We all have beliefs about ourselves and the world – some of them empowering and some of them limiting. When we try to make changes, it can be very difficult to do things differently than we always have if deeply held beliefs contradict our new behavior patterns. Enter energy psychology, a new approach to changing fears, phobias, behavior patterns, and beliefs using the body's energy system
What is Touch and Breathe?
Touch and Breathe (or "TAB") is a form of energy psychology that does not use the more conventional "tapping." Instead, points on the Chinese energy meridians are held gently while taking one or several deep breaths.
This approach is even less invasive and more subtle than tapping (for those using energy psychology at work or on the golf course) and enables the energy to shift just as readily.
The Energy of Belief
This book marks the collaboration of Sheila Bender, Ph.D., co-author of Evolving Thought Field Therapy: The Clinician's Handbook of Diagnoses, Treatment and Theory (2004) with former president of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP) Mary Sise, L.C.S.W.
Together, Bender and Sise have created a manual which is an excellent introduction for those new to energy psychology, and a helpful guide to those who would like to expand their practice.
The Energy of Belief: Psychology's Power Tools to Focus Intention and Release Blocking Beliefs introduces fourteen-point "Touch and Breathe" protocol which is very similar to the basic EFT approach, and also covers corrections for reversals, neurologic disorganization, changing "blocking beliefs" and harmful core beliefs.
The Energy of Belief is also rich with personal stories of those who have benefited from Touch and Breathe energy psychology in reducing fears, improving their relationships, healing past trauma and improving their outlook on the future.
Energy Psychology and the Mind
The Energy of Belief uses scientific studies as the basis for a more thorough explanation of the "hows" and "whys" of energy work than is seen in most energy psychology or energy work texts. Sise and Bender explain that despite beliefs in the 1960s that the mind cannot develop but only loses potency over time, science has shown that the brain can generate and regenerate new patterns. New studies indicate that the brain "has plasticity and it can change." What's more, the "mind" is not limited to the brain but to the entire body, though the total mechanism has not been completely explained.
Bender and Sise also take the time to provide a rare, effective explanation of muscle testing and how it works; they describe the weakening impact of a sudden emotional shock on the muscles and why we're asked to "sit down" before hearing bad news.
A final chapter of The Energy of Belief introduces the concept that our psychology and emotional health has an impact on the world.
With a combination of spiritual insight and scientific smarts, this book is a good resource for newcomers to energy psychology and a thorough sourcebook for those who have used these tools before.
Victoria Anisman-Reiner - Victoria Anisman-Reiner is a freelance writer with extensive experience in holistic health care and animal training.
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