Overcoming the Subconscious Resistance to Change - Emotional Freedom Techniques

When I work with new clients, I'm alwaysmoney, anger, etc], there's a bigger part of me
interested in why they have chosen to learn andthat wants to accept myself."
use EFT. The answer is usually in the negative,The purpose of this is to neutralize the Secondary
"I'm very ill", "I'm overweight", "I procrastinate", orBenefit Syndrome. Once this is cleared, we are
"I don't have enough money in my life", etc. As aready to apply regular EFT on the issue at hand.
result of this, I changed one of the questions onWhen we tap on our limiting beliefs, traumatic
my client intake form to read 'What are yourmemories and pain, we shift our perspective,
expectations of EFT?' This ensures the clientgently allowing our subconscious to consider
focuses on what she would like to accomplishchange. Once the subconscious realizes there is
rather than what is going wrong in her life.nothing to gain from holding on to the problem, it
Sometimes it's easier to give attention to whatis open to changing.
we don't want in our lives, rather than what weIf there is a part of you which, for whatever
do want. We focus on our lack of money, ourreason, is resisting recovering from an illness,
poor health, or chronic pain, or how unhealthy welosing weight, achieving financial freedom, etc., you
feel after eating a "comfort" food.might want to try the following EFT procedure.
When we make a definitive decision to focus on(Please note: I have used illness as the problem
what we do want, powerful fears can arise aboutbut you can substitute whatever concern you
making the necessary changes. For example, "If Ihave.) First of all, tap on the "reversal" phrase
have money, I'll have to be responsible", or "If I(above), and then tap the karate chop point on
am healthy and vibrant again, I'll be expected tothe other hand while saying the following:
return to work and/or look after the family", or"Even though I don't know who I'd be if I were
"If I stop eating these cookies every evening, I'llhealthy again, I want to accept myself anyway"
have to face what's missing in my life"."Even though I'm frightened to recover because
I have experienced that one of the biggestof what they'll expect of me, I deeply and
responses to the possibility of change is 'Whocompletely accept myself"
would I be without this _________________"Even though I'll lose my identity if I become
[extra weight, lack of money, illness, pain,healthy again, I deserve to forgive myself for
addiction, anger, hurt, etc]? This is a frighteninghow I'm feeling."
consideration because it is exactly the weight,Now tap the following places while saying each of
illness, anger, etc which may well define us. It'sthe phrases below:o top of head: I don't know
who we've become: Our identity.who I'd beo eyebrow: Being sick has become my
Recently, I was working with a client and weidentityo side of eye: Everyone accepts me in this
very successfully neutralized some horribly painfulroleo under eye: and if I recover, they'll expect
childhood memories, which had held her backmore of meo under nose: I'll have to resume my
from believing in herself. Then she considered, "I'mresponsibilitieso chin: and that's too much for me
just wondering who I am without theseright nowo collarbone: I feel threatened by the
memories". It was almost as if a part of herpossibility of changingo under arm: I'm afraid to
essence had been removed. I suggested shechangeo top of head: I want to enjoy the
might want to consider that thought with curiosityfreedom that whole health offers meo eyebrow: I
instead of fear, and we started to apply EFT onwant to make a commitment to my healingo side
all the things she would be able to think, feel andof eye: I deserve to feel safe enough to
achieve as a result of letting go of thoserecovero under eye: I don't have to feel obligated
debilitating memories.to changeo under nose: I choose to feel curious
Our subconscious mind wants to keep us safeabout the possibility of changingo chin: and how
and is very resistant to change. So, even if theexciting my life will beo collarbone: I'm starting to
possibility of change consciously feels exciting andfeel curious about who I could be without this
new, the subconscious will probably do its utmostillnesso under arm: I deserve to change now
to keep us firmly rooted in where we are now,After you have tapped through this round, write
because now is safe and familiar. There is adown how you're feeling and any new thoughts
pay-off for the subconscious to hold on to thewhich have come up, then tap again, changing the
familiar. This is known as Secondary Benefitwording if you need to. Remember, the phrases
Syndrome. In other words, there is some benefityou use are simply a way of outwardly
to staying where we are now, even if consciouslyexpressing how you're feeling. You don't need to
we desire to move forward.be creative - just state what's on your mind.
Luckily, with EFT we have a tool which canWe are capable of so much but our subconscious
override the stubborn subconscious, and I usuallyblocks us from moving forward. Thankfully, by
suggest my clients tap on the karate chop pointapplying EFT we are able to eliminate the
(KC) and repeat the following three times:self-sabotage and not only restore our health, but
"Even though for whatever reason, there's a partmove towards vibrancy and living the life we
of me that doesn't want to let go of thisdeserve to live.
_______________ [illness, weight, lack of