When someone first attempts to learn Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), it seems initially the most obvious aspect of the procedure is the process of tapping upon the various acupuncture points located on the hand, truck and face. Simply because the most prominent facet of EFT is the unique tapping that takes place during a session of EFT, the physical act of tapping becomes the primary focus of attention of the neophyte practitioner of Emotional Freedom Technique.
Many make the mistake of placing far too much emphasis on the act of tapping, at the extreme of misapplied importance, they mistakenly assume the tapping procedure is what EFT is all about and it is what produces the great emotional improvement for which Emotional Freedom Technique is known.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Do not for a second think tapping on the seven primary acupressure points is what produces the benefits of EFT. EFT is far, far more than stimulation of a series of particular acupressure tapping points.
The utility and strength of EFT originates with each person’s ability to determine the core issue (a memory or thought) that generates the greatest emotional stress for the individual, related to a particular distressing or undesirable feeling. An example of an undesirable or distressing feeling might be fear, anger, depression, low self- esteem, apathy, anxiety, and the like. It is simply the awareness of a thought or memory that provokes a distressing or undesirable feeling that is most critical to the success of EFT to overcome that feeling.
This is not to say that tapping on acupressure points in the practice of EFT are not important. Actually, EFT tapping points are greatly important. However, it just so happens while the act of physically tapping on EFT acupressure points is important, it is not nearly as important as holding to the a thought or memory that has a high emotional value during the EFT process. More important than tapping on certain points here and there, is the time and effort taken to determine and then mentally lock onto the exact memory or feeling that is associated with the disturbing feeling that is meant to be eliminated or neutralized with Emotional Freedom Technique.
It’s like going out on your first date when you are 16 years old. It is not the act of knocking on a door that gets you inside so you can eventually steal the heart of the girl of your dreams. You can practice knocking on doors all day long; you can study door-knocking technique, and become a door-knocking expert. The fact is this: If you want to eventually steal her heart, you must know who the girl is, my friend. You have to know her address. You must know her area of town, you must find her street and the correct house on that street, and you must be at her front door and not the garage door. When you are actually at the correct address, only then will the simple act of tapping give you access to eventually steal her heart.
EFT tapping is the easy part of doing Emotional Freedom Techniques. Determining what to tap on during a round of EFT can be – but not always – less easy to do. Sometimes the events and memories that start a lifetime of emotional turmoil are easy to recall and determine, and at other times, less so. Sometimes it can be difficult to find that elusive thread back into the past from which current problems can be traced. But that is the challenge and beauty of Emotional Freedom Technique. It can be done, even if it is not easy, with some time and effort, these things can always be worked out.
Many websites and videos claim to teach the neophyte how to do EFT. First and foremost these sites make much ado about the EFT tapping points. They expend time and effort discussing and demonstrating the EFT tapping points, and little else. Not much mention is usually made of any other part of the EFT treatment protocol. This is an unfortunate disservice to the many people who know little of the subject, and are thus mislead to think EFT is one thing when it is actually another. Many of the people with whom I come into contact doing EFT therapy seem to have the impression that EFT is simply the act of tapping! For this reason, so many people are frustrated because they are not reaching the results with EFT they expect.
For anyone who is intently interested in learning the art of Emotional Freedom Technique, it would be wise to take the time and effort to study and learn well all aspects of this interesting and effective process of energy psychology. There is more to EFT than the obvious act of tapping the fingertips that meets the eye.
