Category — Articles - Hypnotherapy and EFT

by Jack Elias, CHt.

Hypnosis has been given many definitions over the years, and many authors have debated whether it even exists. These debates and definitions themselves are evidence of what I consider to be the most basic and profound form of hypnosis. My definition identifies the discursive thinking mind (what most of us identify with as our ordinary sense of self) as an ongoing hypnotic process.

From this perspective, the ordinary conscious mind contains all the process elements of what traditionally have been called “trance phenomena.” And although the conscious mind approximates reality and makes its constructs seem workable, the mind itself is never accurately in touch with reality.

More and more people are now beginning to subscribe to this view, as quantum physics continues to bear out scientific evidence that the nature of reality as described by spiritual masters throughout the ages is not merely metaphor, but actual truth. In fact, this approach to hypnotherapy could as appropriately be called “quantum hypnotherapy” as well as “transpersonal hypnotherapy.”

The transpersonal definition of hypnotherapy assumes that:

1) We are not who we “think” we are. Who we think we are is our deepest trance state (actually a “bundle” of trance states).
2) To the degree that our awareness is absorbed in and identified with our thoughts, we are in a hypnotic state—a defined state rather than a spontaneous, “real” state, an “awake” state.
3) All communication, both intrapersonal and interpersonal, to the degree that it is a sharing of thoughts about reality rather than a direct experience of reality, is a sharing of hypnotic states, “dream” states, even deluded states.

The Hypnotic Trance of Self

Not being who we think we are is the root of our dilemmas. (Or, more accurately, believing that we are who we think we are, and not noticing that we are not, is the root.) We are selectively attending* to our ideas about ourselves in order to make choices* which define and determine our lives. If the root idea of who we are is a mistake, then our whole accustomed process of strategizing to improve our lives is a “mishap” having varying degrees of painful and pleasurable consequences.
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Acu without puncture!

Better late than never, western medicine is beginning to get an inkling of what the Chinese knew 5,000 years ago!

And now in the past ten years or so, the whole emerging field of Energy Medicine is developing before our eyes, and exciting treatment methods are being used along the lines of “acupuncture without needles!”

One of the most accessible of these new methods is EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). It’s based on the research of psychologist Dr. Roger Callahan in the 1980’s and furthered by a Stanford engineer named Gary Craig in the early 90’s.

What’s remarkable about EFT is that it’s not just for emotional issues, but addresses many physical issues as well, as the mind and body are intimately connected.

It has already proven its value in a wide range of physical and emotional issues, and lends itself beautifully to being taught/facilitated over the phone or in groups, and in very little time.

(Many practitioners of EFT are not physicians, although many are, but EFT as it is taught does not claim to diagnose or treat any condition).

EFT is rooted in the ancient understanding of the energy channels (meridians) of the body, as embraced by many great healing traditions of the world. The flow of energy through those channels affects various physical and emotional states, and EFT allows you to release blockages in the normal flow of energy.

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EFT for Trauma

So, what is EFT? Emotional Freedom Technique is a new treatment protocol in the emerging field of Energy Psychology, based on the research of psychologist Dr. Roger Callahan in the 1980’s and furthered by a Stanford engineer named Gary Craig in the early 90’s.

It shows enormous promise in the treatment of traumatic stress and a whole range of negative emotional patterns, and lends itself beautifully to being taught/facilitated over the phone or in groups, and in very little time. (A similar protocol has been performed by the Mexican Association for Crisis Therapy after natural disasters, for groups of 2-190.)

EFT is rooted in the ancient understanding of the energy channels (meridians) of the body, as embraced by many great healing traditions of the world. The flow of energy through those channels affects various physical and emotional states, and EFT allows you to release blockages in the normal flow of energy. By gently tapping on specific points on the body while you mentally focus on a specific problem, you are stimulating the corresponding meridians in a way that facilitates healing.

Every negative or unresourceful emotion is caused by a disturbance in this energy system, and the disturbance can be addressed directly with EFT. Many people experience powerful shifts in their emotional states, moods and outlook, often in a manner of minutes.

Just a few minutes of this simple procedure that can be performed anywhere, can in many cases correct a distortion in a person’s energy field, which removes the emotional charge on a particular situation or memory even from the distant past. The memory remains, but without the intense emotional charge, the memory can be re-integrated into the person’s life safely.

With the traumatic stress removed, the person can deal with their life situation as it is now in a more resourceful and balanced way. Often a person’s whole outlook on life will transform from despair to hope, and remain that way.

EFT’s gentle power to heal is being used by professionally trained therapists and health professionals across the globe, but it also can largely be a self-help method, and that’s the beauty of it. Anyone can learn to do the tapping themselves, even children, so that you have your own personal emotional toolkit on hand 24/7 to use whenever the need arises, without having to consult a professional.

It’s been a life saver for me, and keeps proving its elegance and effectiveness over and over again.

For more information on EFT and Energy Therapies:

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)

TAT (Tapas Acupressure Technique, “cousin” of EFT)

EFT quick introduction

Research in Energy Psychology