|
by Robert Najemy
The Apparent Conflict
TFT (Thought Field Therapy by Dr. Roger Callahan) and its
offshoots such as
EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques by Callahan¢s
student Gary Craig) seem to "apparently" conflict with the
premises of Cognitive Therapy concerning whether our emotions are
caused by our beliefs or the disturbed energy field created when we
think of the stimulus. The word "apparently" is in
quotation marks because what is apparent on the surface is often not
true in the depths.
We have a similar "apparent" conflict with cathartic
psychological approaches, which heal by bringing hidden pain, anger
or guilt to the surface so that it can be released through some form
of catharsis. After releasing, we can install a new alternative more
objective and positive perception of ourselves and reality.
Without catharsis, psychotherapy or cognitive therapy can be like
trying to record new music or information (beliefs) on a prerecorded
cassette, which we have not yet erased. We will have two recordings
- two simultaneous belief systems - subconscious and conscious.
No matter how much we strengthen our affirmations or new positive
beliefs, if the old ones are still there, then when activated they
will overpower our new intellectually based perceptions.
Intellectual conscious understanding and spiritual beliefs are
usually weaker than automatic unconscious experience-based emotional
reactions.
TFT and EFT, on the other hand, demonstrate daily that most often
neither analysis nor catharsis is necessary.
New Discoveries Often Encompass Previous Conceptions
Science often evolves in ways so that new discoveries do not
actually reject previous perceptions but often encompass them and
describe greater realties, which include but also transcend our
previous conceptions.
An example is that of Einstein¢s law of relativity which does
not negate Newton¢s laws of motion but simply explains that for
objects with sufficient mass (larger than atoms) and moving
considerably slower than the speed of light Newton¢s laws and
Einstein¢s will give essentially the same results.
So now with Thought Field Therapy, in my opinion, we are moving
on to an understanding which includes and validates but also
transcends the hypotheses of:
1. Cognitive Therapy = emotions are created by beliefs -
thoughts.
2. Catharsis based psychology = negatively charged emotional
memories and their consequent beliefs need to be corrected (not
necessarily released) and transformed in order to manifest a
significant and lasting change.
Obviously these perceptions are at least relatively true. If we
do not think about the disturbing issue, then we do not get the
emotion. And in until now (pre-TFT) most cases would not heal if we
did not experientially release the emotional charge associated with
related traumatic experiences.
The Miracle of TFT
On the other hand, now we see that by simply tapping on certain
acupuncture points while focusing on the disturbing thought-field
and without making any attempt to change our beliefs, we are freed
from long lasting extremely intense emotions such a phobias and the
pain of the loss of loved ones.
We are forced to conclude that since this happens almost
immediately, simply by tapping on certain acupuncture points, that
the energy field related to this emotion (which being affected by
the tapping) must be the direct or at least the "intervening
cause" of the emotional reaction.
I chose the word "intervening cause" here, because
without the original thought, there would be no disturbance.
In some cases, without actually consciously being aware of the
thought-field, we can have a continual subconscious disturbance in
the body¢s energy field, which often leads eventually to
psychosomatic or even psychological illness.
A Unifying Theory
In order to explain my perception of these basic systems of
psychotherapy, I would like to make a number of hypotheses, which
you are free to accept or reject. I welcome comments for and against
my evolving perception of what is happening.
Basic Premises
Here, I will make some shorter unexplained statements of some
premises. If you are interested in a more detailed analysis you can
contact me.
1. As human beings we are basically consciousness which is
comprised of ever changing and interacting mental, emotional, energy
and physical fields.
2. These fields are incessantly interacting and affecting each
other.
Thoughts are energy Fields
3. Each thought itself is in reality an energy field, which when
charged in a certain way becomes what we experience as an emotional
field. This emotional field also affects in turn our energy field,
thought field and our physical body (psychosomatic illnesses).
4. Our beliefs create our thoughts, which are actually energy
fields, which create our emotions.
5. Here is the basic key the confusion - the thought IS the
energy field which when it has a certain charge is creating the
emotional reaction and resulting physical phenomena. When the charge
is removed, then the same thought has no emotional dimension. This
charge is a result of the beliefs, which creates the thought.
Consciousness-Mind-Energy-Body Continuum
6. Our consciousness, mind, energy and body are a continuum where
any intervention or disturbance at any level will create a
corresponding change on the other levels of this continuum.
7. Thus we can change our thought-field by tapping on the
acupuncture points thus changing the energy flow, removing its
charge and the thought-energy-field which is creating the emotional
disturbance.
8. Thus, our emotions are the result of our thought-energy
-fields, which are created by our beliefs, which in turn are a
result of our multileveled ? belief system. (We will come back to
the concept of multileveled beliefs)
Our Thoughts are Charged
9. Our beliefs interpret each and every stimulus (external and
mental) assigning a positive, negative or neutral charge to that
stimulus depending on what our belief system tells us about what is
happening or what we are thinking about.
10. This "charge" is then associated to that stimulus
and thus when we think of it or confront it, we feel indifference,
security, relaxation, happiness or fear, pain or anger depending on
our interpretation.
11. This then creates a corresponding energy field associated
with that specific stimulus.
12. Our emotional reality depends thus on our beliefs about that
stimulus and the thought-energy-field, which is created when we
confront or think of the stimulus
We have Multiple Beliefs about the Same Stimulus
13. We have multiple beliefs about the same stimulus.
TFT will say, "but the person does not believe that he is in
danger, his energy field makes him feel that way." Or,
"Why doesn¢t his fear go away when he changes his conscious
belief?"
Obviously this person has multiple parallel beliefs, creating
multiple thought-fields concerning the same stimulus.
This is also a major key. The thought we have about any stimulus
is in fact an energy field concerning that issue, which creates a
resulting emotional reaction.
But we have various thoughts and thus many thought and energy
fields concering the same stimulus.
Multiple Parallel Beliefs
14. I would like to hypothesize some different categories of
beliefs.
a. Emotionally Charged Impressions - (ECI) - These are not so
much beliefs as "impressions", which are imprinted on the
mind during traumatic experiences. The mind then identifies this
particular stimulus with this emotionally charged feeling and when
we think of it, we feel fear or other emotions. We do not go through
thinking processes here such as analyzing, evaluating and coming to
conclusions. This kind of "belief" has a strong
"charge" but no actual inertia, because it is not based on
many observations and facts.
b. Mistaken Childhood Conclusions - (MCC) - These are usually
mistaken beliefs about reality in which we perceive ourselves as
weak, wrong, unlovable and to blame for just about everything that
happens around us such as our parents anger, absence, unhappiness,
indifference, divorce, illness, death etc.
These first two categories are usually repressed in the
subconscious mind (shadow, inner child - whatever you prefer)
because of the pain and confusion they produce. We suppress them so
that we can focus and function in our daily lives. They are encased
in an "energy membrane" much as our body envelopes a
sliver in our skin in order to prevent it from poisoning the rest of
the body.
These "beliefs" are repressed so that we do not feel
the unpleasant negative emotional- energy charge associated with
them.
They do of course exist in the subconscious and produce their
corresponding energy field every time we come into contact with or
think of the stimulus. As already mentioned, they also create
psychosomatic illnesses.
These "Beliefs" are Stagnant and do not Evolve as We Do
Because of their repression and subsequent isolation from our
conscious mind, these "beliefs" do not evolve as we do.
They remain in their original state regardless of our evolving
logic, reasoning, new experiences and spiritual faith. They receive
no new data.
The third category of beliefs is our:
c. Evolving Conscious Belief System: (ECBS) This is actually
evolving in only some people. Many have stopped processing new data
and thus have remained with the same conscious belief system for
many years and will leave their bodies with it.
This is our conscious system which, as it processes new data,
reevaluates its perceptions of reality seeking to make the
adjustments necessary in order to understand the truths behind the
phenomena we observe.
This system understands that we are safe, secure, good, worthy
and capable. It also realizes that we are not in danger from
heights, cars, insects, dogs, cats, elevators, airplanes etc. The
facts available to it cause it to realize that its fears are
unfounded.
Yet we continue to experience fear and its resulting emotions,
because of our previous two categories of beliefs, (Emotionally
Charged Impressions and Mistaken Childhood Conclusions) which are
isolated from and usually stronger than our Evolving Conscious
Belief System.
b. Spiritual Intuitive Faith (SIF) constructs our fourth category
of beliefs. These beliefs are usually based on faith rather than
proof. We feel that what we believe it true. In addition to being
affected by others¢ spiritual beliefs, we also experience inner
awakenings or revelations in which we just "know" that
something is true.
The last two conscious categories of beliefs are usually weak
when confronted with the specific stimuli, which awaken our first
two repressed categories. We may have total faith in our immortality
or in God¢s wisdom and justice, but the power of these first two
categories shadow this faith temporarily.
Herein lies the answer as why we do not see that beliefs are the
cause of our emotional reality, when we heal with TFT. We have
simultaneous multiple beliefs which are working at different levels.
We are addressing the energy fields, which have to do with the two
suppressed beliefs and not the person¢s conscious or spiritual
belief system.
Statistics and Inertia verses Charge
15. Many beliefs are created by emotional charge rather than by
statistics and thus have a high emotional charge but low inertia.
If we drive a car every day for 30 years and then have an
accident one day, that one accident can affect the mind more than
the other 10,950 days we have driven. Thus we are more affected by
the emotional charge of one experience than by the weight of the
evidence of having driven 10.950 days without any danger.
If we have 30 years of a loving relationship with someone and
then one day he or she leaves us for another, our 10,950 days of
loving relationship is overshadowed by the emotional charge of the
betrayal we feel because of the one experience. Rather than feel
grateful for all those loving moments, we feel hurt and angry for
the one.
Such beliefs are actually of the category of Emotionally Charged
Impressions. While highly charged have little inertia and can be
easily healed by TFT. This is important.
Other types of beliefs which have higher inertia (will explain)
are not easily dissipated by TFT such as self-esteem, religious
beliefs, political beliefs or our Evolving Conscious Belief System.
Belief Inertia
16. Each belief has a specific inertia towards change, which has
to do with: a. How many different kinds of experiences have
contributed to its creation. (If we have only one experience which
is repeated then it does not create as much inertia as having
different stimuli creating that belief.) b. How much thought has
gone into its creation. c. The degree to which it is linked to other
beliefs - creating a web of beliefs. d. How much we depend on this
belief for our sense of security, self worth or freedom. e. How much
psychological reversal we have in relation to this belief (such as
being in the role of the victim or guilty one.)
In general, most phobias are not the product of processing
various experiences and coming to a conclusion and thus have lower
inertia and can be easily collapsed by TFT.
Our experience is that fear, guilt, pain and all other emotions
too can be easily dissolved by the tapping on the energy field in
this way.
However, general anxiety, depression, self-esteem and many other
issues often need more work on the various aspects which make up
this more complex and inter-linked system of beliefs in which our
anger, for example, is connected also to fear, pain, guilt, anger
towards ourselves, etc.
All emotions, however, can be dealt with extremely effectively as
long as we are adept and dealing with their complexity.
Thus, it is not the intensity (panic - rage) which obstruct
immediate results with TFT but rather the complexity of the issue
and how many different beliefs and emotions are involved. In other
words, it is not the intensity of the belief, but the its inertia
which slows down the healing.
TFT, Self Knowledge and Belief Transformation
17. This is why when we collapse, subsume (Callahan) or harmonize
the disturbed energy field, not only do we get freedom from the
physical or emotional disturbance but also a new perception of that
stimulus and reality. We are awakened to a more rational and
objective interpretation, which was always there (as a parallel
belief) but could not be experienced because of the static created
by the energy disturbance of emotionally charged memory usually in
the subconscious.
As a result with TFT we have a positively changed belief system
without even discussing beliefs, because our logic and wisdom were
allowed to surface with the removal of the obstructing energy field,
through tapping.
18. This is also why in many cases during the employment of TFT
or EFT, the memory of the original event itself is accessed -
without actually seeking it. It comes to the person¢s mind and is
discharged and thus set free. This is made possible even though it
has not accessed throughout years of psychoanalysis, because, now
with the collapse of the energy field, there is no longer a need to
repress in order to avoid pain. The pain is removed.
Where the Techniques make Their Intervention
19. Let us now look at the how the various psychological methods
make their interventions.
a. Psychoanalysis works basically by seeking to uncover the
Mistaken Childhood Conclusions and other possibly irrational beliefs
and allow us to reevaluate them in the light of our Evolving
Conscious Belief system, thus creating greater objectivity and a
belief system more aligned with "reality".
b. Cognitive Psychology does the same, but then encourages us to
investigate alternative perceptions of reality. In some the
counselor might suggest new perceptions which we might not find
within. There is greater intervention than with psychoanalysis.
c. Behavioral Therapy seeks to bring new experience and thus new
conclusions to the Evolving Conscious Belief System. This will work
as long as the repressed Emotionally Charge Impressions and Mistaken
Childhood Conclusions are not highly charged concerning the specific
stimulus.
d. Healing the Inner Child seeks to bring to the surface not only
the Mistake Childhood Conclusions but also the emotions associated
with them so that they can be discharged and healed. In some cases
we are asked to reinterpret the event while in experiential contact
with it. Here we might use regression techniques or rebirthing for
more experiential contact. e. Catharsis Techniques bring us in
contact with repressed emotions (results of Emotionally Charged
Impressions or Mistaken Childhood Conclusions) either by coming into
contact with old traumatic memories or by accessing them through an
awareness of the energy body and emotions stored in the body (Body
Centered Psychology - Hendricks). These emotions and their energy
fields are released through various forms of catharsis such as
yawning, crying, shouting, beating a pillow and various movements.
Such methods seek to release the emotional charge associated with
the first two types of beliefs and then replaced them through
reevaluation, affirmations and faith.
f. EMDR accomplishes all of the above by this ingenious technique
designed by Francine Shapiro, which allows us with the movements of
the eyes to more easily access (and release - if necessary) the
emotional charge associated with a traumatic experience. Then again,
with the movement of the eyes, we install the new positive belief,
which we chose. There may or may not be catharsis involved. It works
at the level of the Emotionally Charged Impressions and Mistaken
Childhood Conclusions and then seeks to replace them (through eye
movements) with the Evolving Conscious Belief System and / or
Spiritual Intuitive Faith.
All of the above are obviously effective and have helped millions
of people.
However except for EMDR, they are much more time consuming (even
EMDR is more time consuming than TFT) and often are not able to
completely remove the disturbances from the energy field and thus
achieve the total therapy that can be accomplished with TFT.
g. TFT and EFT - accomplish all of the above by tapping on the
thought-energy-field associated with the stimulus and belief, thus
collapsing it so that we can think of or be in the presence of the
previously disturbing stimulus and have no emotional disturbance.
The removal of this disturbance in the energy field often allows
us access to the original events, which have created it. This might
at times bring about a small catharsis but often does not.
It almost always leads to new more objective and enlightened
perceptions of reality.
It works mainly on the Emotionally Charged Impressions (which
have great intensity - but little inertia) and Mistaken Childhood
Conclusions by removing their corresponding disturbances to the
energy fields.
The up-flow of more conscious objective beliefs and Spiritual
Intuitive Faith happens naturally without effort.
It is important also that these forms of "energy
psychology", as they are now called, can and have been combined
and enhanced with any number of the modalities mentioned above and
also affirmations, psychodrama, rebirthing, gestalt dialoguing,
journaling, meditation, prayer and contemplation.
In conclusion, I find all of these psychological approaches
useful for removing the repressed Emotionally Charged Impressions
and Mistaken Childhood Conclusions and eventually replacing them
with the Evolving Conscious Belief System and Spiritual Intuitive
Faith.
|
