Tapping Q & A with Gene Monterastelli - Get the most out of tapping and EFT

Pod #17: Bridging From Physical Feelings To The Emotion and Memories That Are Underneath

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photo by Thomas Hawk

In this podcast I share part of a client session around the issue of quitting smoking. Even if you are not a smoker you will find this helpful and informative. This session provides a number of clear examples of how we can make the connection from a physiological feeling, in this case the desire to smoke a cigarette, to thoughts and memories from the past.

There are three main takeaways from this audio that are applicable to any tapping situation:

  • how to move from physical to emotional issues
  • how cleaning up one emotion related to a symptom can uncover more emotions tied to the same symptom
  • how the symptoms can return as we tune into new emotions, showing us that there is still more work to be done

Links & Related resources:

  • “Stop Smoking Now And Forever” one-on-one program
  • How To Kill Cravings (Part 1)
  • How To Kill Cravings (Part 2)
  • “Weight Release” one-on-one program

Music used in this podcast from stefsax and panu moon

Using Process Instructions [UPDATE]

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photo by alice (alicepopkorn)

One of the major misconceptions clients have when they come to work with me is they believe that I am going to do something or give them something that is going to make them change or heal. There are certainly times when I teach clients new resources they can use to address the issue they are facing, but in most cases I am simply helping clients to identify the resources they already possess (but for one reason or another are not accessing).

One of my favorite pieces of hypnotic patter I use in tapping sessions with clients is to say, “As you pay attention to [issue at hand] notice the resources you possess that you did not realize would be helpful or have forgotten about that would aid you in healing and transformation. Notice these resources as they spring to mind…”

I love the sense of surprise clients have, as resources come to light that we are then able to use tapping to use to address the issue at hand. [Remember: When working with a practitioner their job is to help you to access the healing tools you already possess.]

Sometimes, without the aid of a skilled practitioner it is hard to tap into these resources we possess because we are so close to the problem. We can have a great deal of resistance that prevents us from finding those resources by simply meditating on the patter offered above. [Note: For more information on resistance see these articles.]

When I have problems (and yes I do have problems) finding my way to the tools that I have to help in my own healing I turned to an Ericksonian hypnosis technique called “process instruction”. In there most over simplified form they are the combination of an unspecified verb, an adjective, and a nominalization (abstract noun) that guides the mind to accessing new perspective and unrealized resources.

The best part of process instructions is you don’t need to understand a single word of the previous paragraph to make them work for you. You can just use the table below to come up with phrases.

The way I use process instructions with tapping is

  1. Tune into an issue I would like to see transformation in my life
  2. Choose a word from each column below
  3. Start tapping while thinking of the phrase and issue at hand

As I do this I simply pay attention to the new thoughts that I have. Often I am given new insight in to the problem. Other times I feel the charge release. While other times I see new paths that I can take to my healing.

I do this process with a pen and paper close by so I can write down my new insights.

After doing this for one phase I will move on to another combination. Obviously, some phrases are going to be more powerful than others, but if you take 2 minutes with 5 phrases you will generate a great deal of insight in just 10 minutes.

Here are a few examples of possible phrase that you focus on:

  • develop useful experiences
  • enjoy helpful understanding
  • clarify relevant purpose
  • discover positive support
  • identify curious process

Now on the surface some of these phrases might seem very nonsensical, but if you give your subconscious a chance to sit with these phrase as you tap you will be very surprised at what you come up with.

Unspecified Verbs Adjectives Nominalizations
Review Appropriate Experiences
Develop Valuable Understanding
Continue Useful Attitude
Enjoy Interesting Purpose
Discover Possible Knowledge
Achieve Curious Conclusion
Create Helpful Security
Generate Comfortable Arrangement
Encounter Effective Beliefs
Appreciate Satisfying Values
Change Worthwhile Learning
Control Relevant Expectation
Identify Helpful Support
Practice Original Process
Clarify Impressive Resources
Consider Positive Meaning

[UPDATE: After posting this article there were a number of questions about this process. I have added a bonus podcast where I talk about Process Instructions. Listen to process instruction podcast.]

A Formula To Come Up With Phrases…AKA I don’t know what to say

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One of the biggest struggles newcomers have with tapping/Emotional Freedom Techniques(EFT) is coming up with tapping phrases. I learned to find the ‘right’ thing to say by reading lots of scripts and patter written by other practitioners. I found phrases, ideas, and formulas that will make it easier for you to come up with your own.

Recently, I found anther great formula on the late Karen Nauman’s wonderful web site which sadly no longer exists.

Her approach is very simple and can be done in four easy steps:

Step 1 – Truth statement [Read more…] about A Formula To Come Up With Phrases…AKA I don’t know what to say

Medical Implants Effect On Tapping Success

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Can people with neurostimulator implants or pacemakers receive benefits from tapping? I understand the presence of the body’s natural energy (electricity) system, but don’t both of these medical devices also produce electrical charges within the body?

[Note: I am not a medical doctor. I am not qualified to provide medical advice or diagnosis. This article is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult with your primary care physician before making any changes to your health regimen.]


photo by John (jlcwalker)

I believe there are two ways we can approach this question, and improve the effectiveness of tapping, by working with the implant and the energy created by the implant.

The Implant
Our bodies are designed so that they are very effective in fighting off substances that might be harmful to our system. We have processes and protocols that deal with environmental allergens, diseases, fungus, and viruses. As effective as these systems are, they are relatively primitive.

These systems simply detect what is foreign and proceed to eliminate it. There are times when they over respond (e.g. a major allergy attack), or when they attack something that is actually helpful for the body. A good example is an organ transplant. It’s obvious to us that something foreign has been replaced for health reasons, but the body doesn’t recognize this and attacks the new organ as if it were harmful. This is equally true for any sort of medical implant.

A number of years ago I was working with a client who had surgery where her rib cage was opened up. The ribs were then reattached to each other with wire to keep them in place as they healed back together. She was having a very hard time post operatively.

Her body was trying to expel the unfamiliar substance, which had been added in a very traumatic way. This wire had been chosen specifically to last and stay in place, so her body was simply going to keep fighting and fighting and the wire wasn’t going to go anywhere.

As strange as it sounds, the way we worked on the problem was to reconcile the body to the wire. The tapping went something like this:

“There is a wire that is in my body…I did not choose to have it placed there…the doctors put it in without my consent…the surgery was an emergency and I didn’t have a choice in the matter…I am still angry and frustrated about the surgery…but I am not angry at the wire…the wire didn’t force its way into my body…the wire doesn’t choose to stay in my body…it is just there…the wire was placed to help my body to heal…the wire was used to help the bones to grow back together…I am happy the wire is trying to help my body heal…even if my body thinks the wire is something that needs to be expelled…I give my body permission to know that in its current form the wire is not a danger to my health…I want my body to continue to work to remove anything that is a danger to me…but this wire is not a danger…it is there to assist the healing…the wire is not something that needs to be fought…I am happy my body is working so hard to keep me safe and healthy…but it doesn’t have to work on the wire…I choose to make the wire a member of my body until it is no longer needed…I release any hurt, anger, and frustration I have towards the wire…it is not the wire’s choice to be inside me…it does me no good to hold hard feelings against the wire.”

You will notice in this tapping pattern we dealt with both the physical response to the wire as well as the emotions about how the wire got there and the fact that it was still there.

The client reported a great deal of relief after this tapping. I have found it very helpful to do this sort of tapping for any type of implant.

First, get emotionally clear about the need to have the implant. Second, work with the body to help it to understand that even though this is a foreign substance, that doesn’t mean it’s a danger.

Energetic Charge In The Body
There are specific types of implants that also have an energetic charge to them because of the function they perform, like the ones mentioned in the question. The approach I would use for this is very similar to any other implant, but I would add the following.

“The implant that I have is creating an energetic charge…the energy it is creating is there to help my body find healing and relief…this is a foreign source of energy that my body does not know…I am happy my body is trying to keep me safe…I ask my body to reconcile with this new form of energy…I am not asking my body to accept all energy as good and healthy…I am asking my body to tune into this particular new form of energy…I ask the body to understand with the wisdom from my higher self why this new energy has been added…I ask my body to utilize this new energy for my health and well being…only accepting in ways that are helpful and healing…knowing full well that my body is designed to and needs to keep me safe…I trust my body can find balance to use this energy for my health and well-being…I trust my body to reject any energy that is not useful and unhealthy…I let my body know I do not think it has failed and that is why I have added this implant…I let my body know the reason I have added the implant is to help it in its job…I let my body know I will continue to check in with it around this issue…I will continue to listen to the feedback from my body around this issue…I want the body’s feedback around this issue…I will continue to work with my body around this issue.”

Tapping in this fashion will assist the body in discerning what is helpful and what is not, open it to being more accepting of what is helpful, clear the emotional charge around the new energy, and give it encouragement to continue communicating its needs with us.

In the long term all of these outcomes will be helpful.

Tapping For Physical Issues AND Can I Tap Too Much?

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In the past week I discovered that I have high blood pressure. I am fit, a vegetarian, and in my forties. Because of a medical condition from my thirties the high blood pressure is a serious issue. I am under the care of a medical doctor in regards to this, but am wondering the best way to use tapping to assist the healing process. Also, should I go overboard and tap every hour, or is there such a thing as too much tapping?


photo by Reavel

Before I answer the question I want to point out a very important idea. Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques/EvEFT) should not be your only form of self-care. Our health is going to be maintained through diet, exercise, meditation, western medicine, and a whole host of tools and techniques used in concert. I love tapping as much as anyone, but make sure you are making good choices and taking total responsibility for your health and well being.

When it comes to tapping there are three things to keep in mind and work on: the response, the symptoms, and balance.

1) The Response
This might seem slightly counter intuitive, but the place I always start when tapping for anything is my emotional response to what is going on.

If we are feeling fear, anxiety, overwhelm, anger, or resentment towards a situation, it is going to be very difficult to heal the issue at hand. These emotions will prevent us from focusing and tuning in to the issue at hand. Also, any emotion that is not in harmony with health and well being is going to slow or stop the natural healing processes.

I have found that spending some time with the emotions surrounding the issue not only speeds the healing process, but it also helps us to gain clarity on what the real issue is.

When we have an issue, e.g. high blood pressure, jumbled in with the emotions of fear for our health and feeling overwhelmed by our possible future, it’s very hard to know where to start. Often it is easier to tune in to how we feel about the situation than the situation itself.

This does’t mean that you need to get completely emotionally clear before working on the issue, but the clearer you get the easier and more effective the tapping is going to be. Simply ask yourself how you feel about what is going on. Spend a little time with each of these emotions.

If you are looking for some guidance on how to do this check out “Not Knowing Where To Start/A Good Way To Start”

2) The Symptoms
Now that you have spent some time clearing the emotions it’s now time to move on to the issue itself. There are many different ways you can approach this.

The example given above is about a physical symptom. I have written a number of articles on how to deal with physical symptoms. For more information check out:

3) Finding Balance
Tapping/EvEFT is something that can be done anytime, anywhere. This is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because it only cost us our time and makes healing so accessible, literally putting control in our own hands. It can be a curse, because we can become very frustrated with ourselves for not using this tool as often as we could.

If I had a nickel for every client who was feeling bad about not doing all the tapping they could between sessions I would be a very rich man.

With this in mind, when considering how much tapping we need to do around a particular issue, there are two things to keep in mind:

First, we need to make sure we are taking it easy with ourselves and the healing process. It does us little to no good if we get stressed out about how much tapping we need to do or the fact that we are not tapping when we ‘should’. This questions is the prefect example of how worrying about tapping can compound a problem. The last thing a person with high blood pressure needs is more stress in their life around how little they are tapping.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the optimum tapping schedule, just tap on that issue:

“I know tapping is a powerful tool…I know it can help and speed my body’s healing process…but I don’t want to get too worked up about the process…as much as I would like to be healed right now…I know the body knows the right rate for me to heal…I know if I spend the time I need in caring for myself…the healing process will happen in due time…I give myself permission to be easy with myself…especially when I don’t do all the tapping I can…My body can heal…My body will heal…I am going to let that healing unfold.”

The second thing to consider is knowing how much tapping is enough and how much is too much. I have found in most cases that there is a physical limit to how much tapping is beneficial at any one time. It’s a lot like running. Just because running one mile is good for you doesn’t mean running fifty miles is better.

Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to knowing how much is too much. This threshold is going to vary from person to person and from issue to issue.

The key is to trust your system.

Be easy with yourself. Don’t feel like you need to do everything right now. After you have tapped for a while to calm your mind, take a few deep breaths, and ask your system if you can do more work now or if you have done as much as you can for the moment, knowing full well that you can come back and do more work later.