As we’ve discussed in previous articles, one of the ways to increase our effectiveness with EFT is to make sure we are “tuned in” while tapping, in other words, that the “temperature of that which we are focusing on” is neither too hot nor too cold. If we are distracted while we tap, or we are just saying the words mechanically, chances are that “the temperature will be too cold” and we won’t be tuned in enough for the tapping to be effective.
This is something I’ve struggled with myself personally, and still do, from time to time. I find that, regardless of the words I might be saying out loud or silently, if I’m not able to “tune in” and remain “tuned in” while I tap, EFT won’t work very well for me. I want to share one tip that I noticed works well for me. I don’t know if this will work for everyone, but feel free to try it yourself.
Here’s the tip: While I’m tapping, let’s say, on a specific event, regardless of the words I might be using, I try to simultaneously place my attention on a mental image of that event, as well as the sensation I feel in my body when thinking about that. I don’t concern myself with labeling the sensation, or putting words to it, but I simply try to observe it and allow it to be there while I do the tapping. In other words, I do my best to “drop into my body” while I tap.
We could say that, when it comes to emotions, they all exist on one level as somatic experiences, and those somatic experiences are usually accompanied by a thought or perhaps an image. So, it can be useful to ask ourselves “Where do I feel this trigger/thought/image in my body?”. The sensation might be subtle. Maybe it’s a slight tension, tightness or constriction. Again, in my case, I don’t try to put it into words, because that only makes me go into my head (intellectualizing as opposed to “dropping into my body”).
So, whenever possible, and without forcing it, see if you can find a way to include an awareness of your body while you are doing the tapping. The question “where do I feel this in my body?” is great for that. In my case, it’s not so much about naming it, but feeling it and/or gently placing my attention on it. At the same time, I’m also placing my attention on whatever triggering image/thought/event I chose to focus on for that EFT round.
Now, I wouldn’t recommend this approach when working on a traumatic memory, since in that case we want to do it in a more distanced zoomed out approach. Bringing one’s focus into an image and a physical sensation can sometimes “really heat up the temperature of the bowl of soup”. I would say this approach is more useful when doing Basic EFT on something that might otherwise be “too cold”.