I began some tapping about six months on a financial issue. I tried several tapping set-up phrases. Finally, I found one in particular that resonated with me. After a few days of tapping on those phrases, I had a strong urge, almost an obsession to write this novel with a clear vision of the introduction and first chapter. Procrastination became a non-issue. Every night I would have the idea for the next chapter. The novel did not take long to finish, the editing took more time.
It was my dream in my teens to be a writer. As an adult, I thought that once my finances were secure, I would turn to writing. If any of you are thinking in that line, don't.There is nothing like the Now! It seems that creative juices flow more abundantly when you're struggling physically, emotionally or financially.
So now there is this novel Beneath the Singapore Sky and Yes, it has been an empowering and healing experience. So EFT not only helps with emotional and physical issues, it definitely empowers a person.
Although a very empowering experience, writing is also a humbling experience as there will be Critics. Not everyone will like what you write. That is normal but if you touch even one person with your written words, then it was worth the effort. Agapelife/P Nicholas
If you read the two previous posts, you have seen the result of EFT. So is EFT an empowering tool?
Gary Craig, the founder of EFT, mentioned several times in his writings to try EFT on anything, which is what I did. My primary goal was to clear a painful relationship memory. It never occurred to me that the result would be a novel. Yet I did write this novel BEYOND THE SINGAPORE SKY in so short a time. That was the exciting bonus.
Did I achieve the primary goal? Yes, that painful relationship memory is not painful anymore. So I do believe EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique is also an empowering tool?
Agapelife/P Nicholas
The novel is available in BookStop at 4-1224 Place D'Orleans Drive,Orleans, ON K1C 7K3 613-841-7897 That is where I will do a book signing on the 18 July in the afternoon. It is also available at Mother Tongue books, 1067, Bank St, Ottawa,ON K1S 3W9 1-800-366-0514(within Canada) Coming soon - an e-version - that downloads.
My previous post displayed the front cover and this is the back cover. My thanks to Angela Lovell,Editor from Manitoba, Canada for her kind review. She is a member of BlogCatalog. Do visit her blog Once a fortnight OR http://angelalovell.blogspot.com
This is a slight departure from my EFT series or is it? Gratitude is part of EFT and I will be offering my thanks to a number of people in this article.
In the spring, while I was doing some EFT tapping on some issues, a strong thought of writing a novel came to me during the tapping and this thought persisted throughout the night and the next morning. It did not evaporate and I began writing an historical novel which took me about 3 weeks, non-stop to complete. Then, came the longer time of finding editors,publishers, self-editing, layout and working on the book covers. I entered into the world of self-publishing.
Along the way, I came into contact with some kind, generous souls, including one in particular who was in my social networking site. Her name is Angela Lovell and she wrote the review which is on my back cover. She also did some further editing. Then, my retired neighbor, Tony Artna helped me with the graphics for the cover. Another friend Carolyn, read the first draft. A number of friends and former colleagues have already ordered some copies. So to all those who supported me in writing this novel, I will always be grateful to you and invite you to share my accomplishment.
"Beneath the Singapore Sky" is now printed. The challenging job of marketing begins. This novel was printed in Canada. I hope to have it distributed in the US and internationally. So in the meantime, as mailing is too expensive an option, I am considering e-books? I have not approach Amazon yet? What do you think?
I do believe this novel was the result of my EFT tapping! It was an healing,liberating and empowering experience.
As I mentioned at the start of this series, my EFT experience is still at a beginner's level and I have incorporated it into my practice as the results have been impressive, faster, when I have tapped on my clients than when I have tapped on my own issues. I believe it is easier to be objective when one is working on another person's emotions.
Recently, a client came to see me on some anger issues with her spouse. First, I asked her on a scale of 1 - 10 ( ten being the most intense) where her emotion of anger was. She replied 10.She did not appear comfortable to tell me the incident or event that made her livid. I told her it was not necessary to tell me, but that when I was doing the tapping and saying the phrases, she had to bring the incident to her mind. So we worked with the tapping and the phrasing of the anger in words and deep breathing between rounds. After 15 minutes, I asked her where her anger level was and she said - 4. Before we continued with another set of tapping rounds, I asked her if she wanted to change the phrases, I was using and she decided that my phrasing was exactly what she would use but I gave her the freedom to jump in with a change of phrasing, during the rounds. She also decided to do the tapping on herself instead of me doing the tapping.
Then after another 5 minutes, I asked her to gauge her anger level. She said it was two and found that acceptable and her whole body including face and voice looked peaceful. However, I told her that with a couple more rounds of EFT we could bring it lower. So we did another 5 minutes and then she looked at me surprised - " I don't feel any anger toward him anymore - it is O.
To test this, I asked her to think of the whole incident to bring up the anger. She did but she could not feel anger. We worked on some unrelated issues and an hour later, I asked her to bring up the incident that made her angry. She did but could not feel anger about it.
More about EFT can be found on the founder Gary Craig's website. www.emofree.com
"With people that suffer from mental illnesses, if you remove one aspect of thinking, it will need to be replaced by another,"
What is the DOWNSIDE of getting rid of a physical or mental problem, or an addiction or a negative emotion??
No I haven't lost it? Yes for some people there is a Downside, which is why a therapy does not appear to work on certain individuals! It is a crucial question that practitioners of Energy Medicine or any other therapies, have to ask their clients? And for clients to ask themselves? Is there a downside to having a healthy weight or quitting cigarettes or alcohol or even to re-gain one's mobility or to overcome one's chronic pain?
For the issue of smoking, excess alcohol and food intake, there are social repercussions. Example, if they quit smoking, then they no longer feel welcomed in that cozy social group of smokers and if that group was their main social group of friend, then how are they going to find a new group or could they even find a new group - Perceived Companionship, Safety and security loss could be the motivator for holding on to an illness or an addiction?
In EFT, the term core issue is used. Once this core issue is released, then one will make progress with resolution of the illness or addiction. I knew of someone, who stated she wanted arthritic pain relief but after some muscle testing, she was found strong on not wanting to get rid of it. Puzzling, so I investigated - It was discovered that being pain-free, would alienate her from a pain support group which was her only form of socializing. She also felt her children called her regularly to inquire about her condition. She remembered a few years ago, without arthritic pain - she only heard from them twice a year! The following was taken from Gary Craig's newsletter of how a physician assistant used EFT in the clinic to help two patients in mental distress.
"With people that suffer from mental illnesses, if you remove one aspect of thinking, it will need to be replaced by another,"
Mental conditions have many aspects to them. In EFT language, an aspect is another branch of the condition or the problem. EFT is used with other psychotherapies to produce effective results. Dr.D Feinstein talks about the effects of EFT in his book Energy Psychology.
As with some mental conditions, including addictions and cravings, Gary Craig calls these addictions as tranquillizers. So the huge question becomes - what are they tranquillizing from? It is the same with dieting and weight gain!
If you remove an addiction without finding what caused that addiction in the first place, then, the addiction will return in another form because the underlying anxiety was not addressed. Example: Someone works on controlling an alcohol addiction - is he successful if he replaces alcohol with smoking? So Now when he is anxious, he smokes instead of drinking beer? Looked like he has substituted one addiction for another. Below is an article written by a EFT practitioner on the different aspects of the smoking addiction.
"With the mental aspect, can you describe how you recommend the removal of the negative and then replacing it with _________? With people that suffer from mental illnesses, if you remove one aspect of thinking, it will need to be replaced by another, if not, it will revert. Is this the fashion that you practice?" from www.lyaayasmoderators.blogspot
This was the questions posed by a member of my social network. The next few posts will attempt to answer this NOT as a psychologist or psychiatrist which I am not. I ALWAYS Recommend that my clients continue to see their physician, psychologist or psychiatrist. Some psychologists and psychiatrists Are Already incorporating Energy Medicine and EFT in their practice.
What I like about Energy Medicine and EFT, the treatment is VERY individualized.So no 2 people with the same Labeling or Diagnosis have the same intervention, example, for 2 persons with depression, the set-up phrases and tapping spots might be different. That is where my assessment training and other skills. as an RN comes into play. It is why I never make any blanket statement on people's health condition, be it physical, mental or spiritual.
This is the EFT Discovery Statement by the founder Gary Craig:-
The CAUSE of ALL NEGATIVE EMOTIONS is a DISRUPTION in the BODY'S ENERGY SYSTEM.
Although I am seeing much evidence of the above statement in my practice, I do know after being in the health field for many years, there might be exceptions especially in the area of psychiatric conditions.
Next week, we will touch on the second part of the question! Agapelife/P Nicholas
Emotional Freedom Technique
Have you heard of this? If this is the first time,then you might be among the very few left on this planet, hearing it for the first time!
EFT - or Emotional Freedom Technique is the buzz word these days. Just recently, there was an a week of audio symposium on a world summit of EFT with some of the "Masters" of this therapy, giving their presentations, based on their research, experience and practice.
Although Emotional Freedom Technique is categorized as Energy Psychology, it is part of Energy Medicine,too.
I have had some experience with EFT, but before I share them with you, I would invite anyone who experienced EFT or are using them in their practice to comment on their experiences, views and opinions. How many times do you have someone asking for your opinion? My topic for the next several posts will be on EFT?
It is my one year anniversary as I started this blog last May!
Does time fly in this Recession? No? Businesses seem to slow down, lay-offs seem to make the time long? Do you have any control? Can you make any changes? If you said No to the last two questions, then read on....
I am no different from many of you as I am on a limited income and my business income is variable. The difference perhaps from some of you is this - I had made some CHOICES deliberately,learning from and using my Energy Medicine tools on myself. Here are 5 of them.
1. Instead of worrying, use the Time with my Energy Medicine Therapy/exercise x2 or x3 daily.
example - laughter therapy, 5 minute Energy Exercises,EFT.
2. Writing posts on my blog to share ways of being Empowered instead of being powerless. Believe me, there were many times I had to force myself to write.
3. Doing EFT tapping which caused the flow of creative juices, resulting in writing a book. Hope to have it published by June 2009
4.Changing negative thoughts and words to the Positive.
5.Last but not least daily meditation and thanksgiving.
In these days of Recession and Lack, focus of What you Do Have, no matter how small they seem and do not resent others for what they have. Why? Resenting others for their financial gains Will backfire on you. If you want money, don't resent or be envious of others who have it. So if you want time to fly in this recession, perhaps you could try the 5 suggestions given above. They have made time fly for me.
A comment I received from my last post was from a drug company, stating that Energy Medicine is more a Self-Help and not Medicine? This comment is very predictable coming from a drug company.
Many of you have heard of Acupuncture,have you not? It is practised worldwide and accepted in mainstream medicine, so none would argue that it is not medicine. Acupuncture was practised first in China.For many years, it was under the category of Chinese Medicine. Now even western trained physicians perform acupuncture. Did you know it is a form of Energy Medicine? The systems that acupuncture works on is the same ones that Energy Medicine uses albeit without the needles.
Energy Medicine is not a misnomer but it is Medicine that does not create dependence or co-dependence that is a regular feature of many drugs in the market today! Agapelife / P Nicholas
Someone mentioned recently that she had misgivings about anything with the name "Medicine" Medicine as we all know is a substance that is used to heal or prevent disease.
Why the name Energy Medicine? Is it a Misnomer? As far as my research has taken me in the domain of Energy Medicine, one does not have to take anything by mouth. There are no pills or syrups or even supplements promoted. It is encouraged in Energy Medicine to eat sensibly.
Energy Medicine is in the category of Alternative and Complementary Medicine but unlike some alternative medicine where certain nutritional supplements or herbs are emphasized, it is not so with Energy Medicine. So what is the Medicine part?
According to Donna Eden, Energy is the medicine. She adds that your body's energies are able to mobilize and respond to illness. In energy medicine, troubled energies are the Patient. To re-pattern these troubled energies is the Solution of Energy Medicine.
Today is usually called April Fools Day! Traditionally, it has been when all sort of pranks have been tested out, usually to elicit laugh for the pranksters. Some people's emotions and egos will be bruised today. Does it have to be so? No!
This idea of laughing at another person's expense is alien to laughter therapy. In laughter therapy or laughter yoga, we LAUGH WITH others and NOT AT others.
Why don't you use this day as a day of laughter, laughing with others, doing fun and silly things. I am sure that many pranks performed today are considered silly. If we can do silly things to evoke laughter for ourselves at the expense of others, then WHY can we just laugh for no reason, even if it seem SILLY! Laughing for no reason is what laughter yoga is all about.
This is the last few days of the 7 day challenge. K Fields of Articulates shares her experience below
"I have done quite wonderfully at it. I have kept my cool under the most extreme circumstances of when my mother who is undergoing some medical treatments was experiencing serious problems and when I first asked the MD assistant, about it I got a shoulder shrug... instead of getting upset, I took a deep breath, smiled and asked as nicely as I could if there was something I could do to help reliever her of the pain she was in... For some reason this seemed to sink into the MD that this was a serious problem and he became instantly helpful, and my mom is doing better now.. Thank-you! " http://www.arcticulates.org/arcticulates.html
Please send in your comments! Agapelife / P Nicholas
Tomorrow will be the last day for the first round of this challenge. As expected, there were some difficult periods,yet what was surprising, there were no drop-outs. So a big round of applause for the 5 participants.
These are their responses of their experiences. Melinda stated that this challenge made her days happier and lighter and recommends it for everyone. http://blog.melindaville.com
Lady H has this story to relate after 5 days into the Challenge! I have abbreviated it.
I was in the supermarket, with both of my children are sick may I add. There was an older couple just standing blocking the walk way. I kindly asked " excuse me can I get through" and they just stood there looking at me. At this point my daughter starts throwing up. I was rushing to go to check out. I was furious. They were still standing there, Yes I was having what I call a mental moment. I wanted to just scream. My daughters and son are crying. Then I saw the older woman walk towards me, who said, "Miss you are so blessed. My husband and I was looking at your kids and they are so beautiful. How old are you." I am in my early-mid 20s. " she replied, " Well if you don't know, you are so blessed to have such beautiful children, we never had kids and we love looking at children." I almost cried, but instead I smiled and said, " Thank you," That was moment I realized, this challenge can affect you in so many ways. When you try to surround your self with positive energy you can always change the outcome." http://www.zazzle.com/ladyhatch
This is from HelloAnnie, http://www.childhoodspeech.com "I told my family to laugh in the morning and my daughter rolled on the floor with laughing each morning."
I hope that all the participants continue these exercises. If it worked to elevate your mood and your day, why stop? Keep it going... Some of you indicated that you want to take this challenge - Welcome, tomorrow is a good day as any. Look at all the comments in the two previous posts to get more tips from the participants.
Several blogger and readers have decided to take up this challenge. I applaud you for your courage! Definitely, courage is essential in taking up this challenge!
After reading some of the comments from the participants, for" 5 minute Laughing in the Bathroom seem difficult for some as they felt their family or neighbors would think they were crazy. Yes, that is likely - generally, people think you have to laugh for some reason or else something is wrong with your mental faculties. Yet, I have worked in psychiatric facilities, and hardly heard any laughter there!
First to clarify - 1. After about a minute or so of laughing, PLEASE take one or two deep breaths, which is breathing in, through the nose with your mouth shut, and breathing out through your mouth as if slowly blowing out a candle. So in 5 minutes, there should be about 5 to 10 breaths in between the laughing.
2. Let your family or neighbours know why you are laughing and get them to join. If that is out of the question, then break up your laughing into segments. Like Columbia asked, Yes 3 minutes would be sufficient for the bathroom, however, do 2 minutes in the bedroom while dressing or go on the phone / cellphone and pretend you are talking to your friend who is making you laugh. Don't forget to breathe every minute or so, so it looks like you are listening.
3, You could also continue the laughing in your ride to work, waiting for the bus, in the bus or subway, with the cell-phone close to your ear. You can laugh in the car. Be creative and make the laughter as natural as possible. The first few times, you WILL Feel as if you're faking it. Just see what happens after a couple of days.
4. Let the 5 minutes in the morning only be the start of the rest of day, If you can have 5 minutes in the middle of the day and 5minutes during the journey home from work and 5 minutes in the night, notice the difference in your emotions and attitudes.
5. These tips was given by Richard Schooping "Create daily reminders of awareness through computer reminders, hourly phone alarms, etc," ..."the most important "step" is to create quiet time daily for stillness so that all aforementioned steps will have the soil of silence to flower." Thanks Richard.
6. JOT down your emotions, your well-being each day in your calendar or day agenda, so that you can compare it on the SEVENTH day.
The video above is to help you to laugh and just go to You-Tube to see more of these laughter videos - and YES that was several belly laughs!
For some of you, the first day is gone - so please let me know how it went and if you need any assurances, support, etc.. If you have issues, I will e-mail you, you could put your e-mail in comment, marked confidential and it will not be published.
Just received news flash from Melinda - she states " it is good and fun" Yes Fun it should be if not these first days, then in the next couple of days. If you're not having fun, let me know, I'll show you how you can make this 7 day Challenge - a Fun Filled experience.
What's there to be positive about will be your question??? The Recession? Job cuts? Rising debts? The list goes on and on? I hear you? I have been there and I have not completely risen above it. However if you don't want all the above to lead you to serious illnesses, then you have to find things to be positive about? How can you do that?? Impossible? No, I've tried it and so have others and it Definitely elevated my mood and outlook.
Well there are 7 ways I've found to help you bring good things your way! Take this challenge for 7 days by doing these Seven activities daily. Are you Ready to take this 7 day challenge???
1. Be thankful for what you DO have! You have a roof over your head. You do have some good health, a good bed to sleep on, Your intelligence! What about family and friends? I find it good to give thanks in the morning when I awake.
2. Make a funny face in front of the washroom mirror and laugh for about 5 minutes, while doing your bathroom routine, after that, take 3 long slow deep breaths. You could continue laughing while you're doing your bathroom routine. Caution - don't laugh while shaving, guys! You can smile.
3.Cut back your intake of negative news from newspapers, radio,television or the Internet.You are protesting,"I want to be current on the news". You will not miss much - "Bad" news travel fast". Put on some lively or soothing music according to your preferences.
4. Look for the good news! They travel slowly. Also look for the good things you see around you on the street, at work and at home and smile. Spend at least one hour quality time with yourself or your family. Accentuate the positive.
5. Find positive things to say at work or home. Tactfully change the subject if negative ones crop up in your conversations and discussions. Accentuate the Positive.
6. Watch comedies or funny shows on TV or at the movies! Invest in a book of jokes. Read a couple of pages a day. Cut out "Funny Pictures or Cartoons" Stick them on areas like your work station, fridge, TV, to remind you to smile. Brisk exercise for 20 minutes or laughing exercises for 20 minutes. Laughing for 20 minutes including belly laughs is equivalent to an hour's jog.
7. In the evening, give thanks for your day and look forward to the next one.
The first couple of days will be very challenging, I promise, you should enlist support from a couple of friends or family members. If you did not complete the Seven instructions the first or second day, don't be discourage, just continue with the 7 day challenge. If you have more than this seven to make you feel positive, then use them. Also remember, you could write on my comments for help and support and I will reply privately if you wish.
I do want to hear from as many of you on this 7 day challenge which will begin this Friday. However, you may start it any day for 7 days. I am rooting for you!
"This person arrived at the laughter club. She did not make eye-contact, looked downcast,anxious with her head looking down. A few minutes into the laughter session, she started to make eye contact, cautiously smile, then laughed. At the end of the session, she told the class, she had lung cancer and forced herself to come to the laughter class in an attempt to elevate her mood and now she felt relaxed and even joyful." ( quote from Sophie, leader of Laughter club)
The above was from an interview with Sophie T, leader of the Sunflower Laughter Club in Ottawa. Another story that Sophie shared was about a person who had not smiled for 2 years and was suicidal. After a visit to the laughter club, he laughed which gave him hope to continue his treatment.
These are not isolated incidents. There are other testimonies that you will find on Sophie's website as well as the website of Laughter Club International. Please see the links given at the end of this article. So who attends the laughter clubs? According to Sophie, they are divided into two groups 1. Those who want to prevent stress related diseases 2. Those who have heard about the benefits of laughter and curious to see if it works for them!
Research studies both done in 2007, one in India and the other in the USA both show that laughter decreased blood pressure and all the other benefits mentioned in Laughter Therapy - 2. The link below will show some amazing testimonials of people who gave laughter a chance to work on them. You will also read details of the studies done in 2007.
In Dr. Kateria's words, an " happiness cocktail" is produced in the body during laughter and you can have as much of this cocktail without a hangover effect the next morning. So what are you waiting for??? Make yourself the happiness cocktail!
My appreciation to Sophie Terrase and Dr Kateria's website as well as my friends at the laughter club!
" Laughter Clubs - silly" " Laughter - scary" These are two of the comments I received from a blogger forum. Why is it that people are not scared to show anger, hate or sorrow but when it comes to laughter, it scares them, or when seeing a group of people laughing, it seems silly??
Silly or not, this article will demonstrate the benefits of daily laughter to your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. This is especially important in this time of recession and cutbacks of every kind, no one can take laughter away from you except yourself. Here's a video from Oprah - sending her hairdresser to check out a laughter club.
Dr. M. Kateria stated that laughing releases certain hormones and neuropeptides which he calls the happiness cocktail into our bodies. This happy cocktail reduces 1.stress, 2.pain,3. boost our immune system and 4.improves circulation, which all improves your Energy. Laughing also increases the levels of immunoglobin A(1gA) which fights against viral infections like cough and colds. Laughter has shown to decrease high blood pressure, arthritis. It also works for diabetes and cancers. A few minutes of hearty laughter is equivalent to 10 minutes of jogging.
Your body and mind absorbs laughter to produce and/or maintain overall health. You will not starve your body from food or drink, even for a day, so why should you, starve it from laughter?? What do you think? Send me your comments.
My name is Sophie.... HaHaHaHeeHeee, she continues laughing for a half a minute, then she looks at B who states her name, starts to laugh, and Sophie laughs with her and so does everyone else. This how we introduce ourselves in the Laughter yoga club.
Sophie is the leader of this club. Earlier, before we started, she told us the history of laughter clubs and its founder Dr Kateria who began laughter clubs a decade ago. Sylvie was taught by Dr. Kateria. She then gave us some brief instructions and told us not to be concerned if at first, we seem to be faking the laugh. She also told us that we would not speak during the session, we would be communicating with eye contact and basically follow her actions. She emphasized that we must laugh with the other and not laugh at the other.
It was my second visit to this laughter club which was named Sunflower Club. Sophie had an assortment of bright funny looking headbands and hats, that we could put on by choice. There were about 15 of us and for some it was a first time visit.
For about 40 minutes, the leader did some actions,with laughter and we followed. Each laughing action which lasted about 5 minutes was followed by deep breathing or yogic breathing. Since we were in the couple of weeks of the New Year, many of the laughing actions revolved around celebrating the New Year, like dancing and toasting to the New Year. Ten minutes into the laughter exercises, I noticed that many were already getting belly laughs. People who looked anxious and reticent about smiling at the beginning of the session, were now looking relaxed, happy and smiling at one another. Did I mention that the majority of the group did not know each other before the laughter session.
The last part of the laughter session,included a group exercise, transmitting our laughter to anyone we knew who most needed it. Then we had a quiet few minutes of relaxation to music, then, sharing our experience verbally, about what we felt or received from the session - the only time we talked. Everyone was smiling and everyone stated how relaxed and happy they felt.
Have you been to a laughter club? Would you like to be in one? If you have any questions, please send them via the comments. Next week, we will continue with this theme.
