the system can insure that it is going to keep getting the attention is by preventing the body from healing. A very easy tact to insure the body doesn't heal is to create psychological reversal in the area of the body that is injured, in this case the hip. By reversing the electromagnetic field it is impossible to change frequencies to give the commands to heal. Since the system is not giving the signal to heal to wound persists. Therefore the system insures that the secondary gain of not being lonely is going to be preserved. This is not the only reason for the system to by psychologically reversed, but to preserve secondary gain is one of the most common. [Also, if this topic interests you please check out Podcast #25: Psychological Reversal w/ Gwenn Bonnell]